For the past two weeks, Millburn-Short Hills Patch has ran a piece "Adopt Me" to spread the word of dogs up for adoption brought in by Animal Control to the Veterinary Hospital on Millburn Avenue.

Last week a past resident of Short Hills took the time to drive up from Lawrenceville, N.J. who said, "It was just meant to be."

"I was reading the [Millburn-Short Hills] Patch over breakfast, saw the article and it just spoke to me," Susuan Friedman said, explaining she wasn't even looking for another dog. "I just felt like I needed to give the him [Onyx] a good home."

Onyx, who is now named Dexter, is an 8-year-old black Labrador with arthritis that was abandoned in the South Mountain Reservation seven weeks ago.

Joe Bielski of Animal Control described him as a dog, "who wants to go outside, do his business then just curl up on the couch with someone."

Friedman was so upset that someone could abandon a dog like that, she felt she needed to do something. So, she adopted Dexter, last Tuesday and Bielski said, "He couldn't have gone to a better family."

"I didn't even discuss it with my husband or kids." Friedman said. "I called as soon as I read the article and drove up the next day."

The family already has an 8-year-old yellow Labrador, Cooper, that has arthritis just like Dexter and the family treats him very well, so he will be in good hands. 

Friedman takes Cooper swimming almost everyday in their backyard and has tried to get Dexter in the pool yet she thinks he still isn't ready.

"He's only 60 pounds and you can still see every bone in his body," she said, explaining he's still not back to full health yet. He shows bursts of energy sometimes but quickly lays back down tired. 

Friedman moved down to Lawrenceville about a year ago where she lives with her husband, Gary and kids Sam, 28, Manny, 26, and Leah, 22. 

"He rolls around in the grass though, wagging his tail," Friedman said. "I think Dexter is happy."

The Millburn Animal Control has been working with Veterinarian Norman J. Stack of Valley Veterinary Hospital, 2172 Millburn Ave., over the last eight years to get abandon dogs adopted and this time the Patch helped.

Scrappy though is still up for adoption. For more information click here.