Musings After My First Exposure To a Puppy Mill Release
by Pam Simpson

I picked up my first puppy mill releases today. One was very sick—had bladder (is that what they are called) stones so badly that she bled when she urinated. One of her rescuers took her to the vet to begin the healing process. But she was groomed pretty nicely. Could the breeder also be a groomer? The other was a 4-year-old pup that must not have been able to produce puppies.

They, however, are the lucky ones.

I did not get to study the sicker one—she went somewhere else to get vetted and cared for—we have 3 other dogs in the house and one is quite rowdy so another home was better for her until she finds her new forever home.

I picked them both up from some other kind souls who do rescue work. Both dogs were scared and the one I ended up bringing home was shaking so hard she vibrated the crate.

But they both came with me—not growling or crying or anything—just silently. They were each in a crate of their own for the trip; each with a little towel or blanket. One was so tired she kept falling asleep and then startling herself awake as she relaxed. The other just gave up and slept for a bit.

I dropped the first at the designated spot. Her foster Mom saw she was cute and sick but was going to get her all fixed up; with a spaying, getting her stones removed, some dental cleaning, and shots. She was groomed well---------------------.

The other one came home with me. As I got her out of the car, I put a lead on her. We have 3 other dogs and we wanted to introduce her to them outside. They were waiting with my husband –the three dogs being on leads also—just in case there was any trouble. The pup was shaking and shaking. I carried her in and they smelled each other through the chain link fence. Then I picked her up and went into the back yard. She mingled well with the other dogs; this, after all, being all she has known—the company of other dogs in the mill. She was not used to being on a lead either, nor having a collar on.

We finally brought her into the house. She did not know how to go through a door. She did not know how to deal with steps, She did not recognize house noises—I had heard that mill dogs do not –and become frightened by them. She seems to LOVE tv from the get go. She noticed everything—and sniffed a lot. The other dogs followed her around. My youngest pup kept lying in the submissive position for her but she did not seem to notice.

We gave her some water and she drank it all down---like she had not had free access to water and had to drink when she got an opportunity. She is a beautiful animal but I would suspect has never been groomed—being very, very unkempt—But her features are very delicate and small and one can see that she would produce some attractive pups—hence her role as a member of a puppy mill.

The other dogs were very interested in her. But they all lost interest after much sniffing. Our senior pack member (and alpha) lay claim to Dad’s lap—letting the visitor know that he is her property.

She is unfamiliar with a door—except that it evokes fear in her—we have to carry her in and out. She does not know of steps; but by watching the other dogs go up and down them and by thinking, she figured a way do get down them. She is smart, this little one. She will learn what she needs to know quickly. She is not house broken; but she will be. She has not been in a house ever before, so how would she know about house training anyway?

We home cook for our dogs. We gave her what we give them for her first meal here. She had boiled chicken and some macaroni and cheese mixed with kibble. She gobbled it down. We gave her seconds. She ate those. We took her water, she drank as much as her little belly could hold. Later she had a piece of a Krispy Kreme donut. She loved it.

Our youngest pup curled up next to her to lie down. Our youngest pup NEVER does that; not even with her now deceased sister; whom she worshiped and adored. She kisses her on the mouth. Our senior alpha accepts her too—which could have been a problem. But they seem to have a bond—she is also a rescue from a back yard breeder. Her plight was not as bad—she had a name, she lived in a house, she ate well—but she was expected to produce and produce and produce pups.

The little one cowers every time she sees me—a woman. She cowers almost every time she hears a human voice. I pick her up every time I see her and talk gently to her, and rub her head and gently massage her back. She asks for more each and every time. She does not want me to stop. On one of the occasions that I was petting her, I saw a tattoo on her inner left thigh. It has a number on it. The poor dear did not even have a name. Seeing that literally took my breath away. It was like she was an Auschwitz survivor. I looked into her eyes and told her many people had helped her get out and to safety and a new home but that she was out of there; that she would never have to have one more puppy, that she would be spoiled for the rest of her life, and that she would be happy now and could learn to play.

It broke my heart. It made me weep—not only for her but for those left behind that did not get out.

Duffy has new parents

Duffy has been safely delivered to her new parents. They are wonderful people and will provide her with a wonderful home. As you all know, I was dreading it awfully, but upon meeting them, all dread was gone and I was so happy for Duffy that it became easy to do.

She is in a WONDERFUL home! She is a sweet girl and will be well loved in her new home! She is going to be spoiled, as all Westies should be.
Pam (Foster Mom)

UPDATE January 8, 2008

It is my sad task to inform you all of the passing of my little angel, Duffy, yesterday at just before 6pm in the evening. She went quietly and peacefully with no discomfort. She was suffering from a growth which was blocking her Vena Cava, the major vein leading to the heart. This was causing pleural effusions as well as, recently, fluid collecting around her heart. She was unable to breathe normally at all even after having the fluid drained and as a result, was breathing in short, fast gasps. Her Cardiologist, Dr. Kelly Wessberg at Veterinary Specialty Center, said that the blockage was in-operable and that Duffy also had Pulmonary Hypertension. This confirmed the original diagnosis that we got from the Cardiologist, Dr. Leuty, at Animal Emergency and Referral, plus our regular Veterinarian, Dr. Kim Ruffalo. Duffy was the sweetest dog I have ever known. She loved everyone and everyone instantly loved her. Duffy never met a person or a dog she did not like...and always, all she met, loved her. Duffy was a connoisseur of fine dining and made sure she was able to taste the dishes of all who dined with her, if at all possible. Her hobbies were lounging on the couch and managing the house while I was away at work. She was an avid hunter with a particular interest in squirrels and rabbits, of which our back yard had plenty. What a wonderful being she was. I will miss her very, very much.