Because sometimes we need some happy news, you know?
And if you've already clicked your way through the bathing and ribbon dancing baby elephants, here's something closer to home.
Kent County's health department sent out this release on Sept. 5:
"GRAND RAPIDS – When Malachi, a 12-year-old terrier mix, was taken by Kent County Animal Control from a suspected hoarding situation in Grand Rapids this summer, she was a mess.
She hadn’t been groomed in a while, and was suffering from grade-four dental issues (on a scale of one to four, with four being the worst). Most of the 37 dogs taken that day had a host of medical, dental, and behavioral issues, many had been stored in travel crates for long periods of time, and some were sitting in their own waste."
Now the happy part.
A Kent County vet sent out a plea for help, and 11 vets responded. They've given the dogs tens of thousands of dollars of free care, from dental surgery and teeth removal, to boarding, vaccinations, grooming, medicine and even massage therapy.
Yes. Massage therapy.
Donors have also bought toys and food for the dogs, and one anonymous donor paid the adoption fees for three of the dogs.
Eight of the dogs have been adopted, according to the county. Several more will be transferred to breed-specific shelters.
As for Malachi, she has a new name: Hope.
That's what her new owner, a woman named Linda, is calling her.
"We knew we could give her hope for a better home, for a better life. We called her 'Hope' because she has hope now. I hope more people will consider adopting an older dog; they bring such joy."
