TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A 7-month-old puppy, affectionately dubbed “Kiah” – a name signifying “new beginnings” – was found in dire circumstances last week. She had been trapped inside a Traverse City home for two weeks with her deceased owner.

The heartrending situation led to the puppy being rescued by the compassionate hands of H.A.N.D.D.S to the Rescue (Helping Abused Neglected Disabled Displaced Souls), a dog rescue organization.

Dehydrated, emaciated and unable to walk.

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Upon her rescue, Kiah, who is thought to be a 7-month-old Black Lab mix, was severely weak, unable to even walk. Prompt intervention by veterinarians saved her life at an emergency vet clinic in Traverse City.

The call for help came from a concerned distant relative of the deceased dog owner, the only family available nearby, who reached out to H.A.N.D.D.S.

Kiahs’ original name, her owner’s identity, and the circumstances of their passing remain unknown to H.A.N.D.D.S volunteers. However, they swiftly took Kiah into their organization when the relative surrendered the puppy to them.

Puppy taken to emergency vet for immediate care.

H.A.N.D.D.S directed the relative to take the puppy to the Bay Area Pet Hospital immediately, a 24-hour emergency care facility for pets in the region. Due to the lack of information, the hospital referred to the puppy as “Gladys” while she was in their care.

Unfortunately, the relative who briefly cared for Kiah for a few hours unknowingly risked her health by providing excessive food to the severely emaciated pup.

Under veterinarian care, Kiah underwent intensive hydration therapy and emaciation protocols and they were able to stabilize her condition. Over the course of treatment, the dog was in various degrees of improvement and decline as the hospital worked to treat the puppy and bring her bloodwork back into normal ranges including her kidney and sugar numbers.

Kiah now under home care by H.A.N.D.D.S volunteer.

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H.A.N.D.D.S volunteer Dorothy DeCoeur, who oversees special programs for the organization, and is a volunteer with extensive medical care experience, took Kiah home for further care and treatment on Sunday.

The rescue group had updated everyone on Kiah’s status over the weekend, telling everyone that she had come through Saturday night strong and was back up on her feet for short periods of time although she is still weak and very thin, weighting in at just over 15 lbs.

DeCoeur calls Kiah a “sweetheart” and says she’s being fed very slowly – about one tablespoon of food six times a day which will be increased over time. The puppy is also receiving a digestive health

supplement but is amazingly not on any medication. Once Kiah’s condition stabilizes more, the next steps in her medical and emotional recovery will be determined.

When asked if a situation like Kiah’s is usual for the group as far as the condition that the puppy was found in, H.A.N.D.D.S Intake Director Patti Goudy told Michigan News Source, “To this extreme, yes, but unfortunately we do get them quite often… where they aren’t getting enough groceries and we have to start feeding them to build them up and some of them do get quite sick after.”

Goudy also pointed to the story of 7-year-old Great Dane Laverne as a situation that shows the condition of dogs the organization often takes in – dogs who require great time, effort and money to save their lives and get them adopted out to loving families. Found depressed, sick, emaciated and heartworm-positive, H.A.N.D.D.S nursed Laverne back to health, fostered her and she is now ready to be adopted.

About the dog rescue who is taking care of Kiah…

The non-profit dog rescue organization H.A.N.D.D.S has been dedicated to rescuing and rehoming dogs in the Traverse City area since 2009, specializing in cases requiring extra care or rehabilitation. They rescue approximately 350 to 450 dogs a year.

The organization is a volunteer-based rescue for dogs that are hard to place or require extra care. They also utilize dog trainer, Kathy McCarthy of Peaceful Paws Dog Training for dogs who need help with behavioral issues.

Dog rescue group takes care of canines in need.

Most of their rescued dogs come from local animal controls and shelters in the Northern Michigan area. Some of the dogs they rescue come to them with medical problems, are pregnant, have behavioral issues, are suffering from broken bones, or are taken out of abusive and/or neglectful situations. H.A.N.D.D.S trains and works with the dogs so they can place them with their perfect forever family in the future.

While the dogs are living in their foster homes, they receive necessary medical treatment and vaccines. They are heartworm tested and placed on preventative medicine, de-wormed, and treated for fleas. All dogs are also spayed or neutered before adoption.

How to help:

Kiah will be available for adoption sometime in the future after her medical, behavioral and emotional needs are met. However, her journey to recovery requires financial support. An urgent plea for donations has been issued to cover her substantial vet bills and ongoing care expenses.

Those wishing to contribute can donate directly to Bay Area Pet Hospital or support H.A.N.D.D.S through their PayPal account or by sending a check to their address: PO Box 1953, Traverse City, MI 49685.