This morning, December 21st, I arrived to inspect a property that had sustained fire damage. When I arrived, it was clear that the property was vacant and had been abandoned due to the extent of the damages. No one was there to meet me when I arrived, even though this was scheduled and confirmed several times.

I called the property owner to confirm they were on their way to meet me for the inspection, and they stated that they forgot about the appointment. I typically would not have waited 45 minutes for somebody to arrive after they did not meet me for our scheduled inspection, especially at 8 AM on a Saturday, as that is the time I spend with my family. Something in my gut told me that I needed to stay and that I needed to inspect this property today with the property owner present. I ALWAYS listen to that intuitive feeling. Before we got off the phone, he told me that all of the dogs were locked in a room inside the home so I was able to walk around the property freely. Shocked, I said, “Dogs locked inside?? You’re not living here though.” He informed me that he is living in a motel with 9 family members, including a 2-month-old baby. My intuition grew stronger and knew I was here for a reason.

There were a few cages in the front with ducks and chickens, none of which had drinkable water and no food was visible. When I got to the back of the home, I saw there was a window cracked open, and when I approached, I was completely shocked to see there were five dogs locked inside of a bedroom with no food or water. All of the dogs were whimpering and shaking due to the amount of fleas covering their bodies.

When the property owner arrived, they opened the door to the home and showed me the extent of the damages, which was made clear that this was a total loss. The entire home from top to bottom had suffered irreparable fire damages due to an electrical fire. The ceilings had collapsed, everything covered in debris, ash, and water from the fire department, and the very, very heavy aroma of urine and feces.

I performed a complete inspection of the property and was unfortunately met with the room holding all five dogs inside. The carpet was completely saturated with urine and feces and there was no water or food available for them. The property owner let all of the dogs out of the home, and I thought all were outside, giving me the ability to perform a thorough inspection, but I then heard something in the corner, and when I looked, I found there was a small puppy, shaking and whimpering, trying to hide under the blankets.

I found a bottle of water and lured him out to drink. He instantly curled up beside me and it was then that I knew I had to do more than report this as animal cruelty. I went outside and spoke with the property owner and asked for his blessing to take the dog with me and give proper care. He was very hesitant at first, but when I told him that this was necessary for the dog's well-being, he allowed me to take him with me.

He began trying to show me that he had food for the dogs and a plan for their care, but I told him that I was not there to cast judgment on him, but that the priority of his home and his family outweighs the priority of the pets.

I took him immediately to a holistic pet store, where I gave him a 2-hour bath with medicated soap. He had at least a thousand fleas on him. He has open wounds all over his body due to the living conditions and the fleas and overall lack of care. He has already stopped shaking from the flea bites on him and is even showing some personality, including lots of kisses.

I have secured care and efforts for the other animals that are still living in the home and have immediately failed in my attempts to foster. As soon as my 5-year-old daughter laid eyes on him, she said, “Can we keep him??” He has now been named Lenny and is opening up to our family and our other dogs, who have taken him in as if they’ve known him forever. Lots of tail wags so far.

Lenny will need a lot of medical treatment in the next coming weeks, including testing and medications for his skin, heartworm testing, general vaccinations, and anything else unforeseen (which we know is always the case at the vet).

Something told me that I needed to be there this morning and now I know why. I didn’t have it in my heart to leave him there in those conditions but I certainly didn’t plan on bringing home a sick, neglected puppy 4 days before Christmas either!

It would mean the world to us if you’d consider donating to Lenny’s costs. Every penny will go directly to him and the focus on getting him healthy and happy.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours ❤️