AWL Website Links 'Babe' With Owner From New Jersey

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer-

Thanks to the Internet, Babe is going to the big city.

Babe, a 1-year-old collie-retriever mix, is being adopted through the Animal Welfare League by Linda Vigon of New Jersey. Vigon is flying from New York to Chicago and then driving to Valparaiso to meet AWL co-director Lisa Barber to adopt Babe. Vigon and Babe will then fly back to New York.

Vigon first saw Babe on AWL's website at www.awl-warsaw.org.

"She was just browsing through (the Internet). She's got a strong love for animals, obviously," Barber said. While browsing, she came upon the AWL's new site by accident.

"I've talked to (Vigon) five or six times since she first called, which is more than I usually talk to people who adopt who live in the county," Barber said. "We were thrilled we were reaching someone that far and this is just absolutely thrilling."

Vigon has another female dog, Ella, which is a mirror-image of Babe. Barber said every time Vigon called AWL, she would mention the coincidences between Ella and Babe.

"The ears were the first thing that caught (Vigon's) attention," Barber said.

Besides the ears of the two dogs being similar, the white area on the chests of the dogs also is similar. Both dogs also were mistaken for chow chows when Vigon first inquired about the dogs.

Babe was dropped off at AWL March 18. She was brought in by a man who found her in a dumpster in Pierceton.

"I don't think Babe's had a cozy life until now," Barber said. "She's really come out of her shell."

She said Vigon won't be complaining when she meets Babe because Babe is a very lovable dog. Vigon, Barber said, will be a good match with Babe.

"(Vigon's) a wonderful lady. She's the kind we hope spots our website a lot more," Barber said.

So Babe could fly home with Vigon, she received her shots Wednesday. Vigon has agreed to have Babe spayed and will fly Babe back to AWL at her own expense if Babe doesn't work out at her new home in New Jersey.

"I told her I would help her out with any arrangements any way I could," Barber said. "This is a real victory for us. It's wonderful to know we're reaching that far."

Before Vigon's inquiry, the farthest request for an animal was by a Purdue professor who saw AWL's website. He contacted AWL about a chow chow and drove from West Lafayette to adopt the pet.

AWL currently houses an estimated 185 cats and 130 to 150 dogs. Pets can be adopted for $50 and the cost covers vaccinations and de-worming. Free initial pet exams are also available at several local veterinarians. Educational materials on pets are provided with a $5 coupon from Ace Hardware.

AWL is at 3489 E. CR 100S, behind Quality Farm & Fleet. [[In-content Ad]]

Thanks to the Internet, Babe is going to the big city.

Babe, a 1-year-old collie-retriever mix, is being adopted through the Animal Welfare League by Linda Vigon of New Jersey. Vigon is flying from New York to Chicago and then driving to Valparaiso to meet AWL co-director Lisa Barber to adopt Babe. Vigon and Babe will then fly back to New York.

Vigon first saw Babe on AWL's website at www.awl-warsaw.org.

"She was just browsing through (the Internet). She's got a strong love for animals, obviously," Barber said. While browsing, she came upon the AWL's new site by accident.

"I've talked to (Vigon) five or six times since she first called, which is more than I usually talk to people who adopt who live in the county," Barber said. "We were thrilled we were reaching someone that far and this is just absolutely thrilling."

Vigon has another female dog, Ella, which is a mirror-image of Babe. Barber said every time Vigon called AWL, she would mention the coincidences between Ella and Babe.

"The ears were the first thing that caught (Vigon's) attention," Barber said.

Besides the ears of the two dogs being similar, the white area on the chests of the dogs also is similar. Both dogs also were mistaken for chow chows when Vigon first inquired about the dogs.

Babe was dropped off at AWL March 18. She was brought in by a man who found her in a dumpster in Pierceton.

"I don't think Babe's had a cozy life until now," Barber said. "She's really come out of her shell."

She said Vigon won't be complaining when she meets Babe because Babe is a very lovable dog. Vigon, Barber said, will be a good match with Babe.

"(Vigon's) a wonderful lady. She's the kind we hope spots our website a lot more," Barber said.

So Babe could fly home with Vigon, she received her shots Wednesday. Vigon has agreed to have Babe spayed and will fly Babe back to AWL at her own expense if Babe doesn't work out at her new home in New Jersey.

"I told her I would help her out with any arrangements any way I could," Barber said. "This is a real victory for us. It's wonderful to know we're reaching that far."

Before Vigon's inquiry, the farthest request for an animal was by a Purdue professor who saw AWL's website. He contacted AWL about a chow chow and drove from West Lafayette to adopt the pet.

AWL currently houses an estimated 185 cats and 130 to 150 dogs. Pets can be adopted for $50 and the cost covers vaccinations and de-worming. Free initial pet exams are also available at several local veterinarians. Educational materials on pets are provided with a $5 coupon from Ace Hardware.

AWL is at 3489 E. CR 100S, behind Quality Farm & Fleet. [[In-content Ad]]

Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


Public Occurrences 05.17.25
County Jail Bookings The following people were arrested and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail:

Court News 05.17.25
The following people have filed for marriage licenses with Kosciusko County Clerk Melissa Boggs:

1st Source Makes KBW Bank Honor Roll For Seventh Consecutive Year
SOUTH BEND – 1st Source announced that it made the annual bank honor roll by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Inc. (KBW) for the seventh consecutive year.

Like The Rules Of Driving, Here Are 10 Rules For The Retirement Road
With four sons, I’ve spent significant time helping them learn to drive. Thankfully, all of my boys were quick learners, and we had professional driver’s education teachers to do the bulk of the work.

20th Year Of Fat & Skinny Tire Festival Gets Started With Large Community Ride
Before 60 mph winds and a bit of rain paused Friday evening’s Fat & Skinny Tire Festival activities, 650 bicyclists of all ages took part in the community mass ride from The Village at Winona to downtown Warsaw.