As featured in the Boston Globe
By Amy Sutherland May 16, 2018
DRAMBUIE THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER lies on his back on the floor, paws in the air, as his owner runs her hands over him. On this December night, like every night, Gina Alongi searches for sore spots and ticks, her fingers feeling for anything that might be amiss with her beloved dog. She starts with his chest and traces circles with her index and middle fingers down his torso. When she reaches the bare skin of his abdomen she pauses. She feels a small lump.
It’s been eight years since Alongi flew to Ohio to buy a horse, only to come home with a new dog. Amid the thousands of quarter horses at this annual sale, one tent sold puppies. By the end of the day, there was a single one left. He looked so sad by himself. Alongi snuck him into her hotel room and then bought an additional plane ticket to fly him back to Westborough with her.