Mystery Of “Jenna” Solved
I just received an update from the Indian River Humane Society, here it is in its entirety.
Mystery of “unique” lost dog solved:
(Vero Beach, Florida) – The search for the family of “Jenna,” the lost dog at The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County discovered to have had highly specialized surgery, has ended. The beautiful female Catahoula Leopard dog’s family was located after the animal shelter sought help from both the media and veterinarians across Florida.
According to a family member, “Jenna,” whose true name is Cocoa, was stolen twice before, adding that their property has been also vandalized by unknown individuals. Although the family has been able to locate and recover Jenna in the past, they gave up hope of finding her after conducting a search when she went missing last month. It wasn’t until a friend mentioned seeing Jenna’s story in the media that the family filed a lost dog report with the Humane Society.
Nicknamed “Jenna” by Humane Society staff, the 2-year-old dog was examined by shelter veterinarian Dr. Elizabeth Bybee who determined that she had previously undergone costly, life-saving surgery. Because Jenna had no form of identification, the shelter kept her medical information confidential to ensure she could be positively identified by either her family or the veterinarian who performed the surgery.
It was discovered that the family acquired Jenna through an acquaintance who had moved to Florida from Indiana. As a puppy in Indiana, Jenna had undergone extensive surgery after being hit by a car. The surgery left her with metal plates in both back legs.
Concerned for Jenna’s future safety, her family recently asked the Humane Society to place her for adoption. “It’s clear to us the family wants to do what’s best for her,” Animal Care Manager Maria Ramirez said. As a result, Jenna was placed with an Indian River County couple last Friday.
The couple read of Jenna’s plight in the media and called repeatedly to ask if she could be adopted as a companion for their Catahoula Leopard dog. By Friday evening they contacted the shelter to say, “How thrilled we all are with Jenna. She is a treasure.”
“It’s still a story with a happy ending for Jenna even if it’s not the ending we anticipated,” Janet Winikoff, Director of Education said.
Cocoa’s family showed the greatest love of all, giving her up so that she could live in a safe home. I can’t imagine that was easy, I applaud them for making such a selfless decision.
* That’s Cocoa on the right, she looks very happy meeting her new family member for the first time.
God bless Cocoa/Jenna’s original family and her new adoptive family. It is a hard decision to make when you must give up a beloved pet for her own safety. It is a decision that I know all too well and am currently faced with. Why can’t people just leave us all alone?
I have been waiting for the happy ending to this story. Now maybe there will be peace in Cocoa’s life. I wish you well little one and only happiness from now on.
‘
I’m so glad to hear that this little sweetie will now have a safe home, and I feel much compassion for the family that made the decision to give her up. It is much better to know that she is safe and happy than to wonder what happened to her–or worse, find out that she had been killed as a bait dog. My Catahoula Kiko is such a wonderful, sweet, loving goofball, and I couldn’t imagine losing her, especially that way. Blessings on both families, and especially little Jenna. May you live happily ever after!!
What an amazing display of responsible love.
I too have been checking daily for news of Jenna!
I’m glad her previous family did the right thing as hard as it was for them and this sweet special girl has another fresh start to live happily ever after with a family who can really love & protect her.
“Love is never conquered, it is only survived.”
To Dogster readers,
Many thanks to all of you who worked so hard to help those of us on staff at The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian RIver County find Jenna’s family. We’re so grateful to all of you for your compassion and concern. Although she wound up being placed in a different home, please know that Jenna is loved by her new family. They’ve written to us with updates and sent photos of her nearly every day since she was adopted.
What a wonderful inspiring Happy every after story. I can’t imagine how difficult it was for Jenna’s loving family to give her up, but what they did they did out of pure love. What a wonderful and courageous and selfless act.
I’m so glad it worked out as well.