Posts by Wendy Welch

Puppy Mill Rescue

Dudley was a puppy mill rescue who ran away from another rescue (reportedly). An HSHV volunteer found him (fortunately). The “rescue” decided to leave him with HSHV (thankfully!). I fostered him for a year where he formed a tight bond with my Westie, Isabelle. Dudley would never be able to be adopted as, along with other behavioral problems, he barely even let me pick him up. So, he became “a foster failure.” Isabelle passed three years ago and though he missed her, he finally started bonding with me. I got another rescue, Teddy, who is very lovable. Dudley finally decided he
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Our family feels complete now, thanks to Bernie

We instantly fell in love with Bernie (formally Manuel) when we met him one Sunday morning. He put his little paw under the cage, and I had a feeling in my stomach that he was the one. We had been toying with the idea of getting a puppy since we now are homeowners with a big fenced in yard and lake nearby. He had a rough start, stray puppy, Parvo, and a possible injury to his nasal passages — but since we’ve brought him home, he’s flourished! Our four-year-old daughter and Bernie love to cuddle, go for walks, and play
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Misty… the perfect Tale…or is it Tail

We became “Foster failures” (or is it Foster successes?) on our first foster Misty. She had “happy tail” (a condition that happens when they wag their tail, and it slaps against a hard surface again and again), and it was infected. Her tail ended up getting lopped off and now she has a “happy nub.” She came to us in a time when Maggie (at the bridge now) needed her. Now, she is a big sister to Mayzie. Misty is a keeper!   Misty
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Best. Dog. Ever.

Nine years ago we decided to get another dog after a previous bad experience with our first dog (our young son was attacked/bitten but OK). Our son was still anxious about another dog so we wanted to get a puppy this time, one with a hopefully a more calm and submissive temperament. We saw Max/Ollie and his sister together at the shelter; they were just a few months old. The female was very rambunctious, climbing all over her brother, nipping him and the cage, etc. We decided to visit with her brother “Max” since he was was very calm, especially
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Our Little Lady

At the beginning of Summer ’17, we had been scouring the HSHV website for weeks looking for a puppy. When Lady Godiva’s picture appeared on my computer screen, I got a nervous, but excited feeling in my stomach and sent the link to my husband. After work, we met at HSHV and raced quickly back to her kennel. We practically trampled another couple because we knew she was ours and rescued her right then and there at 8 weeks old. She never spent a night in the shelter as she was previously taken care of by amazing foster parents whom
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Oh the crazy one

My husband and I decided we wanted to adopt a dog. He looked on HSHV’s website and saw the video of Newo (Bonnie) walking on a treadmill looking miserable. We knew at that moment, we had to meet her. When we met Newo and took her for a walk, one volunteer said, “Oh, that’s the crazy one,” and my husband and I looked at each other and said, “Do we really want to do this?” Of course we decided yes, and Newo became a huge part of our family. After a lot of work and training, while she’s still crazy,
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Sage chooses a home

Two years ago I wandered into HSHV looking for guinea pigs. After the disappointing news that the guinea pigs I saw online had been adopted, I spent some time in the small animal room and met Sage. Sage was out having some floor time and would not leave me alone. Anytime I moved to peek into a cage, he was at my feet or nudging my hand asking to be taken home. So home he came! Never having had a rabbit before, I quickly became a bunny enthusiast, and Sage quickly took over my entire apartment. Goofball has learned to
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Michigan Township Supervisor Surrenders 20 Animals, Faces Felonies for Neglect

Acting on a search warrant, the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) investigated the home of Augusta Township Supervisor Brian Shelby, and rescued 71 animals from unsanitary, overcrowded and neglectful conditions. Brian Shelby and his wife Tammy now face three (3) felony counts of animal neglect to 10 or more animals, and seven (7) misdemeanor counts.
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Rethinking Pit Bulls: Dori finds her furever home

My husband and I knew we wanted a female dog, and knew we wanted to adopt a rescue. I really wanted a Golden Retriever, and the staff said they were rare and to check in every so many days after new puppies and dogs were admitted. We spent several weeks traveling to HSHV every so many days looking for the right fit. On the day we found then Dori, we were looking at a Golden Retriever/Husky/yellow Lab mix. However, when we visited with her, she wouldn’t play or come near my husband. We knew this wasn’t going to be a
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Bone crusher

I adopted Bones in 2010. I had just graduated and promised myself I would get a dog after I had. I went to the Humane Society of Huron Valley daily waiting for the dog that was right for me… and after a week, I found him! Snot marks up and down the glass of his special kennel, it was his first day on the floor for the second time. An amazing physique similar to my own (he’s a bulldog)! I called my then girlfriend (now wife) and said, “I found the perfect dog; I hope he’s not too gross for
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