Michael Phelps, the now retired American swimmer and the most decorated Olympian athlete achieved the new record of winning 22 medals spanning four Olympics. On Saturday he won his18th Olympic Gold Medal for the 100-meter butterfly London Olympic Games. Did you know however, that the Baltimore native also rescued a shelter dog?
There are no gold medals presented to anyone at the Olympics for saving a rescue dog, but the dedicated athlete wins a doghouse full of gold medals from humane supporters and animal lovers across the world - a fine tribute to an athlete who loves and respects animals.
Neither one of Phelps' dogs would join him in the pool for a 4x200 meter freestyle relay, but out of the pool Stella, the Catahoula mix Phelps adopted back in November has reportedly been taking to the Phelps' family life quite well.
Phelps fell in love with Stella - then named Penelope when he appeared on the Today show segment of "Bow to Wow" which promotes the adoption of shelter dogs. All it took was a walk in the park, and those big brown Catahoula eyes, and nine-month-old Stella left the local animal shelter to join her new family in a "swimmingly" loving style.
According to Animal Fair, Phelps describes his other dog, an English bull dog named Herman as extremely lazy who hardly opens his eyes when Phelps gets up at 6:00 a.m. to practice his strokes. Phelps does say, however that he and Herman share the same personality when out of the pool as they both prefer to spend their time lazing on the couch and watching television together.
Stella and Herman seem to be getting along fine, and Phelps will now have the opportunity to spend more time with his adorable four-legged pals. He plans to have both dogs swimming in the pool, although it is doubtful either one of the canines will be doing much more than the "doggie paddle."
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