Desert dog seeks home
By Bill Scanlon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published June 19, 2008 at 9:13 a.m.
Updated June 19, 2008 at 9:13 a.m.
Wendall, a 7-year-old Chocolate Lab/Yellow Lab mix, who was found wandering in the desert in Utah.
Wendall shows off for the camera.
Wendall, a happy-faced mixed-breed Labrador, was wandering alone in the Utah desert last month when a Colorado woman driving by just couldn't say no.
She picked up Wendall, drove him to Golden and set him up with Colorado's Golden Retriever Rescue and the Sage Valley Pet Center in Golden.
But Wendall's a mutt, and has a bad hip, too, making him the perfect fit for the Misha May Foundation, a metro Denver mixed-breed rescue group that tries to find permanent homes for dogs with special problems.
"She told us he was absolutely out in the middle of nowhere, very far from any town," said Doug Calorza, spokesman for Misha May. "There was no way in the world the dog could have walked to where he was — that's why we think someone deliberately abandoned him there. He had no tags, no microchip, no ID at all."
Foundation members are trying to raise $200 for X-rays on Wendall's hip. They are confident that after medical treatment, it will be easy to find him a good permanent home.
Misha May gives troubled dogs what they need — training classes, skills in getting along with humans or medical care — to make them more adoptable.
Wendall is extremely gentle and well-behaved — a 7-year-old Chocolate Lab/Yellow Lab mix — said Diahnna LaVerne, foster coordinator for The Misha May Foundation.
"Not only is he cheerful, but he actually smiles and smiles a lot," she said. "He's great with kids and over-the-top sweet. He is eager to please everyone, and loves to be petted."
Lorraine May started the Misha May Foundation 15 years ago, after Misha was rescued as she was on her way to a Florida animal shelter. After one year with a foster couple, she was given to May, and became her "inspiration, constant companion and the joy of my life for 15 years," May said.
Along the way, May fell for all the dogs that don't have shiny coats or winning smiles, that after weeks or months at a shelter grow less and less attractive to potential owners because they look needy, anxious or hang-dog.
Tax-deductible donations may be made by clicking "Make a Donation" on their website, www.mishamayfoundation.org.
Checks made out to The Misha May Foundation may be sent to PO Box 151166, Lakewood, CO, 80215-1166. For more information, contact Lorraine May at info@mishamayfoundation.org or 303-239-0382.
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June 19, 2008
9:38 a.m.
Suggest removal
nicole writes:
Wendall does not look like a pitbull Gene, he does not have a block head, barrel chest or short hair.
June 19, 2008
9:47 a.m.
Suggest removal
kim1299 writes:
Just because there was a home over the hill from where Wendall was found does not mean he lived there. Wendall had no tags or microchip. The lady did a good deed Gene, instead of letting Wendall die in the desert he has a chance now to find a good home.
June 19, 2008
9:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
Brandy10 writes:
Gene, home over the hill in the desert, have you been to the desert?, not too many hills, she did a wonderful thing by saving this wonderful animal, he does not look like any type of pit bull, bet your an animal lover, (not)
June 19, 2008
10 a.m.
Suggest removal
freethought writes:
I adopted (abducted) a "stray" near the Ute reservation in Utah a few years back and the "love" I received was a bad case of ringworm for myself, wife and two daughters.
Now I know why they say to "let sleeping dogs lie."
June 19, 2008
10:07 a.m.
Suggest removal
riosmom6 writes:
freethought, maybe you should have taken your poor stray to the vet for treatment. It's not the animals fault that it was sick and neglected.
June 19, 2008
10:19 a.m.
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scorpiosgirl writes:
freethought;
please note when getting a new pet one ALWAYS takes it to the vet for a thorough check up. We have a vet and any time we adopt (whether or not the place we get it says they have been checked) we take our new friend to our vet to be checked. Are we rich? Heck no!!!!!!!! But we love animals enough to take care of them.
June 19, 2008
10:44 a.m.
Suggest removal
freethought writes:
scorpiosgirl;
I did take this dog to the vet, but there was really nothing that he could do for our ringworm.
If you need a pet, adopt one from the humane society and leave "strays" alone.
June 19, 2008
10:47 a.m.
