McAlester News-Capital, McAlester, OK

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  • During this summer, Paul was found sitting for a few minutes listening and watching fishermen at Lake Eufaula. This strip of shore is part of Paul’s backyard — or playground — since he moved to the lake in late spring. Photo by Brandy Brackett

    Paul-watching-Fishermen.jpg

  • This photo shows the mess of cyan ink still in Paul’s fur from the first night at the News-Star. He’s pictured with his toy Stevey. Photo by Brandy Brackett

    First-Day-with-Paul.jpg

  • Paul is shown splashing around at the boat dock about a quarter mile from the house. He will swim around and then suddenly start splashing as much as he can. It’s the simple things in life, right? Photo by Brandy Brackett

    Paul-Splashing.jpg

  • Paul races back toward the house. One of Paul’s favorite things is running. If his owners skip out on outdoor activities, Paul will whine about it at the front door. Photo by Brandy Brackett

    Paul-Running.jpg

  • Above and to the right show a normal part of Cassie, foreground, and Paul’s day — laying around. Cassie recently turned 8 years old and is still capable of keeping up with the young ones. Photo by Brandy Brackett

    Paul-and-Cassie.jpg

  • Paul lays in his kennel cuddling his stuffed animal, Sheepy. Photo by Brandy Brackett

    Paul-with-Sheepy-in-Kennel.jpg

  • This is Sheepy after being reconstructed. Paul’s stuffed animal was found in the front yard torn to pieces. Days later, he had a temper with a neighbor dog. Photo by Brandy Brackett

    Paul's-Sheepy.jpg

  • Paul is extremely close to his owner Josh Jeffreys, who is pictured holding Paul. After consultations with several different veterinarians, Paul was determined to be a mix of an Australian cattle dog and pit bull. His personality does show a strange mix of what is stereotypical of the two breeds. He barks mostly like a cattle dog, and loves his family and guards his home like a pit bull. He’s a biter like a cattle dog, and athletic like a pit bull. No matter how you spin it, “he’s perfect.” Photo by Brandy Brackett

    Josh-and-Paul.jpg
December 5, 2011

What more could a four-legged fella ask for?

By Brandy Brackett Page Designer

McALESTER — There are so many dogs out there that would be jealous.

Because really, what could a lake dog complain about? If there is anything, it will be pointed out. Really doubt there is any.

Day in, day out is fairly the same for this lake dog. Wake your owners up an hour or so after the sun rises with the sound of your whimpers. I’m sure after eight hours in a warm kennel, the urge to relieve yourself is imminent.

Then, hit the ground running with the day’s new scent, look for squirrels or deer and make sure your best friend, a yellow Labrador retriever, is ready for adventure in the neighborhood that sits along the shore of Lake Eufaula.

This particular dog didn’t always have it so good. The first five to six months of his life are a mystery to the ones that love him.

It was mid-February earlier this year when he stirred a big commotion in the pressroom at the Shawnee News-Star. He was a young pup curious about everything — even the semi truck that nearly ran him over outside the newspaper. When he wandered in the pressroom through the loading dock door he sniffed around everywhere. He was marked with cyan ink from a messy pressman who attempted to keep him from toxic chemicals.

A few ladies gave him some of their dinner and tap water. After he finished, he laid down in the middle of the floor of the creative department at the News-Star. He slept for nearly an hour.

Within that hour he won over the hearts of the News-Star staff — and one particular page designer. There was no way anyone could see putting him back on the streets, so he was taken home for the night to later be put up for adoption through a local shelter.

Finding an adoption program that would immediately take a puppy was difficult and emotional. Days passed and no one claimed the found puppy.

A few names were suggested in the meantime: Blue, Oreo, Harvey or Harley. He never really answered to those names, and must have been unimpressed.

A couple of weeks passed, and that heart-struck page designer found him a home at Lake Eufaula with her boyfriend. Soon after, the pup was named Paul and a solid friendship began. And Paul was very impressed with his new name.

Nowadays, Paul wakes up from his warm kennel to seize whatever the lake life brings him.

Paul loves to walk down to the boat dock to swim. He also visits neighboring dogs, chases neighbors on golf carts and lays out in the sun.

Paul is very much an outdoor dog — except at night when he willingly walks to his kennel indoors to earn his little treat. He picks up his “Stevey” and “Sheepy” and places them in the perfect cuddle position. He usually sighs heavily as if he had an exhausting day of adventure

and naps.

He has a little sweetheart named Zoe, a shih tzu who stays inside most of the time. When she’s allowed to play for a little while, he tones it down for her. Don’t be fooled, she’s a tomboy.

See, nothing to complain about. And if Paul could participate in an interview, the truth would be revealed. However, a wagging tail is a sign of satisfaction, happiness and excitement, right?

Contact Brandy Brackett at bbrackett@mcalesternews.com.

Become her friend on Facebook and view her blog BadLuckBrandy at http://bbrackett.wordpress.com.

For more photos, additional links and stories click here.

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