My 9th Barkday

Who have guessed that after sitting in a puppymill 9 years ago that I would have the most wonderful barkday today. I was rescued from the puppymill when I was 1year old. I gave birth to 6 puppies at 13 months old. And I was adopted at 18 months old and I have been happy ever since.
Now today....Mom put on my pretty flirty collar and off we went. First she took me to Wendy's and I got a junior cheeseburger. It was suppose to be plain, but it wasn't so Mom quickly took off the onions. Yummy was it ever good...well all except the one part with the pickle. Mom took off the pickle and then I ate the rest of it. Next we went to McDonald's where Mom got me an ice cream cone. I wasn't sure about it so Mom took a taste first and then I ate the rest...all of it!!!!!! Next we went for a ride and I got to sit on Mom's left leg and watch her drive.
When we got close to home, Mom decided to go to the park. Was I ever excited...woohoooooooo...smells!!!!!! We walked around the park's small zoo. I'm not sure if I liked some of those animals. But it was fun...just Mom and me.
Now I'm going to take a nap....who knows what else MOm has in store for me.
I love this life....much better!!!!!!!

Arrrroooooooooooo,
Princess

To all rescuers!!!!!!!!

I want to quit!*
My health is bad. There are days I feel so terrible that I can barely move. My phone bills are outrageous, and I could have replaced my van with the funds I have spent these last 30 years---on animals that were not my own.

*I want to quit!*
I spend hours and hours emailing about dogs. There may be 500 messages when I start--and at 4 AM, when I finally shut down the computer, there are still 500 emails to be read.

*I want to quit!*
Gosh, I haven't the time left to email my friends. I can't remember the last book I read, and I gave up my subscription to my local newspaper---I used to enjoy reading it, cover to cover, but now it often ends up in the bottom of the squirrel's cage---unread.

*I want to quit!*
I've spent days emailing what seems like everyone---trying to find a foster home, help for a dog languishing in a shelter---but his time has run out, and the shelter has had to euthanize to make room for the next sad soul.

*I want to quit!*
I swear, I walk away from my computer to stretch my legs---let the dogs out---and come back to find another dog in desperate need. There are times I really dread checking my email. How will I find the funds, the help, to save yet another dog?

*I want to quit!*
I save one dog, and two more take its place. Now an owner who doesn't
want his dog---it won't stay in his unfenced yard. An intact male wanders... This bitch got pregnant by a stray... This 3-month-old pup killed baby chicks... The dog got too big... This person's moving and needs to give up his pet. I ask you, friends---what town, what city, what state doesn't allow you to own a pet?

*I want to quit!*
I just received another picture, another sad soul with tormented eyes that peer out of a malnourished body. I hear whimpering in my sleep, have nightmares for days...

*I want to quit!*
I just got off the phone. "Are you Pyr Rescue? We want to adopt a male to breed to our female." How many times do I have to explain? I have tried to explain about genetics, about health and pedigrees. I explain that rescue NEUTERS! I usually end up sobbing, as I explain about the vast numbers of animals dying in shelters across the country, as I describe the condition many of these animals are found in. I wonder if they really heard me...

*I want to quit!*
It is not like I don't have enough rescues of my own to worry about---but others have placed dogs improperly and aren't there to advise the new owners.

*I want to quit!*
I have trusted the wrong people--- had faith and heart broken...

*I want to quit! AND THEN...*
My dog, lays his head in my lap, he comforts me with his gentle presence---and the thought of his cousins suffering stirs my heart.

*I want to quit! AND THEN...*
One of those 500 emails is from an adopter. They are thanking me for the most wonderful dog on earth---they cannot imagine life with out their friend---their life is changed, and they are so grateful.

*I want to quit! AND THEN...*
One of my adopted Rescues has visited a nursing home. A patient that has spent the last few years unable to communicate, not connecting---Lifts his hand to pat the huge head in his lap, softly speaks his first words in ages--- to this gentle furchild.

*I want to quit! AND THEN...*
A Good Samaritan has found and vetted a lost baby, "I can't keep him, but I'll take care of him until you find his forever home."

