Abused dog finds new family

MAT-SU -- This summer, a year-old border collie was brought into the Mat-Su Animal Care and Regulation shelter after officers found him at a Valley home -- the dog had been unable to move because a cable lead attached to his leash tangled in a bicycle and wrapped around his neck so tightly it became encased in his skin.

Now, with a new name and a new family, Speedy -- formerly known as Shady -- is a well-adjusted, well-spoiled family dog.

"He caught my eye and heart the day I visited the shelter looking for a house dog," Eva Pollock said in an e-mail sent recently.

When Speedy was at the shelter, he was a favorite among shelter staff. Known for his friendly, happy manner, many were surprised to find he had been found neglected and deprived of food and water.

Pollock said her two Bernese Mountain dogs have grown to love Speedy, and the three tangle frequently in wrestling matches, when they're not running through the fields on daily walks. Because of his breeding, Speedy's an active dog, and the Pollocks have catered to Speedy's need to burn energy. This summer, Speedy joined the family in climbing Lazy Mountain, camping in Seward, exploring Talkeetna and climbing to Gold Cord Lake in Hatcher Pass.

"I can't imagine our life without him now," Pollock said. "He is a one-of-a-kind dog."