On May 30th, Dr. Michael White, director of the Harris County Animal Shelter in Texas, switched on the local news. He saw photographs of his own job on the TV screen! It showed the pet shelter’s entrance, which was still locked for the evening.
The shelter had recently made headlines for the record-breaking number of animals surrendered during Memorial Day Weekend, a total of 200 cats and dogs!
Another animal was waiting to be rescued– she was tethered outside the shelter when reporter Janelle Bludau and the KHOU 11 News Team discovered her. A strong chain was used to secure the dog to the shelter’s fence. Even in her circumstances, the dog smiled and wagged her tail as she approached the news crew.
“I was watching the local news and noticed Janelle Bludau, the reporter, standing outside our facility along the road,” White told The Dodo. “She was telling about this dog she found when she got to the shelter that morning, who was chained to our front gate.”
Dr. White leaped from his chair, hurriedly dressed, and drove 45 minutes to work after Bludau indicated that she would stay with the pup until somebody came to open the shelter that morning…
Dr. White greeted the two-year-old Lab mix and noted that, despite her ordeal, she appeared to be in good health. She tested positive for heartworm and has a flea infestation. The adorable canine was given the name Janelle by the shelter personnel in honor of Bludau, who was responsible for her rescue.
After a ‘rough’ night tethered to the fence, Janelle is dragged inside.
Dr. White saw something during the examination and took an X-ray to prove it– Janelle was pregnant! I’M EXTREMELY PREGNANT! She was also anticipating a large litter! In total, there are ten puppies! Her stomach was nearly dragged on the floor from carrying so many puppies!
Janelle was so far advanced that Dr. White felt it was only a matter of time before she gave birth. He wanted her to be able to give birth in a secure and peaceful environment. As a result, Janelle was returned to her family by a friendly doctor.
“I made the decision that I couldn’t leave her there any longer,” White explained. “I didn’t want her to stay in that condition up there.” I despise it when animals give birth at a shelter.”
Janelle’s love for her family was evident as soon as she arrived at the Whites’ home. She tried to clamber up on everyone’s lap to shower them with affection, but her size (and pregnant) made this difficult? But you can’t blame her for attempting!
Janelle then began to show signs of distress just a few days later. She stopped eating and began behaving strangely. Fortunately, she was placed in the ideal foster home! Dr. White had given birth to a LOT of children. Janelle was in very capable hands.
Dr. White and his wife had their first contraction at 9 p.m., but based on their previous experience, they knew this would be a long process.
“My wife and I stayed up all night with her, helping her with each birth,” White added. “We believed puppy number 10 was born at 3:36 a.m., and that was the end of it, but number 11 was born at 6:05 a.m. For me, my wife, and Janelle, it had been a hard night.”
“We were trying to tag team,” White explained, “but every time we heard a disturbance, we would jump up and check in the pen.” “That night, we may have each gotten one hour of sleep in increments.”
There are 11 puppies?! OH MY GOD! And they were all in good health and spirits! Janelle appears to have landed in the correct hands!
Janelle, according to Dr. White, is a fantastic mother! She ensures that all of the puppies have everything they require and that their ‘den’ is kept tidy.
All of the dogs will be available for adoption once the puppies have been weaned. Janelle will be neutered as well.
Janelle and her litter are doing well thanks to a brave reporter and a caring doctor. Janelle found up precisely where she needed to be, as awful as it was to discover her bound to a fence.
Here’s Janelle AND Janelle interacting for the very first time outside of the shelter!
