Sadie's Story

[LG & Sadie]

Sadie's story begins with a very naive Canine Mom. After my partner and I decided a Goldendoodle was the breed that most fit us....I began looking online. A non-existent woman named Debbie responded very quickly to a post I had written which basically said I was in Connecticut and wanting to buy (bad word to use) a Goldendoodle puppy. Knowing myself, I knew I would fall in love quickly and once in love...my decisions might be skewed...so, I asked the questions I knew to ask-but in retrospect I was uneducated on puppy mills and the horror that was out there in the lives of innocent animals. This was a horrible and rude awakening.

So as not to create undo stress, my Sadie is well and happy... but not without her share of daily challenges. So, over the course of a week or two my partner and I decide we want to see the two doodle pups this woman who said she was a breeder had. In another not great twist; I pretty much profiled this woman since the address she gave was one in West Hartford CT I assumed good things-not a racial profile but rather a fiscal one. I didn't check the address she gave us beforehand or do any of the things a wise person might do. We headed off to West Hartford blindly believing in this person.

We pass this place that looks like an actual Pet Store several times turning around at least twice to check the number etc. We end up pulling in, and I go in and it's not a good place but ask at the counter if a breeder named Debbie works at this store. I am glad I didn't turn and run, but, if I had good sense I most likely would have. A man asked what dog I was there to see....I was confused....but answered then went out to the car to get my partner. Oh my were these two puppies sick. The male was sickest, and I would have "purchased" him too if I had had the money, and his story has an awful ending. There was no way I would leave this place without at least one of the Doodle puppies, so the stoic girl who was equally as unwell came out with us after we gave a Puppy Mill in MN a little over 1K, I have shame about it. I was a bad, bad Canine Mom.

With Sadie in my arms we drive while calling the Vet.....stopping first at home to get what can only been described as loom top soil off of her in the tub....her ears were packed with dirt as well and it was obvious she couldn't hear well. 6 hours later I was signing a form for Sadie to undergo surgery and having her pulled from my arms to go into surgery I was thinking, "How can I live without her?". A day earlier I didn't know her, and now I am thinking I just have to have her in my life. Her sweet precious soul is just amazing! This first surgery was to suction both lungs she had a most likely deadly bilateral bacterial pneumonia the culture later showed it was ecoli bacteria in her lungs. The shortened version of how this happened is that she was transported in a truck of manure in early March from MN to CT (she would have been about 5 weeks old)

Sadie survived the surgery, but was still in a lot of trouble, she had a high fever, several rib fractures as well as a left front leg fracture and, her ears needed serious under anesthesia care. She had ghiarrdia as well as a lesion on her uterus that would require she be spayed earlier than the age of 6 months. She had quite a road ahead of her. Her amazing spirit prevailed, and she has triumphed! She is now a fairly healthy three year old with a well managed seizure disorder, and some moderate anxiety-hypervigilance issues. She has some great relationships in her life both canine and human, and I would call her a happy girl. My friends and family lovingly call her my 6 million dollar baby. And, they are not all that far off. But, there isn't a thing I wouldn't do for Sadie.

For rescue folks curious....I initially tried to contact the owner of the storefront operation....and, you would not believe the rude arrogant horrid person I encountered....but, had he been polite maybe I would have had poor follow thru on reporting him. I involved the State of CT and was truly impressed by the results! A Dog Officer was at Sadie's Vet routinely getting documentation of her ongoing health issues, the store was fined on a bunch of charges including knowingly having sick animals in the general store population, selling a sick animal, misrepresentation of age of an animal, and the biggest charges were for violations of State statutes of animal care, improper disposal of Sadie's brother-litermate, animal cruelty etc. I learned from my experience, and have educated myself as to how to go about buying a puppy, finding a reputable breeder etc. and how to become involved in animal rescue. I wish for Sadie's sake that such horrors never happened on this earth, but recognize that they do. Sadie is a treasure-who endured what none of God's creatures should ever have for her first 4 months of life. I intend to make sure all of her remaining time on earth is spent in the arms of unconditional love and respect.

[Lisa Van Dyke]

Thank you SO much for posting this!!! I volunteer for PAWED (People for Animal Welfare in El Dorado County) and it is nice to see that when someone realizes they have purchased from a puppy mill that not only did it they report it, something was done about it. Unfortunately, many places do not have the ability to enforce or prosecute these people due to so many budget cuts. Thank you for educating people with your own experience.

[Bob and Sharon]

I just read your story on Sadie. As I sit here at the computer with tears in my eyes, I can only imagine what
Sadie, you and your partner went through. God Bless you for saving Sadie. I just know that she will bring you
many, many happy years.

[Linda and "Toby"]

Oh my gosh, your story breaks my heart - it also fills me with joy to know that you and your partner came to her rescue - just in time - and SAVED her!!!!! She will remember your kindness for the rest of her life!!!!

[Lorraine Bromley]

Wow, you mention fines, but did they get shut down. Did the owner open up under another name what follow up do you know. Can you share the name of the owners and what the name of the place was.

[Native New Yorker]

Thank you for sharing. There's a place in heaven for you and I won't mention the place that awaits that @%$#&*(+# storefront owner. Can't these people be sued? Sadie is gorgeous and you're both lucky to have each other.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Heartfelt thanks for saving Sadie AND for following up to report the pet store. Sadie is one lucky dog to have been rescued by you and your partner. Your story is a great education about puppy mills. Tell it as often as you can. We wouldn't think of not sending money to children in poverty, ill, no education, etc in hopes that people would stop having children they cannot care for properly. Education is the only answer and your story is genuine, caring and a great education tool. Maybe you could get your local paper to run it with a photo of Sadie now.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you for sharing Sadie's story. It is so heartbreaking. I can see why you couldn't leave her at that store. I understand your guilt for supporting the store and the puppy mill. I applaud you for doing something about it.

[Carolyn Robbin]

That reminds me of a basset hound that I adopted years ago that was a puppy mill dog. He was nervous about everything...the sweetest boy...but I'd always say, he had a bad childhood! It was true. Our female basset was from a small family breeder and was always smiling....it does make a difference. They are really affected by that abuse, poor things.

[Michele, Biscuit & Mo]

Leane, Sadie is gorgeous and one lucky pup. I want to thank you for being so honest and sharing your story. When my husband fell in love with our Penny 5 years ago at a pet store (they still claim they don't take puppies from mills, but I'm not convinced), we had no idea of what went on in so many pet stores. We have learned so much since then, most from the DK site, and I'll always carry a tiny bit of guilt for helping support a pet store with my money. Never again. But Penny is the joy of our life... and I can see that Sadie is for you, as well!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

LGG--thanks so much for sharing this story. I needed this today. My 6 month old Starlit is from an Amish Puppy Mill. It is hard to believe the live-time effects puppy mills can have on such a small puppy. Even though she was only there 3 months we will share and live with issues for her life-time--with love and respect, like you, unconditionally :) <---- those words I am going to print today. Thanks

Thank goodness for the education we all receive from this site. There are so many of us who didn't know the difference between breeders and mills before we came here.