Foster with care

National Mill Dog Rescue wants to take an opportunity to brag on one of our foster families.

Toby and McKensie were purchased by NMDR at a Missouri dog auction last April.  This senior pair's breeding days were over and they were auctioned off for just a few dollars.

McKensie and Toby

After a few months at NMDR's kennel, these two precious Toy Fox Terriers went to a wonderful foster home, where they are still available for adoption today.

McKensie - basking in the sun in her foster home.

Patti, their foster mom, took the time to paint portraits of both dogs and we think she captured them beautifully.

Toby

McKensie

Toby and McKensie are still waiting to find their forever homes.  However, the two are a bonded pair and they must stay together. 

Huge thanks to Patti and to all of our foster families for doing all you can to give puppy mill survivors a first chance at knowing a life of love.  Thank you!


Click here for Toby's bio.
Click here for McKensie's bio.

Adopt Toby and McKensie

Who says you can’t catch a cloud?

That’s what I've been told by those who have pet me… I'm like touching a cloud.  I’m soft absolutely everywhere, especially my heart.

My name is Jacob.  I’m a 7 year old Keeshond and I’ve been in a puppy mill my entire life.  You’ll know that instantly when you meet me, because I won’t trust you.  I’ve never trusted a human being, ever, and it shows.  However, after all I’ve been through, I don’t bite and never want to cause anyone any harm.  It’s simply not in my nature.

Below is my picture taken at the kennel when I arrived at NMDR.  I look like a complete goofball.  For heaven’s sake, who cuts hair like that?  My breeder, that’s who.  It’s not uncommon for breeders, when surrendering/retiring dogs, to shave off the matted hair to make them look more presentable.  But, in all seriousness, what’s going on with my head?  If the Flock of Seagulls met Billy Idol, the unfortunate collision would result in my hairdo.

Intake picture aside, I've been at NMDR's kennel for a few months now.  My hair is growing back healthy and I feel better every day.

Here are a few short facts about me:

 - I’m terrified.  The good news is that I'm not scared in a "freak-out like a cat in a bathtub" sort of way, but I do freeze - solid.  I'm horribly confused by this new world around me and have no idea what to do, so I become a statue when frightened.

 - I will need a fenced yard in whatever home I go to.  Until I learn to trust (whenever that may be), if I get loose, I know nothing else other than to run away.  That's what scared dogs do.

 - Seven years of confinement won't be repaired overnight.  A patient, gentle family would suit me well.

 - I get along great with most other dogs.  Having another dog in the family would help me learn to trust and possibly begin to understand what the heck is going on.

 - Lastly, there's something special about me.  You have to trust me on this one.  I didn't know it until now, but the more I interact with other people and dogs, the more I realize that I've got something inside me to share that I never knew was there before.  I've never bonded with a single human being ever in my lifetime, so when it happens, it will be unbreakable.  Trust me, you'll know the minute it happens.  I will become your dog, your companion and a trusted loyal friend.

I'm starting to look better on the outside, I just need a home and a family to help heal the inside.

With lots of love to give,
Jacob

Adopt or Foster Jacob

Not wild about senior dogs and want to help some puppies instead?

Oh boy... do we have the puppy project for you!

This call for help comes from our rescue friends in the La Junta, CO area and the Ft. Morgan, CO area.  The above photo is of 6 feral puppies who were found living in an abandoned garage in Rocky Ford, CO.  The pups are 3 months old and are undomesticated.  They're a wild bunch.

Fortunately, the puppies were caught last week and are now safe at the Fort Morgan Humane Society.  Unfortunately, they do not have the staff or time to socialize and help make these dogs adoptable as quickly as they would like.  The fear is that they've been undomesticated for so long, with each day they get bigger, they may become wilder and less adoptable.

Why were we called for help?  Well, puppy mill survivors are not socialized and NMDR has become quite good at the process of helping dogs go from terrified animals to wonderful family members.  Calling NMDR to help socialize dogs is a great idea, however we're completely full.  With the rescue of 71 dogs from Missouri last week, the kennel and our foster homes are at capacity.  Volunteers are running at full speed and we're doing all we can with the big bunch we already have.

