my first dog was a 10 year old rescue (smallish,but not a yorkie). She had lots of issues. Was literally frightened of her own shadow. They think she spent some time as a stray, had been badly treated most of her life and had cigarette burns on her head. She was frightened of being on a lead at first, and walked for months with her tail firmly tucked underneath her. I had to be careful how i moved around her, because she thought she was going to be hit.
However...It was the most amazing thing to see her transform as she slowly settled in with me. I used to sit on the floor and call her to me for a hug, but she wouldnt come for weeks. The first time she did come to me and let me put my arms round her was just an amazing feeling, and she snuggled into my neck. From then on, she came on in leaps and bounds, and my only regret in the four and half years she was with me, was that i didnt have her for longer. She never learnt to play with toys, but did eventually run round the garden with me in a playful way.
If you can accept that this rescue may never be quite the same as your other pup, and that she might always have some issues, i think you will be ok.
I found that caring for Willow was so rewarding...i loved that little dog and i know she loved me back. She was never completely at ease with anyone other than me, but that wasnt a problem.
If you have endless patience and love to give that little puppymill dog, i'm sure you will find it rewarding. As she is younger, you will probably find she will adjust much quicker than my dog did, and hopefully your other pup will help her to settle.

I feel so sad reading about little sophie...
I really hope you will get her, and give her a forever home. I believe no one cares her as much as you, it's your decision.. but if I were you, I'll just listen to my heart, and do what my heart tells :)

If you decide to take this little girl,everyone is right, she will have slightly different issues than a regular rehome. BUT you will also get to see something very special too...it'll take time but you will be the cause of that little "light" that goes on in their eyes. It's like finally they get it-I won't be hit, I'll be safe,I won't be used for breeding over & over again,I'll always be clean,safe & have good food and water.
People tell us that the pups are lucky to have us- no, WE'RE the lucky ones, we're there when they decide to trust again and that light goes "on":)!
Thank you for trying to help this little girl!!:thumbup:

:thumbup::thumbup: You are so right. Watching Smokey go from a malnourished, scared little sweet baby to this brave dog that actually prances now when he walks has been the most rewarding experience. I watched Chip grow from the time he was 7 weeks old... I watched him change from this little baby to an adult dog, but I missed all that with Smokey. What I did get to see is him grow emotionally. It's been very rewarding watching that "light" go off and seeing his head held high.

How heartbreaking that little Sophie has gone so long without any love in her life. If you decide to take her into your home just know that she will be a LOT of work. When I brought Bogey home he was from a shelter in Indiana and I am positive that he had no real contact with humans prior to me. I will never forget when Jane and I took him onto their fenced yard to see how he would react to me~he took off running along the fence without any direction. We had to finally catch him so that I could (try) to sit with on a bench. He had no idea that I was just trying to love on him. When I took him home he was a hot mess in the car on the way home. He shook constantly, did not know how to go up and down that stairs, didn't know what grass was, how to walk on a leash (still debatable :rolleyes:), was a matted mess from head to toe, could not get onto the couch without help, didn't know what a bath was, shook for car rides, didn't know how to sit on your lap or cuddle~just a little wild man. It has now been been with me for 18 months and he is a new pup! I already had 2 so he had a lot of help with potty training and love and attention.

Then I brought home Truman who had a very questionable background. He was also found on the streets and was so malnourished he was not even able to stand. He was much older (well over 12) and very sick. His mats came off like something you would see on Animal Cops. :( He was blind and would flinch if you moved too fact. After months of working with him he would allow me to hold him on my lap and gently pet him. Eventually he came when called and then would roll over for belly rubs~the ultimate in trust IMO. :) He even began to wag his tail and greet us at the door.

llcornell (Leni) who is also a member here has had a few sever cases of puppy mill releases and she might be a great resource to also contact about her experiences with Sam, Daisy, Ella, and most recently Maria. Maria would spin and eat her poop before it would even hit the ground. :eek: But with lots of love, pineapple and reassurance Maria was recently adopted. Ella was also adopted and is now lives and works with a Social Worker :)

