Every 'Penny' counts

Alone and scared, Penny slept curled up on the hard, cold floor. Yips and howls echoed against the walls, but not the familiar human voice that lovingly called her name.

Penny's owner had died in her home in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. With unshakable loyalty, the 2-year-old terrier mix lay by the body's side for hours, maybe days. Animal rescuers had to coax Penny to leave.

For 30 days, Penny stayed in a concrete and steel kennel until she was considered officially abandoned. Her only visitors examined her and fed her, offering the occasional pat on the head.

At the end of her stay, Vickie Eaton of Marble Hill, Mo., arrived to rescue dogs and take them to the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri.

Eaton, a tall woman, sat next to Penny, holding out a hand of friendship.

"It's OK, darling," she said. Still, Penny cocked her head to the side and studied her.

Then as if the leash snapped, Penny's stout little body sprung into Eaton's arms, hugging her side. Years of experience told Eaton that Penny had been well-cared for and was more than ready to find a new family.

Penny is one of 24 dogs that were abandoned after the hurricane and are being held at the Humane Society in Cape Girardeau. Nineteen of those, including Penny, are ready for adoption. They arrived early Wednesday morning from a Humane Society shelter in Van Cleave, Miss., between Gulfport, Miss., and Biloxi, Miss.

"They're all suffering from losses, some of them abandoned, some of them scared," Eaton said. "So they're all going to need a little extra TLC."

She and fellow dog lover Janet Guethle transported 24 dogs in two climate-controlled vans lent by Cape Auto Pool. Five will be taken to other locations and the rest will be revaccinated, dewormed and bathed.

A dog rescued from Katrina waited at the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri Wednesday.

The new arrivals, along with the dogs already staying at the shelter, quickly filled the shelter's 58 cages, and the task of caring for so many at once is overwhelming, said Cheryle Dillon, events outreach coordinator. Ordinarily, the shelter keeps dogs until they get sick. However, a team of veterinarians have volunteered to treat the hurricane pets as needs arise.

"So these dogs will probably be kept longer because they have already been through so much," Dillon said. Monetary donations are still needed to cover the costs of caring for so many animals.

All the dogs should find homes quickly, said Eaton. While at the Louisiana shelter, she entered each cage and tested for temperament and health. She believes each dog chosen will be loyal to its new owners, whether older adults or families with children.

"Once they open their hearts and know that they aren't going to be abandoned again, they will put their lives on the line for you," Eaton said.

The dogs range from a litter of 8-week-old heeler mixes to a 10-year-old cocker spaniel. Most are medium to small breeds. A few are large hounds or lab mixes.

Penny, frightened a few days ago, is now cheerful. She readily greets women and studies men before approaching them.

Sadie, a wired-hair terrier/lab mix, lived in a car with a woman and her children for about a month. They gave her up when the financial burden became too much.

A spunky male boxer bears scars from when a man poured boiling oil on his back.

The rest of the dogs likely ran astray or were abandoned when the flood waters came up, Eaton said. Several likely swam for their lives.

They all stayed a mandatory 30 days in the Louisiana shelter. Since so few people are adopting in the area, many left behind will be put to sleep.

As for the ones who ended up here, Eaton said, "They are so ready for a home and quiet."

jmetelski@semissourian.com