“Gator” Mills was at work deep in the Green Swamp Preserve back in June when he and his crew from Moore Logging noticed an impossibly-thin hunting dog.
The Walker hound had multiple, heavy tumors that at first glance appeared to be snakebites. He was limping, infested with ticks, and dehydrated in the almost-100 degree temperatures.
“He got right under the truck, and was just as friendly as he could be,” said Santana Mills, Gator’s wife. “Just as humble as anything.”
The location the men were working is deep in a remote area of the Green Swamp. Mills and the rest of his crew – John, Winford and Pinky—are all hunters and dog lovers. They immediately began sharing their lunch with the grateful hound. Gator contacted his wife, who is known for her love of animals as well as her contacts in the rescue community.
Mrs. Mills said she was livid when she saw pictures of the dog.
“How can anybody turn a dog loose to starve?” she said. “And as dry as it’s been there wasn’t even any water for him to drink. That dog was dying.”
The crew couldn’t leave work, but agreed the dog needed help. As soon as Mills got home that evening, his entire family jumped back in the truck, armed with food, treats, water and a crate, a 40-plus mile roundtrip from the Mills home.
“We didn’t even know if he would still be there,” Mrs. Mills said, ”but he came right up to us. He was happy to jump in the crate, but we had to help him into the truck.”
Mrs. Mills called Cora Parker with Columbus County Animal Protective Services, and Barry Hinson of APS met the Mills family at the county shelter. The hungry, humble hound was immediately quarantined in a kennel, and Parker contacted one of the rescue groups APS works with on an almost weekly basis.
“They picked him up really quickly,” Mrs. Mills said.
Almost six weeks later, the hound has had surgery for his tumors, has been neutered and is with a foster. He is putting on some weight, and enjoying chewtoys. Parker said the hound is “happy as he can be.”
Video of the dog can be found here:
The foster shared photos and video of the hound in his new home, living his best life.
It’s not the first time the Mills family has dealt with abandoned animals. They frequently end up with dogs and cats dumped near their home near Hallsboro. Mills said she was just relieved the hound is safe and now in a good place.
“We are not against hunting with dogs,” she said. “Our family hunts. But there’s no reason to do this. You can take a dog to a shelter or find somebody else to adopt it. It makes me mad as all get out when people throw them away like this. They deserve better, whether it’s a hunting dog or a pet.”
