My name is PULIOOSHA ( oosha is Hungarian for USA ….. United States of America ). My mom gave me a patriotic name because, I survived the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York City.

I was found outside the WTC by an animal rescue unit. I must have been covered in ash and debris. I was given a bath, and my long coat removed. My previous owner never claimed me. I was first adopted from the shelter by a woman with very expensive oriental rugs. She did not like my herding instincts. I would push and gather with my nose, rubbing against her rugs. After three days she took me back to the shelter.

A private rescue took me out of NYC to the country with other dogs. My new mom heard about me from a friend. On October 8, 2001 she came to the shelter, and my head was hanging low. I was very depresses. She picked me up, and I licked her face. She said "Puli you’re going home with me."

I arrived at her large house with a big back yard, and was greeted by the barks of three German shepherds - Thor, Greta and Princess. My mom put me on the sofa, and I stayed there for three days. She hand fed me because I wouldn’t eat out of a bowl. She carried me out to the yard because I wouldn’t move from the sofa. After laying there so long, I finally jumped off the sofa and decided to join my white German shepherd canine family. They would be the closed I’d ever had to herding sheep. Actually, my older sister, Princess, is the leader of the pack. She herds everyone, including me.

I went through shock depression and adapting to my new environment. I’m happy now and love my new home. My general health is good, but I have chronic ear problems. My coat is thick now, but I’m not cording. Maybe it has to grow longer for the cords to form. All the dogs in the house have a favourite sleeping spot. Mine in under the computer desk.

I have a nice temperament, and I enjoy being with people. My brother, Thor, is a registered therapy dog. After 9-11-01 in NYC, Thor and my mom volunteered at the crisis centre there to give emotional support to everyone - victims’ families, survivors, and the workers who came to help from all over the world. Mom thought I’d make a good therapy dog, too. So she enrolled me in canine classes. I enjoyed school. I sat next to a black labrador who wouldn’t pay attention. I did well. After completing my training, I was evaluated, and received my CGC (Canine Good Citizen) certificate, and was certified and registered as a therapy dog in May,2002.

My mom is proud of me. I went through such a traumatic experience at the WTC in NYC, and now I’m a happy therapy dog. Wow! I’m following in my brother Thor’s footsteps - rather, very big pawprints. He’s 110 pounds, I’m 26 pounds.

My therapy schedule consists of: visitations to hospitals (mental and rehabilitation Units), nursing homes, and places where people need emotional support. My mon, a teacher, is setting up a new project now, where Thor and I will be part of a reading program in an elementary school near our home. Pilot studies have proven that children with reading problems improve their reading skills by "reading to dogs". Because dogs are non-judgemental and give unconditional love, self-esteem, confidence, and reading ability of these students improve. I’m excited about participating in this program.

Well, Thor wants me to go outside and play. We’re quite a combination. I’m black; he’s white. I’m small; he’s huge. But we’re both therapy and herding dogs. My mom read a story about Pulis in Hungary. When they herd uncooperative sheep, they jump on the backs of sheep and ride them like a cowboy to control them. That sounds like fun. I wonder if Thor would let me do that. He’s big white a vaguely resembles a sheep. I’m sure he wouldn’t.

I enjoy my new home and activities. I’m so happy to be Pulioosha.

Bye,

Pulioosha,

United States of America

Sadly Pulioosha is no longer with us.

Pulioosha is to be the "star dog" in the Puli issue of

The Dog Collection

which will be available in June

Puli People

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