M is for Merry and the M-Dogs from Mississippi

This is a holiday story about the power of networking, relationships and what it means to be a part of the AWLA.

In August, the AWLA received a call from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). They had gone in to a hoarding situation in Mississippi and could AWLA take 11 dogs? We said yes – we moved dogs around and into foster homes to make room for the incoming dogs. WE are now an official “Emergency Placement Partner” for HSUS – we help them with animals and they will help us with animal related crisis.

What arrived was a motley crew of puppies and young dogs in various states of physical and mental health.

Abbie Hubbard, AWLA staff member, comforting one of the puppies on arrival.

The puppies, Morris, Maria, Molly and Marigold, all four months old, were easy to place. The other dogs had seen too much and needed some tender loving care and time to adjust to being around people and even being inside.

The conditions these dogs came from in Mississippi were deplorable. The dogs had dug dirt holes in the ground to stay cool in the southern heat. There was a barn-like structure on the property that some dogs would use to shield themselves from the elements, and inside HSUS found old, empty bags of food. Certain dogs had formed packs to make sure their group got whatever food was tossed into the enclosure. The dogs not part of the packs had to fend for themselves.

The dogs in Mississippi.

With this knowledge, AWLA began working with seven dogs who lived through this terrible experience. Mable, a 2 year-old was a very shy and sweet girl and was adopted. Missi, a 1 year-old, hid under her kennel bed for many weeks while up for adoption, then came out of her shell – something just clicked. Mitch, a 4 year-old who demonstrated a tremendous love for other dogs recently went home and has a new dog-sibling to play with. Marky-Mark, a 2 year-old is still available for adoption. He is a shy guy, pretty overwhelmed with the turn his life has taken, but with patience and time, he shows a very sweet side. Mac, 2 years-old, and Matty, 4 years-old, are both still at the shelter receiving behavioral support.

Mable going home with her new family!

Mitch playing with his new brother.

And for the final update, there is Marilyn, a 4 year-old, orange coated beautiful girl who has demonstrated the power of change and how lemons to lemonade is not an overnight process. When Marilyn arrived at AWLA she curled up in her kennel and did not move for three full days. That involved no eating, stretching or normal dog-like movement. Marilyn was moved into Abbie Hubbard, ALWA’s Deputy Director’s, office. There she slowly started to trust Abbie. Abbie could get Marilyn to go outside on business, and get her to eat, drink and take treats. Over the next seven weeks, Abbie became Marilyn’s “person.”

Marilyn in her life in Mississippi – trying to take refuge in a hole.

Marilyn in her new life in Virginia learning the comforts of a couch.

When foster volunteer Carrie met Marilyn, she was shy but open to receiving treats and a few pets. Over three days Carrie, and her husband, Chad, came back to see Marilyn. And on a Saturday in early November, Marilyn left the shelter for a foster stay in Alexandria. With a cone around her head, from her recent spaying, Marilyn sat behind a living room chair for two days. To go out, all fifty-pounds of her needed to be carried. Week one in the foster home, Marilyn learned to sit on her bed and eat and drink. It took her two weeks to walk to the yard by herself. Week three she found the living room sofa, which we hear is now half-hers. Marilyn has been in foster for almost seven weeks now and is a whole new dog. Life outside can still be scary for Marilyn, she jumps at noises, and birds and squirrels are still subject to puzzling looks, or sometimes a chase. She loves watching football and prefers light classical to play as she goes to sleep. She has yet to master stairs and people ringing the doorbell elicits a low howl, but Marilyn is a playful, silly girl.

While we will never know exactly what these dogs experienced in Mississippi, we do know that the M-Dogs are now happy Virginia residents thanks to caring, supportive people like you who allow us at AWLA to do our jobs and bring some peace, love and holiday joy to our animals.

Marilyn when she was first rescued.

Happy Holidays from all of us at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

Thank you for your donation to help more animals in need.