What can you do to help?  Well, this one is for all our followers who prefer puppies to senior dogs.  We don't get many puppies, so here's your chance to really help make a difference for a pup who wouldn't be given a chance otherwise.  The female pups are in need of foster or forever homes soon.  There are 4 available and they can be separated.  The quicker these puppies get daily socialization, the better chance they'll have in this world.  They have had their first shots, are dewormed, and don't bite.  However, it is strongly advised not to put one of these pups with very small children.  Providing a home for one of these dogs (whether it be temporary or permanent) could be a very rewarding challenge for the right family.

If you can help give one of these pups a chance directly, please call the Fort Morgan Humane Society and ask for Jill or Katie:  970-542-6416.
If your home is already full of dogs and cats and kids and all the other wonderful fun things that make a house a home, please try to share this post so others can choose to help if they want to.

Because they're feral, what mix of breeds the pups are is unknown.  However, the mama dog was captured and brought to the dog pound in Rocky Ford.  To the left is her photo.

Mama has been living in the wild for who knows how long, but she has some lovable domestic qualities.  It is believed she was in a home at some point.  If you have interest in possibly helping the mama of these pups, please contact Janet with Animal Rescue of the Rockies (westjanet58@msn.com).

Thank you for reading this post and for helping us help other rescues.  In the end, we're all one big group with the same goal.... saving dogs.

- National Mill Dog Rescue.

Why we do what we do…

Anya, a German Shorthaired Pointer, was rescued by NMDR in the early spring of 2009.  She spent her days in a puppy mill that fell below USDA standards.  Before the place could be shut down, the owner burned it to the ground.  Anya was found under a truck.  Physically, she was ok, but mentally, Anya was a terrified mess.


After spending a few months at the kennel and hundreds of hours of time with the volunteers, Anya still was not making much progress.  She cowered all day, every day, ate very little and hid in her bed as much as possible.  Thankfully, Holly at Vail Doggie offered to foster Anya.  As the many months went by in Vail, Anya slowly responded to loving care and regular attention.  She learned to enjoy the daily company of other dogs and began to trust the people who were so patient with her.  Soon, Anya started to retrieve the tennis ball and began to look forward to seeing people, as they always brought her treats, kindness, outdoor excitement, love, and a tender touch.


Two long years later, this is Anya today...

Anya has found her forever family and is thriving in the great outdoors of the big sky country - Montana.

It's stories like Anya's that keep all of us at National Mill Dog Rescue hopeful every day.  We will keep going on rescue runs, keep volunteering, keep up the veterinary care, keep trying to find all dogs homes, and keep trying to put an end to the commercial breeding industry.  Special thanks to Vail Doggie for reminding all of us that fostering dogs is what makes the biggest difference in their lives.

Love to all from Anya in Montana.

Please consider making a huge difference in the life of a puppy mill survivor.  Foster a dog today.

Griffin, a lucky Welsh Terrier with great news

Update on Griffin - 11/16/2011

Griffin's ear ablation surgery was scheduled for today and has been canceled for a very good reason.  He's getting better!  This is great news because ear ablation surgery is a major operation and absolutely terrible thing to put a dog through.  He is still on medication and will be for a while, but as long as he keeps improving, it looks like a full recovery is possible without surgery.

Now that Griffin's getting healthier by the minute, he has a new problem emerging - he's bored.  During his recovery, this 5 year old Welsh Terrier boy enjoyed a quiet foster home with no other dogs.  Griffin is now available for adoption or a different foster home in the meantime.  He loves all people and does great with other dogs.  No cats or small critters should be in a home with this little man.  If you're interested in adopting Griffin, please have another dog or two in your home to keep him company, he'd be so happy!

If you're interested in adopting Griffin, please click here for NMDR's adoption application.  If you're in the CO area and can help this boy out by fostering him with other dogs, please contact NMDR's foster coordinator Pam - pamarf@milldogrescue.org.  Thank you!

