Puppy Found on an Ant Hill in Clovis Is Recovering After Veteran Rescuer Stepped In
The moment Karl Korff remembers most was not a bark or a struggle. It was the way a badly injured puppy looked at him, a look he described simply as a plea for help.
That look was the start of Peanut’s rescue.
Korff, 85, is the founder of Adopt A Pet Society in Clovis, New Mexico. Someone contacted his rescue last month about a puppy who had been left on an ant hill. When he found her, he said the injuries were severe.
“She has strips of hair missing. She has scabs all over her,” Korff said.
He said Peanut went to a veterinarian the next day. The puppy had mange, and Korff said ants were eating her hair and skin. The condition she was in made an immediate response necessary, and her treatment became a long process rather than a quick fix.
Korff said Peanut spent weeks getting antibiotics, shots and antiseptic baths. That care began to make a difference, and the puppy is now recovering.
For Korff, the memory that has stayed with him is the expression on Peanut’s face when he first saw her. “She just looked at you like…can’t you help me? That was it,” he said.
A rescuer with a long history of helping dogs
Peanut’s survival is tied to a man who has spent decades doing rescue work. Korff said he started a dog rescue with his wife in Iowa in 1976. He later continued that work in New Mexico.
His group is one of only a handful of rescues in Clovis. In nearby Portales, the options are even fewer. Peanut’s case points to the pressure that small rescue groups can face when a sick or injured animal turns up and needs immediate help.
Korff said the desire to do more often runs into practical limits. “You wish you could go ahead and take the whole umbrella of rescue, but it takes finances to do it,” he said.
At the same time, local animal care efforts are getting some support. Portales is receiving about $195,000 through the state’s Animal Welfare Program for a mobile kennel building that will support the care and sheltering of dogs and cats.
Peanut’s recovery may help other animals too
As Peanut improves, Korff is trying to turn her story into help for other animals with serious medical needs. He is starting a Peanut Fund, which he plans to keep separate from Adopt A Pet Society’s main fund for other expenses.
The idea is to direct support toward animals like Peanut, pets that arrive in poor condition and need sustained veterinary treatment before they can begin to recover.
Korff also framed the work in personal terms. “If you take your time to care for some thing, that elevates you as a person. And I honestly believe that,” he said.
For now, Peanut’s story ends with the part many rescue cases fight hard to reach. A puppy who was found in terrible shape got medical care, made it through weeks of treatment and is recovering.
People who want to donate to the Peanut Fund can call Karl directly at 575-218-6057.
What to do if you find a puppy alone
A very young puppy on its own needs quick but calm help. First, look from a distance for a short time if it is safe to do so. Mother dogs sometimes leave briefly to search for food or move the rest of a litter. If the puppy is cold, crying constantly, injured, covered with insects, or in immediate danger, bring it to safety right away.
Use a towel or gloves to lift the puppy. Place it in a box or carrier lined with soft cloth. Keep the space warm, quiet, and dim. Do not offer cow's milk, solid food, or medicine from a home cabinet. Very young puppies can choke easily, and the wrong food can upset their stomach. A veterinarian, shelter, or rescue group can help judge the puppy's age and urgent needs.
Why exposure and ants are serious for puppies
Young puppies lose body heat fast and can become weak from cold, heat, dehydration, or hunger much more quickly than older dogs. Insect bites or stings can add pain, swelling, and stress. Ants can also cluster around the eyes, nose, mouth, and skin folds, which may lead to irritation or infection.
If a puppy is covered in ants, gently brush them away and rinse the skin with lukewarm water if needed. Avoid using household bug spray, powders, or strong soaps on the puppy. Seek urgent veterinary care if there is trouble breathing, marked swelling, vomiting, collapse, pale gums, seizures, or extreme lethargy. Even when a puppy seems stable, a checkup matters because dehydration, low blood sugar, and hidden injuries are easy to miss.
Simple next steps that can improve the outcome
Warmth comes before feeding. If the puppy feels cool, warm it gradually with a towel, a warm water bottle wrapped in cloth, or a heating pad set low under half the box so the puppy can move away if too warm. Once warm, ask a veterinarian or rescue worker about the right puppy formula and feeding schedule.
If possible, note where the puppy was found and look carefully for littermates nearby. Ask nearby homes whether they recognize the dog, and have the puppy checked for a microchip when practical. Keep the puppy separate from resident pets until a professional has assessed its health. Fast, gentle care and early expert advice give a vulnerable puppy the best chance to recover.
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