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Earlier this month in Kennewick, Washington, Jim Tietsort stumbled upon a heart-wrenching sight: three abandoned dogs taking refuge in a large pipe, their only shelter in a sweltering 98-degree heat. Unable to catch the dogs himself, Tietsort turned to Facebook, hoping the community would rally to their aid.
Local resident Nikki Surgeon saw Tietsort’s post and decided to take action. Despite not finding the dogs on her initial visit, Surgeon was undeterred. “It’s absolutely terrible to dump dogs in such harsh conditions with no shelter,” Surgeon told.
Undeterred, Surgeon returned the next day, finally spotting the trio. Still unable to catch them, she enlisted the help of another dedicated individual, Sandy Orton. Together, they began visiting the dogs three times daily, working to earn their trust.
“We were determined not to leave them behind,” Surgeon said. “We knew we had to find a way to help them.”
After two days of relentless effort, Surgeon, Orton, and other compassionate community members managed to catch two of the dogs. The female, however, remained elusive and skittish. But on the fifth day, Surgeon and Orton finally succeeded in slipping a collar over her head. Once she realized she was safe, her fear melted away, revealing her gentle nature.
The dogs received much-needed medical care and tender loving care as soon as they were safe. Surgeon took the extraordinary step of opening her own home to them, naming them Buddy, Baylee, and Blaze (the shelter also refers to them as Canyon, Pebble, and Sierra).
Despite their rough start, these dogs have shown themselves to be playful, intelligent, and affectionate. The shelter is urgently seeking a long-term foster or adoptive home for them. Interested parties can apply through Mikey’s Chance Canine Rescue.
Surgeon’s ultimate wish is for these deserving dogs to find the loving home they need. “They truly deserve a chance at happiness,” she said.