*I want to quit! AND THEN...*
"Jamie took his first steps holding on to our Pyr."
"Joan, you should see this dog nursing this hurt kitten!"
“I was so sick, and this dog never left my side..."

*I want to quit! AND THEN...*
I get an email from a fellow rescuer, "Haven't heard from you in a while---you OK? You know I think of you..."


*AND THEN... *
A dozen rescuers step up to help, to transport, to pull, and to offer encouragement. I have friends I have never seen, but we share tears, joys, and everything in between. I am not alone. I am blessed with family of the heart, my fellow Rescuers.

Just days ago it was a friend who shared her wit and wisdom, whose late night email lifted my heart. Sometimes it is friends who only have time to forward you a smile. Often, it is my friends who forward me the notices of dogs in need.

There are Rescuers who see a flailing transport and do everything they can do find folks to pull it together for you. Rescuers who'll overnight or foster your dog while you seek transport. There are Rescuers not used to or comfortable with your breed, but who put aside their discomfort to help. There are Rescuers whose words play the music of our hearts. Foster homes that love your Rescue, and help to make them whole again---body and spirit. Foster homes that fit your baby in, though it may not be their breed. Rescuers whose talents and determination give us tools to help us. Rescuers we call on for help in a thousand ways, who answer us, who hear our pleas. Rescuers who are our
family, our strength, our comrades in battle.

I know I cannot save every dog in need. I know my efforts are a mere drop in a sea. I know that if I take on just one more---those I have will suffer.

*I want to quit! But I won't. *
When I feel overwhelmed, I'll stroke my dogs head while reading my fellow Rescuers emails. I'll cry with them, I'll laugh with them---and they will help me find the strength to go on.

*I want to quit! But not today.*
There's another email, another dog needing Rescue.

This piece is dedicated, with love and gratitude, to all my fellow Rescuers.

The author is unknown

The Ten Commandments of Dog Ownership

(Author unknown)

I
My life is likely to last ten to fifteen years.
Any separation from you will be painful for me.
Remember that before you aquire me.
II
Give me time to understand what you want from me.
III
Place your trust in me.
Remember that before you aquire me.
IV
Don't be angry at me for long and don't lock me up as punishment.
You have your work, your friends, and your entertainment.
I ONLY HAVE YOU!
V
Talk to me sometimes.
Even if I don't understand your words.
I understand your voice when it is speaking to me.
Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget.
VI
Remember before you hit me that I have teeth than can easily crush the bones in your hand,
but I choose NOT TO BITE YOU.
VII
Before you scold me for being uncooperative,
obstinate, or lazy,
ask yourself if something might be bothering me.
Perhaps I don't understand what you ask of me or perhaps I am not feeling well,
not getting the right food,
been out in the sun too long,
or my heart is getting old and weak.
VIII
Take care of me when I get old,
you too will grow old.
IX
Go with me on difficult journeys.
Never say "I can't bear to watch" or "let it happen in my absence".
EVERYTHING IS EASIER IF YOU ARE THERE.
X
REMEMBER I LOVE YOU!

Give a Shelter Dog a HOME!!!!!!

A Rescue Dog's Christmas Poem

Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town,
every shelter is full - we are lost, but not found,
Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare,
we hope every minute that someone will care,
They'll come to adopt us and give us the call,
"Come here, Max and Sparkie - come fetch your new ball!!

But now we sit here and think of the days...
we were treated so fondly - we had cute, baby ways,
Once we were little, then we grew and we grew
now we're no longer young and we're no longer new.
So out the back door we were thrown like the trash,
they reacted so quickly - why were they so rash?
We "jump on the children:, "don't come when they call",
we "bark when they leave us", climb over the wall.

We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed,
now we suffer the consequence of the errors THEY made.
If only they'd trained us, if only we knew...
we'd have done what they asked us and worshiped them, too.
We were left in the backyard, or worse -let to roam-
now we're tired and lonely and out of a home.
They dropped us off here and they kissed us good-bye...
"Maybe someone else will give you a try."

