Our Pepe

While eating dinner one evening a news flash came on about a water problem at the animal shelter about 40 mi from us. They reported they were going to have to find shelter for about 50 animals or the least adoptable would be euthanized. I volunteer for a rescue group and decided to jump in and see what we could do. I went on line and saw Pepe - that was it! I went early the next morning with my husband and other rescue and he came "hobbling" out with a broken leg, skin and bones, ear mites but with the most eager look to be loved in his big ol eyes. I picked him up and we knew he was going home with us after he lathered me in kisses as though he was waiting for me! The vet thought he was about 9 mos to 1 yr old.

After getting him all fixed up, he has been the most loving little dog ever and has paid us back much more than we have invested. He entertains all he meets with his personality and "talking" abilities. He goes to Petsmart Playtime each week and is always a big hit, we take him to a nursing home once in awhile where he also showers love on everyone. People do not know what they are missing by not giving these wonderful animals a second chance at life - they are enternally greatful. Most of all we're blessed to have him in our life and we will be celebrating his 7th birthday on April 1st with a party at Playtime.


Carol Favre
Raleigh, NC

Smarter than a Border Collie

I have owned many dogs through the years and have always wanted a border collie. I contacted Blue Ridge Border Collie Rescue and after the interviews they said there was a pup for me. Kiley came into my life as a five month old pup that had been dropped off, along with his littermates, at a animal shelter. He immediately fit in with my other dogs, cats and house rabbit. He is so smart, I teach dog obedience at a local facility and now at age two Kiley has his CDX title and working towards his Utility title. He does agility and is the star in his class. Border Collies rock and are the best all round dog.

Gabi
Laurel, MD

The Lucky 34

On February 7, 34 dogs who once endured terrible living conditions in a notorious puppy mill operation in Holly Springs, MS were transported to the Big Apple in search of new forever homes. The dogs, many of whom are small breeds, are not the cute, cuddly pups often displayed in pet shop windows, but mothers and fathers who were used as breeding stock at the puppy mill.

Earlier this month, members of the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team, at the request of the Marshall County (MS) Prosecutor’s Office, led the effort to rescue a total of 96 animals from overcrowded conditions at this notorious mill. Several other organizations, including the Atlanta Humane Society, the Marshall County Humane Society, the Olive Branch Animal Shelter and MS State University’s Homeward Bound program, all stepped forward to take some of the rescued animals. Many of the lucky pups, including several Chihuahuas, Dachshunds and Yorkies, are now ready for adoption at the ASPCA Manhattan Adoption Center.

These special pups have spent their entire lives confined to tiny wire cages, which inhibit natural behaviors like running, playing and even stretching. Trading the stark environment of a puppy mill for novel sights, sounds and sensations can be tremendously overwhelming for these sheltered animals. Simple behaviors like potty training, sitting on laps or even walking on a leash are challenging activities. Ample recovery time helps, so too does the dedication of a very special adopter—one who will provide lots of love and unconditional acceptance.

Think you have what it takes to care for one of these special pooches? Meet of a few of our extraordinary puppy mill survivors who are just waiting for laps to call their own.

The ones that captured my heart!

On the left is Charlie, that I adopted from my local SPCA. When I went to "check him out" at the shelter he ran along side the fence wanting to play with the other dogs and when I called out his name (Spence at the time) he ran and jumped into my lap. I knew he was the one for me. He was sick when I got him and very skinny. The SPCA provided me a free vet visit and we got Charlie well and he's nice and healthy!

A family friend found Lily, on the right, in the streets, looking as though she just had puppies. After no one claimed her and waiting for what seemed like forever, I adopted her and she became exactly what Charlie and I needed. He got a new friend and I got an absolute doll, who loves to sleep in my lap when I study and make sure I wake up in the mornings. They are both so precious to me and really show unconditional love.

Audrey Schnitzius
Dallas, TX

Mill Dog Manifesto: Help is on the way!

Maybe you've heard the term "puppy mill" but you're not really sure what it is. Or maybe you've adopted an ex-puppy mill breeding dog and are struggling to get to know him/her. Either way, the "Mill Dog Manifesto" will open your eyes and your heart to the plight of dogs who have fallen victim to human greed. This eBook is available for you to download FREE! Please read it, reread it, and share it with your friends.

REVIEWS:
From The Savannah Pets Examiner's Pet Pages: "This is a FREE e-book on puppy mill dogs. What they are, what they go through, what to expect if you adopt one and just how to be a better pet parent with this knowledge. I have personally read this book and found it very interesting and very easy to read. Other things I have read give a lot of technical terms, and information that really is not relavant to the common person, this book does not do that. It is as if Kyla is talking to you and explaining to you from the heart and providing you with her personal experiences with her puppy mill dog. It really is a great book to read and share. I hope you enjoy it." -Dena Stapleton

"I really like the eBook. It is full of great information in one place. Sadly it details puppy mills, but education is so important in stopping the cycle." -Jan, Love a Golden Rescue

"I love the unique, very personal voice in which the Mill Dog Manifesto is written. It immediately engages the reader. The facts about puppy mills and the dog breeding industry are tough to digest but obviously it’s necessary to share them." -Michele Wallach, Dog Lover and Professional Writer

Included in the Mill Dog Manifesto:

• Introduction

• What is a puppy mill?

o A brief comparison of puppy mills and responsible breeders

o What are the most common puppy mill breeds?

o How are puppy mills and pet stores related?

o How to politely deflect the “puppy in the window” syndrome

o Other issues related to careless breeding

o What happens to puppy mill dogs who can no longer breed?

o How is this legal?

o What can I do to help strengthen legislation against unscrupulous breeders?

