Donations but no new home yet for 4 dogs orphaned after fatal crash

While the search for a new home for four orphaned dogs from Schaumburg continues to strike out, a sympathetic public has responded strongly with donations for their short-term upkeep.

The dogs belonged to Mike Kelm, 55, and his wife Sue, 54, of Schaumburg, who were killed on Labor Day when their motorcycle was struck by a car just outside of Palatine.

Relatives said it was the couple's wish that the four dogs be kept together in the event anything ever happened to them.

The relatives who'd otherwise be best able to look after them - the Kelms' niece and her husband - are expecting their first child this month.

The four dogs - Cedonia, Everett, Tacoma and Anacortes - are therefore being looked after at the Chicago Canine Club in Burr Ridge.

Kathy Deets of the Chicago Canine Club said a number of challenges have eliminated all the possible adopters who've come forward so far - the most common being a three-dogs-per-household limit in many communities.

Cedonia, a husky, tends to run off in an unfenced areas, ruling out most of the farms that have shown interest.

Deets said she's trying to train Cedonia and wondering if any leftover donations might be used to address any fencing issues at the dogs' ultimate home.

Donations can still be sent to the Chicago Canine Club, 16W129 83rd St., Burr Ridge IL 60527. Checks should be made payable to The Kelm Dog Fund.

For more information, call (708) 542-8969 or e-mail Kathy@chicagocanineclub.com.