By Velia Tarnoff Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Jun 14, 2007 at 12:25 PM

We all get gooey over puppies, don’t we?  We “ooo,” “ah,” squeal and slip into baby-talk.  But older animals can make the best pets, especially for someone who’s unable to walk a dog every day or to play fetch for hours on end.  Enter Sparky, a senior Labrador Retriever/Siberian Husky mix who needs a loving “retirement home."

Sparky is almost 11 years old, but he’s in great health and loves to perform tricks for treats and take slow walks in the sunshine. Sparky knows several commands, listens well and works hard to please others.  He’s very gentle and has even accompanied a WHS staffer to an elementary school, where he was perfect!  His laid-back attitude and pleasant personality will help him adjust quickly to a new home. 

Don’t be afraid to embrace your inner couch potato, especially since you could have this new furry friend to join you!

The adoption fee for Sparky, and all dogs at the Wisconsin Humane Society, covers spay/neuter surgery, microchip identification, a health exam, initial vaccinations and heartworm tests. 

Velia Tarnoff Special to OnMilwaukee.com

Velia Tarnoff counts among the loves of her life her daughter, her husband, her friends, writing, developing theories, dancing, live music, Southern California, black coffee and red wine. She's happiest when she can put as many of those together as possible. WWith more than 20 years of experience as a radio reporter and public relations professional, Velia is a natural communicator who loves to hear stories, to share stories and to tell it like it is.

Velia earned her B.A. from the UW School of Journalism and is thankful for every moment she spent on that wonderfully wacky campus.

And, in the interest of full disclosure, Velia is the wife of OnMilwaukee.com Publisher Andy Tarnoff.