Dog ‘Chained’ to Animal Shelter Fence Found at Precisely the Right Time
On May 30, Dr. Michael White, director of the Harris County Animal Shelter in Texas, listened to the local news. He saw images of his own workplace on the television screen! It showed the entrance to the animal shelter, with its door still locked for the night.
And then another animal waited to be rescued – She was chained up outside the shelter, found by journalist Janelle Bludau and the KHOU 11 press team. The dog was chained by a very long chain to the fence of the shelter. Even in his situation, the dog smiled and wagged his tail as he watched the news crew approach.
Full image/story source: Hernandez KPRC2 Facebook List (Amazing Work!) and KHOU11 News via Facebook Watch
“I was watching the local news and saw Janelle [Bludau], the reporter, outside our establishment at the gate near the road,” White told The Dodo. “She was talking about this dog she had found, who had been chained to our front door when she arrived at the shelter that morning.”
Full image/story source: Hernandez KPRC2 Facebook List (Amazing Work!) and KHOU11 News via Facebook Watch
Bludau said she would stay with the dog until someone came to open the shelter that morning, which was when Dr White jumped out of his chair, quickly got dressed and drove 45 minutes to get to work.
Dr. White took in Janelle, a two-year-old lab mix, and observed that she was in decent condition considering all she had been through. She was identified as having heartworm infection and flea infestation. In honor of Bludau for finding her, shelter workers decided to name the lovely dog Janelle. Here is Janelle being led into the kennel after a “difficult” night chained to the fence.
A shelter employee came out to tie the pup outside the fence. She is now one of many people in need of a home. #KHOU11 pic.twitter.com/HJCaaz9rPr
— Janelle Bludau (@JanelleKHOU) May 30, 2018
Dr. White discovered something and took an x-ray to confirm it after further investigation – Janelle was expecting a baby. She would have a large litter of 10 puppies! Her stomach was almost dragged to the ground because she was carrying so many puppies. Janelle was so advanced that Dr. White knew she would give birth any moment.
“I decided I wasn’t going to leave her there anymore and took her home,” White said.
Janelle’s arrival at the White house was obvious. She tried to climb into everyone’s lap to shower them with lots of love, but with her size (and pregnancy) it was difficult. But you couldn’t blame her for trying.
Full image/story source: Hernandez KPRC2 Facebook List (Amazing Work!) and KHOU11 News via Facebook Watch
Then, a few days later, Janelle showed signs of distress. She stopped eating and started acting weird. Fortunately, she found herself in the ideal host family! Dr. White had produced MANY litters. Janelle was certainly in good hands.
Her first contraction was around 9 p.m., but with all their experience, Dr. White and his wife had a feeling it was going to be a long process.
“My wife and I stayed up with her all night helping with every delivery,” White said. “At 3:36 a.m., [puppy] Number 10 was born, and we thought that was it, but number 11 was born at 6:05 a.m. It’s been a long night for me, my wife, and Janelle.
“We were trying to tag the team, but every time we heard a noise we would jump up and look around the bullpen,” White added. “So we slept maybe an hour each in increments that night.”
Janelle, the lab mix found tied to the door of the Harris Co animal shelter by her own @JanelleKHOU & @MikeBadaBing, had 11 healthy puppies this morning! The director of the shelter, Dr. Michael White, encourages the whole family – another reminder of the importance of foster homes! Mom and puppies are doing well ❤️ pic.twitter.com/A4tcunGamN
Credit/Source: — Lisa Hernandez (@KPRC2Lisa)
Dr. White reports that Janelle is an excellent mother! She makes sure all the puppies have exactly what they need and keeps their “den” nice and clean.
Full image/story source: Hernandez KPRC2 Facebook List (Amazing Work!) and KHOU11 News via Facebook Watch
As soon as the puppies are weaned, all the dogs will be put up for adoption. Janelle will also be sterilized. Thanks to a heroic reporter and a warm vet, Janelle and her litter are doing well. As sad as it was to find Janelle chained to a fence, she ended up exactly where she needed to be.
Here’s Janelle AND Janelle getting outside the shelter for the first time in the video below!
