HAC Core Staff Rescues Puppy Lost In The Ozarks

Yelps of Distress Turn Into Love and Safety

Adoptive mother, Rocela Ginther, with her lost babe in the woods.

On Wednesday, December 9, The Healing Arts Center took its "Core" management group to its new retreat property located in Cherryville, Missouri.  Upon returning to the first cabin site partially down the slope of the ridge, the group heard some yelping and crying on the ridge-top near the road.  "At first we could not even tell what type of animal we were hearing, but it was clear that it was in extreme distress," said HAC president, Dave Kenyon.   "My first thought was that some poor thing had been hit by a car on the road", Kenyon added.  

After walking up to the road, Kenyon saw a black, white and brown puppy walking in the woods on an adjoining property.  Whistling got the young dog's attention, but also give the small dog cause for concern.  When Kenyon knelt down and called the dog, it ran across the road and straight into his arms.  This suggests that the puppy was raised around humans and may be a stray or was abandoned along the road.

HAC Core members, Rocela Ginther, Mike Joseph and Michelle Gaeu provide emergency relief to one very frightened puppy who had been lost in the Ozarks.

The puppy has gladly welcomed his new friends.  As it happens, Kenyon had his camper trailer at Cherryville and, as a dog owner, had emergency dog rations on hand.  The puppy ate a bit but with no huge appetite.  His appetite has been improving since yesterday.  In the absence of nearby homes, there was no real way to check with anyone as to whether or not the puppy had simply gotten lost.  There was a home a quarter of a mile a way, but this home was guarded by a large farm dog that was not allowing visitors.  Inquiries are being made in the area, but for now, the assumption is that the puppy is either a stray or abandoned.   He has been introduced into Rocela Ginther's home and she and her toddler son, Aiden, have taken on his care.

The Puppy, tentatively called "Bubba" pending the selection of a permanent name, attended his first day of classes at HAC on December 10.  He paid a visit to Anatomy and Physiology class and was a big hit.  His behavior, however, has HAC staffers concerned in that he seems to be psychologically traumatized and gets upset at being left alone.  He has taken a liking to a spot under Michelle Gaeu's desk and the Core staff have been taking turns managing potty breaks and holding him when he gets nervous.  Because of the risk of allergies among students and employees, however, Bubba is going to have to be cared for off-campus.   The therapeutic environment at HAC is not conducive to animal care due to the risks posed by dander and shedding.  His first visit to the veterinarian is this afternoon.  

It appears that Bubba's karma has radically improved since being stranded in the Ozarks amongst the coyotes, bobcats and birds of prey to a life of being smothered with love and attention.   The Core group was only at the top of the ridge within ear-shot of the road for less than an hour, so Bubba's cries for help were well-timed and undoubtedly saved his life.   What better hands could he find himself in than those of The Healing Arts Center?  

"I was lost, but now I am found", Bubba gets ready for a snooze under a desk at HAC.