June is Canine Licensing Month: Meet Middletown's Top Dogs

In Connecticut, June is Dog Month — Dog Licensing Month, that is — where dog owners must show proof of rabies vaccination to receive their annual tags. Middletown Patch asked Town Clerk Sandra Russo-Driska, the proud owner of the #1 and #2 dog tags in the city, to introduce us to her canine pals.

• Gypsy, Middletown’s Tag #1, is a beautiful black and white Boston Terrier.  I feel like she was rescued because we saved her from a mall pet store. From the second my two kids and I took her into the “family area,” we fell in love.  Her name was given to her because at that time, seven years ago, we were traveling extensively. My son saw the a movie title in the video store the night we bought her called “The Traveling Gypsy” and said, “that’s a great name.” And it is a great name for her! She loves to jump in the car and go anywhere with anyone! 

• Rudy, Middletown’s Tag #2. I met my husband, Bruce Driska, in December 2005. When I met him, I met Rudy. Rudy is half Rhodesian Ridgeback and half pitbull.  The pit-bull side seems to scare some people. Unfortunately, this breed has a big misconception among our population due to the illegal fighting rings. Rudy is the most gentle, wonderful dog. Bruce had just rescued him a few months before I met him from the Berlin Animal Shelter.  They had found him off an exit on Route 9 either lost or abandoned with no identification. His actual name was Exit! Bruce renamed him after a favorite uncle. And it’s a great name for a great dog.

I was worried the two dogs might not get along, but Rudy is Gypsy’s protector and adores her.  My daughter was only nine at the time Rudy came to live with us, and because I am a justice of the peace, she made me marry the dogs! Seriously, she said that if they were going to live together, they had to get married. It’s one of my favorite memories of the dogs and that time when we brought Bruce and Rudy into our family and home. 

All dog owners that meet the following must have their dog(s) licensed between June 1 and 30 each year.

• Dogs 6 month old and older must be registered
• Proof of rabies is required by state law
• If your dog is neutered or spayed, proof is required to receive the reduced license fee
• The fees are $8 for a neutered/spayed dog and $19 for an unneutered/unsprayed dog
• You can license your dog(s) through the mail by providing copies of the above, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check made payable to Town Clerk in the proper amount. 
• Send payment in the mail to: Town Clerk, P.O. Box 1300,  Middletown, CT, 06457, Attention: Dog Licenses
• You may also license your dog(s) in person from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays in the Town Clerk’s Office in the Municipal Building at 245 deKoven, Drive, Middletown

For information, call (860) 344-3459. 

On Saturday, Middletown Animal Control and CATALES is hosting a Rabies & Microchipping Clinic & Pet Adoption Day (rain or shine) from 9 a.m. to noon at the Middletown High School Vo-Ag Center on LaRosa Lane.

• $20 rabies vaccinations (cash only)
• $25 microchipping (cash only)
• Adoptable dogs and cats from local shelters

For information, call (860) 344-3298.