For those who donated to Griffin:
Where did your money go?  Good question and we always want to be 100% honest.  $900 was needed to pay off the vet bill for Griffin's pending surgery.  Our goal was achieved and we cannot thank you enough for helping ease our minds with your donations last month.  Now that his surgery most likely will never happen, we plan on moving that money over to several dogs who need vet care, while keeping it in the Terrier family.  The funds will go to the shots, spaying, and dental work of the 6 Skye Terriers who arrived at the kennel last week.  It will also go to help with any dogs needing emergency care on the Missouri rescue that's occurring tomorrow morning.  However, the one thing we don't want to do is to presume to make decisions for you.  If you donated to Griffin and would like your donation refunded to you, that's ok too.  Please contact Rich (rich@milldogrescue.org), for donation refund requests.

Thank you from Griffin and all of National Mill Dog Rescue


--------------------------------------------------------------
Update on Griffin - 10/26/11

Over the weekend, Griffin was picked up from North Academy Vet and went to his first foster home.  His appreciation for the kind gesture was to respond by chasing the resident cat.  By some miracle, a new foster home was found for him the very next day.  A kind family, with no other dogs or cats (we didn't know places like this even existed), opened their hearts and home to Griffin.  They sent in a few photos of him in his new foster home.

Griffin - perched in the yard

Griffin's doing very well in with his foster family.  He's on daily doses of pain meds and his current vet concluded, for Griffin's own health, that he needs a few more weeks to treat his ear infection before surgery.  Griffin's ear ablation surgery has been bumped back from this Thursday to Nov. 16th.  A little more time is needed to clear up his massive ear infection.  Poor little man!

Right now, thanks to NMDR's rescue team (for pulling him out of that mill in his time of need), all the volunteers, foster families, and incredible group of nationwide followers who donated to his care, Griffin's story is continuing to be a success.  We'll keep you posted as to how he's doing and how his surgery goes in a few weeks.

Thank you for supporting NMDR and for caring about each and every one of puppy mill survivors we rescue.

With love,
Griffin and all of National Mill Dog Rescue

----------------------------------------------------------
10/21/2011

Thank you, thank you, thank you all SO much.  We reached our goal and will be taking care of Griffin's vet bills immediately.  NMDR does our absolute best to be respectful to your families, your own dog's needs, and your wallet, so we try very hard to cry out for donations only when we're in a pinch.  This group always comes through, and for that, NMDR and the dogs, are eternally grateful.  Feel free to continue to look in on us online anytime to see where your money goes.  Our organization is an open book and it's all for the dogs.  Today, you not only helped Griffin, but helped ease the financial stress of an organization with a group of two dozen puppy mill survivors arriving tonight.  Thank you again.

----------------------------------------------------------
10/20/2011

Griffin wasn't supposed to be rescued last weekend.

According to his breeder, Griffin was one of the stronger, healthier dogs.  Theresa took one look at this dog in horrific pain and couldn't leave him there.  So, the rescue team made room for just one more.

Both of Griffin’s ears are infected.  We’re not going to show you a picture of his ears, because it’s really just too gross.  The condition has gone untreated for years.  It’s unimaginable to think of how long this little boy was in pain.  When Theresa saw him, he was doing nothing but rubbing the side of his head on the wires inside his cage. 

This is one of the worst ear conditions we’ve ever seen on a dog.  

Griffin was taken over to North Academy Veterinary Hospital this morning and will be spending the week there.  Dr. Tuthill is helping prepare Griffin for total ear canal ablation surgery next week.  Griffin will then go to Powers Animal Emergency Hospital to have his surgery performed by Dr. Wilwerding.  Huge thanks from NMDR to both Dr. Tuthill and Dr. Wilwerding for generously cutting their fees in half in order to help us care for this dog.

Below is a video of Griffin taken at the kennel yesterday.  He can barely hear and has no appetite.

