It took a village to help two strays make it to Humane Society
“Thelma“ (left) and “Louise“ (right) were found in Freedom Township three weeks ago. Their condition is improving in care of the Humane Society of Huron Valley, but they were in dangerously critical condition when rescued. A large group of big-hearted Manchester-area animal lovers made the difference to these two dogs!
by Marsha Chartrand
On Sunday, July 24, animal lovers from all around the Manchester community came together to help out two desperate senior dogs in need.
First seen and reported on Facebook in the area of Bemis and Neal roads in Freedom Township, the two dogs were elusive when caring residents showed up to try and capture them.
Jennifer Caszatt, who lives in the village, said, “I saw a post (by Kristi Kajander) in one of the Manchester groups on Facebook about an emaciated dog that had been seen on Bemis/Neal roads. The original author was unable to get the dog in her car. The pictures that were posted were of the brindle dog, Thelma. I drove out to the area and drove up and down Neal and Bemis roads, when I discovered that a Stephanie Merkel had just caught an emaciated dog and it was in her car.“
Stephanie is from Chelsea and had planned on taking the dog to either the veterinary hospital in Ann Arbor or the Humane Society. Believing that the dog was secure, Jennifer went back home. But then she saw an update on the post that the dog Stephanie had found was not the same dog as in the pictures in the original post.
“I again drove out to the area to look for the second dog,“ Jennifer continued. “As I was headed north on Neal Road, I came over the hill and immediately saw the brindle dog walking down the road toward me. I had come prepared with a leash, food, water, and treats and was able to catch her. I stayed with her until a couple of fantastic ladies came out to transport her to where the other dog was taken. Both dogs were then transported to the Humane Society of Huron Valley.“
Jennifer added that there were many people out looking for the dogs. “While I was waiting with her, several people drove by and asked if I needed assistance,“ she said.
Debbie Seegert from Manchester was also on the road looking for the pair. “I drove around in my car for at least an hour, running into a couple different folks who were also looking,“ she said. “I’d finally decided she was hiding and I wouldn’t find her. As soon as I got home, there was a post there were two dogs and one was still out there; then immediately after that, a post came from Jennifer that she had found the other, but needed help.
“I went back to Neal Road and there was Jennifer with the other poor baby laying in the road. I picked the dog up and met with Stephanie, who had the other dog. She had reached out to the Humane Society and they were able to take the girls.“
Wendy Welch, Communications Manager at the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV), confirmed that HSHV is “an open admissions shelter, meaning we accept animals no matter what their condition, versus ‘limited admission‘ where they cherry pick who is accepted and who isn’t.“ The dogs were accepted immediately and evaluated for health conditions, both the obvious and not-so-obvious.
Welch shared that when sisters “Thelma and Louise“ were accepted that afternoon at the shelter, their body condition score was listed as 1/9 — “That‘s as bad as it gets,“ she added. “They were emaciated to the bone. And both were so hungry; Thelma ate a paper towel when she first came in! And sweet Louise started eating, then fell over.“
Now Thelma and Louise are on a feeding schedule with specialty foods and even some nutritious puppy food to help them get back to a healthy weight; they‘re also receiving lots of daily loving pets, getting their dental disease and other ailments treated, and going for walks.
While the dogs‘ prior history is unknown and likely to stay that way (they had no microchip or any ID, and no one has come forward to claim them), all involved in the rescue effort agree that the girls were definitely together and with their similar conditions, as well as age, size, and breed, they are very likely sisters.
Welch says that every day they‘re delighted to see people, get pets, and go for their walks. “They know they‘ve found a safe place!“ she says. “Thank you, everyone, for helping us be here for them.“
Thelma and Louise have been through a rough time and need some time to get healthy before they go up for adoption, so Welch asks everyone to please send them some love and positive thoughts! In addition, if there is interest in donating directly to Thelma and Louise‘s care, contact Welch at wendyw@hshv.org.
Both came in with bad teeth, and Louise had an ear with bloody discharge—so they‘re being treated for those conditions in the shelter, where they will be for a while until they are in a healthier state. Eventually, there may be an opportunity to foster before they are available for adoption. “They both are so incredibly sweet and smart,“ Welch adds. “We believe they’re house trained, too.“
So far this year, HSHV has taken in 1,226 strays brought in by the public, plus 862 animals either the police or the shelter have picked up in the field. Last year at this same time it was 886 + 850 — so there been a significant uptick this year. HSHV is able to find the owners of more than half of the dogs who come in as strays. That a high number for shelters, but, of course, they’d love for it to be even higher than that, and the key to that is owners getting their animals microchipped, and keeping the information on the chip up-to-date. Thelma and Louise did not have a microchip.
The best part of the story, however, is that this small community came together to care for these poor animals who were so desperately in need. In addition to Caszatt, Seegert, Merkel, and Kajander, others pitched in with transporting the animals and behind-the-scenes help, including Alyson Marion, Nicole Beach, and the many nameless others who were also out driving around looking for the dogs and asking how they could help.
“This was definitely a small town coming together as one to help these girls,“ Seegert said. “Stephanie played a big part in this. I keep in touch with her and she gives me updates on how they’re doing. I look forward to visiting with the girls soon.“
Thelma is looking contented and healthier after three weeks in the shelter. Photo courtesy Anne Savage, HSHV
Louise is also feeling happier as of this photo taken last Thursday, August 11! Photo courtesy Anne Savage, HSHV.
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