So now here we are, all confused and alone...
in a shelter with others who long for a home.
The kind workers come through with a meal and a pat,
with so many to care for, they can't stay to chat,
They move to the next kennel, giving each of us cheer...
we know that they wonder how long we'll be here.
We lay down to sleep and sweet dreams fill our heads...
of a home filled with love and our own cozy beds.
Then we wake to see sad eyes, brimming with tears -
our friends filled with emptiness, worry, and fear.

If you can't adopt us and there's no room at the Inn -
could you help with the bills and fill our food bin?
We count on your kindness each day of the year -
can you give more than hope to everyone here?
Please make a donation to pay for the heat...
and help get us something special to eat.
The shelter that cares for us wants us to live,
and more of us will, if more people will give.

--Author Unknown

CHRISTMAS TAG **
I'M IT I'VE BEEN TAGED CHRISTMAS STYLE BY MY BOYFRIEND,CAPTAIN MORGAN

HERE' WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO. YOU POST FIVE THINGS YOU WANT FROM SANTA PAWS TO BRING YOU ,AND THAN POST THE NAMES OF FIVE PUPS YOU ARE TAGGING .THEN YOU GIVE EACH OF THOSE FIVE PUPS BONES .
SO IT'S 5/5/5

I WANT SANTA PAW TO BRING TO ME


1. TO MEET MY CAPTAIN MORGAN

2. FOR THE SNOW TO SLOW DOWN SOME AND GIVE US SUNSHINE

3. TREATS AND MORE TREATS

4. LOTS OF SQUEAKY TOYS TO KILL THE SQUEAKIES IN

5. FOR ALL MY PUP PALS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR

***NOW THESE ARE THE FIVE FRIENDS I'M TAGGIN***

1. MAX

2. BUG Z

3. DANCER

4. WALLY

5. BAILEY

LAST YEAR'S CHRISTMAS PRESENT!!!!!

Last Years Christmas Present


Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
With no thought of the dog outside filling their head.
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Knew he was cold, but didn't care about that.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Figuring the dog was free and into the trash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of midday to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But Santa Claus - his eyes full of tears.
He unchained the dog, once so lively and quick,
Last years Christmas present, now thin and sick.
More rapid than eagles he called the dog's name.
And the dog ran to him, despite all his pain;

"Now, DASHER! Now, DANCER! Now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! On CUPID! On, DONNER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Let's find this dog a home where he'll be loved by all"
I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year,
For Santa Claus had made one thing quite clear,
The gift of a dog is not just for the season,
We had gotten the pup for all the wrong reasons.
In our haste to think of giving the kids a gift
There was one important thing that we missed.
A dog should be family, and cared for the same
You don't give a gift, then put it on a chain.
And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight,
"You weren't given a gift! You were given a life!"
—Author Unknown

My Rescue Angel's Story and How she saved me....

This is my story on how I was rescued from a puppymill. I will forever be grateful to Kim and her heart of gold and Westie Rescue of Missouri!!!!!
And now I am so happy in my furever home.
So please read my story............Hugs,
Princess


Did You Ever Wonder Where Your Dog REALLY Came From???? I DID!!!!!!

by Kim W., our own "Rescue Angel"