Thanks to the reduction in vet fees, this expense mountain has been cut down to just a mole hill.  Whew!  However, Griffin and NMDR really could use your help to get us the rest of the way.  Roughly $900 is needed to get this dog back to health.  He’s young and has a majority of his life left ahead of him.  Not only will we work to have the rest of his days be cage-free, but completely pain-free as well.  We feel we owe that to Griffin.

You know we rarely ask and we hate asking, but if you could donate a few dollars today, you would make a big difference to NMDR.  We had 50 dogs come in last weekend and roughly 30 more will be on their way tomorrow.  We're prepared to vet all dogs we rescue, but sometimes serious surgeries come up and that's when we really need your help.

Today, Griffin needs help.  Please consider skipping your Starbucks or packing your lunch tomorrow.  A small amount from each of us will add up quickly.  We'll let you know when our goal is met as we never want to ask for more than is absolutely necessary.

Thank you in advance for helping Griffin.

A new day is dawning...

National Mill Dog Rescue saved 48 dogs in Missouri yesterday.  The team is headed home to CO and will pick up 6 Dachshunds in KS on the way.  Below is an email from Chuck, recapping the rescue team's day yesterday.

We started a beautiful Missouri day with an educational but sad dose of reality - a dog auction.  It was sparsely attended and many dogs went for extremely low prices - despite the coming usually hot Christmas season.  Some of the dogs were from the "complete dispersal" of two breeders going out of business.  This and some discussions indicated that times are tougher for the breeders feeling the effects of new controls.   

Then we went on to pickup dogs from three breeders and two of our rescue partners for a total of 48 more passengers on board the vehicles.  A lot of doxies, cockers, Lhasas, cavaliers, a yellow lab pup, Norfolk terriers, poodles, Yorkies, Min Pin, Boston Terrier, Pomeranian, two Cotons, and a snow white Pekinese pup.

Most got to run and play (most for the first time), in the barn tonight and some will sleep with team members - who were too tired to run and play. 

Photos from the road....

A sweet male Welsh Terrier was rescued yesterday.  He was suffering from an
untreated ear infection that is obviously causing him a tremendous amount of
pain.  He will be given immediate vet care and will most likely have to be rushed
to a surgical center for ear canal ablation surgery.  Please keep this little fella in
your thoughts.

This post is not just to share news and photos of the rescued dogs.  It is also to share a feeling.  Theresa reports from the road that the feeling of the industry is changing.  Rather than a discouraging uphill battle, the tide is starting to turn.  Although it won't happen overnight, the commercial breeding industry is slowly dying.  The air in the dog auction was different.  There weren't that many people in attendance and the auctioneer was continually reassuring breeders that this is just a temporary slump.

Now is the time not to let up.  Now is the time to realize that together, this group is a force that is changing history.

Have you ever felt like your work in saving dogs is just a drop in the bucket?  Do you feel like there are days when you just don’t make a difference?  Well, today is not that day.  You are, we ALL are, making a difference in the commercial breeding industry and it is really starting to show.

This is where your hard work goes.  This is where spreading the word makes a difference.  This is where your donations not only save one dog, but go on to save thousands.  This is not the time to feel like a drop in the bucket.  We are all making a difference.  

Keep sharing.  Keep shouting.  Keep posting.  Keep loving all dogs just as you love your own. 

Pet stores are closing.  Dog auctions are diminishing.  Education and awareness is increasing.  Dog's lives are being saved.

Thank you for making a difference with us.

From all the volunteers, rescuers and dogs of National Mill Dog Rescue - thank you for your help and support.

Snapshot of a Puppy Mill Rescue

NMDR's rescue team departed Colorado this morning and will attend a dog auction in Missouri tomorrow.  After the auction, the rest of the weekend involves picking up over 30 retired breeding dogs from breeders and puppy mills that are going out of business.

A majority of this post (below) was written earlier and posted for a previous rescue.  Because we gain new followers every day, it's worth revisiting to answer a few very important questions....

What is a dog rescue?
NMDR usually transports and returns with dogs that are rescued from 3 different situations:  closure of a puppy mill, breeder surrender or dog auction.

