A beagle mix who miraculously survived a gas chamber at an Alabama dog pound is set to be the face of a 2014 Rose Parade float next month.
Daniel will be the “spokesdog” of The Lucy Pet Foundation’s float in Pasedena, said the organization’s director Joey Herrick.
Daniel was just a six-month-old pup when he and 17 other dogs were put into a gas chamber to be euthanized. When the door was opened, 17 dogs had died, but Daniel’s tail was still wagging even though he was wobbly.
“The attendant didn’t have the heart to put him back in even though he was supposed to,” Herrick said.
Herrick said the attendant gave the dog water, food and a blanket.
Since his ordeal, Daniel has been adopted by Joe Dwyer of New Jersey. Herrick said owner and pet hope to spread their message against gas chambers being used to euthanize pets.
Accompanying Daniel at the parade will be six other dogs that have found a second chance after being left for dead or looked past.
U.S. & World
“Every dog on the float this year is a rescue dog,” Herrick said. “And now they’re all show dogs.”
The dogs will be performing tricks on three floral stages with grass sod surfaces, according to the 2014 Rose Parade.
The Rose Parade begins at 8 a.m. on Wednesay, Jan. 1, 2014.
