Westchester Residents Love Their Rescue Pets

hardly have time to sit around,” she says. “I have fostered over 230 dogs.” At home with her now is Benji, a Bichon Frise. He came four years ago as a foster and she subsequently adopted him. “Benji is very friendly and alert,” she enthuses. “I have a big backyard and he keeps me active.”

Larchmont resident Paula Krenkel has been involved in rescue for 18 years and always has some rescue animals in her home. “I am now down to two dogs and a cat,” she admits. I love having a pet. A pet makes you think of something other than yourself. For my husband and me, it’s about giving a great life to dogs and cats that otherwise may have been euthanized or still on the street.” Kaleah is her Chihuahua mix from Texas; her Beagle Terrier mix hails from West Virginia; and her cat Piper is a local, from Tuckahoe.

Judy Sirakos, 72, of New Rochelle, says having dogs is a longtime passion for her. “I

Baby boomer and Purchase resident Maria Stark is a volunteer and kennel manager at PetRescue. “I would never not have a dog because they give you unconditional love and companionship.” They are always happy to see you and they help calm you down, she says. Right now, her rescue is a Pit Bull named Marvel.

Ossining resident Shari Applebaum, 64, and her husband have an eight-year-old mixed breed named Mowgli, who was a rescue from Albuquerque. Commenting on their experience, she shares, “There is always warmth and I love knowing that I have a friend who is around to walk with me all the time. I take incredibly long walks and it is fun to have a dog with you that never says no.”

- Rosemary Black