When rescuers Hanah Hueston and Kathleen Orcutt learned about a terrified Husky abandoned on a lake, they quickly gathered their gear for the rescue. Upon arriving, they found the dog curled up on the dock. As soon as the pup, later named Mingo, noticed them, she stood up and cautiously inched toward the edge, her tail tucked and her eyes filled with fear. It was evident from her demeanor that she had experienced some trauma.
Mingo Is Brought To Safety
Orcutt cautiously approached Mingo, but the puppy remained paralyzed with fear, searching for a means of escape. Orcutt noted,
“And the closer I got to her, even as slow as I was going, she was looking around, looking for her exit route. She wanted to go past me, but she was too scared to,” Orcutt told The Dodo.
Mingo stood at the edge of the dock, uncertain of what to do. In case she decided to jump, her rescuers were prepared to leap into the frigid water. Fortunately, Mingo stayed put, allowing Orcutt to slip a leash over her neck.
The rescuers transported Mingo to Vermilion County Animal Regulations and Animal Shelter in Danville, Illinois. Mingo was confused and untrusting, clearly lacking socialization. It seemed she had spent her entire life outside.
Mingo was extremely cautious, often keeping her tail tucked between her legs and growling at her rescuers when they attempted to touch her. They approached her with patience, allowing her to gradually acclimate to shelter life. They offered treats in hopes of winning her trust and slowly began to make light touches, ceasing if she showed any discomfort.
The Pup Starts Coming Out Of Her Shell
Things began to shift when Mingo was introduced to a shelter dog named Ralphy. For the first time, she raised her tail and perked up her ears, showing signs of comfort. With continued interaction, Mingo gradually started to trust her human friends, regaining her confidence. Hueston was overjoyed when Mingo finally allowed her to pet her, resulting in a big smile on the pup’s face.
Both the shelter staff and Mingo’s rescuers were proud of her progress, hoping she would find a loving and patient family to help heal her heart. After spending three weeks with her rescuers, Mingo transitioned from the Illinois shelter to a rescue where she captured the hearts of a wonderful family eager to give her all their love. Gratitude goes out to her incredible rescuers who helped her find a chance at a normal, happy life.
