Tatiana’s Amazing Story of Strength, Trust & Love!

READY TO HEAR SOME AMAZING NEWS???

One of our amazing volunteers, Michelle, has been taking Tatiana home on the weekends!
For those that don’t know, Tatiana came to Mackenzie’s in 2012 after being horrifically abused. It took a great deal of time for her to trust new people, which was completely understandable. However, she soon understood what love and kindness felt like from everyone that worked with her. She is one amazing girl that has come such a long way and has touched the hearts of so many!

With all that being said, you can imagine how excited we are to announce…….Michelle and her husband have decided to become Tatiana’s FULL-TIME foster parents! All our staff and volunteers are over the moon that Tatiana will finally know what being in a forever home feels like!!!!

We will never be able to THANK YOU enough for this amazing gift you are giving her!
As you can see from the pictures, Tatiana has made herself at home!

Mackenzie’s truly has the BEST staff & volunteers!
(Our foster program is only open to established volunteers and staff.)

TATIANA Story form The Beginning
Written by Capital Area Humane Society

“For those who don’t know her story, Tatiana (a.k.a. Tater Tot, Taters) came to us (CAHA) in January of 2011, after we received a phone call from Dawn Moss notifying us that her husband, Ernie, found a dog hog-tied, and muzzle-bound, with electric tape. That dog was our sweet Tater Tot. While walking their two dogs in the neighborhood, on a cold Michigan day, the larger of the Moss’s two Boxers started pulling Ernie toward a wooded ditch. Upon following the dog’s lead, Ernie noticed a slight shaking motion underneath a blanket, beneath a fallen tree. Upon inspecting it closer, he noticed it was a dog – somehow still alive- nearly frozen to the ground. Tatiana’s body heat had melted the snow beneath, and given the extreme cold weather, the ground had started to refreeze; nearly, locking her body to the ground.

After quickly assessing the situation, Ernie realized the tape around her legs, and muzzle, was strapped on too thick, and tight, for him to remove it by hand, so he ran home to grab tools to remove the tape, and to notify Dawn to call for help.

While Dawn was on the phone with CAHS, Ernie was feverishly working to rescue Tatiana, by freeing her limbs and getting her to a warm and comfortable place. In less than a half hour, CAHS had arrived at the unimaginable scene. It took nearly that time for Ernie to free her limbs and mouth. It was evident from the very beginning that being restrained, and left in the cold for dead, was not her only worries. With only a quick glance, it became obvious that she was suffering from extensive injuries to the head. She was immediately transferred to a local veterinary office for care and diagnostic testing.

Luckily, Tatiana benefitted from a very caring citizen who happened upon her before it was too late. X-rays came back negative and quelled fears of a fractured skull that would significantly complicate recovery. Likewise, images of her chest and stomach showed no reason to fear further damage, outside of the severe contusions to her head.

Tatiana remained in our care for 18 months, before being transferred to Mackenzie’s Animal Sanctuary in October of 2012.

Unfortunately, justice was not served for Tatiana. Her abuser was found, pleaded no-contest to a misdemeanor animal abandonment charge, and only spent 44 of his 93-day sentence in jail. In addition, he was ordered to pay $10,000 in fines and restitution to CAHS for the 18-months of care and medical bills. To this date, we have not received the restitution.

Tatiana has been at Mackenzie’s Animal Sanctuary since being transferred. She has been very loved and well-taken care of by their wonderful staff and volunteers.

We are all celebrating today, as one of their amazing volunteers is going to be Tatiana’s full-time foster. Fortunately, for Tatiana, love wins!We are very grateful to Mackenzie’s Animal Sanctuary for all that they have done for our sweet Tater Tot, and we are overjoyed that she is going to be in the comfort of her wonderful foster home.”

It undeniably takes so many incredible people to help abused, abandoned & neglected dogs like Tatiana. The rescue community is truly an amazing team!

12/8/2021
This morning our hearts broke! Tatiana’s sudden passing is truly devastating to everyone that knew and loved this amazingly, beautiful girl.

Tuesday evening Tatiana developed a sudden onset of concerning neurologic signs. After preliminary testing at Mackenzie’s Wednesday morning, it was determined that an MRI was needed to identify the underlying cause of her brain issues. A brain tumor or brain bleed were the two most likely causes of her signs. Michelle, her foster Mom, took her to Blue Pearl for a consultation and MRI.

Wednesday Evening – Tati’s MRI results preliminarily came back consistent with a hemorrhagic stroke (a brain bleed). Which was very promising as over time she could have a full recovery.

With a heavy heart I have to share that Tatiana took a dramatic turn for the worse early this morning and unexpectedly passed away while at Blue Pearl. 

Much to the dismay of her Blue Pearl team, the bleeding in her brain continued to progress overnight.  She remained in an unresponsive state throughout the night and went into cardiac arrest this morning.  CPR was attempted, but they were unable to resuscitate her due to the extent of her brain damage.

We were all feeling very hopeful for our sweet Tatiana last night, so her passing is beyond devastating. We’re finding solace in that she was unaware during her time at Blue Pearl, so she did not emotionally or mentally suffer during her final hours. 

Tatiana was able to experience the BEST year of her life with her foster Mom & Dad. Please keep them both in your thoughts during this very difficult time.