For almost twenty years, many of us remember watching the adventures of TV’s most famous dog – Lassie.
This beloved Rough Collie and her human friends were on our screens for 17 seasons, from 1954 to 1973. The show even switched from black and white to color in the 1960s.
But one of the most unforgettable parts of the show was when 7-year-old Timmy Martin joined in the fourth season. Timmy and his family adopted Lassie, creating some of the most memorable moments in the series.
Jon Provost, who played Timmy on *Lassie*, just celebrated his 74th birthday. He looks back fondly on his time filming with his four-legged co-star and remembers how Hollywood discovered him at only 3 years old.
The actor, born in Los Angeles, recalls that when he was 3, his mom took him to an audition for a Jane Wyman movie. She was a huge fan and just wanted her autograph. But out of 200 kids, Jon got the part.
Acting wasn’t something that ran in the family. Jon’s father had a completely different job—he was an aeronautical engineer.
“My parents weren’t Hollywood people,” Jon said. “My father is from Alabama, and my mother is from Texas.”
At age 4, Jon Provost landed a role in a movie with Grace Kelly and Bing Crosby.
“I didn’t have an agent at the time. After that, I got one, and it led to more movies like *The Country Girl* with Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly. I did about 12 movies before I started *Lassie*,” he told Fox News.
Jon also shared memories of working with the three different male dogs who played the role of Lassie. He said he formed a special bond with the last dog who portrayed the famous female collie.
“I did the show for seven years, filming 249 half-hour episodes. I worked with three different Lassies,” Jon Provost told Fox News.
He shared that the last dog he worked with was by his side for five years straight. “We grew up together. For five years, we saw each other five days a week, and sometimes even on weekends.”
Jon also revealed how well-behaved the dog was on set. “The actors made more mistakes than the dog,” he laughed. “They were more of a problem than Lassie.”
After leaving *Lassie* at 14 years old, Jon Provost went on to star with big names like Natalie Wood and Kurt Russell. Despite growing up in Hollywood, he avoided the common pitfalls many child actors face.
“My parents let me pretty much do what I wanted to do. I didn’t have to take a job,” Jon said.
Looking back, he added, “When I left Hollywood, I thought it was good that I did.”
Today, Jon lives away from the spotlight in Northern California but still receives fan mail from his time on *Lassie*. In 1994, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The character Lassie became so famous that she even had her own radio series.
In 1979, Jon married Sandy Goosens, and they had two children, Ryan and Katie. However, after 14 years of marriage, they divorced in December 1993.
In 1999, Jon found love again when he married Laurie Jacobson, a well-known researcher and author.
I’ve always been a big fan of the adventures this sweet duo went on. And with a moral in every episode, it was the perfect show for kids.
Please share this with all the *Lassie* fans you know.
Dog Surrendered for Barking Too Much Gets a Second Chance at Life
The fact that some people choose to leave their devoted friends behind for the smallest of reasons pains us to the core. Heartless owners have given up on their pets or even attempted to have them put to sleep due to minor health issues or the simple reason that they are “too old.”
In one such tragic instance, the owner of a dog named Marcus decided to put him down because he barked excessively. Thank goodness, a second chance at life has been granted to this lovely canine.
Introducing Marcus, a 2-year-old mix of patterdale terrier and lab, who is currently in the tender care of UK-based NGO Lucie’s Animal Rescue. After barely five weeks, his owner gave him up due to his tendency of barking at people and other dogs.
But it was clear that Marcus’s owner had made no attempt to comprehend or modify his actions. She couldn’t be bothered to give him time or training, so much so that she had even tried to have him put to death at the veterinary clinic.
In a touching Facebook post, Lucie’s Animal Rescue stated, “Dogs communicate and express their fears and excitement through barking.” The owner of Marcus said, “He’s had none,” in response to a question concerning the training she had provided to assist him get over any potential apprehensive behavior.
Because of his tendency of barking, the owner Obstained and decided to go forward with euthanasia despite the behaviorist’s offer of aid. “It’s disgusting,” said Lucie Holmes, the rescue’s founder, expressing her fury and heartbreak. I’ve been so irritated that I haven’t been able to sleep well. Canines emit barks. They just do it that way.
Marcus was thankfully saved from such a terrible outcome and adopted by the caring rescue group. He is a kind and kind dog who hasn’t even barked since he arrived, according to his new guardians. “You are cherished and safe, Marcus. I can assure you that you won’t be treated in such a manner ever again,” the rescuer said.
Happily, Marcus has been mingling and making friends with other canines, according to the rescue group. Marcus no longer barks aggressively; instead, he just barks in a playful way, despite his previous owner’s problems. “I assume he’s been barking at other dogs in an attempt to greet and interact with them. Like all dogs do,” the rescue wrote with sentimentality. “It’s great to see him finally enjoying the company of friends and, most importantly, being a dog! He is very nervous and anxious.”
Marcus has been undergoing training since coming to the rescue, and he has demonstrated outstanding response time and command compliance. He is thriving in the rescue setting and adjusting well, though it is unknown when he will be available for adoption.
According to Lucie, Marcus’s tale should serve as a constant reminder to all dog owners that caring for a pet is a lifetime commitment that takes patience. She counseled, “You have to do your homework and give dogs time to settle.” “You wouldn’t bring a toddler to daycare and expect them to be content right away.”
Marcus’s surrender for no other reason than that he was barking excessively breaks my heart. We are ecstatic that he is now in the capable hands of people who genuinely concern themselves for his welfare, nevertheless.
If you love animals, please tell others about Marcus’s touching tale and contribute to the message of kindness and understanding for our four-legged companions. Let’s show them the affection and attention they merit.
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