Oklahoma Pet Tales: Rescued dog finds family home

On the Fourth of July, a small, half-starved female Yorkie wandered into our yard and forever into our hearts. I found her cowering by a gate. When I picked her up for the first time, I felt her little bones protruding from her thin little body. I immediately put up a sign saying we had found a small dog. No one came to claim her.

Our vet said that from the condition of her body and the cut of her hair, she was probably a breeder’s dog. He estimated her age to be about 5. He found she had a microchip and was registered to a breeder in northwest Oklahoma. The breeder had gone out of business and sold his "stock.”

We started the process of bringing her back to health by giving her plenty of food and water and lots of love. Our vet gave her all the necessary shots and medicines that would make her healthy, and he said the rest would just take time.

She is terrified of loud noises and startles very easily. We bought her a little kennel to sleep in, but when we put her in it at night, she shakes and shivers like she is terrified of a cage. Now, she sleeps in an open little bed and is doing fine.

It has taken almost two months for her to act like a normal dog. She is still very shy around most people except her immediate family.

We call her Janie.

We feel that dog breeders need to be more responsible about the precious animals they use for profit. The lives of these little animals are forever changed by the people who care for them.

— Janis Hood, Midwest City