LAGRANGE — The Walter family welcomed a new puppy March 29 with open arms.
Cody and Mariah Black and their children Ezekiel and Oziah were waiting at Ark Animal Rescue and Adoption in LaGrange on March 29 when a truck filled with dogs rescued from the Gulf Coast arrived. The truck was delayed, having experienced a breakdown in Brazil, Indiana. But despite the adversity, the delivery was made and now Ark encourages interested pet parents to help them help some of America’s most vulnerable canines.
When the brindle mixed-breed came off the truck, Cody and Mariah took it to a fenced-in area to get to know it. They had selected it from the Ark’s website — where all the new dogs can be viewed. They liked the puppy — dubbed Walter but soon to get a new name in the Black household — because it might have Catahoula leopard dog blood. He might get along well with a dog they rescued five years ago from the Humane Fort Wayne — also a Gulf Coast rescue and a Catahoula.
Many areas in the South are financially distressed and unable to support extensive animal care operations, resulting in high euthanasia numbers.
Through a partnership with St. Francis Animal Sanctuary and Rescue, Tylertown, Mississippi, Ark agreed to accept around 40 dogs that otherwise might have to be euthanized. Jason Balko unloaded each animal lovingly, from puppies to older dogs like Chumlee, a 10-year-old Shih Tzu mix. Ark Board President Sue Keenan said there has already been some interest in Chumlee, but Balko advised the old dog is a little set in his ways.
Along with cute little Greta, an unusual mix of unknown breeds — and the massive Cain, a 2-year-old snow white terrier mix – 4-year-old Xena and her seven puppies arrived in the truck on March 29. Xena, whose breed is unknown, resembles a black Lab, and the puppies look a little like boxers. They were rescued from a hoarding situation, said Balko.
One to two times a month, Balko said the St. Francis team hits the road with a load of canines bound for locations where they can be lovingly lodged until they are adopted.
Ark Adoption Coordinator Jill Hostetler said meet-and-greets were set up March 30 for people interested in taking in the shelter’s new dogs. Go to arkanimalrescue.net to see photos of the dogs and learn more about Ark and its seven-day-a-week rescue mission. The shelter phone number is 260-463-4142.
