A puppy mill's puppy story
 

This is an absolutely awful thing to read, so read it at your own risk.
__________________________________________________ ______________

I don't remember much of the place where I was born. It was cramped and dark, and we were never played with by the Humans. I remember Mom and her soft fur, but she was often sick, and very thin. She had hardly any milk for me and my brothers and sisters. I remember many of them dying, and I missed them so.

I remember the day I was taken from Mom. I was so sad and scared, my milk teeth had only just come in, and I really should have been with Mom still, but she was so sick, and the Humans kept saying that they wanted their money and were sick of the "mess" that me and my sister made.

So we were crated up and taken to a strange place. Just the two of us. We huddled together and were scared, still no Human hands came to pet or love us. So many sights and sounds and smells! We are in a store where there are many different animals! Some that squawk! Some that meow! Some that peep! My sister and I are jammed into a small cage. I hear other puppies here. I see Humans look at me through the glass. I like the "little humans", the kids. They look so sweet, and fun, like they would play with me! All day we stay in the small cage, sometimes mean people will hit the glass and frighten us, every once in a while we are taken out to be held or shown to humans. Some are gentle, some hurt us, we always hear "Aw they are so cute! I want one!" but we never get to go with any of them.

My sister died last night, when the store was dark. I lay my head on her soft fur and felt the life leave her small thin body. I had heard them say she was sick, and that I should be sold at a "discount price" so that I would quickly leave the store. I think my soft whine was the only one that mourned for her as her body was taken out of the cage in the morning and dumped.

Today, a family came and bought me! Oh happy day! They are a nice family, they really, really wanted me! They had bought a dish and food and the little girl held me so tenderly in her arms. I love her so much! The mom and dad say what a sweet and good puppy I am! I am named Angel. I love to lick my new Humans! The family takes such good care of me, they are loving and tender and sweet. They gently teach me right and wrong, give me good food, and lots of love! I want only to please these wonderful people! I love the little girl and I enjoy running and playing with her.

Today I went to the veterinarian. It was a strange place and I was frightened. I got some shots, but my best friend the little girl held me softly and said it would be okay. So I relaxed. The vet must have said sad words to my beloved family, because they looked awfully sad. I heard Severe Hip Dysplasia, and something about my heart... I heard the vet say something about back yard breeders and my parents not being tested. I know not what any of that means, just that it hurts me to see my family so sad. But they still love me, and I still love them very much!

I am six months old now. Where most other puppies are robust and rowdy, it hurts me terribly just to move. The pain never lets up. It hurts to run and play with my beloved little girl, and I find it hard to breathe. I keep trying my best to be the strong pup I know I am supposed to be, but it is so hard. It breaks my heart to see the little girl so sad, and to hear the Mom and Dad talk about it might now be "the time." Several times I have went to that veterinarians place, and the news is never good. Always talk about Congenital Problems. I just want to feel the warm sunshine and run, and play and nuzzle with my family.

Last night was the worst. Pain has been my constant companion now, it hurts even to get up and get a drink. I try to get up but can only whine in pain. I am taken in the car one last time. Everyone is so sad, and I don't know why. Have I been bad? I try to be good and loving-what have I done wrong? Oh if only this pain would be gone! If only I could soothe the tears of the little girl. I reach out my muzzle to lick her hand, but can only whine in pain.

The veterinarian’s table is so cold. I am so frightened. The Humans all hug and love me.They cry into my soft fur. I can feel their love and sadness. I manage to lick softly their hands. Even the vet doesn't seem so scary today. He is gentle and I sense some kind of relief for my pain. The little girl holds me softly and I thank her, for giving me all her love. I feel a soft pinch in my foreleg. The pain is beginning to lift, I am beginning to feel a peace descend upon me. I can now softly lick her hand.

My vision is becoming dreamlike now, and I see my Mother and my brothers and sisters, in a far off green place. They tell me there is no pain there, only peace and happiness. I tell the family goodbye in the only way I know how-a soft wag of my tail and a nuzzle of my nose. I had hoped to spend many, many moons with them, but it was not meant to be. "You see," said the veterinarian, "Pet shop puppies do not come from ethical breeders." The pain ends now, and I know it will be many years until I see my beloved family again. If only things could have been different.

(This story may be published or reprinted in the hopes that it will stop unethical breeders and those who breed only for money and not for the betterment of the breed)

Copyright 1999 J. Ellis

I'm sitting here with tears rolling down.

I think they should make this a sticky thread.

xx
Meggie

I wish this could be posted on every store that sells pets..

Yeah, so was I <eom>
 

But my job ends today, so maybe I'll be able to make a difference now.

omg, I am in tears reading this. it is so sad that this a very real reality.

omg!!! i am busting out in tears at work.... how very sad.

i am literally crying here at work...

Thanks for posting that, it just so sad what these precious little babies have to endure. For those of you who are interested, YorkieTalk member, spoiledgirls started a new club for people against puppy mills. It's called YAP Yorkies Against Puppymills. I hope you all will join. Here's a link: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/group.php?groupid=61

Stop Puppy Mills
 

Wow, I should not have read that. I actually couldn't finish it because I am about to cry.

Check out my website Millionairemutts.org and you will understand why. I had the sweetest yorkie baby that had congenital defects and died before 12 weeks old :( We need to STOP PUPPY MILLS! It isn't fair to the little puppies.

HATE Puppy Mills
 

Tat is so sad! At the end, I was like nooooooooo! I HATE PUPPY MILLS!:mad:
I even have a club against it. I think Nancy1999 even posted the link earlier in the thread, thanks Nancy1999.

That was very sad. People that have puppy mills just have no conscience or feelings. How can they treat animals that way, just for the money. Money does not mean that much to me! I wish they would shut the people down and send them to farms where they are kept in cages with hardly any food or water, just enough to keep them alive. When they get sick or injured they just lay and suffer. But I believe in an eye for an eye, that includes animals too. You know Do unto others......

Excellent!
 

Thanks, Nancy!

:cry: That was incredibly sad! I am sitting here just sobbing. How can anyone be so cruel. Puppymills should be banded totally.
I hugged Odie so tight and he kissed my tears I thank God for him everyday
I couldn't imagine my life without him being there :aimeeyork
I love him so much

I am just sobbing here and I wish I could print this and stand outside every Petland here in Ohio, hand these out and not get arristed or sued. I have been fighting to close puppy mills here in Ohio and it is so hard to shut them down. They move to a rural area where the dogs are considered cattle and they can treat them in ways that would surprise you. New laws must be past to protect these poor defenseless animals. We did with the help of the police close down Petland in a mall inAkron a few yrs.that was so filthy but they opened in the next town and people fall in love with those darling faces. :animal-pa

I am bawling this morning too, soo heartbreaking :cry:

That was so sad. I wish all the newspapers would print this in their dogs for sale section.

I shouldn't have read this. I'm both heart broken and pissed....and crying non the less...