Honey Doodle's Story

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

I had wanted another Doodle because I wanted another dog in my life and I have always had two dogs at a time! When I purchased Hannah I had wanted to breed her, but I was not able to because she came down with Entropion. I did right by having her spayed and her eyes fixed at the age of 7 to 8 months, although the kennel owner at Almost Heaven Kennels would of breed her for me, and the Entropion could have been passed to her pups, as was done to her. I had heard all the "BAD" things about Almost Heaven Kennels, and did not want to believe it. The night they raided Almost Heaven, Oct. 1, I had gone out to the kennel to see if any Doodles needed fostering. The strong smell of urine and feeces would knock you off your feet, and could smell that for miles away. I have never been to a kennel that smelled that bad. Once before I had been to the kennel and it was not that bad outside, but inside was a different story. On Jan. 13th I had called Skip at now T.A.S. kennels to see if he would do a breeding contract with me for a Female Red Doodle, about 8 to 12wks. old. I had wanted to know first hand if all the "BAD" things people were saying about the kennel were true, or now T.A.S. kennels would be better and the dogs. I had known a few other people who got doodles from Skip and didn't think he really would or could abuse a dog. Some people have to learn things on their own, and I really try to give everyone the benifit of the doubt. So I go down for this pup, and when I got there the stench outside was as bad as it was the night of the raid, nothing changed. Skip was not there, and I had to deal with this woman by the name of April "W" whom I did not know. She carries this wet puppy out and sets her on the floor, and she was not a 8 to 12wk. old pup. This poor dog was cowering on the floor and peed right where she put her. The pup never made an attempt to move. April told me that the pup lived in a crate for the 6 months she was there. I told her to dry her off and I would decide if I was taking her, as this was not the pup I wanted. April told me this was the only pup she would do a breeding contract with. At this point I was in tears, wondering what to do? This pup looked at me as to say, "Please do not leave me here!" After April walked in the back with her, I just filed out the paper work and wanted to get out of there. I didn't even really read the agreement, I just felt so bad for this pup. I did question why it was now T.A.S. kennels on Almost Heaven paper work and was told everything was being transfered over to T.A.S.. Once home the next day I had to take her to my groomer and have her bathed twice and cut to get the stench out of her fur. I clipped poop out of her fur the night before and she was suppose to have had a bath when I picked her up. For the next three weeks all she did was scratch herself and wake me up scratching and crying. I had to carry her everywhere, she would not walk on a leash, she would not go to anyone. When I would go to pick her up to take her out or with me in the house, she would go to bite my hand. At first I thought she just itched from the bathing she had and being clean for the first time in her life, than I thought it was allergies. On Jan. 28th there was a posting in our local newspaper from a person who identified themselves as Doodles. They said they adopted a labradoodle from Skippy and their Vet told them the dog had Sarcoptic Mange, Scabieis, ear mites and a list of other problems. The exact same things Honey was suffering with I was reading in the paper about another doodle that was adopted from Almost Heaven in October before the raid. I took her to my Vet and it was confirmed possible Sarcoptic mange, scabieis, ear mites, and she had to be put on Revolution 2xs a month, normal dosage is 1x a month. She did not have her rabies shot, which should have been given at 3 months of age, and because of her current situation she could not get it till this was cleared up. I also was bitten up by these bugs and had to be treated by my doctor. For the last three months of this pup's life it's been one of getting better, learning and trying to be the pup she was deprived of being, and trying to be trained, but mostly trying to teach her "Not all humans are abusive a******* like Skip!" I'm sorry but it really needs to be said. Everytime I take her somewhere and she is so affarid to let others touch her and play with her, it breaks my heart. To see her cower from children, it makes me wonder what did they do to you for you to act this way. I never would of thought this Kennel was this way, not in a million years. I went by word of mouth and seeing some beautiful dogs come from this kennel, only to wind up with an abused pup. Sad to say but what we thought was a great Doodle kennel turned out to be Almost Hell! I am so glad I have Honey, my little shreky shreeder and love her dearly, I just pray that no other doodles suffer at the hands of this kennel. On Friday I did appear in court, and there were other charges against Almost Heaven as well as T.A.S. kennels. T.A.S. kennel was found not to have a kennel license and operating without a kennel license. Charges against Almost Heaven are going to court, and there is always the appeal process. As always your thoughts and comments are greatly appericated....

