.jpg)
This is Colby (above). We rescued him from a puppy mill in Missouri along with many others in July 2010. After about 7 years living in a small wire cage, never once being groomed, his coat was so matted it was painful even for him to move, we couldn't even tell which sex he was. But he was one of the lucky ones, he still had his eyes, many of his kennel mates did not, in this particular mill the cages were power-washed to be cleaned, WITH the dogs in them. There was no regard for the dogs' eyes, eyes were not necessary in the breeding business. Colby's outer condition was gruesome, frankly. What is worse is that his little spirit had been crushed - our volunteers described him as “catatonic.” All of this considered, to many he might have seemed a hopeless case, but not to us.
Immediately after his rescue we got to work on all fronts: he had to be shaved to remove his matted coat, many of his rotten teeth were pulled, his infected eyes were attended to, and anything else necessary to make him feel better. Most importantly, we showered him with love and warmth to nurse his spirit back to health,
He cleaned up pretty well, didn’t he? Who knew he was a black and white Shih Tzu? Our next job was to find the perfect home for this little guy, so he could experience love and belonging for the rest of his days.
This is Colby today. He was adopted by a wonderful family, who with patience and kindness continue to nurture him into a world of love. The following was written by his forever mom, she offers some insight into Colby's life now.
"Colby has been a wonderful and unique addition to our family. He used to sit and stare at a white wall but hardly ever does it anymore. He's really blossomed and enjoys taking daily walks. In the beginning he was afraid of grass, he'd walk on it gingerly, but now he runs and rolls in it. Colby's even been on a few hikes and a camping trip, too. We were at the dog park the other day after a rainstorm and there was Colby, playing in the mud, rolling and having a good time. I couldn’t believe it. His face when he finishing playing was caked in mud! He was so happy! Colby loves riding in the car, dancing the jig for treats and getting a massage every morning. We can’t imagine life without him." ~ Sept 2012
Below are a few more of Colby's 'before' pictures.
Aw! His last after photo has his tail up and wagging! It's blurry in his photo and he has such a wonderful story!
ReplyDeleteOh, how I love you people. I can't even articulate it.
ReplyDeletePower washed with dogs in them! That is sick! When are all these places going to be shut down!!! How is cruelty to animals okay and supported anywhere, especially in America?
ReplyDeletePlease Help these poor animals!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe work you do is amazing. We need to outlaw at the Federal level: all puppy mills and thus stop rampant breeding, it is both cruel and inhumane. People who buy pets on line or at pet stores need to be shamed, as continued purchasing of these poor animals continues the avarice and cruelty so prevalent in the puppy mill industry.
ReplyDeleteI have just adopted a 12 year old male shih-tzu from a mill (5 days ago). He stares at the wall or sleeps all the time. His eyes were so infected they had to be removed. He has no teeth, and his legs are atrophied and deformed. Otherwise, his health is quite good, according to our vet, surprisingly. We are working on him to bring him into the world, and have changed his name to Muffin. It was encouraging for me to know that others who have adopted these darlings have overcome the same obstacles I am now facing. I will stay in touch with you.
ReplyDeleteI adopted a puppy mill survivor over 2 years ago and she makes a little progress every day. We were told all dogs are different and she may never be a lap dog. I am happy to say she is now a lap dog! She is still skittish, but loves running and playing with her mentor dog brother!
DeleteMentor dog is a great idea. I have had Zoey (now 3 years old) for 2 years. I just got my first mill survivor her own dog! Misha is a mill survivor also, about 7 months old, but far less tramatized. It has only been a few weeks, and Zoey is improving so much faster. I have a older 13yr old rescue, but he was not as good at teaching her the puppy stages of growing up.
DeleteWhat a joyous reclamation of spirit. I echo a previous sentiment.......oh, how I love what you do!!!
ReplyDeleteColby is adjusting pretty well to the move to NEw Mexico. He is afraid of me leaving him and barks u bhai til I return. He did the 30th annual dash&dawdle for NM humane society -5k. He is a trooper. It's a joy watching him play wuth his siblings.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad he was saved...but I'm also concerned about the others that were in that puppy mill with him----what happened to the others. Many years ago, my father decided to allow me to have a dog and told me to look "in the newspaper" for one that was for sale. I found an ad from a woman who claimed that she tookin strays and had no more room for any more and decided to sell the ones she had. I went to the address she provided to me and was amazed because ALL the dogs (there were so many) were in small cages and all barked or whinned for my attention. Being the animal lover that I am, I wanted to take them all home but unfortunately I couldn't. The one I chose was a peek-a-poo and it was so matted up and in need of a good grooming. It was a week later that we found out that it was VERY distrustful of any men who happened in his path. He would bark and growl and even nip at my father and brother and any other male that was around and wouldn't "allow" any males to be near me. He ended up going blind and had heartworms really bad. I stayed with him until his last final moments but I loved him very much and miss him so. The moral is at the time I purchased him, I didn't realize he came from a puppy mill as this was back in 1984 and I was not as familiar with or aware of puppy mills as I am today. I sometimes wonder what ever happened to those that I left behind and feel guilty about it everytime I think about it.
ReplyDeleteAll involved in saving this precious baby's life are awesome. Thank you for what you do. And to the lady's post before mine, please do not feel guilty. You saved one of those precious lives and maybe there were others like you. These rescues are done one life at a time. Even if they aren't all saved and they won't all be, if no one did anything, none would be saved. Thank you for saving your baby in 1984.
ReplyDeleteMakes you cry with happiness for this baby. Thank goodness he was saved and now knows what love is and a kind touch.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderfull family you are. Thank you Thank you !!! He is so cute !
ReplyDeleteYour the BEST>>>>>>>>
ReplyDeletethank you for rescuing Colby!
ReplyDeleteJust read Colby's story as the link was reposted on Facebook just now. I just adore rescue stories and seeing the furbabies after a little time in their new, loved, cherished and protected, lives and families. Thank you for saving another sweet life! Colby is totally precious!
ReplyDeleteYou guys ROCK!
ReplyDeleteThank you! He is a beautiful boy!
ReplyDeleteI was on the rescue that saved Colby and others.
ReplyDeleteHis story is one of many mill dogs that suffer in silence.
Thank you for bringing light to this dark, sad industry.
These are sweet souls that long for humane compassion and companionship. Colby is one example of their strength and forgiveness. We could all learn so much from them.
My 7 Dogs and I LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU! From the Pets to the People!!
ReplyDeleteMy heart has officially broken and mended again by National Mill Dog Rescue. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI cried reading this story...I cry reading all of them! I so hope puppy mills will be shut down forever!
ReplyDeleteI WOULD LOVE TO PUT PEOPLE THAT DO THIS IN A CAGE AND PRESSURWASH THEM. BUT I KNOW GOD SEES ALL AND THEY WILL GET WHAT THEY DESERVE.
ReplyDeleteWhy, why can't the authorities see these puppy mills as one of the biggest forms of animal cruelty there is. The people who left poor little Colby and all the other dogs like him to suffer this way need to be locked up and puppy mills need to be shut down for good!
ReplyDelete