I’m not sure what kind of person dumps two pups on a gravel road, leaving them to starve or fall prey to coyotes and disease. I suppose it does little good to ponder such things, for trying to save these little dogs is far more important.

The story so far. Last July, someone dumped a lab mix and shepherd mix (both under 6-months old) next to my soybean field. They would disappear for a week, show up, and disappear again. I started searching and tracking, and acquired a rough idea of where they were staying. It was amazing they’d survived at all - my coyote population is extreme - however I could see the pups were becoming increasingly emaciated. I started putting out food at 7AM and 7PM every day, and the dogs adapted quickly, sticking more to one area 1/8th mile from my house. Because of that, I was able to make some plans to help them.

With the assistance of a certified trapper, I set a humane “Collarum” trap. I thought we would catch the lab first, as she was the more bold of the two. The shepherd had other plans, took the bait, and was safely apprehended. I’d purchased a 10 x 10 kennel, and placed it within my fenced in yard. We relocated the shepherd, giving her food, water, a doghouse, and shade. I thought I could let her decompress for a few days, find a shelter, and turn her over to people who could provide medical care, rehab, and eventual adoption.

Boy . . . was I wrong.

After speaking to just about every shelter and rescue group between Kansas City and Arkansas, I discovered there was virtually no help to be had. No one had space, and while a few places were sympathetic, most just slammed the door in my face, or would not respond at all. That was NOT what I expected, especially when every website for these groups boasts about the need to “ save them all,” and “helping the least fortunate.”

I get it. Funding and space are limited. Shelters are desperate to keep their “no kill” status, and dogs from full-up facilities are often traded to those with an open spot. Also, the shelters are still overloaded due to the massive increase of surrenders that occurred AFTER the pandemic ended (many of those folks got a dog during the height of Covid decided they were simply too much trouble when life returned to normal).

My county (Bates County, MO) is extremely rural. It has no animal control services. It has no shelters. Facilities outside of Bates County mostly told me they only take dogs from their own counties.

Thus . . . I realized that the fate of this dog – her name is now Bettie, by the way – rested totally on my shoulders.

Three days after capture, Bettie stopped eating and drinking. Her throat was swollen with a softball-sized abscess. My trapper friend helped me get her into a transfer cage (did I mention she’s semi-feral and can’t be handled) and my vet near KC offered to help. She sedated Bettie in the cage, lanced and drained the abscess, and administered Covenia (a 14-day antibiotic injection). While there, I also had them vaccinate her for rabies, parvo, and distemper, and treat her fleas with Quantum Bravo. We did a fecal test, and found she has hookworms, pinworms, and Giardia. Treatment on that is pending, until we can be sure she’ll actually swallow the pills (Drontal).

Two weeks later (today in Sept. 29) Bettie is doing well. She looks healthier, is eating and drinking better, and the abscess is nearly flat. It will take about a month to fully heal and close, but so far so good.

Behaviorally she has improved. Again, her month in the wild led her to revert to a semi-feral state, so she can’t be touched or handled. She is fine with me coming in the kennel to clean, put down food, or change water. She knows I’m the guy who feeds her, but she has yet to come out of her house while I’m present. She will watch me place food down, but will not take it until I walk about into the house. Then, she comes out quickly.

As I couldn’t see her clearly, and needing to monitor the abscess, I placed trail cams in the kennel, The injury is look good (turns out it was from a puncture wound sustained in the wild) and she’s VERY active at night. Less so during the day, but she does come out occasionally to take a look at the world.

At this point, Bettie will no doubt be with me over the winter. She can’t come in the house because (again) she’s still semi-feral and can’t be handled. Also, I can’t risk placing my loveable tripawd terrier – Cooper – at risk of possible injury. The only solution is to winterize her kennel.

I’ve purchased tarps to put on the sides, a peaked roof to avoid snow load, and an extra-large, igloo dog house. I’m equipping the inside of the house with a Hound Heater, which will keep it at around 50 degrees + even if the outside temps are below zero. There’s also the heated water bowl, industrial strength extension cords . . . and on and on and on (see list below). I’ve also purchased a transfer cage of my own, in case she needs more vet trips, and a ketch-all pole in case she’s sick and won’t go in the transfer cage.

It's a lot . . . especially for a 67-year-old guy who is doing it all on his own.

As for the little lab (no, I didn’t forget), it evaded the Collarum trap but is still around. It’s very wary of me, but waits each day at 7 and 7 when I show up with food. I can’t trap it right now, as I’ve no place to put it. Because of Bettie’s medical status, I can’t have two dogs in the same kennel. My hope is to just keep feeding it, hope it stays alive, hope that Bettie recovers fully and starts to let me handle her, and that I can try and catch the lab next Spring.

It's a lot of hopes and a lot of maybes . . . but it’s the best I got!

So . . . that’s the story. I didn’t know that rescuing a stray, semi-feral, dog would require an expenditure in the mid four figures (so far) but I guess when I FINALLY do get her ready for placement someplace, I’ll have a first-class kennel set-up for fostering. In the big picture. I’m fortunate in that I can afford to do this right now, although I’ll admit that it’s caused me a substantial amount of financial worry and stress. Changes a few things, and requires some cuts in other areas, but it is what it is.

If you’re a dog lover that wants to help out, I’d welcome any donations to help defray some of my costs. The list of stuff I’ve already purchased is below, along with some photos.

Tarter 10’ x 10’ Kennel

Tubs and Beds

Vet Visit: Fecal test

Vet Visit – Abscess: lance/drain/sedation. Covenia, Parvo, Distemper, Rabies, Quantum Bravo$

Vet prescription: Drontal

Transfer Cage

Petmate Indigo XL Igloo

Hound Heater

Hound Heater Bracket

Bungees and paracord

K&H Thermal water bowl

Kennel roof & frame

12 Gauge extension cord

Tarps

Ground anchors

Axle straps and carabiners for ground anchors