Puppy Mill Closure:
Rescuing dogs from the closure of a puppy mill is usually a large scale, multi-team, collaborative effort between several rescue organizations across the nation.  You can always find NMDR in that mix somewhere.

A puppy mill is usually shut down or put out of business by a state's dept. of agriculture for legal reasons that often involve dogs being kept in deplorable conditions.  NMDR will get notice of such a pending closure and work with other organizations on rescue, transport, care and shelter for hundreds of dogs.

Breeder Surrender:

This is the most common scenario in which NMDR rescues dogs (as will be the case this trip).  A breeder can be either a puppy mill owner or something to the same effect on a smaller scale.  These owners can even be "backyard breeders," in which hundreds of dogs are bred for the purpose of profit, but not necessarily in a "mill." NMDR's rescue teams have recovered dogs living in holes in the ground, wooden barrels and even being caged inside a broken microwave.  Breeders will surrender their retired breeding dogs when they're "used up" and are no longer of use or profit to them.

NMDR's rescue contacts have worked with these breeders over time to help them understand that there are “retirement homes” available for these dogs.  Our contacts do not present themselves as “rescuers.”  It’s a very subtle and non-threatening relationship that is developed.  NMDR attempts to present itself as a cleaner, easier option than breeders going through the effort of destroying what breeders consider as their useless stock.

Dog Auction:

Hold on to your hat.  Yep, these awful events really exist.  A dog auction is an event very similar to a cattle or horse auction.  A dog is put on display for bids and is sold to the highest bidder.  A lot of these dogs are puppy mill cast-offs. They are either too old to be productive breeding stock, or they are not successful at producing puppies.  Also, a puppy miller may have too many dogs of a specific breed so they will sell off some and purchase others to diversify their stock.

Below, is a short video clip featuring Theresa's comments about dog auctions:

(Thank you to Jenesis Productions for providing this incredible video)

A very small percentage of the dogs NMDR rescues come from the auctions. Most get picked up by NMDR's rescue teams upon being directly released from puppy mills.  Of the 30+ furry souls that will be rescued this weekend, a majority will come straight out of the mill, directly into our arms.  Space is a bigger issue than funding when it comes to NMDR's purchasing dogs at the auctions.  Most of the worn out, retired breeding dogs will sell at an auction for less than a dollar.  NMDR could rescue hundreds of dogs at a time at any given auction, but transport and kennel space is a never ending issue.

A Happy Story...
If you watched the video above, you'll notice that it ends with the mention of a sweet Miniature Pinscher named "Copper."  Copper was purchased by NMDR for one penny (hence the name) at the closing minutes of a dog auction in Missouri over a year ago.  As a happy follow-up to his story, below is a photo of 8 year-old Copper with his loving family.

An excerpt of Copper's words from his story a year ago...
"I will close this chapter of my story by sending a heartfelt thank you to National Mill Dog Rescue for coming to get me.  My fate without you would have been the end of my days.  For one penny, you proved that I am not a “throw away” dog and I promise to never forget that.  I wanted to write my story for all the other “one cent” dogs out there.  I want my second chance to become theirs too."

Please keep NMDR's rescue teams in your thoughts and hearts as they set out to save lives this weekend.  Auctions are truly horrible.  Puppy mills are beyond awful.  The living conditions and the furry souls that survive them are images that our rescue volunteers are brave enough to face.


Thank you in advance to our rescue teams for enduring the long weekend ahead and for stomaching what a majority of us would find unbearable.


- National Mill Dog Rescue




Please consider donating to help us fund this rescue.  My goodness gas is getting expensive!  Any little bit helps.  Thanks so much.

Pip, Pip, Hooray!

Hi!  Hi!  Hi!  My name is Pippi and I have terrific news.  The results are in and I'm heartworm negative!  Whew!  It took a long time to get over that.

Here's a photo of me driving home from the vet with a big ol' smile on my face.  It's nice to be healthy.  Well, sort of.  I still have spine issues but am getting stronger every day.

I'm writing this post about me in the hopes that I can find my forever family soon.  Do you know any Dachshund lovers?  I'd be so happy in a home with someone who understood my breed.

