Buried Alive Mutt Comes Out on Top

May 11, 2001 Brooklyn, New York, USA

—and then, too, there came suddenly to my nostrils the strong peculiar odour of moist earth.  The conclusion was irresistable... it was they who had buried me as a dog—nailed up in some common coffin—and thrust, deep, deep, and for ever, into some ordinary and nameless grave.

The Premature Burial, 1845
Edgar Allen Paw

No hard feelings?  Of course not.  This pup was just happy to get all the attention.  Now he doesn't even seem to remember the first 8 weeks of his life spent with an abusive human who decided to kill him, rather than have him treated for a broken hip.

A passer-by in upstate New York happened to hear whimpers coming from a shallow, rock-covered grave and decided to call the authorities.  Rescuers arrived and dug up an 8-week old Shepherd mutt who was overjoyed to see the light of day.

Since then "Miracle" has been in the care of Elizabeth Keller who operates Glenwild Animal Rescue Corporation in Sullivan County, NY.

"He was alive, but in very bad condition," Ms. Keller said. "Someone had been very mean to him, but when I met him, he gave me a kiss.  He still had some love in him."

Wrapping up Be-Kind-to-Animals-Week (May 6-12), schoolkids from St. Stanislaus Kostka School in Brooklyn's Greenpoint section took turns petting the wagging pup and listened to Ms. Keller speak about animal cruelty—or rather, animal kindness.
Photo by Tamara 
Beckwith , ©2001 NYP

Miracle and Ms. Keller have been busy on their northeast US tour, visiting dozens of schools and spreading the word.

As usual, Miracle, now a year old, stole the show by doing tricks for dog biscuits and playing with all the kids.

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