I had one Westie, Mattie, and I really wanted another Westie so a friend of mine was reading the paper scanning for a Westie to be a companion for my little Westie, Mattie. She found one listed in the paper needing a good home right away. She jumped on it and got him that night. This was a gift from her and a big surprise to me. Along with him came all the usual paper work, shots etc. and the so-called Breeder that he came from. The little Westie's name was Louie and he was a week away from his one year Birthday. Mattie was 6 months, so the age was perfect.
I’m a very curious person by nature and always wondered where exactly Louie came from originally. I dug out his file and noticed that he had come from a place 7 minutes from my house. I was shocked!!! I noticed the handwriting to be very shaky and hard to read. So I figured that he must have came from an elderly couple that wanted to breed maybe one time and that was it.
So I got my neighbor and we went for a ride. We found the house with no problem. I thought "what a nice house". He sold Christmas trees and antiques. We didn’t stop. We were just out joy riding. Then we found the house in which he was adopted from. Now you would have thought my curiosity would have been satisfied right? Nope…I had a nagging inside of me to call "B" who's name and address was on Louie’s registered papers… So Called registered papers.
A fall and winter passed since driving by and still I couldn’t quit going on about wanting to call this man. I wanted to know if they still had the mother or father, so one day this past April I picked up the phone and gave "B" a call. Now, let me tell you, I was expecting a sweet man to tell me all about how much they loved their Westie or Westies and decided to breed him or her.
This was not the case. I was in SHOCK when I got off the phone. I called my Mom and neighbor because I had to talk to someone. They both asked me what was wrong as they could hear in my voice that I was nearly sick. I told them about my conversation with "B". This man told me that if I were to come over I needed to realize that these dogs were not like normal indoor loving house pets.
"B" said he kept them out back "like you would cattle, pigs or sheep". I needed to understand that if I came over that "they are in wire cages and in small runs". "B" told me he only owned 5. This I found out later was not true.
I played along. I asked him if he ever let them play or get exercise. He said "NO". I asked "B" lots of questions about when he had puppies coming. I played like I was interested only in that.
My next move was to gather all the information I could get on "B". That following week I called him when I was in the area. My friend and I had planned on stopping. So, we called on the car phone. "B" made an excuse that he was just getting ready to leave the house and that we couldn’t come by. So, we drove around and waited for him to leave.
When "B" did leave, we drove up the neighbor's drive next to "B"s house to see if I could see anything…NO LUCK…. But, "B" had a side driveway that led to the back of the property where you would go to purchase your Christmas tree.
To my horror there were the Westies . . . all jumping up and down for someone to please greet or save them. I couldn’t do anything but had to leave. I wanted to get out of the car but my friend said "No"; that we were trespassing. There were llamas walking all around the cages.
At this time we were having some chain link fencing installed and the man that was doing it lived 3 doors down from this man and had even dated his daughter -- so I got the full scoop on him.
Now, mind you, everyone lives on 10 acres so my fence guy knew "B" had Westies but didn’t know where. My fence guy said when he was having dinner at their house "B" would give the so called "puppy money" to his spoiled daughter that owned a Westie too. (In fact, she has it groomed were my dogs go. And all my groomers are rescue people. I don’t know how she could allow her father to do this. If it were my father he would be turned into the authorities. Okay back to the story…) so I had good information on what kind of a man I'm going to be dealing with... A greedy man!!! (He even asked my fence guy, when he was dating his daughter, if "B" could put cages in my fence guy's barn. "No" was the answer to that. This was 5 years prior to all of this.)
Back to the rescue…I had to look up a place to take the dogs on my computer. I had to get my ducks in a row. I found Westie Rescue of Missouri. I kept it in my computer in favorite places. I hadn’t spoke to anyone either, because I didn’t know at the time where this was going to go -- if anywhere. I was glad there was a Westie rescue so close - 1 hour away to freedom for these kids.
My whole week was restless nights and hardly any sleep. I thought of the weather they had endured this past winter and the hot summers. I knew summer was coming again and the conditions were horrible. I didn’t know how these poor dogs could survive.
So I made my move after praying a lot that week. It was Good Friday!!!! I got my neighbor and we went unannounced. I drove right in like I owned the place. . Knocked on the door. . . and there was this gorgeous Westie. His daughter's. "B" and his wife were watching the Westie while the daughter was out of town.
I made very small polite conversation with the wife and she said "B" was in the field somewhere… Well "somewhere" didn’t deter me!
So, off we went and I drove right up as close as I could get to the Westies. My heart broke all over with urgency to get them out.
"B" drove up on a lawn mower.. . HUGE man . . ."B" told me he had suffered 3 heart attacks and had bad knees. He was so humble (shamed) I about fell over. "B" acted like a child that just got caught.
I thought he was going to give me the fight of his life. He knew he had been caught and was thinking he was going to be in legal trouble.
