Article published July 26, 2009
Dog's life can be pretty soft: Just ask Sofia
So who is the more lucky? John Donofrio or the abandoned Basset hound that he adopted?
The 40 or so folks who attended a Sunday brunch at the Donofrio home in Toledo will tell you that it is a wash. Man and dog share equally in their chance meeting and attachment to each other. The gathering was the third-year celebration of the adoption of Sophia from the Toledo Animal Shelter. The Donofrios' Italian ancestry and admiration for Sophia Loren were the inspirations for the name given the homeless stray canine that was found fending for itself in a forest near Fort Wayne, Ind., and rescued by Gretchen Marks, a volunteer from Waterville.
Mr. Donofrio sadly recalls the condition of his new best friend that weighed only 29 pounds when he brought her home and is now up to a healthy 48. "It took more than eight months for her to adapt to her new lifestyle. She was very afraid, wouldn't eat or drink, and showed absolutely no emotion."
Now he can even read her emotions. As the guests were leaving and Sophia sat with her head on his knee, he explained that she was sad. "She is always sad when she sees people leave. Now it will take me at least 20 minutes to cheer her up.
"She is much more social than Sammy."
Sammy was Mr. Donofrio's first Basset hound that died when she was 6 years old. "I couldn't stand the grief. A month later I adopted Sophia," he said.Barney Stickles, a member of the shelter board of trustees, reminded guests that the local agency has been caring for homeless strays for 90 years. Two fund-raisers are scheduled in August. The shelter auxiliary picnic, by invitation, will be Aug. 19 at Belmont Country Club. An all-day trip to Put in Bay Aug. 23 is open to the public. Ticket holders will travel on the Jet Express from Toledo's new passenger ship terminal on Front Street at 9 a.m. and return at 7 p.m. Tickets, $60 per person, are from the Jet Express at 800-245-1538.
We could say accurately that Sophia's party was doggone classy. She wore a colossal pink bow to greet guests and be photographed with each one. Who can tell if a Basset hound is smiling, but Mr. Donofrio said she was for each photo shoot.
Appropriate musical selections by a combo composed of vocalist Lori Lefevre Johnson, John Johnson on guitar, and Ron Prebe on keyboard included "How Much is That Doggie in the Window?" and "I Ain't Nothing But a Hound Dog." The guests tuned in but Sophia showed little emotion. Why should she have? There was never a price tag on her and she is much more than just a hound dog. But when the team from Ida's Catering set out a beautiful brunch and presented an anniversary cake with Sophia's photo, her long, floppy ears quivered. People food is never on Sophia's diet. In fact, a sign over the brunch buffet instructed guests not to give her samples.
Of the many signs of Mr. Donofrio's Bassets in his home, the one that draws the most attention is not Sophia's beds or toys, or even her photos. The colorful portrait of Bassets is an antique of special value to Mr. Donofrio because it is a paint-by-number piece from the old Toledo Craftmaster firm that began in 1945. The Donofrios owned and operated Craftmaster, along with Dismat, Inc., until it was sold to General Mills in 1971.
Dismat produces vegetarian chicken and beef -flavored powdered soup bases under the label of McKay. Guess who goes to the office every day with Mr. Donofrio? If you don't know, you weren't paying attention.
Mary Alice Powell is a retired Blade food editor.
Contact her at: mpowell@theblade.com
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