A Happy Ending

Puppy mills are a scourge on our planet. They are the epitome of greed and selfishness. They victimize the weakest, puppies. And, yet they persist because they are supported by unknowing individuals and the knowing pet industry.

But, there is good news. Last December I wrote about a puppy mill in Montana that was disbanded after years of breeding and selling English Shepherds. The victims were rescued, approximately 180 puppies and adult dogs, given medical treatment and professional assessments. Sadly, many had to be euthanized. But many were healthy enough to be placed with good families.

NESR (National English Shepherd Rescue) is a volunteer organization that has been around for a long time and, fortunately, they were put in charge of the care and placement of these dogs whose numbers had swelled to over 200 after seized pregnant bitches whelped their pups. Nine months later the dogs were ready to be adopted. Many were placed in Montana but the task was overwhelming, especially since many of the dogs are still shy and afraid of people. Two weeks ago nine dogs and several wonderful volunteers loaded into a retired school bus to head across the country to new homes as far away as east New York! Talk about dedication.

There are still many dogs available such as Ida pictured at the right.
Please visit the NESR website to see them all. http://www.nesr.info .

Rest in Peace, Murphy

I am having a very difficult time today letting go.

This morning I received an e-mail from the family who homed Murphy, a puppy from Emily's most recent litter. Those puppies will be one year old on September 30. Except that yesterday Murphy (not his new name) was hit and killed by a car.

I know how devastating such a loss is. My daughter's English Shepherd (the one who inspired me to raise and breed them over twelve years ago) died the same way. It took my daughter a week to be able to call me about it. I still cannot bring myself to calling Murphy's family. Thank god for e-mail--that distanced form of communication that can express sorrow without dripping with tears.

My tears are for Murphy and for my sense of loss--but more than that they are for Murphy's family. This was a family who had been in contact with me months before Murphy was born. They were the first ones I called when the puppies were born and they came and visited Murphy many, many times after he was born before he was old enough to go home with them.

They didn't stop there. Knowing how much I miss these little buggers after they leave our house, Murphy's family kept in contact, e-mailed me photos and gave me updates on his progress--the joys and the frustrations of the first year of raising a puppy.

Most of us have lost dogs at one time or another--sometimes several dogs over the years--and it is never, ever a good day. Who knows at which point in a dog's life it is easier or more difficult to say goodbye? When they are still puppies pulling at their leashes and licking our faces--or when their muzzles are grey and their movements are stunted with arthritis and age?

What point is there in discussing this? What I do know is that my heart burns for Murphy and the couple who took him into a loving home--the kind of home that I, as a breeder, long for.

This isn't the last time I have heard that one of my puppies has reached the rainbow bridge early in life. And he won't be the last. And every time I get the news I am sure I will shed tears like I did this morning.

Goodbye Murphy. You were in my home for eight short weeks--but you will be in my heart forever.

Shea's The Clone of His Papa

Just thought you might want to know what Shea will look like when he grows up. This is his Papa, Strider and Shea is his spittin' image.

The cuddly lover still needs a home!

First Snow

Here are the photos of fun in the sun...er snow!

Stop Puppy Mills

I have been reeling from the news last week that an English Shepherd breeder in Montana had her kennel searched after complaints of the horrendous conditions her 200 plus dogs live under. The police removed twelve dogs in dire need of veterinary care and thirteen dead ones. The puppy mill owner, said she hadn't had time to bury the animals.

Two links to the news story are:

http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/12/12/news/local/20-dogs.txt

http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?S=9508818&nav=menu227_5

but they are not pretty so prepare yourself.

With this story in the back of my mind I am also including a link to a petition by the Humane Society of the United States on Facebook asking that Petland stop selling puppies which supports puppy mills.

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/beneficiaries/59?m=b5e52638


Bottom line is KNOW your breeder and THINK TWICE about buying a puppy at a pet store.