I talked to him about how wrong it was to treat the dogs this way. (I was so nice it scared even me.) "B" started telling me he was going to give it another year and then get out. I said it was time now! "B" then told me I could take Minnie right then and there. Her teats were so swollen he said that she is worthless. They were as big as my thumb and black. They looked huge and awful. (We later found out that this condition was an allergic reaction from nursing puppies.)
I asked if there was anyone else he would part right now with, as I was pointing to the different dogs, he said "NO". I told "B" I would be back tomorrow to pick Minnie up at 1:00, as I didn’t have a crate in the car. But the real reason was I didn’t know what I was going to do.
I went home and got on the web and pulled up Westie Rescue of Missouri's webpage. NO PHONE NUMBER. . .GEEZ! what am I going to do? I made tons of calls. People were calling me from out of state to help. My groomer got the word out and man did it fly. I emailed an emergency email to Westie Rescue and pointed out that they had no phone number on their website. (They have fixed that now!) Westie Rescue got me online right away and responded to me and I called one of their people. She said, "Bring them. Whatever you can get." So I hopped in the car, got my neighbor, and went right back. Only 2 hours had lapsed. We passed a man as I turned on the road. He had a Westie in the car. We both looked at each other. Was this to weird or what?
I went to the door and "B" came to the door. He didn’t want to meet me again out back and said he just getting ready to leave. I heard his wife in the background say "you have time". So "B" met me out back. I talked him out of 2 more Westies, so we left with 3. (Mac, Minnie and Cassie). I asked about the Westie we had just seen in that car. He said he let a male go. To who I don’t know. But they must have had a stud service thing going on.
I was thrilled to have 3 but not thrilled enough. THE SMELL!!!! You can’t believe the smell. And the dogs had enough hair on them to make a rug . . . it was matted tight. They have never been groomed and never been on the ground. Their paws were fanned out from being on wire. Their collars were WIRED on their necks and the twisted wire sticking up. We had to use wire cutters to get the collars off.
The dogs were frozen stiff and scared. They were so terrified. ("B" put one in a carrier grabbing it by its legs and throwing it on his noisy lawnmower to bring to my car.) We had to drive with the windows down on the way to the foster home. The smell was indescribable.
I was exhilarated to have them in my car, but I knew my mission wasn’t over. We got home late and I had to disinfect everything my shoes. . . my car. . .the crates. I stripped all my clothes off. I couldn’t take the chance of my Westies getting anything. (It was so weird, they seemed to know what I was doing. Louie seemed to recognize the smell, he went wild when I got home. . .noses in the air and sniffing my car.)
I couldn’t sleep. I prayed to God to please help me!!! I woke up - like a shot went thru me - at 2 am and God gave me plan #2. We went over that next day at 1:00 because "B" said he would be home because that was when I was originally suppose to come back and get Minnie.
Believe me there was NO greeting from "B"s wife this time! She was in the yard walking around with this gorgeous Westie - while the others were in total suffering. She totally ignored us. They have some kid mowing the lawn. He was shooting us looks. I just waved and smiled. He went driving the mower as fast as he could to find "B", and here "B" came on a tractor. "B" stopped and shut it off. I said, "B, I have a deal for you". He said "what’s that". I told him I would give him a check for the unborn puppies that were to be born soon if I could have all the dogs today. He agreed.
And . . .with his greediness . . . he told me the puppy in the cage would be another $400. (Well, I wasn’t leaving her behind!) She was 6 months old. And then "B" said 2 of the others might be pregnant too. I told him I’d let him know on those two when they get vet care. (Talk about greedy). He wasn’t getting another dime out of me! The minute we loaded those dogs in my car "B" was history. I told him I would be checking on him too. And I have.
In the process of getting the dogs out I had to drive my SUV thru a gate that gave me 1 inch clearance on each side. We drove thru dead catfish and mud and then thru another gate. I didn’t care if I wrecked my car -- the Westies were getting out!!!! My car could be fixed.
I had my car prepared full of carriers. We got them all. (Zoey, Chloe, PRINCESS, Molly and Gracie). AND TALK ABOUT SMELL. (The old man told me to watch out for the llama as it was going to spit on me. I thought to myself that llama better look out for me cause I was in no mood for anything to get in my way. I would have taken on the whole herd. NO kidding…) We got everyone loaded; momma Zoey was last she was terrified and trying to hide. This was a time I had to shove back all feelings until we got all the dogs out of there. "B" was being mean about getting them out.. . pulling and grabbing at their necks, legs and sides.
We drove to the WR foster mom. She had everything ready and waiting for us. If it hadn’t been for Westie Rescue this would not have been the success that it has been. They were completely prepared for what needed to be done. After the foster mom got them cleaned up and shaven, the dogs were so underfed you could see every bone and joint in their bodies.
The one pregnant Momma, Zoey, lost all her 7 babies. She had nothing to give -- not even milk. To our joy 2 others were pregnant. The second momma, PRINCESS, lost 3 of her 6 puppies, and the last Momma, Chloe, had 6 puppies and lost 1. Chloe had more time to try to catch up, weight-wise, than the first 2 mommies.


