Important Info For All Doodle Lovers-Roadside Puppy Stands?!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/17057676?mtf=1

(Discussion updated with the full story by DRC President Jacquie Yorke)

Last week, DRC rescue partner Elizabeth Gunn of Gunn Dogs took in a 3 month old Goldendoodle puppy surrendered by it's owners for what they were calling "behavioral issues." The puppy Smokey was bought from a "breeder" selling pups out of a truck in the parking lot of the local McDonald's in Greenbrier, Arkansas.

Smokey would not allow the family to touch him, hold him and when they would try, he would cry out run away  bumping into objects as he would try to hide from them. They said he had seizures (their vet said it was due to "low blood sugar) and that he was "crazy" and "way too much work"  He had UTD shot records (given to the family by the "breeder") So Elizabeth took the pup knowing that our two organizations would be able to assess him properly and get him the proper care and rehabilitation and whatever else this poor boy needed to be happy and healthy.

The  moment he arrived he had a seizure. He was immediately taken to the vet where he had another seizure. The vet came to the conclusion that Smokey had Epilepsy which would certainly account for his apparent behavior and he was placed on anti -seizure medication and sent home.

Smokey stopped seizing briefly but still cried out, ran away bumping into objects trying to hide.  Elizabeth and I came to the conclusion that the puppy was suffering from blindness and neurological issues not associated with Epilepsy. We thought perhaps he had been abused, kicked in the head or struck with a blunt object and that head trauma was the reason for his symptoms and seizures.  

Elizabeth and I also suddenly realized that despite his young age,his neurological symptoms and  the blindness were also indicative of advanced Distemper. We were horrified by the thought  but had to act immediately. So Smokey was rushed back to vet and the vet was told of Elizabeth's observations and our thoughts on diagnosis.

X-Ray and other tests  showed no sign of head trauma or internal bleeding and the vet agreed as we had suspected that Smokey was indeed blind. Bloodwork and other tests did reveal our worst nightmare. Poor Smokey did indeed have advanced Distemper which due to his young age could only have been so advanced if he had contracted it from his mother while in-utero.

We are sad to announce that Smokey lost his battle with Distemper this morning, and has gone to the Rainbow Bridge.

Obviously Smokey's shot records were falsified, and/or this puppy miller has Distemper in his/her kennels. The sickening part is, this breeder was trying to sell several different breeds of puppies at this roadside truck  stand. A ll of the puppies were there displayed outside.....in crates......in the 110 degree heat .  

All of them probably have Distemper.

There are likely dozens of broken-hearted families out there as we write, who purchased puppies from this roadside stand and this disreputable puppy mill "breeder" ...

Smokey belonged to a 14 year old girl before he was surrendered to us. Her father has not yet told her of his death.

Smokey  was just an innocent  baby - He was 8 weeks old when he was purchased - The untreated distemper resulted in his blindness, his seizures and the excruciating pain he must have been feeling this past month. 

To DRC & Gunn Dogs the thought of this is just too horrible and too much for us to bear.

We are cooperating with state law enforcement, the Arkansas State Department of Agriculture and HSUS to  find out who this puppy miller is and shut them down!

If anyone is in Arkansas and has any information that may help, please let us know.

 

 

(PS: Karen here.  I had thought I might take this little black guy myself, had he lived. Rest in peace, Smokey.)

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

RIP Smokey ...... So incredibly sad. Even being from Ohio, the puppy mill capital if not close to it, I had never seen this road side selling until back in April we were in Alabama and I saw it there. Just made me sick.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Believe it or not, the acknowledged puppy mill capital of the U.S. is Missouri, which of course is very close to Arkansas.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Speaking of Ohio and the Amish puppy mills, here is a very in-depth article about that situation that will interest anyone who would like to understand more about the who, why, and how of this despicable industry:
Ohio Amish Puppy Mill Article

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Poor, poor Smoky. At least he is no longer suffering. I hope Gunn Dog and DRC find the dispicable "breeder".

[BG and Gavin]

So very sad. Hopefully the people responsible for creating such suffering get what's coming to them!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Amen. From your mouth to His ear.

[April Cliber]

Poor, poor baby! I will never understand how people can be so cold hearted! I hope you find this "breeder" and shut him down. My heart aches for the mom of this pup. She must be living in hell.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks for reminding us about the mother, April. People rarely stop to think about what the mothers of these "bargain" puppies are living through.

[April Cliber]

I always think about the mom's. Mom's are my babies. As much as I adore the pups, they are only mine for eight weeks. The mom's require so much TLC to live a long, happy, healthy life.

I've seen mom's trying to nurse and care for a litter of pups in a small crate that's in a filthy, hot garage. It left a permanent (sick) image in my mind. Mama's truly love their babies, are so attentive and want to care for them the same way human moms do. (Sometimes better then human moms do..) Can you imagine being given your newborn baby and told you had to live in a small, hot box with very little food and water. How much frustration would you feel for being denied the tools to properly care for your child? Dog moms feel frustration too! Just last night a three week old pup managed to climb out of the whelping box in the middle of the night. (It was safe, just separated from the litter.) Mom came, woke me up and wouldn't let me sleep until I went to go help her baby. Sorry to digress.... My point is that these mom's depend on humans, the same humans who chose to make them a mom! The very least they can do is give them descent vet care, housing and nourishment! It just makes my blood boil! Off my soap box...for now.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good speech though. And what good moms you have!

[Kyoko]

Poor baby.....RIP Smokey...

[Camilla and Darwin]

This is completely heartbreaking. It is truly frustrating to know that people will do things like this. It is beyond me how they can look at themselves in the mirror and not feel disgusted by what they see.

I am so sad for Smokey and so many other puppies like him!