Bear, a five year old german shepherd/husky mix, was rescued from a severe hoarding case and brought to Lenawee Humane Society at the beginning of April 2017. When this case was discovered, Bear was found crammed into a tiny trailer with over 20 other large dogs, where they were used only for breeding purposes and didn't know what human love was. To make matters worse, Bear tested positive for heartworm disease, which is fatal if not treated.
Bear arrived with Forrest, another dog from the same situation who also tested positive for heartworm disease. Although we were not able to raise enough funds to fully cover their treatment and ultimately save their lives, we had to treat them anyway, and we will continue to try to raise funds to cover this shortfall. Throughout Bear's treatment, staff and volunteers worked with Bear to help him overcome his fears. Soon, he became a lovable, timid lap dog and everyone had fallen in love with him by the time he was ready for adoption.
On April 29, McKenzie Osmun, a Navy veteran, came to our Empty the Shelters event to look for a companion who could help her deal with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She had just finished a tour in the Southern Pacific, where she had been part of a SWAT team. During one particular incident, she literally looked death in the face. Miraculously, she survived the incident, but she still deals with the after effects every single day. When she returned home at the beginning of March, she was desperately searching for other ways to cope with the nightmares haunting her, resorting to partying and other negative outlets. Without a major change, her life was headed towards destruction. Her therapist recommended a pet to help her cope and although she considered the option, she was very skeptical.
When we introduced McKenzie to Bear for the first time, she knew this broken dog needed her as much as she needed him. She was ready to give it a try. The next obstacle was convincing her grandmother, whom she lived with, to let her bring a dog home. As if he knew what to do, Bear placed his head on grandma’s shoulder as soon as they met and nuzzled into her, silently begging her to give him a chance. It didn’t take much more than that to win Grandma over.
Together, Bear and his new companion are now overcoming obstacles in a healthy way. Bear has learned how to navigate stairs, he's befriending men, and he can finally walk on a leash with confidence. One night during an intense nightmare, Bear woke McKenzie up in order to pull her out of her terrifying dream. He then snuggled in close as if to say, "I'm here, I've got you if you've got me."
Bear is scheduled to meet with a trainer and begin working towards becoming a certified therapy dog next week. Bear and McKenzie help remind us that not only can humans save animals, but animals save us too.
Please consider making a donation in honor of Bear, Forrest, and other dogs who need life-saving heartworm treatment. With your help, we can change the world, one heart at a time.
From intake to adoption day, Bear's outlook on life changed completely.