All credit goes to the Lord. He played a HUGE hand in putting it all together and in the timing. Had I done this last year, well Westie Rescue wasn’t set up yet. There is so much in the timing that I can’t tell you how God worked this miracle. If there ever was a tiny doubt in my mind about the things God can do. There never will be again. God is great and good. I pray every night that he sends lightning to this man’s house in the area in which the dogs were kept I would feel better if it were totally destroyed!!!

I went back a month later thru a cow pasture feed lot. Praise the Lord, no dogs to be seen. So I think "B" will keep his promise because (1) he has bad health and (2) his wife doesn’t want him doing this anymore.

I asked "B" what he fed the dogs. He said "I feed them the best". Well, "B" must have been the one eating their food because he was well over 300 pounds and the dogs were starved. "B" asked me my religion in the process of me doing all of this, he also asked me for my card. I said I had none. It was just me. He hugged me. I think it was out of relief that he wasn’t going to be prosecuted.

If you're asking yourself "how could she hug that man?", I want you to know I would have done ANYTHING and I mean ANYTHING to get those dogs out!!!!!! They were all that mattered. "B"s time will come.

So please . . .to help us stop these puppy millers. . . Don’t even consider buying from a pet store or a puppy miller. Research and be smart about making your next decision on were your going to get your next dog. There are Shelters and Rescue groups for every breed, another great resource to consider in your area. I have seen so many great dogs that come from Shelters and many others that are still in there waiting for great homes and their time is very short.Be smart on picking your next pet. There are some really great Breeders out there too.

Sincerely,
A very lucky Westie Mom….

Editor's Note: Gracie and Molly have been placed in Kentucky. Mac was placed in Tennessee. Minnie was placed in Alabama. Cassie was placed in Kansas. Zoey stayed here in Missouri.

Princess has found a home in Ft.Dodge,Iowa and one of her pups has found a home in California, the other two found a home together and now live in Nebraska.. Chloe and all of here babies were adopted.

We are forever grateful to Kim for her hard work that made this rescue possible. She is truly a "Rescue Angel"!

I've Been Love Tagged

1) Tag 3 friends

2) Tell your friends to check out your diary for directions on how to play the game.

3) Then write in your entry a reason why you tagged each of your three pup friends.

My tagged friends
1. Nola....a super great and caring friend!

