Submitted photo Noelle arrived at the Valdosta Animal Hospital emaciated and weak, as pictured here, Friday, Dec. 22. The dog has since started to recuperate and has been placed in a foster home.

VALDOSTA— She was only 13 pounds with a hunched back, coated in feces and suffering from urine scald. 

It wasn’t looking good for Noelle, an approximately 4-year-old dog. 

Noelle was taken in by the local animal shelter Friday, Dec. 22, and the Humane Society of Valdosta/Lowndes County was contacted about the dog, who was called “a walking skeleton,” said Jodi Brannen, Humane Society administrator of pet adoption.

Noelle was transported to the Valdosta Animal Hospital for treatment, which included an immediate IV. Noelle was more than 20 pounds underweight. It was suspected that she was kept in a crate too small for her and starved, according to the Humane Society. 

“Honestly, I didn’t know if she was going to pull through that night,” Brannen said. 

But Brannen and Jan McMullen, another administrator of pet adoptions with the Humane Society, said Noelle is doing well now, eating, drinking and being social. They called her recovery a miracle, though she still has a long way to go. 

“It’s unbelievable how sweet and lovable she is around people after what she’s been through,” McMullen said of Noelle. 

“She’s an amazing creature,” she added. 

Noelle is now enjoying her foster home, especially her foster father, according to Brannen and McMullen. 

“She’s his little sidekick,” McMullen said of Noelle and her foster dad. 

Beth and Charlie Fields are fostering Noelle. Working with rescue dogs is something Beth does often, but this time Charlie was the one who felt a passion to help Noelle after seeing her photos online, according to Beth.

Beth said Noelle’s favorite spot is by her husband’s work area at home. She said they placed a dog bed there for Noelle since she would linger there all day. 

Beth described Noelle’s demeanor as quiet and sweet. 

“She doesn’t raise a fuss,” Beth said. 

But the Fields aren’t the only ones smitten by Noelle. 

McMullen said the community response to Noelle’s case has been great. 

“We’ve got people begging (to adopt Noelle),” McMullen said. 

She said there has even been Facebook posts sharing love to Noelle all the way from Germany. 

Noelle’s recovery continues and the date she will be available for adoption is yet to be determined. 

From this case of abuse, McMullen and Brannen want people to understand the responsibility of pet ownership. 

“These dogs and cats are a lifetime commitment,” Brannen said. 

McMullen said she would like to see people who starve and abuse animals, such as Noelle, be prosecuted for their crimes of animal cruelty. 

To donate to the Humane Society, visit humanesocietyofvaldosta.org/donate/. If the donations are intended for Noelle, that can be specified in the comments. 

Kimberly Cannon is a Reporter with The Valdosta Daily Times. Her extension is 1376.