by P.J. Harston
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 17/97) - When Helen Heathcote opens her door and yells: "Come on, kids," don't expect a stampede of toddlers to rush in like forwards in a Saturday night hockey game.

Do expect a herd of dogs -- noses soaked and tails wagging -- to come running in with a hankering for a new home and lots of love.

"It's a shame to see all these dogs go to waste, because they're so beautiful," said Heathcote. "If we can help them find a home, then that's just great."

Helen and her partner, Billy Hewitt, already have a strong connection with canines. They have two dogs of their own and run Pet Pals, a dog walking and sitting service.

And Helen has been a foster mom for the past three years, taking in dogs under the care of the SPCA.

But a few months ago the SPCA stopped calling about dogs needing temporary shelter while they waited for people to permanently adopt them.

Heathcote discovered that the organization was having internal difficulties and for now can't provide services.

"Billy and I found out that dogs were being kept by Dr. Pisz at the Great Slave Hospital, and he was doing it out of the goodness of his heart," said Heathcote.

But the dogs can only be kept privately for so long before they are put down.

Hewitt explained that one of the biggest deterrents keeping people from adopting older dogs is puppies.

"Adults get them, especially for their kids, because everybody loves them. But whenever a puppy is adopted, that means one of these guys probably gets put down," he said.

Heathcote said that while she understands why puppies are attractive, she also feels that in many cases an older dog makes a better pet.

"You don't have to train them because they've already been through a lot of the chewing and that sort of thing," she said. "I also find that there's a special loyalty between an adopted pet and its new owner -- they feel a connection with someone who gives them a place to live."

Making sure pets are spayed and neutered would mean fewer older dogs would be put down, she said.

Heathcote and Hewitt would like to see other people get involved in their cause too, and even see it expand to cats and other household pets, at least while the SPCA is re-organizing.

"Nobody wants to see a pet needlessly put down," said Heathcote. "And often it takes a little more time for an older dog to find a new home."