Dogs That Survived Polar Vortex Available For Adoption

OAK LAWN, IL — About a month ago, Patch readers were riveted by two small dogs found under a car in the middle of a polar vortex on a cold Saturday afternoon. The dogs were found by Cookie the pit bull, arguably the nicest pit bull in the Village of Oak Lawn, who alerted his owner of the two tykes that had ice forming on their coats and were moments away from freezing to death.

Cookie’s kind-hearted owner took the tiny chihuahua and his white fluff-ball companion home. She then contacted Oak Lawn Patch about putting up a “found dog” notice on our Facebook pages. It was a Saturday morning, Feb. 13, and the local temperature was in the single digits. Combined with the wind chill, it felt like -20 below zero, too cold for human or beast.

Volunteers from the local animal rescue network immediately mobilized. A lady went over to the finder’s house and scanned both dogs for microchips, who were already curled up together safe and warm in a jumble of blankets. The dogs were not chipped.

The good folks at Pet Profile Rescue got involved, a foster-based rescue in Homer Glen that focuses on rescuing senior dogs and sometimes young animals in need. Full rehabilitation is provided and then works to find them forever homes. Pet Profile Rescue stepped up to offer a foster home and, after interrupting his evening dinner plans, a gentleman named Tom took the tykes into his Oak Lawn home. The white fluff ball set a record for peeing.

A few days later the owner came forward. His child had accidentally let dogs slip out the door, and the two buddies went trotting off together into the polar vortex. The owner said he could no longer care for the dogs and regretfully surrendered them to Pet Profile Rescue.

Mojo, a senior chihuahua, had belonged to an elderly woman who died. The white fluff ball, Toby, was a Maltese mix, origins unknown. At first, it was believed that both dogs were bonded, but after several days of vetting, it turned out that Mojo and Toby just liked being around other dogs.

The two pooches are now available for adoption. They’ve had their shots and dentals, and they’ve been neutered.

Mojo is a sweet, senior chihuahua with a lot more years ahead of warming your lap. He is very friendly, loves to cuddle and is great with other dogs. He is very calm. You can read more about Mojo on Petfinder. Mojo weighs 10 to 12 pounds. He’s being fostered in Summit.

Toby went out into the groomer a ball of white matted fur, and came out looking like a prince. He’s a sweet, friendly boy. He is very cuddly and is great with dogs who are calm. Dogs that are alpha or pushy, scare him. Toby is around 10 years old, and weighs 13 pounds. You can read more about Toby on Petfinder. He’s being fostered in Lockport.

This story almost has a happy ending, which would be for these two boys to find a forever home. If you want to make a donation to Pet Profile Rescue, you can find them here. And by the way, the pet rescue group will be taking in nine dogs from China this weekend.