Gabrielle getting her life back at shelter

Alice Swetland of the Perry County Humane Society no-kill animal shelter says she can't go anywhere without someone asking here "how's Gabrielle."

She's the year and a half-old boxer mix that was left for dead in the Mulkeytown Cemetery during the holidays.

Several days ago the newspaper wrote about the unprecedented rescue effort to save Gabrielle's life.

Days later with the help of people like Alice Swetland, Amber Gulley and other volunteers at the shelter, Gabrielle is thriving. She has gained five pounds. You can no longer feel her spine. Various anti-biotics are working to eliminate her infections. The crusting of her mange is turning into velvety soft new hair growth coming in. Gabrielle has been receiving special baths to help her condition.

Her tail wags when someone walks into the shelter. She sleeps in a large crate in the office. When she is let out of the crate she showers you with kisses and paws at you to shake her paw and pick her up.

And, she is developing an attitude. "She gets into a little trouble now," says Amber, pulling out all of the colors and leashes from a basket across from the front door.

"We still have a long way to go with her," said Alice. In time, she will be offered for adoption and, no doubt, will make a great pet for some family.

She's come a long way from being a dying dog in 20-degree cold left in a cemetery with a handful of food in a styrofoam tray she was too weak to eat. For Gabrielle, happy endings happen.