Madeline Deserves a Happy Ending

Every now and then those in the animal rescue field run across a case like Madeline’s. And while every dog deserves a loving home, if there was ever a pup who deserved a second chance at a happy life it is Madeline. Edina-based organization Secondhand Hounds is helping to provide that. 

When Julie Cross, longtime foster parent for animals in need, went to the Leech Lake Reservation with a group of people to help the area’s animal control, she found Madeline, a malnourished, underweight and pregnant St. Bernard. Cross knew immediately she’d be taking Madeline home. Madeline had hundreds of ticks on her, multiple wounds and tested positive for Heartworm, Lyme’s disease and Anaplasmosis (a tick-born illness).

Four days after Cross took her home, Madeline gave birth to a startling 21 puppies.  

“I kept saying that I was afraid we were going to have a litter of dead puppies because I could feel no movement at all,” Cross said. 

Eight of the puppies were stillborn, another died that night and one more passed away three days later. There were 11 survivors, including the runt of the litter, who Cross said was “skin and bones” at birth. 

That was May. Today, the puppies are 10 weeks old and, as Cross said, are “breaking the scales” at around 20 pounds. Only four are left to be adopted. As for Madeline, she is now on Heartworm treatment and has nearly completed her treatment for Lyme’s disease and Anaplasmosis. 

“She is starting to feel really good, and is getting sillier every day,” Cross said.

As for her emotional health, Madeline has bounced back from adversity with remarkable resilience. 

“There is no doubt in my mind that she will bond with her people,” Cross said. “She’s sweet, gentle, and silly in her own little ways. I've fostered hundreds of animals, and very few get to me like she has.”

If you believe you are the person for Madeline, fill out an adoption application on the Secondhand Hounds website. 

Since its inception in 2009, Secondhand Hounds has placed 1,232 animals in loving homes. 

At a Glance