A glimpse at puppy mill life
When I checked my email this morning, I saw one from Linda at the Sheltie Shack. She had found the pictures I asked for of Dottie, Flower and Candy from the day she had rescued them from the puppy mill. I didn’t know what to expect.
The first attachment I opened was Dottie. She was sitting in hay in some type of enclosure. She looked forlorn and disheveled. The next attachment was a picture of Candy. Another sad looking shih tzu, with long, dirty hair hanging over her face, covering one eye.
Those pictures made me very sad. I knew the last picture would have to be Flower, but when I opened the attachment, it was hard to recognize her. She looked more like an unkempt sheep than a dog. I couldn’t see her eyes at all.
My heart broke for my little girls and the time they spent at a puppy mill. It also broke for all the other dogs forced to live in those conditions, for the sake of giving other people fluffy little puppies as pets.
As I looked at the pictures, I looked at Dottie, Flower and Candy in their safe zone in our living room. They were wearing sweaters I got them to celebrate their first fall with us. My guess was that no one at the puppy mill where they came from ever saw a need to groom these little puppy producers. I seriously doubt that anyone came by and held them, hugged them, kissed them and told them that they were loved.
Those pictures were a symbol to me. Yes, where they came from might have been legally classified as a “commercial kennel,” but that kennel was a puppy mill all right. No dogs should have to experience what they experienced. I have no idea what that full experience was, but I know they weren’t the pampered little princesses that many shih tzus and other dogs are to their humans. I am so grateful that they can experience life from the other side now.
It’s true that they might never act like other shih tzus who never lived in those conditions. They might never crawl into my lap, but they might. They might always show signs of fear in some way or another. But at least I know that John and I are doing our best to give them a great life from this point forward. And I am thankful that other puppy mill moms, many who have had far worse lives, find loving, forever homes each day as well. I am very grateful for organizations like the Sheltie Shack and BFF Rescue that make it a point to help these dogs find good homes.
Thank you for all you do. Your sisters look relatively good, as sad as they had looked. You would faint from weeping if you saw the condition of the many Shih Tzu’s that arrive as seniors in our NYC ACC shelter. Many half blind, with matted fur that can barely be medically shaved, caked with feces and urine, and suffering pyometra or cancer. Always remember, there are no small dogs, we’re just little. There are, however, some very small humans.
Thank you for your comments. I have seen worse pictures, too, so I know a lot of animals suffer far worse. Seeing my babies like that was bad enough. I am sure I would not be able to do what you all at the shelter do! You are to be commended. Thanks for being a Big human and helping these poor guys! Your hearts must break regularly.
Also, are we connected on Twitter?
So sads Mrs Di but I’m so happy you’re giving the girls lots of loves and kisses and care now. Thank goodness they found you 🙂 Face licks!
Thanks, Sadie. We are definitely giving them lots of love and kisses. Good to see your adorable face this morning.
Hope everything is ok with all of you, it’s a bit quiet here … and the first lines of this post did worry us a bit …
Big hug !
Hello Miss Poppy! This is Dottie. We are all good over here. We have scolded Mom about not updating our blog over the last two weeks! She has never gone that long. She promises to start catching up our blog within a couple of days, though! I know she still takes lots of pictures of us and she keeps writing in her journal, so we’ll be sharing soon!