I'm a 6 year old girl who was rescued by NMDR several months ago.  I've had a rough go of it.  I was a breeding dog for all the years of my life and still don't trust men.  After being in a tiny cage for half a decade, naturally, I have a few behavioral issues that will require patience and love.  It is also believed that I suffered some trauma and was thrown into a wall or on the ground.  I arrived with several ruptured discs in my spine and, for a wiener dog, back problems are insufferable.

The good news is that I'm in foster care and am receiving regular vet treatments and acupuncture on my spine and it's working!  I'm making steady progress and have become quite a mobile little girl.

At the vet after my heartworm test.

I get along great with other dogs.  As a matter of fact, it's super important that I have canine company.  I don't like to be alone and find great comfort in my tail-wagging friends.  A family with doggie siblings would be wonderful!

I've had a crappy life so far and am thinking I'm really deserving of a forever family soon.  I'm a puppy mill survivor and I'm certainly not perfect.  As a matter of fact, for the next few months (or even a year), I can be considered a "special needs" dog.  Because my back has kept me immobile for so many months, I'll be in need of hydrotherapy to strengthen the muscles in my legs.  Sigh... I can't wait to finally be a healthy girl.  Don't worry, if you adopt me, NMDR has kind folks to help you and I with my physical therapy.  

Here's a video of me walking.  I've come a long way and get around pretty well now....

I'm fragile, but don't want to wait any longer to find my place in this world.  I've got a few weird behavioral issues, but with help, a permanent home, and a family to teach me to trust, I promise to do my best to learn to be a model Dachshund.  It's my turn to try.  I just need my first chance.

Love, Pippi Longstocking

Adopt Pippi

A very happy update on Lyric

We received a letter from Lyric's forever family and wanted to share the good news with everyone.


For those who don't know Lyric's story:
Lyric, a 10 year-old Corgi, was rescued by NMDR at the beginning of August.  She was deathly ill and it was believed that she would not survive through the day.  However, Lyric and her fighting spirit would not give up.  With treatment and special care, she grew stronger every day and has survived.


Video, taken by Theresa, on the day Lyric was rescued...

Lyric spent 10 years of her life living under a piece of plywood on her breeder's property.  When Theresa and Chuck lifted up the board (photo below), Lyric was unresponsive and barely breathing.

She was rushed to the veterinary hospital for a blood transfusion....

Letter and photos from Lyric's family.....
October 6, 2011

The way that Lyric has settled in, anyone would think that she had lived with us her whole life.

When we made the commitment to adopt her, I wondered if I had completely lost my mind.  I was really afraid that we were not up to dealing with her and the potentially severe adjustment issues that might come up.  We decided that the best way to proceed was to treat her like any other dog that we might bring into our home.  Her history was just that…history.  Her life started the moment that she came to live with us, that feeling sorry for her and not requiring that she be a well adjusted full-fledged member of the family would really be a disservice to her.  Stanley has been a wonderful role model for her and her willingness to please has made this journey relatively easy.  She is an absolutely wonderful little girl.  She is smart, loving, adorable and funny.  It has really been interesting watching her learn new things like discovering that you can't go through screen doors when they are closed (hard on the nose), that squeaky toys are the best thing ever, that backyards and rolling in the grass are really great, that cats are interesting but act kind of annoyed when you mess with them too much and car rides just rock.  At ten years old she’s becoming a happy healthy normal dog. 

Lyric and her squeaky toy.

I have seen first-hand how the ability to heal the body and spirit is something quite miraculous. Her food aggression and resource guarding are completely gone.  I started out hand feeding her because she was so fierce with anything related to food (for good reason) and I think that helped to calm her and slow her down and we gradually just moved her closer and closer to Stanley and now she eats from her own bowl right next to him. No big deal.

I remember how wobbly and weak she was and how difficult it was for her to walk across the room let alone go up and down stairs when we first brought her home. Now I just love watching her run across the room playing fetch with one of her toys, galloping up and down stairs, tearing across the backyard at full speed, following me around like a little shadow. She has been learning basic obedience and walks pretty well on a leash and is housebroken.

