Mama dog shut down after she and her pups were saved from euthanasia. She needs a home
A mama dog is now as happy as can be after she and her babies were rescued from being put down after a Kansas shelter stepped in.
After giving birth three days prior, Mary Todd, a sparkling-eyed American Staffordshire terrier mix, was scheduled to be euthanized along with her little ones at an Oklahoma City shelter. It was the Brown County Humane Society in Hiawatha that stepped up and managed to bring Mary and her puppies to Kansas, the shelter said in a series of March 19 Facebook posts.
“Mary Todd and her babes on their freedom ride to Brown County Humane Society. She was transported to the vet by a volunteer for a health certificate, then the volunteer drove her 4 hours north to meet me at Emporia. I think she knows she’s safe,” the shelter said in a photo of Mary Todd riding in a crate with her babies tucked in comfortably by her side.
Unfortunately, depression seemed to hit mama in a different way once she knew she and her five puppies were safe, which might have to do with her life prior to being rescued.
“Mary Todd is safe but is so shut down. She doesn’t walk on a leash and is carried out to the bathroom. She shows no emotion in the beginning but we don’t give up on her. If you look closely at her neck right behind the pink shelter identification “collar” you can see a (thin) line of missing hair,” the shelter said.
“That is a scar she has today yet from something being wrapped around her neck too tight — we know nothing about her past life but assume she was most likely just tied out in her previous life and didn’t know love.”
It didn’t take long for Mary to show her bright side — once she felt the warmth of love and trust.
“Mary Todd and her pups were fostered by my sister Heidi,” a member of the shelter staff said, along with posting photos of Mary looking mirthful. “Heidi spent hours with her and with lots of love and patience, Mary Todd gained confidence! Just look at her smile!!!”
The shelter had thought it found a loving home for both Mary and one of her puppies, Carter, but due to unforeseen circumstances, both dogs found themselves back at the shelter.
“This post is about one of Mary Todd’s cute boys, “Jimmy ‘Carter’” the shelter said, along with showing off Carter’s puppy pics.
“This cute pup was adopted along with Mary Todd but both were returned to BCHS a couple months ago due to a life change with the family! “Carter” is an oversized “hippo” pup who doesn’t realize he is close to 70lbs — he thinks he’s still a cuddly 10 lb babe! He needs a family who will be patient yet firm and teach him some manners. He is such a happy go lucky 9-10 month old pup tho(ugh) who deserves a 2nd or should we say 3rd chance.”
Now, the shelter is looking for homes for both Mary — who has gone through a dramatic transformation from sad pup, to an energetic lady — and her giant baby, Carter, whom the shelter refers to as ”hippo” due to his size.
For more information on this sweet pair, visit the PetFinder website.
Hiawatha is about a 70-mile drive north from Topeka.
This story was originally published March 19, 2025 at 2:54 PM with the headline "Mama dog shut down after she and her pups were saved from euthanasia. She needs a home."