Dr. Michael White, director of Harris County Animal Shelter in Texas, turned on the local news on May 30th. He saw images on the TV screen of his own workplace!
It showed the entrance to the animal shelter, with its gate still locked up for the evening.
The shelter had just made the news for the staggering number of animals that had been surrendered over Memorial Day Weekend, a record-breaking 200 cats and dogs!
And now, another animal waited to be rescued– She was chained outside the shelter, found by reporter Janelle Bludau and the KHOU 11 News Team.
The dog was chained up to the shelter’s fence by a very heavy chain. Even in her predicament, the dog looked happy and wagged her tail as she saw the news crew approaching.
“I was watching the local news and I saw Janelle [Bludau], the reporter, outside our facility at the gate out by the road,” White told The Dodo. “She was talking about this dog she found, who had been chained to our front gate when she came to the shelter that morning.”
Bludau reported that she would stay with the dog until someone came to open the shelter that morning, so that is when Dr. White leaped from his chair, quickly got dressed, and drove 45 minutes to work.
Video Source/Janelle Bludau/Twitter
Dr. White greeted the two-year-old Lab mix and saw she was in fairly good shape considering all she had been through. She was diagnosed as heartworm positive with a flea infestation. Shelter workers decided to name the sweet dog Janelle, in honor of Bludau for finding her.
Here’s Janelle being led inside after her ‘ruff’ night chained to the fence.
A shelter employee came out to get the pup tied up outside the fence. She’s now one of so many who need a home. #KHOU11 pic.twitter.com/HJCaaz9rPr
— Janelle Bludau (@JanelleKHOU) May 30, 2018
After further examination, Dr. White noticed something and did an X-ray to confirm it– Janelle was pregnant! VERY PREGNANT!
And she was expecting a large litter! 10 puppies in total! She was carrying so many puppies that her tummy nearly dragged on the floor!
Janelle was so far along that Dr. White knew it would be any time now. He wanted her to have a safe, quiet place to give birth. So, the kind doctor brought Janelle home.
“I decided I wasn’t going to leave her there any longer, and I took her home,” White said.
“I didn’t want her to stay up there in that condition. I hate for animals to give birth in a shelter situation.”
As soon as Janelle arrived at the White’s home, they could see how loving she is.
She would try to climb up on everyone’s lap to give them lots of love but with her size (and pregnancy) that proved to be difficult 🙂
But you couldn’t fault her for trying!
Then, just a few days later, Janelle showed signs of distress. She stopped eating and started acting funny.
Luckily, though, she ended up at the perfect foster home! Dr. White had delivered MANY litters. Janelle was certainly in good hands.
Her first contraction was around 9 pm but with all their experience, Dr. White and his wife had a feeling this was going to be a long process.
“My wife and I stayed up with her all night assisting in each delivery,” White said. “At 3:36 a.m., [puppy] number 10 was born, and we thought that was it, but number 11 was born at 6:05 a.m. It was a long night for me, my wife and Janelle.”
“We were trying to tag team, but every time we would hear a noise, we were jumping up and looking in the pen,” White added. “So we may have gotten one hour of sleep each in increments that night.”
11 puppies?! OH EM GEE! And all were happy and healthy! Seems Janelle did end up in the right hands!
Janelle, the lab mix found tied 2the gate of the Harris Co Animal Shelter by r own @JanelleKHOU & @MikeBadaBing, had 11 healthy puppies this AM! Shelter Director, Dr. Michael White, is fostering the whole fam-another reminder of how crucial fosters are! Mom & pups doin great ❤️ pic.twitter.com/A4tcunGamN
— Lisa Hernandez (@KPRC2Lisa) June 13, 2018
Dr. White reports that Janelle is an excellent mother! She makes sure all the puppies have exactly what they need and keeps their ‘den’ nice and clean.
Houston And Harris County Animal Volunteers/Facebook
As soon as the puppies are weaned, all the dogs will be put up for adoption. Janelle will also be spayed.
Thanks to a heroic reporter and a warm-hearted veterinarian, Janelle and her litter are doing great. As sad as it was to find Janelle shackled to a fence, she ended up exactly where she needed to be.
Here’s Janelle AND Janelle meeting outside the shelter for the first time!
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The Harris County Animal Shelter needs your help
SO SAD… our reporter Janelle Bludau KHOU found this pup, who appears to be pregnant, chained to the fence outside the Harris County Animal Shelter this morning. These animals need your help: https://on.khou.com/2H3gMaY
Posted by KHOU 11 News on Wednesday, May 30, 2018
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The final stage was to get him to sit and stay WHILE wearing a sign around his neck. “Dad told me to wait here. Me waiting.” And Jackson is really good at waiting! Even with commotion around him and people walking up to say “hi” and give him pets, Jackson waits, FAITHFULLY for his human to return. Now that’s a GOOD BOY!
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While many dogs love everyone they meet and are willing to take treats or belly rubs from anyone, the pups we found are just the opposite.
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1) Akita
When the American Kennel Club (AKC) lists loyalty to describe the temperament of the Akita, you know they mean business. The beautiful double-coated working dog of Japanese ancestry is considered hardwired in protecting those she loves. They should be socialized with other dogs and people from the time they are puppies. Their silly, fun, but dignified personalities round out the loyal Akita.
Source: NicoMonaco/Flickr
2) Boxer
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Source: Pierre Pocs Photography/Flickr
3) Skye Terrier
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Source: WaketheSun/Flickr
4) Beagle
This merry hound is friendly, curious and incredibly loyal. While he doesn’t mind the occasional couch potato time, this spunky pooch is energetic and merry. A fun fact about this hound: the breed standard is for 13 inches and under and another in the 13-15 inch category. No matter how you size him, these adorable dogs just want to cling to you.
Source: Simon Hameau/Flickr
5) Shar-Pei
This wrinkly non-sporting breed is standoffish to strangers but very loyal to his owner. His ancient Chinese roots are part of the charm of the Shar-Pei. Regal, strong, and smart, if you want a BFF for life, this loose-skinned pooch may be the right choice for you.
Source: Alessandro Persano/Flickr
