Vietnam Veteran Needs Dog Trainer To Save Bear

Veteran’s dog evicted from Dan River Crossing apartments 
GoDanRiver.com
Denice Thibodeau
January 27, 2015

Denice Thibodeau/Register and Bee Robert “Bobby” Stewart visited with his dog, Bear, on Sunday, getting an expected paw-shake in exchange for a treat. Bear is being taken care of by Chris Soyangco (right) after being evicted from Dan River Crossing apartments for what management labeled as aggressive behavior. Bear barks and growls when strangers approach Stewart, who — while he can take a few cautious steps — typically uses a wheelchair to get around.

Robert “Bobby” Stewart misses his companion, a yellow Labrador/hound mix named Bear.

The dog was evicted from Dan River Crossing apartments, on Bridge Street, about two weeks ago for being aggressive, Stewart said. Stewart — who uses a wheelchair to get around — is a Vietnam veteran suffering from kidney failure and high blood pressure.

He got Bear about two-and-a-half years ago as a puppy and trained the dog to be his companion and protector. Bear will bark and growl when people he does not know approach, but he has never attacked or bitten anyone, Stewart said. “He barks when the elevator doors open so people know to let me out,” Stewart said. The dog has scared some people, Stewart admits.

The most recent incident was one day when Stewart and Bear were leaving the apartment building through a door that does not have a window. When Stewart swung the door open, another tenant was reaching for the door from the other side.
read more here