The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

- a Nae Sg a ---- a... ---.e.. i I... eee. EE a ----_---- Local adoption leads to ' STEVE LEBLANC sleblanc@metroland.com Dolores Doherty fondly re- calls her brush with soon-to-b& royalty. Not that the Oakville-based A Dog's Dream Rescue founder had any clue who Meghan Markle was when the two first connected more than three years ago. "I had never seen Suits' so | didn't know who she was, "recalled Doherty Sunday afternoon at Mil- ton's Pet Valu (890 Main St.) - the site of what's now her most well- known rescue in March 2015. "She was very low key and just said she worked on set (of the show)." Eager to find a companion for her pooch Bogart and coming across A Dog's Dream Rescue on- line, Markle initially expressed "interest in adopting another bea- gle via email with Doherty. "I told 'her 'great, but you need to fill out an application'. She sent one back in 10 minutes." . Markle then made hqr way to' Milton for an already planned 'adoption by~ Doherty's group - which specializes in beagles and hounds - but the intended adopt- ee and Bogart just didn't gel. FT pan Re 450 Bronte St. South, UE SAR ICURC I EEE ol | Fax: 905.878.5144 Email: inaidoo- EI mpp.co@liberal RE=1E 908. FART r Waiting a few feet away was Guy, a shy but loveable pup found in Kentucky's Appalachian Mountains who would have been euthanized if not taken iimrby A Dog's Dream Rescue. "It was obvious right away that this was a good fit (between Guy and Bogart)," said Doherty, whose group enjoyed one of its biggest adoptions ever Sunday - with 25 of 28 dogs finding forever homes. "I had planned to do a home visit' to check out her 'fenced-in backyard but that nev: er happened, which I regret. But I had such a level of confidence (in adoption) after speaking with her and seeing her post a bunch of photos of Guy on Instagram." "T just got a good feeling from her. She's such a likeable person. She asked good questions and re- ally listened to the answers. She was so sincere. no star power or ego. She really stood out to me." Fast forward three years, and Guy is now embarking on a shel- ter-to-castle fairy-tale, having re- cently been moved to the U.K. "and about to take up residence. in Kennsingfon Palace's Notting- ham Cottage. "You could tell she (Markle) Indira Naidoo-Harri MPP, Halton .0la.org Web: ndiranaidooharris,onmMpp.ca able." ------ ~ royal, treatment! tor Guy the beagle TTT i, Fo Grane Paine/Metroland A Dog's Dream Rescue founder Dolores Dohery holds Robin, a beagle rescued from Kentucky, as two other pooches in need of forever homes look on during an adoption event at Pet Valu in Milton. was a dog person. It's unbeliev- said Pet Valu franchise owner Steve Pearson, who was working during the now much- publicized adoption, which came to light publicly just last week as the royal wedding draws near. "It's just a dream come true and Presenting Spghsor it's been great sharing the story." Quipped Pet Valu Canada marketing manager Alison Preiss, "We need to get the movie rights." Doherty echoed those senti- ments. - "He (Guy) was in a dire situa- tion and now he's prince of d castle. People who've heard the story are saying "Wow, you're fa- mous." Having had more than 300 dogs rescued at the local Pet Valu now - with the ones not adopted Sunday set to be taken on a shop- ping spree this week - Doherty is certainly grateful for the expo- sure Guy's rags-to-riches story has created for her organization. But what's most important-is that the long, downy eared fella is well cared for - whethér in down- town TV or amidst royalty. "Beagles are pretty adapt- able," she said, referring to Guy's major change of scenery. "Just give them a belly rub and they're good." While no doubt getting a kick from the buzz of her celebrity as- sociation, Doherty takes great satisfaction from every success- ful rescue - her heart swelling from one particular union that's still quite new. "About three weeks ago a fam-"" 8102 '9z |udyweepsiny] | uoidurey ueipeue') uoiw N ily with three autistic children adopted one of my beagles. One of the kids has always been quiet but is now making sounds to the dog." SUNDAY, JUNE 24™ 2018 Volunteer Sponsor Duft¥rin Agpregotes ATTENTION ALL CYCLISTS! « Choose your distance and experience the stunning views of the Niagara escarpment: 100 km - 50 km - 25 km + Free lunch and refreshments for all registered riders. » Tons of prizes, sponsor swag and gifts! + PLUS... Meet the pros and our special dignitaries, including olympic cyclists Dede and Michael Barry Start/Finish: Mattamy National Cycling Centre, 2015 Pan Am Blvd., Milton Sanctioned by woo > UCHEYEpISUI