This past summer, a young couple driving through the hilly countryside came across a dog eating a dead carcass in the middle of the road. Almost accidentally hitting her, they swerved around her and the dog ran off. Although there were several cars behind them, the couple pulled over to look for the abandoned dog, who was clearly in rough shape. The dog did not seem to respond at all when they called after her, and they finally caught up to her with their vehicle. Opening the door of the car to reach out to her and see if she was friendly, the driver was surprised when the dog jumped right in and began licking their faces.
The couple began to take inventory of the dog’s issues. Almost every bone in her body was visible and she had an injury to one of her paws. After contacting Lenawee Humane Society and learning that our facility was currently full, the young heroes agreed to hold on to the dog they had dubbed “Patch” until space was available. During that time, they learned that Patch would not respond to voices and sounds. They realized she was special, and would need a special home.
When Patch arrived at Lenawee Humane Society in late July, we knew we had our work cut out for us. Because of the hard work of Patch’s rescuers, she had gained some weight, but she still had quite a way to go. They informed us that Patch had issues hearing and we soon realized she was deaf. To top everything off, when Patch was tested for heartworm disease, her test came back positive. Without treatment, Patch would die from this.
We quickly reached out to you, begging for help to save Patch’s life. You responded, helping us raise enough funds to rid the deadly heartworms from Patch’s body. She completed her treatment within two months and her body was physically fine. Mentally, however, she was slipping from us.
Patch is an active dog, and an extremely intelligent one. Because she can’t hear, she becomes fixated on objects she can see, especially if they are moving. Inside her kennel, Patch has developed an obsessive-compulsive disorder and she chases shadows uncontrollably. This is an issue she is currently working on and could be helped by relieving her boredom, something that can finally happen when she is out of her kennel and at home with you.
We thought this special girl had found her forever home for Christmas, but she was returned several weeks later because she had too much energy for the family’s current dog. In that time frame, however, we learned that Patch bonds quickly and closely with her human. She will be forever grateful to the person who steps up and changes her world.
Patch’s story is unique. She’s finding barriers everywhere she turns: pitbull mix, hearing disability, OCD disorder, and previously heartworm positive. Not many rescue groups would take on a challenge like Patch, but we have promised her that she will find her happy ending. We have something most other rescue groups do not.. we have YOU.
Because of you and your networking power, Patch has appeared on WTOL News 11 twice and she has raised more than $3,000 in donations for Lenawee Humane Society. It’s time to give back to this amazing girl who has overcome so much in her short life. Please, help us find Patch’s happily ever after. Could it be with you?