She is such a wonderful blessing to our family. We love her so much and can't imagine life without her. 

I can't tell you how wonderful I think you and NMDR are. We are so grateful to everyone who invested time, money and prayers into saving Lyric.  We know we are the ones who benefited from everyone's love and kindness and we will never forget that.  I plan to pay it forward.




I have attached a couple of pictures.  It's hard to believe this is the same dog as the pictures of her literally on death's door that were taken right after you rescued her. Those pictures rip my heart out, but at the same time they are a great reminder of how far she's come. 

Hero needed to hold my paw

UPDATE on Elmer (10/6/11) -

Message from Dr. Cristy Fisher at Pine Creek Veterinary Hospital:  "WOW!!!!  THANK YOU so much for your blog post.  We all were crying at the hospital when we read it.  AND we have already had several people call to offer their homes.  What an amazing network of people you have."  

Message from NMDR:  Thank you to all who read Elmer's post and for contacting Pine Creek Vet to help him.  It looks like he will be going to a wonderful family by as soon as tomorrow.  We hope that the kind person/family who takes Elmer will choose to keep us updated on how he's doing.  A loyal facebook follower said it best - "NMDR followers are the best!"  You guys shared Elmer's post and found him a home and loving arms to carry him over the rainbow bridge.  Thank you.

___________________________________
Original post 10/5/11-

Hello there!  I'm Elmer and I'm dying.  Yep, there's no way to sugar coat it, facts are facts and I'm honestly pretty excited to see what's going on the other side of that rainbow bridge everybody's talking about.

The good news is that I'm old.  I've lived for over 15 years and if I could talk, I'd tell you a whole library full of tail-wagging stories.  The bad news is that I have a very serious heart condition that has gone untreated for many, many years.  I am currently residing at Pine Creek Veterinary Hospital in Colorado Springs.  The kind doctors here put me on heart medication and estimate that I may have a few months of life left.  The reason I'm asking for help is because I don't want to die in a vet clinic and I don't want to pass over the bridge alone.

I'm a 20 lb, Sheltie mix who was dumped out in the Colorado woods who knows how long ago.  A good samaritan found me and brought me into Pine Creek Vet.  The folks here have been kind, gentle and providing medication and care.  My past is unknown, but I do know what I want my future to hold.

I'm an incredibly friendly fella who loves all people, other dogs, kids and even cats.  I'd do well in any low-key home.  My heart absolutely cannot handle much stress or exercise, so the quieter and calmer the better. My brain tells me to do things that my body can't tolerate.  For example, I'll go for a walk until I pass out because my heart can't handle it.  I also don't think I'll manage with any car rides or transport for longer than an hour.  My heart is too fragile.

Why am I posting this on National Mill Dog Rescue's blog when I'm not a mill dog or even in NMDR's kennel?  Two reasons:  1)  NMDR loves all dogs, not just the ones in their care.  2) Rumor has it, NMDR's social media followers are an incredibly powerful bunch.  I heard that when they set their minds so something, whether it be transporting dogs, raising funds, or finding homes, this is the group that gets it done.

I don't need money.  I don't need a lot of food, or effort.  I don't need much exercise or excessive attention.

I just need you.

Providing a hospice home for dogs truly is heroes work, and I know that I'm asking for a lot.  You and I both know that caring for me won't be the difficult part; losing me will.  I'm a great dog and I bond quickly with those I love.  I'm sorry that I can't make a long-term commitment to you physically, but I promise you will carry my paw prints stamped on your heart for a lifetime.  No one wants to die alone.  There are reasons people leave hospitals and go to their own homes for comfort and hospice care.  I would do that today, except that I don't have a home to go to.

If you can help me, please call Pine Creek Veterinary Hospital at 719-955-0966 and ask for either Cristy or Erica.  You can also email drcristy@pinecreekvet.com.  

Thank you in advance for trying to help me with the final chapter of my journey.

Love,

Elmer