by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
The holidays can be a hectic time of year even without the responsibility of finding homes for about 30 dogs.
That was the position Jacksonville attorney Judi Setzer found herself in after a client, who had become a friend, passed away recently. She took on the responsibility of finding homes for the pure bred Maltese dogs her friend had been raising. The dogs weigh about 4-7 pounds and are completely white except for their eyes, nose and mouth.
“It was one of the more odd situations I have found myself in,” said Setzer. “She loved them so much I felt responsible for making sure they got into good loving homes.”
Setzer was hired by her 72-year-old female client in July to help get the dogs back after they were taken away from the client. Prior to contacting Setzer, the husband of the client had fallen ill and the client spent a majority of her time at the hospital. The husband passed away shortly after becoming ill. Fearing for her mental health after the passing of her husband, her children had her committed to the hospital for evaluation through the Baker Act. While she was in the hospital the dogs were removed from her home and cared for by friends.
The client was released from the hospital and soon after Setzer assisted in facilitating the return of the dogs. Shortly after the client returned home, she was involved in a car accident and passed away from injuries from the accident about a week later.
Setzer spread the word at church and through networking Web site Facebook that the dogs needed a home. They needed to be placed quickly because Setzer’s lease didn’t allow for long-term housing of pets.
“It was amazing how fast people responded,” said Setzer.
One of the people that responded was a member of Setzer’s church, Chris Holland. She had two male, long-haired Chihuahuas and saw room for a couple more dogs at her house.
“It was interesting to see them at Judi’s place,” said Holland. “There was all of this white with black speckles all over.”
Holland named the two girls she picked out Thelma and Louise, “because they made it out of there.”
With the help of the Internet and word-of-mouth, Setzer was able to find homes for the dogs within a week.
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