Murdoch is an approximately eight-year-old lemon (white) bassett hound that probably never went outside. He never experienced playing with other dogs. He didn’t know how to eat from a dish. He didn’t know how to navigate a door. He didn’t know what to do with toys. In short, he didn’t know anything about being a dog.
According to all indications, Murdoch spent his life in a cage, most recently stacked floor to ceiling with over 90 other dogs in a hoarding and neglectful situation found New Year’s Eve in a home in Bedford.
Murdoch’s life drastically changed a few weeks ago when he was rescued — twice. First, Murdoch and the other dogs living in what can only be described as a horrendous situation were rescued by the police and area shelters. Many volunteers worked to painstakingly clean and care for the dogs, removing years of caked-on filth from laying in their own waste. Soon after that, Murdoch was rescued again by Tyrone residents Michele and Ron Miller.
It’s no secret that the Millers love bassett hounds. They’ve fostered and adopted many over the years, including their two current dogs, George and Panda. Both were rescues — Panda was saved from the meat trade in China.
When Michele Miller saw Murdoch’s picture among the dogs the dogs found in Bedford, she knew she had to help. She reached out to her contacts at the Humane Society and to Tri-State Bassett Hound Rescue. Due to her history of adoption and foster care through those agencies, Miller was permitted to medically foster Murdoch until he is able to be up for adoption. But as the Millers grow to love Murdoch more each day, a search for a new home will probably not be necessary.
Murdoch has had a full run of medical tests and is being treated for infections. He is deaf, so that presents an additional challenge for training. He will be neutered soon.
Miller has been working with Murdoch to teach him to go outside, to slowly, safely introduce him to a normal diet and to show him that there is so much more to life than a cage.
“He didn’t understand anything,” Miller said. “He’s still tyring to recover — to know how to be a dog. He didn’t understand human contact at all. He is learning to play. Each day is better.”
Miller said that all of the dogs from the Bedford rescue were male, except for one female. With the live dogs, there were sadly those found deceased in some of the same cages. It was heartbreaking. But as they are being cared for and prepared for adoption, their lives, like Murdoch’s, are already so much better.
Miller said that Murdoch loves car rides — another thing he probably never experienced. She said that he gets along well with her other two dogs and watching them is helping him to learn. Murdoch has probably already had more care and love in the past few weeks than he did in his whole previous life.
Poochey Chef in Duncansville has been holding collection drives for the animals as has Cedarwood in Tyrone. There was a chili and wing fest at the Bavarian Hall in Altoona on Saturday and there are sure to be more opportunities to help. Donations such as blankets, towels, cleaning supplies, food and toys are always welcome at area animal shelters.
For those who might be looking for a furry friend, consider changing a life by rescuing a pet. Animals will be posted on area Humane Societies’ websites as they become available for adoption.