Tucker Angel

Tucker Angel had an amazing first day with us after spending 4 months with his foster mom...who taught him how to love and trust humans. Tucker is a former puppy mill dog who, just 4 months ago, suffered extreme mental cruelty and deprivation. He was catatonic and covered with urine when purchased at a puppy mill auction. Lawrence and I are working to continue the efforts of National Mill Dog Rescue compassionate team of folks who rescue these dogs so they can live the rest of their lives as normally as possible.

Tucker is a quiet, gentle little cocker boy who has already endeared himself to many. KC is fine with our newest addition; Zoe, however, is not so sure....Tucker wants to lie by her so I think she'll come around in time. Tucker was with his foster mom, Barb for 4 months before he took a treat from her hand. Puppy mill dogs are so abused; they learn to mistrust humans, spending their lives in metal cages only to breed and make money for their owners. No vet care is supplied, a poor diet can lead to malnutrition and disease; dogs lie in their own feces and urine. I always knew puppy mills were bad; I just never knew HOW BAD! Lawrence and I are honored to have this beautiful soul grace our lives with his presence. We are looking forward to the day when he wags that cocker stub in happiness and believes he has nothing to fear from humans.

Anyway, I encourage you to become more informed and aware of this inhumane treatment of innocent animals by visiting their website and reading about Lily (search this blog for Lily to read the several posts about her incredible life and ultimate salvation). We hope it enlightens you and that you'll share this knowledge with others. There are over 10,000 puppy mills in operation in the US...they sell to pet stores, in newspapers, and online.

Ok, here we are 3 weeks, to the day when Tucker first joined our family. He’s making steady progress, albeit VERY slow progress. We’ve settled into a routine. Tucker began sleeping in a bed downstairs because he was afraid of going up to the bedrooms. He now runs up and down the stairs, but still won’t go into the bedrooms. He usually will pee outside (we have a doggie door which he eagerly learned how to use, but has some accidents when he cannot get outside). Some other “naughty” behaviors: he chewed a bit on my computer cord a few days ago and has dug a couple of small holes in the backyard. No, no punishment for now; he has too many other issues to overcome.

BUT, when you think about the lack of freedom and his horrible, traumatic early years, it’s a small price to pay for his rehabilitation.

Tucker was mute 3 weeks ago, but has begun to bark a bit, and if you listen ever so carefully, you’ll hear this soft whine that says, “I’m cute, come be with me; I know you MUST be really good people.” He will be sleeping peacefully, but let one of us stand up, he’s alert and ready to run (and sometimes does!). Other than that, he’s a sweet and adorable little guy. He’s now wagging his tail (or cocker “stub”) when I call him and will come close. We’ve only touched him 3 times in 3 weeks and he’s never been on a walk (cannot get close enough to him to put a leash on), nor will he allow us to pet him. We’ve chosen to allow him the freedom to heal in HIS time, not ours.

Three weeks ago, he was VERY afraid of any little noise and would startle and run for safety, always staying far enough away to NOT get trapped by a human. He’d circle around the furniture, the spa, the trees, anything that would allow him to stay in control of who’s coming close.

He’s slowing relaxing and now will lie on his side when sleeping nearby; we believe it’s an indication he’s becoming a bit more comfortable around us. He will take treats from our hands, but NO WAY will he stick around if that same hand reaches out to pet him! It’s hard to be so patient when we want to just love on him, but we know the life we’re providing for him is EXPONENTIALLY better than the puppy mill he came from.

Tucker is dependent on bonding with our other 2 dogs, a cocker, KC, and follows our Aussie, Zoe all over the house and yard. He’s made attempts to “play” with them, but still seems a bit unsure how to have a good time as a “regular” dog. His foster mom told me that rescue dogs like Tucker need a “pack” to show them how to be a dog and that they closely watch the behaviors of the other dogs. Is this not an inhumane way to make money? What kind of person inflicts this kind of severe trauma on an innocent, defenseless soul (or kills them when they no longer can serve their purpose)? I imagine that as rescue dogs heal, they go through behavioral stages as those layers and layers of pain, neglect, and abuse become a more distant memory.

Tucker now appears to be in a puppy stage (the chewing, barking, and house accidents), but I can tell that with time, patience, and love, this little angel will continue the healing process and one day, will enjoy being caressed and attended to by his loving human “pack” (At least, we HOPE that’s in the future for us and for Tucker). I would strongly suggest that if you’re considering adoption of a dog as severely traumatized as Tucker, listen to the good folks at Mill Dog Rescue.

