For Todd and Ann Indykiewicz the one negative thing about owning pets, specifically dogs, is they live only 14-15 years. "It's tough to lose them," said Ann who along with her husband Todd grew up with pets in the house.
Todd and Ann have been married for 24 years and Todd pretty much knew that with marriage there would be pets in the house. Their "kids" include two-year-old Rio and nine-year-old Gator, both Springer Spaniels, and Ozzie, a Cocker Spaniel mix, the senior citizen of the trio at 12 years old.
Todd and Ann got Rio from Springer Rescue and the other two came from Paws & Claws. They have fostered five-six dogs and Ozzie is one they kept. "It's tough giving them back, but we knew they were going to good homes," said Ann.
Gator was one of a litter of pups brought in to Paws & Claws. Ozzie was fostered because he was heartworm positive and the Indykiezicz were on the Springer Rescue list when Rio became available.
Gator and Rio are inseparable and they get the run of the house when Todd and Ann are not home. Ozzie prefers to be by himself and is kenneled in the garage during the day when they are at work.
At night the bedroom is a common gathering place. Todd and Ann, plus the three dogs all sleep in the bedroom, the three dogs in their own beds. When Todd is gone though the dogs know they are free to sleep in the bed with Ann.
Ann has been active in Paws & Claws for many years. She has served on the board and is currently co-chair of the Pet Walk held each May, which is one of the two major fundraisers Paws & Claws has annually.
Ann started volunteering at Paws & Claws, at first cleaning kennels and walking dogs. She immediately became a strong believer in the organization. Todd and Ann don't even like to think of what might have happened to Gator, Rio or Ozzie had Springer Rescue or Paws & Claws not been in existence.
Todd and Ann have tried to spread out the dogs in their family so they don't have two senior citizens or two young pups roaming the house at the same time. "We have tried to space them out six years apart," said Ann.
Todd loves to hunt pheasants with Gator and Rio, but that's not the main reason these dogs are part of the family. "The hunting is secondary," said Todd. "They are a great two-way dog though, good hunters, have a great temperment and are good with kids."
Todd and Ann are not sure where their lives would be without their four-legged family members. "I might think of myself as selfish if we did not have the dogs around the house," said Ann. "They are our companions," said Todd. "We are a family."
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