ADAMS -- A South Egremont woman operating a foster home for dogs has rescued an impounded pit bull/Labrador mix from a possible death sentence.

Bonnie Bassis, owner of A Place for Us, Bonnie's Foster Home for Dogs, in South Egremont, brought Hey, an 18-month-old female dog formerly owned by Joseph Poplaski of 12 Smith St., to her new quarters yesterday, according to town Animal Control Officer Terry Moran. Moran brought the dog yesterday morning to Greylock Animal Hospital for a rabies shot. Hospital staff had previously refused to vaccinate the dog unless Poplaski relinquished control of Hey.

Bassis paid for the shot, Moran said.

According to Moran, Robert DiCensi of Adams initially agreed to take ownership of the dog, and Poplaski signed the appropriate papers for the transfer last week.

"I talked to Robert, and he has a good head on his shoulders," Moran said. "Robert took ownership of the dog and, in turn, he gave ownership to Bonnie. Robert did the right thing, and now the dog is going with Bonnie."

Bassis was among several individuals interested in acquiring Hey, but Poplaski refused to communicate with Moran about potential new owners, Moran said. 

According to Moran, Poplaski approached DiCensi about taking Hey, and DiCensi agreed because he feared that the dog would be euthanized. Poplaski did not tell DiCensi that there were people interested in adopting Hey, Moran said.

The foster home works with dogs in situations similar to that of Hey, ultimately adopting the animals out to new homes, Moran said.

The dog responded well to Bassis and appeared calm at the veterinary hospital, although Hey rebuffed veterinarian attempts for a physical examination, according to Moran.

Dog has calmed down

The dog, whose aggressive behavior initially caused Moran grave consternation, has calmed down enough to earn the animal officer's affections.

"I am going to miss her," Moran said. "I could walk right into the cage with her toward the end of her stay. She really thought the place was hers. Hopefully, Bonnie can work with her and find her a nice home. It's a good, happy ending to a long, sad story." Hey was removed from Smith Street in July after Moran discovered Poplaski had violated a Selectmen's order requiring the dog to be kept in a confined, secured area when no one was at home.

Town officials issued the order based on repeated complaints from Adams Postmaster Wilfred C. Parmenter, who told the Selectmen the dog often chased mail carriers, and from neighbors. 

After Moran seized the dog, the town issued an order mandating that the dog would be destroyed if Poplaski did not transfer ownership of the dog to someone else by this Monday, Aug. 27.

Selectmen Chairwoman Myra Wilk said the Selectmen are pleased the dog will live.

"Most of [the Selectmen] are dog owners," she said. "Having to put the dog down was an absolutely last resort. That was an agonizing decision, but we had to think about the safety of the neighborhood."
Wilk said the August order was not issued lightly.

"But we are responsible for making difficult decisions," she said. "The dog's owner decided to transfer ownership and the new owner did the right thing for the dog. The board is very pleased at the outcome."

At this point, Moran said he is uncertain how the town will handle the fees that accumulated while Hey was at the shelter, but that Poplaski must deal with four town animal bylaw citations issued to him.

"That's $200 in fines right there," he said.

EGREMONT -- Life changes have already begun for a pit bull/Labrador mix dog saved from death by Bonnie Bassis, operator of A Place for Us, Bonnie's Foster Home for Dogs in South Egremont.

Bassis took custody of the dog formerly known as Hey yesterday, and renamed her Daisy Mae.

Properly outfitted with a new name, Daisy Mae has embarked on her new life as well, Bassis said.

"Right now she is outside in a fenced section of my yard among the trees and grass, at her ease," Bassis said. "She was great in the car on the way here; we made a couple of stops and I had two other dogs in the car. There was no dog aggression."

An established plan will assist Daisy Mae as she learns to adapt to new surroundings and develops her positive side, Bassis said.

Step one was the name change, to one sounding similar to her former name to avoid confusion, Bassis said. She will be spayed tomorrow, and will also receive a vaccine for kennel cough and distemper soon. Daisy Mae will require about 10 days of rest after being spayed, Bassis said.

Training the dog how to use the "doggie doors" was expected to begin yesterday, and dog trainer Lois Platt, who is also the animal control officer for Great Barrington, was slated to perform a temperament evaluation on Daisy Mae later in the day. The dog will also be acclimated to her new sleeping quarters, a cushioned crate, Bassis said.

"Crates are used for sleeping and they love it," she said. "It's like their den. Crates should never be used for discipline."Integration into her new surroundings, which is also home to several other dogs and Bassis' three cats, is also a part of Daisy Mae's daily structure, Bassis said.

Bassis provides foster care for up to four dogs at a time, utilizing her 1 3/4-acre yard off Taconic Lane for the dogs. All dogs in Bassis' care are socialized on a daily basis via hikes, car rides, and visits with neighbors and friends. 

All dogs work closely with Platt in individual and group training sessions. Adoption of the dogs is the goal, and trial visits, walks and car rides with prospective owners are encouraged, Bassis said. Dogs are adopted by those "who can provide the very best home" for a specific dog, she said.

Daisy Mae will be listed for adoption on Bassis' Web site at some point, she said. 
Based on Daisy Mae's behavior yesterday, Bassis has high hopes for the dog, she said.

"I have a lot of expectations for her," Bassis said. "With a Labrador/pit bull mix, you can have the best qualities of both. A lot of how this happens is up to her, but she's been just wonderful."

Bassis stressed that her work with dogs is rooted in help and advice from Platt, numerous veterinarians and other animal experts that she depends on for expertise and guidance.

"I'm no trainer, I'm no professional, I'm just a person who loves dogs," she said.