Oliver is a puppymill rescue... and boy, does he have issues. He's terrified of men, skittish, and really miserable being the only dog. We're working on all of those, the first one is another dog - his little sister comes home Friday. All I can do is hope that having her helps. As I type he is sitting in a corner growling at nothing. He sees the TVs reflection in a picture on the wall and takes a fit as there's men in there.. lol

It's difficult. But, the only thing I find that is even remotely a burden, is the fact that I can never go away without him. He's so attached to me that he doesn't handle me being away well. I went out for a friends bday in Sept. and didn't get home until 3am, and by then Oliver was a MESS. Shaking and crying. I felt so bad.

All the blood, sweat and tears have been more than worth it. He's been with me exactly a year today, and still has major issues, but overall is like a brand new dog. I'm sure I'll say the same thing a year from now. It's a process, sometimes a long one.. but he's worth it.

Sophie is home!!!
 

Sophie is home now and settling in. She peed on the rug in my bedroom before I could get it out from under my bed and roll it up. But now all my rugs are up and potty pads down! I made her a little bed area since she cant jump up on the couch. Marty gave me a red heart shaped pillow that she likes to lay on, and I put that on top of a fleece blanket and she is currently curled up on the pillow!! I really think things should be fine. She is mostly just timid and SUPER quiet. I hope she will eat and drink some. I tried to put her food down but then Tobey started eating it and it is Purina (yuck :thumbdown). Tobey eats Fromm surf and turf grain free kibble, so I want to switch her over to that.

Anyway, I am excited to have a little girl! Marty gave me all her little clothes which is fun because Tobey has always hated clothes. Plus! Marty's dog that passed away, had a coat that fits tobey so now Sophie and Tobey have matching black coats! so cute! He is mostly just sniffing her alot and I think wondering why she doesn't move around much. She walks very slow and timidly while Tobey is running and jumping all over the place:p I hope with time, maybe he can teach her how to play. I just want her to be happy. I am fine if she never plays like Tobey, I just want her to feel safe and loved. So I guess that is all for now, we will see how things go tonight.... I will keep you posted!

My dad adopted a 10 year old German Shepard that had been rehomed several times and pretty much lived in a crate his entire life. He was full of arthritis from not moving much and didn't even know how to run. My dad at the time had a young golden retriever we had gotten from a breeder and raised from puppyhood. Our golden taught the GS how to run. It was amazing to watch Lance (the golden) sprint through the field with Barry (the GS) running behind, slowly but surely. Lance would realize how far ahead he was and run back to Barry, run a couple circles around him, then sprint off again. It was adorable. Hopefully this will be the case with Tobey and Sophie. Congrats on your new addition and keep us updated!

sophie isn't eating or drinking...
 

So I don't want to freak out if its nothing, but I have had Sophie home for about 5 hours or so and so far she hasn't taken a drink of water or eaten. She just lays on her pillow, or on the couch next to me if I pick her up. Do you think she is just stressed out from being in a new place? I think she is about 5 years old so do I need to be worried about the low blood sugar thing or is that only when they are puppies??

Maybe give her a little bit of nutrical to be on the safe side or maybe put something with her food to entice her. Maybe boil a little chicken and mix with her kibble...

Along w/the other advise, I'd also dip my finger into water & put it in her mouth, do this few times w/water bowl beside her. Sometimes that gets them to drinking.
After a day went by w/my rescue, I finally scrabbled an egg just to see if she would eat. She gobbled it right down. She's on soft food as she doesn't have many teeth. I do give her hard food after I've soaked it awhile.
I held my rescue alot! Rubbed her head & face, talked to her. Touching and holding really helps. The little thing is scared & doesn't know who to trust. Give her a hug & kiss for me.

Congratulations on taking Sophie in. I too have a puppy mill rescue although when I got Toby in early December he had been in a foster home for a year. He acts totally different than he did in his foster home. He is a great play mate for Speedy, our Shichon and he has come a long way. He didn't know any tricks and was only 90% housebroke. He now knows sit, Toby talk, wait and stay. It does take a lot of time and patience but so worth it.

Megansmomma has been a godsend and if you have any questions whatsoever, be sure to contact her. She is very knowledgeable and can help you a lot as well as answer any questions you may have.

Toby didn't eat the first several hours I brought him home and for the first week or so he didn't play or do much of anything except sit or lay on the couch and "observe." Now he is a spoiled little momma's boy (and can be a brat when he wants to be!) But I wouldn't trade him for the world.