They know the needs of each dog and will be ever SO grateful for your generous contribution through adoption. In our opinion, puppy mills should be shut down entirely and their owners prosecuted for animal cruelty. But, as long as people want less expensive dogs than reputable breeders charge, there will continue to be a need.

Please share this knowledge about the harshness of puppy mill life with your friends and family, coworkers and neighbors. Hopefully, we CAN make the difference it takes to apply the pressure for more humane treatment of these precious souls. These dogs NEED good homes, with patient, loving people and the necessary time for healing to take place. Lawrence and I are eternally grateful for the opportunity to help this one little dog. We’d be happy to answer any emails regarding questions that might arise. Thank you Mill Dog Rescue for your tireless work and constant heartache. YOU are the true angels!

Courtesy of National Mill Dog Rescue

ASPCA Happy Tails: A Home of One’s Own

Our loyal readers will remember the fab five poodles who charmed us last year. They were the special pups who needed extra TLC after being rescued—along with nearly 30 other dogs—from a home in Queens, NY. All of these fortunate pooches were adopted, and we recently caught up with the new parent of the fab five’s lone lady, Bonnie. The eight-year-old was beloved at the ASPCA for her affection for other small dogs and calm, collected humans. Now she has a quiet home to call her own.

“My daughter and I first met Bonnie when we visited the ASPCA hoping to get a cat,” explains Patrice Mattia of Manhattan. “We did in fact have a cat in mind who we had seen on the website, but as it turned out, she wasn’t a match for us. My daughter, who had been looking at the dogs, said, ‘What about the little poodle?’ We were able to meet Bonnie that day, and thought she was adorable. I went back the next day to play with her.”

The shy pooch was a perfect match for the family, and they officially welcomed the little lady into their home on August 14. “She is the sweetest little dog in the world,” muses Patrice. “She’s a little on the quiet side, which is fine with me, and her favorite things to do are sleep and eat!” That’s not to say Bonnie’s a bona fide couch potato—she still enjoys her city romps. “Her morning and afternoon walks are energetic, especially if pigeons are around,” Patrice says. “Her night walk is a short ‘walk’ period, just to take care of business, and a long ‘carry’ period—we stay out window-shopping for a long time. She only weighs five pounds, so I swoop her up in my arms.”

Clearly, urban wildlife is still a new and marvelous experience for the previously sheltered lass. “If she’s in the park, she is in heaven and walks and sniffs forever,” notes Patrice. “She almost never barks except when she sees pigeons. Then I think she surprises herself with her own bark, like ‘Where did that come from?’”

Patrice adds: “We totally love her—it feels as though she’s always been with us.”

Courtesy of ASPCA

Our Little Annie

After the death of our first dog we were reluctant to adopt another dog right away. Our surviving dog, Jake thought otherwise. To help him cope with the loss of his big sister we began our search for a little sister. We were looking for another shepherd mix and instead fell in love with the sweetest black lab mix that came with the command "sit" from a local shelter. Although scared her first night she quickly made herself comfortable and loves her big brother Jake. She has a lot to say and "talks" to us all the time.

Her favorite activity is a ride in the tandem kayak around the lake. While Jake is handsome and independent, Annie is cute and cuddly. We couldn't imagine a life without our two kids! Although sad to think that Jake is getting older, we take comfort in the fact that we will be able to rescue another dog. I once heard and often repeat, "life is a series of dogs" and couldn't agree more.

Erika Beeler

Ballwin, MO

Courtesy of The Animal Rescue Site

Help give teeth to the Puppy Mill Bill

Dear Pennsylvania Advocates,

To make sure that last year’s puppy mill bill (HB 2525) has teeth, the PA Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement have proposed changes to the regulations that govern the commercial dog breeding industry.

The purpose of these changes is to define certain kennel standards—including lighting, humidity and ventilation—clarifications that are critically needed if HB 2525 is to live up to its full potential and make life better for thousands of puppy mill dogs in Pennsylvania.

The ASPCA supports the proposed changes, and we’d love your help moving them forward—especially because the puppy mill industry is pulling out all the stops to oppose further regulations.

What You Can Do

Please tell the PA Department of Agriculture that you support its efforts to better regulate the puppy mill industry. Visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center online to learn more and to download a letter of support that you can mail to the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement.

