On January 3rd, 2013, a starving and neglected puppy was brought to us by Lenawee County Animal Control. He had been locked in a small crate and forced to live on top of his own feces, with barely enough food or attention to survive. We quickly cleaned him up and provided him with food and a warm bed. Thus, Kovu's life at LHS began.
Kovu was a happy, bouncy puppy and it took him less than two months to find someone to take him home. Unfortunately, he was returned to the shelter within in a week because he didn't interact well with the goats and chickens he was sharing his new property with.
When Kovu was returned, we began searching for his new forever home. We never realized what a challenge was in store for us. Although Kovu is unique, super sweet and gorgeous, he was passed over time and time again. The confines of a kennel were becoming too much for our happy boy to handle and he soon began battling kennel stress – he was pacing in his kennel, barking uncontrollably, developing behavioral issues and losing weight. We had to do something to save his life.
Ted Aranda, a professional dog behaviorist and dedicated supporter of LHS, witnessed what was happening and stepped right up to help. Kovu began a basic training regime and was socialized continuously with staff, volunteers and other dogs. Almost immediately we saw Kovu's missing spark light right back up. As soon as he had something to do, something to live for, he was back to being our amazing boy again. We began spotlighting Kovu as much as possible to get the word out that an excellent dog was being left behind. Through social media, he became a local celebrity.
Finally, over a year after Kovu's initial arrival to LHS, a father and daughter duo came to the shelter looking for a new companion to enjoy their 650 acres of land. When they described what they were looking for, Shelter Manager Jesse Taul knew right away she had the perfect dog for them. When they met Kovu, it was love at first sight!
Kovu's adoption day was an emotional one as staff and volunteers celebrated the beginning of his new life, His new companion, Gemma, immediately stepped up to the plate to continue training her new pup with the help of Ted Aranda. Kovu is learning the ropes of living in a home and we have never seen him happier. Through the determination of staff, volunteers, LHS supporters, and wonderful adopters, Kovu was finally gifted with the perfect life he deserves.