Good luck with the new addition to your family!

Yes! Chicken if you have some. Got any cottage cheese? Maybe put a little cottage cheese with her food and try feeding whatever you're going to give her with your fingers. They love to eat out of your fingers. Poor little girl. I hope she starts eating for you.

Now its almost 10pm on our first day home... Sophie just keeps laying on her little bed. I breifly went to the store and was gone about 15 minutes and when I came back, she had peed on the living room floor- no big deal because I have all hardwood floors, but I was bummed that she didn't go to the potty pads since I took up all my rugs in the apartment. So, the pads that are out for Tobey were in the kitchen so I taped down a potty pad in the living room not far from where her little bed is and not far from where she peed on the floor.... maybe since it is closer she will use it??? I have no clue how to potty train her since I crate trained Tobey and he always goes on his potty pads in the kitchen. I know crate training won't work for her since she lived in a puppymill. Marty, the lady I got her from just let her pee wherever because she figured she couldn't be trained. I am fine with cleaning up after sophie, but I guess I just figured maybe she would chose peeing on a potty pad versus the hardwood floor?? Do they make doggie diapers?? not that I would have her wear them here, I was more thinking if I go visit my parents, they won't want her peeing in their house.

Sure they make doggie diapers. Even disposables.:) I have seen them at Wal-Mart, but a number of other places, too, such as Petedge.

Did she eat?

Maybe you can try to hand-feed her for a few days? :)

Do you have any Brocolli ? That always works for me when I bring in a new one that wont eat. Seems as soon as they smell that stinky ol stuff cooking they wander into the kitchen to check it out, they love it.

I am so happy you took her in. I have a 13 plus male yorkie I took in last month when his owner had a stroke. He wouldn't eat even after trying chicken, hamburger, various good dog foods. So I tried Cesars canned food and he has started eating that. I know it isn't a good food but usually picky eaters will eat it. Nikki was use to going out for walks to pee but he took to the potty pads since my girls had peed on them first. I think she will train once she settles in.

thanks for the encouragement!! Tobey has been the only one eating her Purina food:thumbdown and I tried to wet my finger in the water and put it on her tongue but that didn't work. May I will pick up some wet food...Marty just said she like only dry food. I messaged Marty tonight on Facebook and she said she would go to the store and try to buy the treats Sophie likes and give them to me on Wednesday when we work together. As for the potty pads, I really hope she takes to them once she gets used to my little apartment. It is either potty on hard floor, or potty pads at this point. Tobey and I are getting ready for bed. He can jump up and down from my bed but I think I will let Sophie have her space tonight and not try to make her sleep with us. Plus she can be free to roam around tonight if she needs to. Thanks so much for the posts!! The feedback and encouragement is sooooo awesome!

I can't wait to meet the new addition to your family. Good Luck! Let us know how it goes. ;)

Just remember she only lived in a cage and the housebreaking will take time. Don't get upset if she poops and walks in it and she gets covered in it. Ivy did this for a time but now she would never do this. It all will take time just don't get to upset if you think things are not going fast enough. Their are alot of good people on this site to help you. with some that do rescues so just ask we will be happy to help. When you get time we would love to see photos!

I agree. They are truly angels rescuing angels...:angel2dl:

How is little Sophie doing today? The first few days are tough, she's got to have a lot running through her little mind, wondering where she is and why. Hoping she starts coming around soon!

So today I worked from 1-9 and when I got home everything seemed fine. She had pottied on the pad in the living room once and then pottied not on it in one other place. No big deal... cuz luckily yorkies are little so when they piddle it is no biggie. Last night she slept on her bed and Tobey and I slept together like usual. I heard her up a few times trotting around. She is so funny! She makes these big circles, almost like she is scared to go into the kitchen where the food and water is, but then tonight she went in there and took a drink- at least I think she did because she came trotting back to her bed licking her lips a little :) She is currently just curled up on her bed. I talked to my parents tonight who are a little worried about my decision to take in another pup but I figure my only major expense will be her yearly shots. i figure when I visit them, I will just have her wear a diaper so she doesn't pee in their house. I appreciate all the continued support and advice. the stories of others who have had rescues helps and keeps me hopefull..... I will keep you updated and will post pics when I can get my camera working and capture a few shots.

