How Facebook Saved a Family

Joe Fowler, staff writer

Dr. Karenne Wood responded to a Facebook post during the holiday season. Her friend’s husband rescued a pregnant dog that someone had abandoned on the side of the road in early winter. Unfortunately, the family could not keep the expectant mother because of conflicts between the dog and the family cat.

Wood adopted the dog Dec. 25, 2016 and named her Chrissy the Christmas Dog. Chrissy gave birth to 11 puppies shortly thereafter. The smallest of the litter, Gracie, passed away after a brief life in which she was well-loved.

“Yeah, I know there are 10 more, plus mama, that I saved. I just wanted her to live, because she was trying,” Wood wrote in a brief eulogy on Facebook. Sad but undeterred by the loss, she buried Gracie in her wildflower garden and named the site “Gracie’s Garden,” while continuing to care for the rest of the family.

During a conversation with Wood, she said a primary motivator in adopting Chrissy was a story from Richmond in which rescuers saved a pregnant dog from the dumpster it had been abandoned in. “If anyone dumps a pregnant dog in frigid temperatures, they must be heartless. Those puppies are going to die,” said Wood.

Chrissy became comfortable with friends handling her puppies within a few days. Wood has opened her door for visits with the new family and plans to begin allowing adoptions in March after the puppies have received their early veterinary care. She advised that there would be a vetting process for each adoption.

“I believe that all lives are connected,” said Wood to reaffirm her commitment to find the best homes for all of the puppies.

To inquire about adoption, please contact Wood via email at karennewood@yahoo.com.