2. Captain Morgan....my special guy, be still my heart :o)

3 Furby....one of my very first friends on WU.

Stop Puppy Mills

TIME
Curbing the Puppy Trade
Dog lovers are divided over new efforts to ensure that all breeders treat their pooches humanely
By ANITA HAMILTON
With its narrow, winding roads dotted with horse-drawn buggies and signs for homemade quilts, candles, jams and jellies, Pennsylvania's Amish country in Lancaster County attracts millions of tourists each year. But giant billboards along a main highway call attention to a less appealing local industry. "WELCOME TO LANCASTER ... HOME TO 100'S OF PUPPY MILLS," reads one sign. It was paid for by Last Chance for Animals, a national animal-advocacy organization that opposes commercial breeding facilities where hundreds of puppies are raised in cramped metal cages without proper food, veterinary care and often even fresh air.
Activists estimate that 200,000 puppies are bred and sold each year in Lancaster County. The public's fascination with new designer dogs like the puggle (a cross between a pug and beagle) as well as the ease of buying a dog on websites like nextdaypets.com has only increased demand. And with that has come a backlash, especially in states like Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri, where there is a high concentration of breeders. There, and even at the national level, a movement is under way to ensure that the U.S.'s most popular house pets, many of which are purchased during the holiday season, are raised in humane conditions. "No pet store will tell you that its puppies come from a puppy mill," says Ed Sayres, president of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, "but these animals are commercially exploited to generate the highest amount of profit at the lowest possible cost."
The exact number of puppy mills is not known, since offenders often fail to register their operations with the government, as required by law. But hundreds of violations are reported each year. The horrific conditions found in some mills can cause health and behavioral defects ranging from genetic problems caused by overbreeding, such as hip dysplasia, to overaggressive play. "In order for a dog to be a normal dog, it needs to stay with its mother and littermates for a good eight to 10 weeks," says Carol Araneo-Mayer, co-founder of Adopt-A-Pet, a rescue group in Freehold, N.J. She says many puppies are separated and even sold long before they learn how to play with other animals and not to be afraid of people. Also, health problems can pile up. In May, Lancaster County residents Raymond and Joyce Stoltzfus agreed to pay some $50,000 to reimburse 171 customers who claimed the puppies they bought from the couple suffered from pneumonia, heart defects and kidney failure.
Animal-rights advocates contend that commercially bred dogs can be spared much of their misery with just the most basic improvements. "Do they have to be confined to cages 24 hours a day, bred with no limit on the number of litters and no required socialization with other dogs or with humans?" asks Josette Aramini, cofounder of the new United Against Puppy Mills group in Lancaster. The organization has worked to shutter large-scale breeders by petitioning local zoning boards to deny them permits.
But breeders say such efforts unfairly tarnish those who do treat their dogs well. Ken Brandt, a lobbyist for the Pennsylvania Professional Pet Breeders Association, complains that the activists won't be satisfied until all large breeders are shut down. "If we built the biggest kennel in the world, with carpet on the floor and a fireplace for the dogs, animal-rights people would say, 'Can't you make it bigger?'"
Such arguments don't persuade U.S. Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania. Santorum, who has a German shepherd named Schatzie, has long advocated stricter animal-care laws, which regulate the basic food, shelter and air quality that wholesalers must provide for animals. He says his state's dubious distinction as the "Puppy-Mill Capital of the East" is part of what motivates him to press for change. In May, he introduced the federal Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS), which would require anyone who sells more than 25 dogs a year to comply with the same inspections as large-scale wholesalers, who are regulated by the Animal Welfare Act. Inspectors measure the size of kennels or cages and make sure the living conditions are safe, clean and climate-controlled. Under PAWS, violators could face suspensions for as much as 60 days instead of the current 21-day maximum.
Even though Santorum has widespread support for PAWS among groups like the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Humane Society, there is a rift in the vast community of dog fanciers. Some believe that even midsize dog-breeding operations need regulation, and others are worried that those breeders, who pride themselves on the quality of the dogs they raise, often in their homes, would be put out of business.
That division over PAWS is especially obvious inside the American Kennel Club (A.K.C.), which registers nearly a million purebred dogs each year. The organization officially supports the bill, but many of its member clubs do not. Sam McDonald, an A.K.C. member in Chester Springs, Pa., says he thinks the legislation is fair because "if someone has more than 25 dogs, then there needs to be someone checking out what is going on."
But Margaret Crothers, an A.K.C. member in neighboring Lancaster, who raises Labrador retrievers, says the extra paperwork and inspections would be a nuisance for the "good breeders who are very conscientious." She argues that existing puppy lemon laws in 17 states, which require sellers to refund buyers of diseased dogs, along with local anticruelty statutes, provide enough protection.
Of course, there is another way to scale down puppy mills: cut back on the demand for the dogs grown in them. Adopting dogs from local shelters--a quarter of which are purebreds--would save some of the estimated 3 million dogs that are euthanized each year, and could result in a happy outcome for all involved.
BUYER BEWARE Here's how to make sure that your new puppy is happy and healthy
SHOP AT A SHELTER Local shelters frequently have purebred dogs, like this rescued miniature pinscher, left, and ensure that all animals have had their shots and were checked by a veterinarian.
DON'T BUY ONLINE It's smart to research the type of dog you want on the Web (at a site like akc.org) But to guarantee that you're getting the pet you expect, always visit the seller directly.
CHECK THE PEDIGREE Since temperament can be inherited, ask to meet your puppy's mother and father to see what they are like. A good breeder will guarantee your purchase for life.