Get ready,her little light's gonna flip on soon! People laugh but remember the song"This Little Light Of Mine"? I've been known to hum it while sitting with a scared baby. :p
Thanks again for giving her a chance!

Puppymill dogs can rack up some big vet bills as they get older. Many carry genetic time bombs because they are so poorly bred. Please set up an account for vet bills immediately and add to it monthly. If you can set up an automatic deduction, that's even better.

It sounds like Sophie is settling in nicely. Keep the stories coming!

Good post :thumbup::thumbup:

Soon after I got Ivy she had to go to the vets to have her teeth done, $500.00 and 10 teeth later my pocketbook was a little lighter. My vet said because she was a puppymill and they don't care about them she lost most all of her teeth because of all the puppies she had.

Yikes! Well, I am starting to get a bit worried because I decided to take off her dress and really give her a good looking over. she has TONS of tiny mats. Actually her pads on her paws were almost matted over. I clipped her nails and started working at slowing snipping away the mats covering the pads on her feet. I just feel like it is a job bigger than I can do alone but I don't have the money to get her groomed right now. I groom Tobey by myself which is usually not a big deal since I cut people hair for a living :)

I really want to get her checked out by a vet. In the two years Marty owned her, I don't think she took her to the vet. However, I can't afford much at all. Does anyone know if vets or the Human Society are ever willing to help out in a situation like this and reduce their costs? Any advice on a way to tackle the grooming on my own?

Leaving her clothes on will cause mats. If you put a dress on her make sure you take it off at the end of the day and brush her out really well. You might be able to use a detangler to get out most of the mats. The ones that you cannot comb through I could just clip out. You can always even her out later.

As for a discount vet I'm sure you could find someplace in your area. We have a low cost clinic near me that does low cost spay/neuter and vaccines. There is also Petco that offers vaccine clinics but she really needs to be seen by the vet sooner than later.

Good luck with your girl. You are a caring person so you will do fine.

So I gave her a bath and bought a de-matting comb thingy... will work on those Thursday when I have my next day off. Tomorrow at work I will see Marty and might ask her to help me pay for a vet check-up...at least maybe pay half?? I did a search for vets in my area and found one that does a package for most of the yearly routine vaccines plus a general check up for $60- that sounded pretty reasonable. I can't afford it, but could maybe afford $30 if Marty (her previous owner) would pay the other half.

My biggest concern is her being so skinny. I knew when I got her that she was skinny but today after I took off her little dress and gave her a bath, seeing her wet made me realize that she is REALLY REALLY thin. kinda like a person who is anorexic. I just want her to live. I am sure she is going through a lot. She lost her fur friend, Pepper, last Friday, then moved to my house Sunday. I have her food and water moved very close to her bed now so she doesn't have to go far to get it (even though my apartment is tiny so the kitchen wasn't far to begin with). She just seems so weak... I wish I could force her to eat but that doesnt seem possible. I DID get her to take a tiny tortilla chip piece from my hand a couple times tonight!!! Obviously I don't want her to just eat chips but I was just thrilled she took something from my hand and ate it :) thanks again everyone.

Well, I don't proclaim to be an expert by any means. If she is that weak maybe you should be using the neutical couple times a day. If it were me (just to get her started eating), I'd scramble an egg. You can always seperate the yolk & only give her the white. If she eats that, then mix a little of canned food next time. Sounds like she needs to have 3-4 small meals a day. At least until she starts gaining some weight. And....I'd hold her "alot".
I was a little disturbed about letting her have the run of your apartment the first night there. Think I would of let her sleep w/me. She needs to learn that she's not alone now. Holding/touching helps her trust & bond.

I hate to be the first to say this, but....maybe you might want to reconsider putting her in a rescue shelter. She'll receive any medical attention she needs. And possibly be adopted by a stay at home mom/dad. Which it sounds like this little girl needs. I know your intentions are good & I praise you for that. Than again, this is just my opinion.
Good Luck

If she hasn't been to the vet in 2 years or so, I would imagine she needs wormed as well.

She really needs to get to the vet for a complete physical, bloodwork, probably a dental, etc. Adopting a dog outright rather than through rescue can be pretty costly. I spent close to $1,000 on Lady ten years ago when I adopted her - dental, physical, bloodwork, etc.

I have to echo what pancakepat said. Are you really financially able to take care of Molly? Most likely she will have health issues as she ages, most puppymill dogs do, and her vet bills could get quite costly. I know your intentions are good, but have you looked at the big picture?