• If I want a dog from a breeder, how do I find a reputable one?

o In researching a breeder, take the following steps

• What is dog rescue?

o If I want to adopt, how do I get in touch with a rescue?

o Why would I adopt a distressed dog instead of a shiny, new one?

o What’s the deal with adopting old dogs?

o How can I help rescue?

• I just adopted a distressed dog… Help!

o A Slow Introduction

o A Disciplinary Squirt

o Anxiety Disorders

o Separation Anxiety

o Crate Training

o Getting to know you

o Unreasonable Fears (of humans, other dogs, children, etc.)

o Thresholds

o Stairs

o Potty Training

o Poop Eating

o Walking on a leash

o Leash Aggression

o A final word on training

• More Resources

To download your FREE eBook, click below…

Mill Dog Manifesto FREE eBook

Pepper

We were struggling with the loss of our beloved dog, Scooter, when we saw a news story about all the homeless dogs in Las Vegas. We decided to go to Petsmart on adoption day "just to look". Well, we fell in love with little Pepper - she was so sweet and loved us immediately. She was just perfect for our family - and we realized that life is best in our family when there's a dog to love.

Amy Leavitt
Las Vegas, NV

Nellie's Story

Nellie was one of the inspirations for The Grey Muzzle Organization. This small Whippet mix of about 10 years was left by her family at a shelter, and was so terrified that she refused to eat. The concerned shelter staff contacted Old Dog Haven. She was rescued by Grey Muzzle founder Julie Nowicki and cared for by her as part of the Old Dog Haven lifelong hospice program. Nellie was a delightful little dog, who leaped with joy when she saw Julie put on her cap and knew it was time for a walk. She was a constant tail wagger and big stuffy lover (although they didn’t last long).

This sweet dog was greatly loved in her foster home. Unfortunately, it turned out that she had a very serious form of kidney disease. She died well loved after several months in her new home.

We remember Nellie with many smiles and wish we had more time with her, but we’re grateful that she ended her life in a safe and happy place, not alone in a cement pen.

A goal of The Grey Muzzle Organization is to help shelters, such as the one that took Nellie in, give senior dogs a second chance to know they are loved.

This is a wonderful organization.  Give them a look... The Grey Muzzle Organization

Courage to love another dog

In 1999 I tragically lost my dog, my best friend of 7 years, Easton, an Afghan hound that adopted me when I met with a a breeder who couldnt sell him. An inexperienced pet sitter lost control of Easton and he ended up far off in the back hills of town and hit by a truck on the local interstate. The State Trooper that discovered him buried him on the spot since he was unrecognizable.

It took me several years to ever be able to even want another dog in my life but one day my niece was looking for a puppy to add to her new house she just bought with her hubby, so as I was looking on Petfinder.com to assist her... I found SKYLAR a Pyrenees/Cattle dog mix listed. After the adoption process was complete with Sue Rhoades at Follow Me Home Rescue, Skylar was transported to CT from MO. and settled in nicely with me.

However, being 8 months old SKYLAR needed a companion to rough play with so my hubby and I went to the local shelter and found & adopted a sweet, well trained 8 month old Pitbull Terrier, TYSON, now we're one big happy family and even the 2 cats I adopted from shelters 2 years ago are all getting along well! Please Adopt. There's so many sweet animals out there that need your love and support. - Kim Hall

Kim
Seymour, CT

Two Awesome Puppies

Five months ago my mom found a starving, pregnant American bulldog lying in the middle of the road fighting to stay alive. My mom took her in, she had the worse case of mange we have ever seen. She took her to the vet, got her doctored up, and named her Susie. Three days later Susie had 12 puppies! Sadly only 4 survived. They all had the mange which developed fast. My mom then took the puppies to the vet and got them started on medication. My boyfriend and I were looking for an English bulldog and almost considered spending the money on a registered puppy. When we got the call from my Mom about the puppies, we flew down to Florida from Indiana on Thanksgiving to bring them home. It's been quite an experience getting them on the road to good health. We've invested a lot of time and money in Milhouse and T-bone but they are the coolest dogs ever and the best entertainment! My mom is keeping Susie and in the process of finding great homes for the other two puppies. I have the most respect for what she did for these animals and hurt that someone let Susie get into that condition. People should not get pets if they aren't willing to spend the money on taking care of them!

Amanda
Indianapolis, IN