Stray and Scared to Grateful and Beautiful

Freedom ride for this “shy” guy we have named Kerby. He was at the City of Cleveland Kennel, picked up as s stray on May 3rd, taken back to the kennel and waited patiently for his owner to claim him. No such luck. “R10”, his cage number, was identified by the kennel staff as:

“severely matted, needs to be groomed, sweet and fearful. Can’t walk on a leash”
A plea was made by  Chief Dog Warden Jaimson and the Director of The Friends of the Cleveland Kennel for a rescue to spend time with him and take him in as the kennel was filling up fast and nearly full. Anthony, a certified dog trainer, one of our volunteers and a senior staff member of The Mutt Hutt, spent some time with him and reported back his assessment. He was fearful of the leash but showed no signs of aggression. The next day Becca Riker, the director of Secondhand Mutts, and Anthony went back to the kennel to try again.

With a little time and positive coaxing and praise Anthony got the lead around his matted neck and then safely coverted the lead into a harness. He was gentle removed from R10 and taken outside to the fresh air and yard.  It seemed Kerby had never been exposed to a leash or was hesitant due to some pain he was having from his matted coat. He was slightly fearful but not aggressive and off we went for a stroll. Shortly thereafter we pulled him from the kennel and Anthony loaded him into his truck and we took him to Secondhand Mutts/The Mutt Hutt. 

He’s badly matted and headed right over to The Mutt Hutt Grooming Salon getting pampered by Lead Groomer Greta and the Salon Assistant and Groomer Jaimie.  His double thick coat was severely matted and it was necessary to shave him down completely. Several hours later Kerby was feeling much better and headed over for his required quarantine period to decompress from what he had been going through the last two weeks.