Pregnant dogs rescued in Friendsville woods

TENNESSEE -- A Blount County animal organization is looking for help caring for two pregnant dogs who were rescued in Friendsville recently.
 
The Humane Society of East Tennessee (HSET) has found a foster home for the two animals, who were rescued Nov. 15 from the woods off North Union Grove Road.

The HSET is, however, needing monetary donations to help pay for medical costs and supplies for both mothers and their puppies.

Robin Granger, HSET founder, said one of the dogs has already had her puppies, and the other isn’t too far behind.

The two rescues have been named Gretchen and Heidi. While Gretchen gave birth to three puppies, one of them did not survive, Granger said. The other two puppies, a male and female, are doing fine.

  

Granger said the dogs are staying with a veterinary technician in Halls.

Residents who live in the area where Heidi and Gretchen were found said the dogs had been living out in the woods for about three months. The residents had apparently been trying to catch them for some time, Granger said.

“Apparently (they) were finally able to do it with hamburger,” Granger said.

With temperatures dropping, Granger said the rescue came “not a moment too soon.”

The couple who rescued the pair said a third dog won’t come close to humans, and is still living in the woods.

Granger said Gretchen appears to be a Chihuahua and dachshund mix, while Heidi appears to be a Chihuahua and Terrier mix.

The HSET is requesting donations for food, medical care and other needs for the animals. They will have the mothers and puppies spayed and neutered, vaccinated, de-wormed and micro-chipped before they go to new homes.

All donations will go directly to the care of the animals, Granger said. The HSET, comprised of an all-volunteer group, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and all donations are tax-deductible.

Granger said they’ve discovered Heidi and Gretchen do well around other dogs, cats and children. They believe Heidi will be giving birth within another week or two.

“They’ll be looking to be adopted at some point,” Granger said. “These little babies, they’re just as sweet as they can be and I think they’re going to have really good temperaments.”

(The Daily Times - Nov 21, 2014)