The dog shortly after he is brought to Grayling Hospital for Animals:

Postma: "The dog's condition was horrible. His legs were caked with feces, he was filthy, and had no muscle tone at all. I cried. I've never seen a dog in such terrible shape. I was certain that we'd have to put him down. How could someone do this to an animal? He was so weak, so fragile, and suffering so much. But he lifted his head a little bit and tried to wag his tail, and I knew that we had to try to save his life. He was worth that much."

The yellow labrador was given a name by those at the Grayling Hospital for animals: Thor. It was a fitting name for a dog that was going to need heroic strength to survive.

Several days later, Thor's condition is still grim. He is often rushed to the vet for emergency treatment, and it is clear that his chances of survival are not good. Still, Cheryl Postma remains hopeful, and is caring for Thor at her home during the times when he is well enough to leave Grayling Hospital for Animals. The vet indicates that the dog's teeth are black from eating his own feces, therefore, he is unable to determine exactly the dog's age. Due to his lack of muscle tone, it is also strongly suspected that Thor had been confined in a small crate or kennel, and probably not able to stand or move around.

Thor at Cheryl Postma's residence, a few days after he was found:

On Tuesday, January 16th, my wife and I travel to the Animal Shelter of Crawford County. Cheryl Postma is there with Thor. He looks much better and improving, but he still has *major* health issues. As the saying goes, he isn't 'out of the woods yet' by a long shot.

Photos of Thor on January 16th, 2007, at the Animal Shelter of Crawford County:

After seeing the dog in person, I decide to write an article about Thor for UP Magazine, a periodical I write for on occasion. My hope is to raise awareness regarding animal cruelty and abuse. True, we don't understand the circumstances that led to Thor's deplorable condition, but the most logical place to begin is to speak with the woman who discovered the dog and search the area where he was found, in hopes of learning what happened to him.

In the afternoon, I call the home of Judith Baumgart and tell her I'm planning on writing an article about the dog. When I tell her I'd like to come to her home and ask her a little more about how she found the dog, maybe look around the area, she quickly states that she can "answer all my questions over the phone," and that it's "not necessary to come out." I state that I'm coming to her area to look around, regardless. She agrees to speak with my wife and me in person, but I am mildly suspicous of her quick response, the way she quickly told me that I don't need to come to her house. It is one of several suspicions that, within hours, will change the entire direction of our searching.

Judith Baumgart's home is in a remote location. There are only a few seasonal homes nearby, and the area is a mix of forest and fields. Snow has recently fallen. Near the house is the car port where Mrs. Baumgart found the dog.

The car port where the yellow labrador was discovered:

Upon meeting Mrs. Baumgart, she tells us that on January 11th, her son had taken her to an appointment and returned her to her home. It was then (or sometime shortly thereafter) that she discovered the dog in her car port. She said it was in awful shape, sick and thin, and she called the Animal Shelter of Crawford County, and then Crawford County Animal Control. Sometime later, Crawford County Animal Control Officer Gail Foguth picked up the dog.

Mrs. Baumgart says she doesn't have any clue as to where the dog might have come from, but she tells my wife and I that, a few months previous, she'd heard dogs "barking and whining in the woods." She is very specific, stating that she had, on several occasions, slowed her car and rolled the window down, in an effort to perhaps see the animals. She says she saw nothing.

We thank her, and leave her house . . . albeit a bit suspicious. Reflecting on the condition of Thor when he was first brought in, we wonder: How is it that he found his way to Mrs. Baumgart's car port? There are very few homes around. Given the fact that the dog had absolutely no muscle tone, something is clearly obvious to my wife and me: that dog didn't walk or crawl anywhere. That dog was placed in that car port.

By who? Why?

Before leaving the area, my wife and I explore the forested area around Mrs. Baumgart's home. We follow several trails into the woods and hike around, looking specifically for a place where a dog could have been trapped. We search around several seasonal, vacant homes not far away . . . all to no avail. A bit disheartened, we are about to give up our search for the day and begin to drive off . . . when we notice a man walking farther down the road. Initially, I pass the man and travel on, but my wife looks in the mirror.

"I wonder if he knows anything?" she asks. "Maybe he's seen the dog."

I think about it for a moment . . . and turn our vehicle around. This simple action will lead to the most important break in our search. If we had not turned around to speak to the man on the road, six starving labradors would, I believe, be dead today.

JUMP TO:

Home/Welcome Page

LABS & LIES - Chapter 1: A Shot in the Dark

LABS & LIES - Chapter 2: It Doesn't take a Rocket Scientist

LABS & LIES - Chapter 3: And Then There Were Six

LABS & LIES - Chapter 4: Out of Sight, Out of Mind

LABS & LIES - Chapter 5: Rattling Cages & Furious Rages

LABS & LIES - Chapter 6: With Labradors and Justice for All

LABS & LIES - Chapter 7: Black Friday

LABS & LIES - Chapter 8: Puppygate (UPDATED 5/27/07)

LABS & LIES - Chapter 9: GUILTY! (UPDATED 6/22/2007)

LABS & LIES - Chapter 10: Justice . . . Crawford County Style (added 7/11/07)

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