Nine-year-old boy wins trust of elusive stray dog
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For two weeks a dog eluded animal control and rescue workers who were unable to capture the stray and bring her in from the cold. This past weekend a 9-year-old boy made friends with the dog, who he named Kelly, and was able to win her trust and bring her out of the cold.
D.J. Levan went sledding with his father and a friend at Krape Park in Freeport, Illinois. While enjoying the fresh snow on the hill D.J noticed a dog, a blue heeler mix, standing nearby apparently afraid to get close to anyone. He attempted to pet the dog but the dog wouldn’t let him get close.
When D.J. went home Saturday he couldn’t stop thinking about the dog. So on Sunday he returned to the park again to go sledding and hopefully find the dog. As D.J. began sledding, the dog started to follow him up and down the hill. The two soon were playing and the dog even began to lick D.J.’s face.
As D.J and the dog became friends, the Levan family learned that animal control and the Friends Forever Humane Society had been trying to capture the dog for two weeks. D.J. decided to name his new friend Kelly and at the end of the day Kelly hopped into the Levan’s car with her new friend. “I heard a lot of people talking about how this dog had been living at a park, but no one could get close to her,” D.J. said. “She became my friend – I gave her a name – I just knew we had to save her.”
With Kelly safely in the Levan’s car, D.J.’s dad contacted the shelter manager at Friends Forever Humane Society, Carol Falconer. For two weeks Falconer and Animal Control Officer Bill Niesman had been trying to capture Kelly, but she’d never let anyone get close enough. “We had people calling us all the time about this dog, but we just could not get her,” Falconer said. “The fact that D.J. and this dog bonded just shows the power of trust – Kelly, as she is known now, trusted that little boy – he saved her.”
Kelly doesn’t have a microchip and will be kept on hold for seven days before she can be adopted. She is believed to be around 2-years-old. Although a little worn from the cold, she’s healthy. “I am so glad she is now safe and warm,” D.J. said. “I can’t wait to visit her someday.”
I’m wondering why the little boy can’t keep the dog? They have a bond, who knows if the dog would trust anyone else? How does D.J. feel about it?
Woof woof!
12 
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Just one lok at that little boy and one would just love him
Is there a reason the family didn’t adopt?
Every dog should have a kid! Kelly picked her’s. Let it happen. It’s right.
Woof woof!
9 
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How do we find out more about the possibility of adopting this dog? She sounds like the perfect match for someone I know who has been searching for just the right companion.
The main reason why people cannot adopt is that they live in apartments which don’t allow pets. This is a huge issue contributing largely to the deaths of many pets. We should fight tooth and nail to change these laws that favor only landlords and deny tenants the wonderful aspects of pet ownership that others enjoy just because they are homeowners. Perhaps these landlords are among pet owners themselves.
Such a shame… The dog chose to trust boy, who betrayed him and deserted him to a shelter. The child says he hopes to visit the dog, well, NO. Don’t visit . It will be too hard on the dog since you chose ot to let him stay with you after he let you rescue him. So, No, don’t visit.
Yow. What do you think?
2 
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Ummmm…..Susie, it wasn’t the boy’s dog. Would you rather that the dog be left out in the cold to fend for itself?
Woof woof!
6 
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SUSIE – did you read the story at all?
Have you EVER considered they might be living in an Apartment that doesn’t ALLOW people to own pet’s…or that they can’t AFFORD to own a pet…OR that one of the family might be allergic….As an ‘owned’ rescue person, for rescuing THREE in the past two years, I find it’s people like you who judge without even CONSIDERING what might be involved. And if YOU’RE so invested, why don’t YOU adopt the dog?
Seem’s fair to me…..though I doubt a dog need’s anyone as judgemental as you SO obviously are….
He is a CHILD, for God’s sake…..when YOU were a child? Did YOU make the major ‘family decisions?’ because if you DID, then you were a rarity!
Amazing Kid…Sounds like DJ and Kelly belong together forever!!!
Susie is an idiot. And the dog was probably put “on hold” so the rightful owners have a chance to find her and take her home. We had a dog stray before and found her in a shelter (no microchip at the time), so my family was thankful someone turned her in as a lost/found pet.
Woof woof!
4 
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Well after the 7 days, she’ll be up for adoption so perhaps D.J.’s family will adopt her. Here’s hoping ….
Awe! Little Kelly probably couldn’t stop thinking about D.J. either! I hope there is a happy reunion coming soon for either D.J. and Kelly or Kelly and his perfect home.