Here are a few links that you might like to read that could help in your decision.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/tra...nt-advice.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...ed-yorkie.html

Ella

TRUMAN

BOGEY

It is not an easy road when you have a pup with issues such as what you have described but it can be done with a lot of work and determination. You need to come to the realization that you might never have a perfect little one and if that is OK with you then that really is all that matters. :)

If you do decide to bring her home please do not hesitate to ask me anything. :) If you do decide to not adopt her please try to get this owner to turn her into a rescue instead of a shelter. She might not make it out of there alive :(

I would take her if for no other reason then to keep her out of a shelter. Then if it doesn't work out for the three of you , you could turn her over to a reputable rescue. I'm betting if she get's the love and time she so deserves she will come around for you.

What kind of person are you? What I'm saying is she may never turn into the dog you hope for and can you live with that?

I got a puppy mill (Ivy) almost 2 years ago and she is still very shy. She does not play, run like others, kiss, go up stairs or down them, does not like to be held. But she has come a long way from how she was when I 1st got her. She does like other dogs and she loves us you just have to go slow with her. She is about 90% house broke. Also do you have young children? I don't think that would work well if you do as I know Ivy does not like fast movement as a small child would do. I don't know this dog and maybe you would never have the problems Ivy has but I know alot of people would not like a dog like Ivy.
I wish you luck and please keep us updated.

Alot of good advise. All I can say is, I adopted an 8 yo female. She's been a part of our family now for 6 months. She spent 7 1/2 yrs in puppy mill having litter after litter. That was all she knew. Didn't even know what grass was. She is now potty trained, wags her tail, barks. I handle her alot. Body & head rubs, massages. The trust & confidents doesn't happen over night. Havent looked lately, but there was an article on YT main page about working w/a puppy mill dog. Might check that out. The main thing is, it requires alot of patience & time. I can't begin to explain the gooood feelings that comes w/a puppy mills growth into a wonderful world of a good home. It's like they were just born.
Please let us know what you decide.

MollysMum54......I sure cried reading your post. You said everything I went through w/my little girl. It's so sad to watch these little ones, but so rewarding to see them change. I sure love my little one.

I totally agree with this advice!!

WOW! such great advice guys! Today I went to work and talk to Marty and agreed to come pick up Sophie tomorrow around noon. I am going to take Tobey with me because if he doesn't like her then it can't really happen. But he pretty much likes all dogs. So anyway, if it doesn't seem to work out, Marty's daughter knows a woman who works with rescues. I wouldn't let little Sophie go to a shelter. I plan to just take up all my rugs in my hardwood floor apartment so hopefully she will choose the potty pads that Tobey already uses to potty on. I know maybe it won't work, my mom is concerned about the extra expense for me, but I have to give this little girl a chance. I know she won't be like Tobey. I raised him from 8 wks old. He is literally the perfect pup! he knows tricks, loves to play and cuddle, is totally potty trained on his pads, loves to ride in the car, and is overall the best little man I could ever hope for. Now Sophie, his potential new sister :), will be challenging and maybe it won't work trying to add to our little family.. but it figure it is worth a shot. It is just me, no kiddos or anything. I do work 32 hours a week but have the rest of the time to devote to the pups. I am sure I will have a bunch more questions to seek out from different people suggested on here once I actually have Sophie and start to learn her little qualities first hand. I will keep you posted on how tomorrow goes.....

I still cry when i think of Willow, but i know i probably gave her the best few years of her life...even my pompous grumpy vet admitted he was impressed with the way i cared for her in her last few months!
Willow is the reason i would only ever own a rescue dog. There are so many out there longing for the chance of a new life. I hope your little one is settled now and has forgotten her bad start in life, and I'm glad she has found a loving home with you.

Can't wait to hear how it all goes tomorrow..i really hope it all works out for you and that tobey loves her.

Good luck, Karena. Keep us posted, as you said...:p