Urbanna resident saves “bait dog,” transforms its life

by Larry Chowning – 

Many around the Town of Urbanna and the surrounding community know Uno, a loving one-eyed part-Keeshond breed of a dog that survived in the dog-fighting culture as a bait dog.

Dina Parry of Urbanna was running Dinas Doggie Den in Mebane, N.C., in 2007 when the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Durham, N.C., called her about a rescue dog that had been involved in a dog-fighting ring.

“There was this one-eyed dog running around Durham and no one seemed to be able to catch it,” said Parry. “When they finally caught the dog, it was placed with me to get him adopted.

Uno’s turnaround took time

“It took me a year to rehabilitate Uno and gain his trust,” she said. “One of the first days I left him at home alone I came home to a door totally destroyed by Uno.”

Over time, Parry found Uno to be very loving and caring and decided that he would become part of her family.  When she moved to Virginia several years ago, Uno came along.

“He is just a wonderful dog,” said Parry. “He is a great therapy dog and, before COVID-19, I would take him into Saluda Home (Riverside Convalescent Center — Saluda) to see the residents. They loved him and he loves them.

“I go down to the (Urbanna) town marina most every day and everybody knows and loves Uno,” she said. “I walk him regularly at the dog park at Cooks Corner and the other dogs just love him. “The kids love Uno too and are fascinated by his one eye.”