OkcPets Magazine January 2024

January / February 2024 • OKC Pets 25 my car, shouting, “Turn the heat up and go! Exit Elm and go to the parking lot.” We can trap her now, we thought. A crowd gathered, and we all walked in the frigid weather carrying treats and leashes. We were very aware of our winter-weather warning, with temperatures below zero overnight and a wind chill of minus 10 degrees. There was no sign of the speed-de- mon dog. Searching continued for several hours, and everyone agreed we would have to return at daylight, but we feared it was too cold for the pup to survive. Perseverance Pays Off At sunrise, school was canceled. A snow day! I put out another plea for help, grabbed much warmer clothes, and met a group of people at the Creek Turnpike trail. I did not know most of them. We searched with cheeseburgers, chicken, and steak, anything that might be yummy enough to draw the dog out of the woods. That is when I looked up to see my son and another group of volunteers from a church searching along the turnpike. This reaffirmed my faith in humanity and community. Again, no luck. No pup. We went home to warm up, but I knew I had to go back. On my return, I parked on a neighbor- hood side street, realizing I was on the edge of a friend’s property and seeing a large “No Trespassing” sign. I was ready to brave the blistering wind and search the property. Thinking I was seeing things, I rubbed my eyes to focus because the snow was getting deeper and the sky darker. There she was, this scrawny spotted puppy trotting around the corner from the thick woods. I carefully opened my car door, armed with a pouchful of various meats. I prayed I would not escalate her fear. She trotted straight to me and my open car door, and she jumped right in. I slowly got in and put her under my new pea coat, offering her some of my yummy treats. The human-animal connection was at work between us. I looked at my radio as I warmed her, and Barry Manilow’s song “It’s a Miracle” was playing. I took pictures of the pup and sent them to my son. “Is this the same dog?” I asked. It was! Safe and warm, everyone returned home full of joy and relief. Another dog was rescued. Pup Finds Love and Acceptance I drove the pup to the nearest veterinarian to check for a microchip. She was chipped, but the owner would not answer the call. We emailed him, but he was not apprecia- tive of the many people who had volun- teered to search in frigid temperatures to save her. In fact, he denied ownership. He was hateful and lacked empathy. That was that. She was going to our house for safekeeping. My family was not exactly looking for another dog. In fact, Maddie, my female Labrador, wasn’t always the warmest host to dogs in our home. According to our vet, this puppy was not a puppy at all. She was probably three years old. To top it off, she was extremely fearful — tail tucked, cowering, wanting to escape from her new life. But the other dogs, including Maddie, had another plan. They seemed to adore her and accept her. It’s amazing to see animals caring for each other. I quickly realized this dog could not go to a new home while she was this fearful. She was our new family member and a new project, indeed. She would need to build confidence and trust. That was not going to happen over- night. It was essential that her perception of people would change. Not all humans are cruel, impatient, or hurtful. We quickly made a list of all of the things that trig- gered her fear, and there were many. We tried very hard as a family to remove those triggers from her repertoire. She would need a structured, predictable, and positive environment. We started consistency in every aspect of her new home. But she also lacked something very important — a name. She has two large wing-shaped spots on her back with a heart in the middle. “Halo” was blurted out, and we all knew it was a perfect fit — although if I am feeling frustrated with her, I might just call her Tollgate in memory of her turnpike adventures. Halo is a work in progress and is not perfect. But she is very loved, sleeps under the covers each night, and is a constant companion to all. She is delightful at one moment and a Tasmanian devil the next. We try not to laugh at her terrier ways, and all agree she is a perfect addition to our family. My pea coat still has Halo fur embedded in the wool, a reminder of our connection. I am sure many of you have stories much like mine. I am hopeful that my story serves as a reminder to share more of our heart with others. We have so much to offer this world and must remember that we are much stronger together. Halo’s first Christmas with Karen Holman and her dog family was in 2018. By November 2023, Halo has gained some pounds and years. You can see how she got her name — two wings with a heart in between.