The Bureau is accepting letters from the public until October 27, so please don’t delay—send your personalized letter of support today.

Thank you for your continued support of the ASPCA and Pennsylvania’s animals!

(c)2009 ASPCA, All rights reserved. Visit at http://www.aspca.com/

About Eternal Youth

By Sue McCrosky, Sugar Hill, GA

Three years ago my husband and I helped rescue two dozen malnourished and abandoned dogs. Many were young enough to recuperate, but one older male, a white husky mix, was destined for euthanasia. "Champion" was filthy, sick with heartworm and kidney infections, and at least 15 pounds underweight. He had lived his life bound to a tree by a six-foot chain. Flies had eaten off the tips of his ears, he had lost a middle toe, and his teeth were worn from chewing on his chain. He looked weary with life. We first thought that death would be a kindness. But I patted his head, and he licked my hand. We had to try. So Champ spent a month undergoing rigorous treatment. The clinic's staff praised his gentleness and affection.

At home, he took easily to walking on a leash. He slept in my bedroom on his own bed. When he moaned from bad dreams, he responded to my pats and words of comfort. He loved riding in the car, his bright eyes staring at the sights as if making up for lost time. He became family. We later fostered a litter of puppies that had to be bottle-fed. Champ sniffed and licked the pups, their eyes still closed. He became a surrogate mother, abiding the pups as they crawled on him and chewed his tail. He didn't mind.

One day I saw Champ on his back, wiggling like a puppy. He grinned, murmured sounds of satisfaction, rolled over and grabbed a toy. This big snow-white dog was acting like he'd never known a day of mistreatment. He was reveling in life.

Champ taught me that youth lies in endurance, the appreciation of respite from pain, and joy in the love of family. He'll spend the rest of his life in gratitude – and I will try to do the same.
© AARP Bulletin, June 2009

Bella is the luckiest dog in the world - a new family and new BFF

The Hunsicker Family adopted a rescue dog, Bella, several weeks ago. She's a beagle-lab-shephard mix (perhaps) and she is settling into her forever home nicely. Everything excites Bella. Each walk is the best one yet. She loves greeting people in our home and will immediately roll over on her back and welcome any and all belly rubs. She is a little overweight, but we're working on that. Her new best buddy is Cooper, our next door neighbor's black lab. He's a very sweet dog, same age as Bella, and will allow her to often times get the best of him. When he's had enough, he simply runs away.

Bella tries but can't outrun Cooper. They very much enjoy chasing each other until both are exhausted. Bella came to us from Rescue Animal Placement. She was well cared for by the Marquart's, a very generous foster family, for the last 13 months. We are lucky to have found her. Here are some pics of Bella and Cooper I thought I'd share.

Help animals suffering from the devastating flooding in the Philippines

September, 2009: The worst flooding to hit the Philippines in over 40 years has taken its toll, filling streets and homes with mud and storm water. While people struggle to recover, aid is also desperately needed for the hundreds, potentially thousands of stranded animals left hungry, homeless, and alone in the wake of this devastation.

Worse, two storm systems are developing and on track to hit the same area of the Philippine Islands, putting everyone -- human and animal -- at risk again.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), well-experienced in emergency operations to save animals, is sending a water rescue team to the Philippines to provide direct emergency relief for animal survivors. IFAW has already worked in the past with the Philippines Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) on optimal rescue tactics, and providing logistical and communications assistance in the field.

You can help. Donate $25 towards IFAW's relief efforts and help provide a happy ending for some of the voiceless survivors of this natural disaster. IFAW works to improve the welfare of wild and domestic animals throughout the world by reducing commercial exploitation of animals, protecting wildlife habitats, and assisting animals in distress. IFAW seeks to motivate the public to prevent cruelty to animals and to promote animal welfare and conservation policies that advance the well-being of both animals and people.

Please note: Your purchase is tax-deductible in the U.S.A., and you will receive a receipt from GreaterGood.org for your taxes. 100% of this gift goes to IFAW as a grant through GreaterGood.org and is earmarked for animal rescue and assistance in the wake of the disaster in the Philippines. GreaterGood Network stores do not receive any profit from the sale of this Gift That Gives More™; we bring it to you in the spirit of the greater good. GreaterGood.org has ultimate authority and discretion with regard to the distribution of its funds. All expenditures made are consistent with the exempt purposes of GreaterGood.org.

Click here to Help the dogs of the Philippines