PetSmart Brightens Rescued Romanian Dog’s First Christmas In U.S.

ORLAND HILLS, IL -- Christmas came early for a stray dog that was adopted by an Army major and flown from Romania to his new life in America. Readers were captivated by the story of Major Dan Johnson, who met Pete, a stray Corgi-German shepherd mix, while on a NATO mission in Cinco, Romania. Johnson and Pete took a shine to each other. After Johnson left his assignment in Romania, he decided to do everything he could to adopt Pete and bring him to the United States.

The two buddies were reunited in October in a cargo area at O’Hare International Airport, after Pete went through a lengthy quarantine period in Europe before the embarking on a 32-hour flight to Chicago. Before Pete’s arrival, Major Dan and wife, Leslie, stocked up on supplies at the Orland Hills PetSmart.

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After reading the story about how Major Johnson and Pete found each other on Patch, PetSmart decided to help them celebrate their first Christmas together in the United States by inviting Pete to meet Santa and have his picture taken with his new family during a store event last Saturday.

“It was a really good experience,” Johnson said. “PetSmart sent us an email asking what time we were going to be there. They were waiting for us in the front of the store. They immediately recognized Pete.”

PetSmart presented Pete with a basket of goodies, including treats and squeaky toys, most of which Pete has already dismantled. Pete was also presented with antler ears, which he wore for about three seconds.

Pete was a little in awe of Santa. A pretty laid-back pooch, Johnson said Pete “barked more than I have ever heard him bark.”

After living on the streets in a tiny village in Romania for most of his life eating scraps, Pete has quickly adjusted to a life of comfort in Major Dan and Leslie’s Oak Lawn condo. Pete gets doggy massages from Leslie, and has learned to stop at the door after being outside so he can get his feet wiped.

Since his arrival in the United States, Pete has become a celebrity of sorts in Oak Lawn. You may also see Pete at the Oak Lawn Elks Club, where you can find him hanging out and greeting his fans on the lodge’s outdoor patio.

“When we went to Santa on the Green [in Oak Lawn], all the kids wanted to pet him,” Johnson said. “I think he likes it.”