Athens —
A young boy in the little church outside of Seven Points told the congregation about his dog Jammer dying. The sound of his voice was indication how much his black lab meant to him.
The young man, Rand Saxon, also had some good news.
“My mom said I could get a Yorkie.” With that Rand seemed to feel okay once again.
At Cedar Creek Lake, news travels fast. Sharon Sumrow, a Yorkie breeder from Payne Springs, had heard about Rand and the dog he loved. According to Sumrow, she could not get the young man off her mind.
She knew one of her puppies was just what Rand needed to feel good again. That is just what Sumrow did. On Sunday, Oct. 7, Sharon, and her husband Dennis, donated a 12-week-old Yorkie to young Rand.
Eston Williams, pastor of the Aley United Methodist Church, arranged the donation to take place before services on Sunday.
Everyone knew about Rand getting the puppy, except Rand. His father and mother, Mike and Suzanne Saxon, and both grandmothers, attended Sunday services to watch the look on Rand's face, when he got the news that a woman he didn't know was going to donate a Yorkie puppy just for him.
Along with the Sumrows, Rita's Foundation contributed partial cost of the puppy. Rob Rea founder of Rita's Foundation insisted they wanted to be part of the Sumrows giving the puppy to Rand.
Williams brought Rand to the front of the little church, and stood him on the front pew, while Sumrow explained why she was at the church that Rand attends with his grandmother.
“I heard there was a boy whose dog had died and he was very sad,” Sumrow said. “I have a puppy that needs a boy to love him.”
With that, Sally Chapman delivered the puppy named Maverick to Rand.
All Rand could say with wide eyes was “for me.”
By the end of the service, Rand had re-named the dog Angel, and told the congregation he now had his new best friend.
“The look on Rand's face was well worth the cost of the puppy,” said Sumrow.
Rand's parents, Suzanne and Mike, were as excited as Rand for the addition to the family. They could not thank Sharon enough for making their little boy so happy.
The Sumrows stood at the door of the little church with Angel and Rand, while members of the church came by to take a look at Rand's new best friend, and to thank Sharon for her generosity.
Sharon herself received a surprise when she found out Rand's father was Mike Saxon. Saxon punted for the Dallas Cowboys for seven years. He played in the 1992 Super Bowl game. Sumrow had her picture taken with Saxon, and got to wear his Super Bowl Ring.
The day was a good day, not only for Rand, but the congregation got to watch a touching moment, and Sharon got to hold a Super Bowl Ring.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Sharon Sumrow (left) talks to Rand Saxon and his mother Suzanne about the Yorkey puppy she gave to him to replace his dog who had died. Kathi Nailling/Athens Review
Discussion
Happy day for boy, pup!
12-week-old Yorkie donated to youth whose dog died
- Local News
-
-
A personal story to tell
When Donna Johnson took to the podium last week at Trinity Valley Community College, it wasn’t to tell her own story.
Johnson was the featured speaker at the college’s annual GED graduation ceremony last week. The ceremony gives students who have completed the high school equivalency exam during the past year the chance to attend commencement. -
Athens house burned
A Monday afternoon fire inflicted severe damage to a house at 911 W. Cayuga Dr. in Athens.
No one was injured in the blaze that started in the back bedroom of the residence. Athens Fire Chief John McQueary said the resident had been staying with her sister and was not at home at the time of the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation. -
Radio Club plays the field
CQ ... CQ ... CQ ... This is what you will hear this coming Saturday and Sunday, June 22 and 23, when the Athens Amateur Radio Club once again participates in the annual Amateur Radio Relay League’s (ARRL) National Field Day event.
-
Retired teachers get raise, fund solvency
During the final days of the 83rd Legislative Session, the Texas House approved the Teacher Retirement Actuarial Soundness Bill, or SB 1458, which will put the Teachers Retirement System on solid ground for years to come.
-
Time to have a blast
The annual Fourth of July fireworks show at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) is coming up on Thursday, July 4. The show will last about one-half hour and is one of the biggest in East Texas.
The fireworks show is directed and produced by Alpha-Lee Enterprises, Inc. of Liverpool, Texas. The show is a Keep Athens Beautiful event. -
Easy there, big fella
Athens bullrider Kody Ingham hangs on during the opening round of the 2nd Annual Juneteenth Black Rodeo held at the Henderson County Fairpark Complex Friday night.
-
NISD to vote on Wooten
BROWNSBORO — Kenneth Wooten, Brownsboro High School’s principal since 2007, is set to be voted on regarding the vacant principal’s position at Nacogdoches ISD.
-
One step closer
The Athens Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors and Athens Mayor Jerry Don Vaught are excited to announce with Med-Logics, Inc. the location of a new facility in Athens.
-
A first for the county
Henderson County has its first licensed foster care and adoption agency.
Lifeline Children and Family Services has opened a location in Gun Barrel City. Lifeline CFS may be new to Gun Barrel City, but it has been licensed by the State of Texas for 10 years. -
Beetle infestation in county
If you’ve noticed some big black bugs gathering outside your home or crawling along the carpet, you’re just seeing evidence of the large number of ground beetles now in East Texas.
“The ground beetles are not rare, but the population of them that we’re seeing now is uncommon,” Henderson County AgriLife Extension Agent Rick Hirsch said. “This is the heaviest population of ground beetles that I’ve seen in my 20-plus years in Henderson County.” - More Local News Headlines
-
Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Raw: Obama Arrives in Berlin
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Obama Seeks G-8 Support on Syria
Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
Suicide Bombs Target Baghdad Mosque, Killing 29
Military Plans to Put Women in Combat Jobs
Solar Power Chargers in NYC Parks
Civil Rights Groups Sue NYPD Over Muslim Spying
Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