Suggest removal
whimsygirl622 writes:
who cares what breed he was or wasn't? it was the woman's choice and i applaud her for caring enough to pick him up. better than hit by a car or dead from dehydration. lucky for wendall it was her driving by and not one of you worried over pitbulls or ringworms.
June 19, 2008
10:59 a.m.
Suggest removal
ragncajuns writes:
I'm tired of ignorant people labeling dogs as “Pitbulls”, which if you knew any better, they are very good dogs, when raised properly. That dog has absolutely no signs of a pitbull - so stop being stupid. It is probably a Rottweiler/lab mix, and looks like a sweetheart. If you did your research, you would know that more people are bit/attacked by labs and poodles than pits. The news just likes to "demonize" certain things to get their story.
He looks like he would make a great pet, and I know that the shelters do an excellent job of checking for any aggressive behavior.
It's great that this woman picked him up! If more people were caring like this woman, the world would probably be a better place.
June 19, 2008
11:04 a.m.
Suggest removal
pkripper writes:
I've adopted 2 neglected and abandoned strays and they both turned into the most loving and greatful animals I've ever owned. PS-Gene you are an idiot.
June 19, 2008
11:04 a.m.
Suggest removal
broncosvw writes:
It always good to hear that $200 will be waisted on a old disabled dog; instead of giving that money to a worthy cause like a resue mission.
June 19, 2008
11:10 a.m.
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broncosvw writes:
A rescue mission for people.
June 19, 2008
11:16 a.m.
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whimsygirl622 writes:
people can spend their own money on whatever moves them. bronco, you can donate to human rescue missions all day long- but why tell everyone else where they should?
June 19, 2008
11:24 a.m.
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broncosvw writes:
I dont tell people how to spend their money.
June 19, 2008
11:52 a.m.
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Freshynana writes:
I love dogs Waaaaay more then stupid humans like gene and broncosvw.May dog poo fall on your yard.
June 19, 2008
11:53 a.m.
Suggest removal
TIMMAH writes:
Gene, if that dog is a pitbull then I'm an eskimo.
June 19, 2008
1:01 p.m.
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MIKEMC242 writes:
Gene,
"But, I am not an expert" is a complete understatement....
June 19, 2008
1:01 p.m.
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MIKEMC242 writes:
Gene,
"But, I am not an expert" is a complete understatement....
June 19, 2008
1:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
Dog writes:
Wendall doesn't look anything like a pit bull, or a rottweiler, for that matter!
If there was indeed a home right over the non-existent hill, why was the dog out wandering in the desert where he could be killed by any number of predators? Where was his collar, why no microchip (which ISN'T expensive, so don't even try that answer!)?
It's always a good idea to wash your hands after petting a dog that you haven't taken to the vet yet. You could easily end up with ringworm if you're not a hand washer.
Bronco- have you looked at statistics on human shelters? Upwards of 80% of those people are drug addicts and still use drugs at the shelter (depends on which study you read, of course). You want to send em your cash, go ahead. They'd prefer that you just send cocaine though. Sad, but true. That's why I would rather donate to a worthy dog rescue!
June 19, 2008
1:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
3dogsand1devilcat writes:
Duh, everyone knows that Timmah's no eskimo... he's a challenged, yet enthusiastic -- TIMMAH! -- white kid from Southpark, Colorado.
Wendall looks nothing like any pitbull I've ever seen... but no matter what he is, he deserves to spend his golden years giving love to a human companion, rather than wandering alone the desert.
June 19, 2008
1:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
mytwosense writes:
Wow, where to start. This story has so many heroes in it, from the plucky pooch who managed to survive long enough in the hot desert to be rescued, to the kind angel who stopped to pick him up, to Sage Valley kennel for initially housing him, and lastly, to the Misha May Foundation for taking responsibility for his medical bills and eventual placement in a forever home.
Speaking of Misha May Foundation, I am so proud to state that I am actually involved with this wonderful group of people. They have helped me find homes for dogs I've rescued (I'm one of those people that seems to attract homeless and lost animals!), and in turn, I've done some volunteer work with them. Their efforts are tireless, and they include rescuing "last chance" types of pooches who are about to be put down.
They make an extraordinary effort to rehabilitate the "throwaway" dogs irresponsible owners just get rid of (or worse). They've also rescued dogs from the Katrina area; I actually helped with that effort once they brought the dogs back by assisting them with kennel set up, washing and grooming, and just comforting the poor frightened creatures.
