Saturday morning, a motorist on East Mullan near the Mineral County Airport called the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office to report a frenzied dog in the middle of the road. It was wandering from side to side, looking over its shoulder, obviously lost and panicked, the caller reported.

But it wasn’t a typical looking dog as it was dark gray in color with a yellow tuft of hair at the end of its tail and on the top of its head. The neck appeared large and longer than one would expect, making it look like a wild canine. 

But there was one more concern: The dog was obviously a new mother of pups, the motorist reported.

Bessie Spangler and her family have taken in stray and lost dogs for many years, and she was following a connection on Facebook. 

“There were three of the same kind of dogs found near Rose Lake (Idaho) last week that were dumped,” she reported. 

“We are still searching for at least one more pup and trying to put any pieces together. Today was pretty overwhelming,” she said of the rescue of the mother in a live trap. 

Spangler, her dad, George, some of the staff of Rescuing Cujo and a couple of neighbors who help foster dogs managed to wrangler her into the back seat of a car where the dog calmed down and sensed safety, finally. 

“We caught the dog at the airport this afternoon and she has a safe warm place for the night. There are at least two or three other pups that we know of. Two pups were found in Drexel and Haugan. There is possibly another one at Exit 37 (Sloway) we are looking for.” 

As of Sunday evening, it was reported that the dogs that were located were being fostered with citizens of Mineral County.

Early, and unofficial, identification points to them as Xoloitzcuintli or possibly Peruvian Inca Orchid. American Kennel Club describes both breeds as, "affectionate companion dogs that are loyal and protective of its family, but like all dogs, should be supervised around younger children. Also, caution should be taken with small pets which may be seen as prey." 

This is because they are sighthounds, like greyhounds and whippets, that are bred to race through chase. 

For information or further sightings, Lost Pets of Mineral County Montana on Facebook is active. Or call the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office at (406) 822-3555.