Thats exactly what I believe! My Cavalier, Louis has chronic gastritis and IBS. By feeding a raw diet, working with a holistic/integrative vet and being proactive about BOTH dogs health, I have two happy healthy pups. I am very focused on maintaining diet and health standard for them because it is SO effective in maintaining health!

I do the same thing for myself, I have a chronic immune disease and diet and lifestyle has far more impact on my health and how often I get sick then any medication.

Louis started showing some signs of thyroid disease and one of his levels was at the low end of normal and my vet put him on Chinese Herbs that made his levels get normal again! By maintaining and treating slightly high or low functioning systems, I hope it will keep them healthier for the long haul.

My dog's holistic lifestyle inspired my own changes and together, we three are healthy as larks!:p

I am getting involved,I plan to be at the next Buckeye dog auction and just pray that I don't end up in jail! I really hate to admit it,but the truth is I have been ignorant to the whole puppymill thing and never heard of a dog auction in my life! I have had her at 2 vets and neither one seen it! It's all just so frustrating,I can only imagine what she went threw,my neice didn't get her untill she was 5 months old! I just talked to her and she said the lady had her meet her at her moms house because her house was "out in the country and hard to find"!!! Thats a major red flag!! I hope Ella is doing good,there is something majorly wrong with the people that run these things! They all need shut down!!!!!!!!

Your right"the cheap comes out expensive" !! I pray this is it,but with what I have read,it looks like we may have a road ahead of us! I can understand how people can't afford it,vet bills are outrageous! There is no such thing as a "free" puppy!

Good for you! :thumbup:

I am a big believer in the power of one. I try to educate everyone about puppy mills and they in turn educate more people. If enough people are aware of puppy mills and stop buying from them (pet stores), these places will go away. When there is no demand, the supply stops.

The Humane Society of the US is trying to stop Ohio puppymills. Maybe you can get involved.

Campaigns

I have been reading everything I can about puppymills and looked at the videos on you tube! Boy oh boy are my eyes open now! I couldn't take seeing those poor babies suffer! My 9 yr old daughter and 10yr old son have already began writing letters! Goes to show you are never too young or to old to try to make a difference!

Thats wonderful, you really can make a difference and you are already making a difference for Chloe. Ella Bean is doing great, but she was SO SICK. It made me sick, thinking of what they must have done to her, she was about four months when the puppy mill got raided. AND breeding for a dog so small? she is full grown at 2 lbs. I know teenie dogs happen, but to BREED for that is SICK and TWISTED.

She has started making little noises in her sleep - she finally sleeps deep enough to have REM sleep!! And she just started rolling over and requesting belly rubs, LOL. Every day she makes more progress.

Your kids are awesome. Keep that spirit alive! You CAN make a difference. I am a writer and I use my tools to spread the word...Supporting these puppymills and buying from petshops and brokers is supporting an industry that perpetuates cruelty. Its SO hard to resist that puppy in the window...Its a double edged sword because the puppies deserve loving homes...What to do??? Contact your local Animal Services unit and report unsanitary conditions in any pet store you see and get involved! We can make a difference and we MUST speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Please let us know whats happening with Chloe. She is so lucky to have you as a Momma! As for the cost, if its really prohibitive, I am certain there should be some assistance programs...or maybe you can get Pet Insurance?? I don't know...But I am sure we can find out! I'll be thinking of you and Chloe. I know she will be ok...:)

Thank you guys you have been tremendous support:)Just what I was in need of!!! I felt terrible after watching those videos on you tube.My kids were watching them with me and we were all crying! It got to be too much for my little girl so we turned them off! So Sick! I want to share with you the letter my daughter wrote: Listen puppy mill people..I saw your nasty videos ! I saw huge piles of dead dogs and a dog howling because his friend was laying beside him dead! And I also seen the dogs in the trash cans,that is so mean! Do you people know how to feed ,water and take care of your dogs??I saw on the video that you only have tiny bowls to feed those poor dogs,do you eat that little? You have so many people complaining right now everyone knows who you are! Why would you want these puppies to die? Me and my family are watching you and we will shut you down! I love dogs and every animal and we will get you all! I am writing president Obama too he will help us!--Caitlin I just thought that was great of her! She is my little "fight for what you believe in" girl! :thumbup::thumbup:I always tell her the world is hers and its up to her to make it what she wants it to be one step at a time. Again thank you ,,,and I will let you know how things go and keep you posted

Go Caitlin!!!

Hooray for Caitlin!

This is an excellent video about puppy mills. It was featured on Dateline and is narrated by the actress Charlize Theron.

PETA TV:Charlize Theron's Puppy Mill Investigation

I am so sorry that you are having to go through this, but thank God your niece was responsible enough to find a loving home in the family for Chloe.

You know, with the recent "uproar" on YorkieTalk about several of us being "mean," this revitalizes my passion to educate others about puppy mills, purchasing from a reputable breeder and leaving petstores along.

Thank you, PrincessChloe, I am sorry you and your family have to go through this, but thank your for re-inspiring me. :bravo:

Awww Amanda you are so sweet! I was alittle hesitant about posting but I figured whatever anyone has to say,I need to hear. I was and still am grateful for all the help.I was frozen in my tracks to find out Chloe was from a puppymill but it explains alot now.It really shed the light on me and inspired me to do whatever it takes to help.My kids learned alot too,they are so eager to help those poor puppies.It also showed me how much I need to learn!Chloe goes to the vet @ 5 today,,wish us luck,,,I just pray their wrong.But Im ready to deal with whatever she needs!

What a great video, a sad video,but educational. Thank you

I just wanted to udate the post:::Chloe went to the vet and the specialist came into see her.He was checking her out and said its not the knee,its just because she's holding that leg up from surgery and has it kinda stiff! YEAH!!!!!!!!She doesn't need surgery!!! I am so over the moon happy!!! We are putting a castlike thing on her good leg,so she uses her bad leg and so far it's working!

:bravo:

What wonderful news!!!!!!!

YAYYYY!

I am so happy! As a previous poster and I briefly discussed, a holistic diet and preventative care can go a long way with these pups...it may be worth looking into...