June 19, 2003
Well, we had a great time last night at Zany Brainy's! It was their summer reading program, and the age group was eight to nine years of age. They loved Polar, and had a lot of really good questions.

He so loves being with children, and all the store employees really loved him too. The store manager, Helena, was so sweet and nice. She is an avid pet lover and was just thrilled that Polar was able to make the entire event a huge success for them. Please enjoy these special letters! 

Take Me Back for More

June 29, 2003
This morning around 10:30 am WGAL Channel 8 called and wanted to come and interview Polar and I. Of course, we said yes. It played this afternoon and should be on again at 11:00 pm. Of course, I taped it. It was really neat. Polar watched the whole time that it was on, like he knew! This photo shows us being interviewed by Jerry Gish. Polar was a little hot that day, as you can see.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: For Pam Patton and her Dog, No Polar Opposites
By Marty Crisp, Lancaster Newspapers Sunday News Staff Writer, June 29, 2003                        

    People stop and look — OK, sometimes they stare — when Pam Patton walks her dog, Polar. Polar meets every stare with a golden retriever grin and wagging tail, eager to make a new friend.
    According to his owner (or as she refers to herself, "his Mom"), everyone Polar meets does become his friend. Polar, who'll be 1 on July 11, is a people puppy. He's never met a man (woman or child) he didn't like.
    When people approach, feeling sorry for the poor doggie in the wheelchair, they soon learn there's nothing to feel sorry about.
    Polar is a popular pooch with the clients at the New Holland Veterinary Clinic, 337 W. Main St., New Holland, where Patton works as office manager; with his classmates and their owners at his basic obedience class at DogSports in Manheim; and especially with the seven kids in Mrs. Peg Brown's special education classroom at Brecknock Elementary School in Bowmansville.
    Polar lives with Pam, and her machinist husband, Mike; two other golden retrievers, Kramer and Xyla; two German wirehaired pointers, Logan and Luka; two domestic shorthair cats, Callie and Jill; and a quarter horse named J.D. on the Patton's 10-acre farmette in Paradise.
    Having escaped being euthanized as a pup for his disability, Polar relishes every day, providing an object lesson in positive thinking to every life he touches. He's been nominated for the 2003 Golden Retriever and Community Excellence Award (the G.R.A.C.E. trophy) in the Animal-Assisted Therapy division. Winners will be announced at the Golden Retriever Club of America national conference in Ohio in September.
    What's wrong with Polar's hind legs? Despite dozens of tests, including magnetic resonance imaging, electromyography, a muscle biopsy, X-rays, and a lot of needles for blood tests, there is no real diagnosis for Polar's condition. He might have a form of canine muscular dystrophy. If so, his condition could progressively worsen.
    Where does a dog get a wheelchair? There's a company in Minnesota called Doggone Wheels that custom makes wheelchairs for pets. Polar was a particular challenge because his rear legs are straight and stiff. His wheelchair has a neoprene black saddle, a frame of metal tubing, and two all-terrain wheels. It takes about three minutes to strap it on, and Polar is always cooperative because he knows it means we're going somewhere.
    Is Polar a certified therapy dog? He takes his test in Lakewood in August to be a certified Therapy Dog International and a Canine Good Citizen.   
    When I was growing up, I wanted to be: (Pam) A veterinarian. (Polar) Is there something else to be besides a dog?
   My mother always told me: (Pam) Take your time. (Polar) Be yourself and someone will love you.
    My kind of music: (Pam) Pop and rock (Polar) Me too!
    When it comes to television, I watch: (Pam) "American Idol" and "Judge Judy" (Polar) Anything on "Animal Planet."
    One cause I support wholeheartedly: (Pam) Golden Retriever Rescue; (Polar) Pizza.
    For a really good vacation, try: (Pam) Getting away with your family (and pets) and no phones. My parents have a great cabin in Potter County; (Polar) The Potter County woods.
    My first job: (Pam) Dishwasher in a restaurant when I was 13; (Polar) Adorable puppy.
    Most people would be surprised to know: (Pam) I cry very easily; (Polar) That makes me sad; I put my head in her lap, so she'll know I'm there.
    My unfulfilled ambition: (Pam) To travel out West; (Polar) To howl at the moon from the top of a butte when we're traveling out West.
    My idea of a good time: (Pam) Riding my horse; (Polar) When Pam gets back from riding and she pets me and we roll on the floor.
    If I've learned one thing, it's: (Pam) Think before you speak; (Polar) Bark before another dog beats you to it.
    My guilty pleasure: (Pam) Pizza and pasta; (Polar) The dog biscuits I always get when we go to the bank drive-up window.
    The best part of my day is: (Pam) Getting up in the morning; (Polar) When my mom gets up in the morning.
    My pet peeve: (Pam) People who don't change an empty toilet paper roll; (Polar) People who don't throw me the empty toilet paper roll to play with.
    My goal in life: (Pam) To visit as many classrooms as possible so children can see for themselves that anything is possible; (Polar) To be happy because anything is possible.

Take Me Back for More

To get in touch with Pam & Polar, call 371-1464 or e-mail pspninparadise@peoplepc.com. You can also visit Polar on the Web at http://landofpuregold.com/polar.htm .