Seriously people, if you're looking to get involved with a great rescue group, this is one of the best. You can check them out at www.mishamayfoundation.org.
Thank you thank you thank you RMN for covering this story!
June 19, 2008
3:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
MtnResQGirl writes:
Mytwosense:
Where to start is right. . . I echo your post! Fantastic job.
Misha May Foundation is a wonderful organization that always, ALWAYS puts animals first! I, too, helped out after Hurricane Katrina. It was amazing to see the efforts the MMF put forth in helping the animals.
I took home a Katrina rescue dog that had worms. Yes, freethought, it was more than frustrating. At times, I actually cried because there seemed to be no end in sight to a puppy with worms shooting out of her butt-- all over my carpet, in my yard, everywhere! But we got through it, and my little Katrina dog is the most wonderful thing.
Broncosvw: I hope you don't have people like you around you when you are ill of health. . . I hope people will be willing to spend money on you even though you are 'disabled', instead of considering you a waste. Especially if the treatment could be an easy fix that could lessen your pain. (Note the spelling. . . it should have been 'wasted' in your article, not waisted). :-)
June 19, 2008
3:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
rmnreader writes:
freethought - People like you should not be allowed to own dogs you are the reason there are so many stray dogs out there. Anyone with any knowledge of animals knows that if one has been living on the street there are many different diseases it could be carrying & therefore should be brought to a vet immediately before bringing them into your home to infect your kids. Whether or not you should be allowed to have kids is questionable as well at this point.
Gene - We had a purebread irish setter that smiled just like the dog in this picture & had a very broad chest, therefore a little bowlegged in her stance as she was a hunting breed & built to be sturdy. You going to try to convince me that she was part pitt too? Moron. BTW if this dog that was roaming by itself in the desert next to a HIGHWAY has an owner they do not deserve him.
Good for you Misha May FOundation!
Let me also add that doing volunteer work with dogs is so rewarding because they think you are just the greatest everytime they see you no matter what another person has done to them. So much more pleasant than the rude people you have to deal with at work all day! So any dog lovers please volunteer even just to take them on a walk or give them a little love!
June 19, 2008
4:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
freethought writes:
rmnreader; You made some pretty big assumptions regarding me now didn't you?
Had I left the dog in the desert, I wouldn't be a dog-lover, now would I?
Had I left my daughters in the desert I wouldn't have been a good parent, either.
I took the dog to the vet, I took my family to the clinic.
Why am I such a bad guy?
June 19, 2008
5:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
rmnreader writes:
NO assumptions went off of exactly what you said. Well freethought if you took him to the vet & knew he had ringworm & THEN you brought him home & infected your family what are you complaining about?!
Gene - A person who lets their dog wander loose by a road where cars are going to hit them & kill them is a negligent dog owner period & should not have a dog. I am from small town in the country so no need to tell me how the country life is a different way. Different does not allow for negligence. It is not a wild animal it is a companion. Period.
June 19, 2008
5:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
mytwosense writes:
I was going to point out that at least freethought picked up the poor stray. Too many people would have just driven on by. But luckily for the pooches, there's a fair amount of people who do stop. Freethought, you still got the pooch?
June 23, 2008
4:29 p.m.
Suggest removal
Jazzbear writes:
This is a very amusing thread. ...Max Fund in Denver is awesome, too, don't forget. They took in a dog that I found as a stray after he was scheduled to be killed at a traditional humane society. The dog found a home, outside of Denver, in 2 weeks because of them! No ringworm, but possible pit bull in him. Sweet, sweet boy.
July 23, 2008
11:29 a.m.
Suggest removal
poptop writes:
But Gene, you are a moran [sic]. You've made nothing but assumptions about the dog's breed and the circumstances of his rescue, about both of which you fail have any first-hand information. By your logic, Animal Control shouldn't pick up any stray animals because their owner's house could be right around the corner. Never mind the safety of the animal or the public, let's just let strays run free because they MUST be close to where they belong! If you are ever in doubt about whether a dog is being abused or neglected, ask yourself what you would do if you found a 4 year old child in the same situation. Of course, you would probably just make a half-arsed assumption that they were supposed to be wandering the dessert all alone and leave them there to fend off predators, starvation and disease. Good for you!
Please, in the future, shut your ignorant mouth and let people who do good works, do good works.