We all have heard the old saying, “A dog is man’s best friend.” Well, perhaps six-year-old Stone Medina can be called “a dog’s best friend.”

Stone celebrated his sixth birthday March 3 at the Wiscasset Community Center with many of his friends. He told his family before his party that he didn’t want his friends to bring him any birthday presents, but they could bring cat and dog food instead.

“I don’t need anything,” he told his parents. So the word went out; no presents for Stone, only bring dog and cat food, and his friends did just that.

His guests were treated to an hour of swimming at the Community Center before his party. When Stone came into the party room he was very excited to see all the dog and cat food he had received from his guests. In return his guests were treated to pizza, cake, ice cream and drinks.

Lincoln County Animal Shelter employee Tammy Steinmetz said the shelter received the donation of several bags of dog and cat food early Monday morning from Stone.

“It is heartwarming to see the generosity of a 6-year-old giving up receiving toys on his birthday to help feed dogs and cats,” Steinmetz said. “We see this generosity quite often. However, Stone is only six years old.”

Stone is the son of Heather and Brian Medina of Woolwich. He is looking forward to the day when he can volunteer at the animal shelter.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the shelter, following is a list of things needed at the shelter that are used every day:   

• Bleach

• Arm & Hammer laundry detergent

• Pedigree canned dog food

• Friskies canned cat food

• Purina Kitten Chow dry food

• Blue Seal Pork & Barley for Dogs dry food

• Blue Seal Adult Cat Formula dry food

• Litter & litter pans

• Heating pads

• Kitten feeding bottles

• Small paper plates

• Paper towels

The mission of the shelter is to give humane care to strays or abused animals, which are housed at the facility.

Charlotte Boynton can be reached at 207-844-4632 or cboynton@wiscassetnewspaper.com.