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Denise, Governor Rendell could have very easily ordered Skip's operation "shut down" on numerous occasions.....Are you getting my drift?....The corruption in Pennylvania goes all the way up the chain of command....FYI-a conviction would only serve to put Skip out of business in PA ONLY.....There is nothing stopping him from relocating to another state and starting all over again....It is known in certain "circles" that Skip often boasts that the authorities will never stop him from doing business......

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Yes I know what you are saying, so what do you suggest to stop this once and for all. Don't think my suggestions would be acceptable....

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Call Bill White of The Morning Call

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

More bad news about a dog from Almost Hell kennels, my brothers dog Taco, a purebreed Doberman which Skip was not suppose to be able to breed, but goes to different kennel clubs other than AKC so he can get around it all, passed away this morning. This Dog was just turning 2 years old. Our hearts are now completly broken. I hope Skip Eckhart rots in Hell and that would be to good for him. No matter how my brother tried to stop this dog from eating everything it shouldn't have, he did. He cost my brother over 7,000.00, from two other surgeries he had, that the Vet did this last surgery for free to try and save his life, because he knew how my brother loved this dog and took care of him. My brother spent over 80.00 a month alone on special canned diet food from the Vet, along with Hamburger and Rice to feed him, so he wouldnt have intestinal problems. We have always been a devoted family that loves our animals and takes good care of them. I strongly urge everyone on this site to write to Gov. Rendell in Pa. and get this over with once and for all....Shut Almost Heaven (HELL) DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

http://www.governor.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/governor...

This link will take you to Governor Rendell's site, click on contact and light a fire under RENDELL'S BUTT so NO OTHER DOG DIES FROM ALMOST HEAVEN KENNELS.
SHUT SKIP ECKHART DOWN...

[Michele Barton]

I don't live in Pennsyvlania (so he probably doesn't give a crap), but for what it's worth, I sent Governor Rendell a message. Thanks for the providing the link, Denise!

[Brenda Hetzel]

Denise, my email has been sent and I just want everyone to know that if you follow Denise's link above, it is a very easy process to email the governor and it doesn't take much of your time to do so. The more letters the better!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I also don't live in Pennsylvania, but I sent the governor an e-mail.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I also emailed Govenor Rawlins. I hope that someone listens.

[Michele Barton]

Denise, perhaps you can ask Adina if she can post a link to this discussion so that it pops up for everyone to see, like the link that pops up to update doodle daddy Jess's story. Just a thought, to get more people to write the governor. I would do it, but I think it might be considered "rude", since it's your discussion.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Hi Michele,
I do not think it would be rude for you to ask Adina to post a link to the governor's office in PA for all to contact him requesting he shut down Almost Heaven Kennels and other puppy mills in the state of PA. I think we all need to take part in this, one way or the other to insure the well being of our future doodle population, and put an end to the pain and suffering these dogs endure at the hands of careless breeding, greedy money making A**** who don't give a Poop about the dogs they breed, just their pockets and how fat they can get. I am not implying or saying these kennels are represented in anyway on DK. I find the information and friends I have made here on DK are the best in the world. My brothers dog is not a Doodle, but a Doberman, he still came from the same abusive kennel Honey did. It will not take me a month to get over the horrible death of Taco, but years, I will never forget him, where he came from, and why he died at the young age of almost 2 years old. His death was senseless. If I can find out the exact court dates when Skippy and company will be in court, I will be there everyday as a reminder of the pain and suffering these dogs endured. I won't give up till this is put to an end.