Blankets for Babies (shelter furbabies) Needs Your Help!!!

If you know how to make any kind of blankets, we need you!

"As many of you know, Blankets for Babies is a wonderful group that makes blankets for shelter furbabies with no home of their own. There are so many things we can do to help them fulfill that mission of bringing some tangible love to dogs and cats waiting for homes."

There is more of a demand for blankets then there is people making them. And don’t be scared when I say make blankets. If you don’t have a sewing machine, or much time to do them. You can always do TIE BLANKETS,(links for instructions down below) they are so easy. I do them while I am relaxing at night watching TV.

Go to the group for blanket examples, we are always looking for more members as well:
http://www.dogster.com/group/Blankets_for_babies-5676

And if you can’t do either, (which everyone can do tie blankets they are that easy). You can help raise money for supplies for the other members to make them, and shipping.
Here are some other ways you can help out, besides makeing blankets.

1. You can collect EMPTY SODA BOTTLES, they send you 4 boxes and they hold 70 bottles each. Each bottle gets $.05 a bottle, $0.06 with no label on it. It does seem like much but it adds up, that and you are helping the environment! Go here to sign up: http://www.terracycle.net/bb/signup.htm

2. You can save your OLD CELL PHONES and INK CARTAGES and send them in to this link. And they will give money for them to the group. http://www.fundingfactory.com/programs/recycling/supporter_i nfo.aspx %20?beneficiary_id=103070 (Pawmail Dixie for Referal Code.)

3. We are COLLECTING THINGS to SELL on EBay. You just send pictures to Dixie’s mom, and she will put it up on EBay. And send you the money to send it out. Email Tara for more information. (Email address found on website.)

4. You could BUY SOME of the THINGS OFF EBay we are selling, and your money will be going to the group, and you will be getting something out of it. Go here to view things for sell: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZblanketsfo rbabies2 007. (If there is anything now, there will be soon.)

5. You can GET a PORTRAIT by Statia for a minimum donation of $15. Email Tara for more information. (Email address found on website.)

6. And also we could always use MATIRIAL DONATIONS, to make the blankets.

7. Blankets for Babies also has a CafePress site. http://www.cafepress.com/b4b07

8. And there are many more ways you can help out, and if you have any suggestions we whould love to hear them!

All this can also be found on the Blankets for Babies website: http://www.theblanketsforbabies.com/

Also new to the group, we are having a different Themed Photo Contest every month. Junes Photo contest theme is Toys!

There is also a THEMED CALENDER CONTEST & Rainbow Bridge Calender Contest. And the Calendar will be available at the end of the year for next year.

And coming soon is a Newsletter with:
1. Recipe of the month
2. Tip of the month
3. Shelter of the month
4. Sponsor pup/kitty of the month
5. Member of the month
6. Quote of the month
7. Book review of the month

AND MUCH MORE!

It is also called a No Sew blanket, she doesn't it have a Sewing Machine, and can't knit. So she makes these, there are many other ways to make blankets though.

Well here are some instructions, with some pictures of Tie Blankets:

http://www.allkindsofbabystuff.com/no_sew_fleece_blanket s.html

http://www.allkindsofbabystuff.com/no_sew_fleece_blanket _pictures. html

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/67400/how_to_ma ke_a _no_sew_fleece_blanket.html



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