Puppy Mill Rescues Have Special Needs

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We've all done it: Fallen in love with a picture and a story, without really understanding what comes with that. Here's a great article about what's involved in adopting a puppy mill survivor and their special needs:

http://nodogaboutit.wordpress.com/2014/11/24/adopting-maggie-you-ne...

Adopting Maggie - You need to understand what is involved

Thanks, Karen, for posting this on fb. Nancy

[jenn D]

Great article! We can relate. Thx for posting.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And thanks for sharing it here, Nancy. :)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

My heart breaks for Maggie and all the other puppies and dogs that come from these dreadful places. The saddest thing of all is that we let these places continue to be businesses. Thank you for sharing and thank you to all the people who help these dogs.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Thanks for posting Nancy and Karen.  It makes me sad when I meet someone who is obviously disappointed because their dog isn't responding the way they expected.  On the flip side, it strains my patience, when someone lectures me that everyone should rescue.  God bless the people who understand and help these dogs because I think you are truly the dog whisperers :)

BTW on the same subject, I just finished a novel called The Mountaintop School for Dogs and Other Second Chances by Ellen Cooney.  It took me a bit to get into it…but I really liked it. You guys might like it too.     

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Anyone who lectures that "everyone should rescue" doesn't understand rescue, lol. If that were true, DRC and other reputable rescue groups wouldn't have such stringent adoption policies. 

"Everyone should" obtain their companion animals from reputable sources, whether that be legitimate rescue groups, legitimate rehomes, or responsible and reputable breeders. IMO, the only "wrong" way to go would be to support puppy mills and/or those who breed dogs irresponsibly.

And thanks for the recommendation. 

[jenn D]

Completely agree, Karen. There are many people who would be decent pet owners but would struggle with baggage from some of these rescues. And also, someone might be able to handle certain types of behavioral traits and rescue issues but not others. For example, I can handle certain rescues. I can deal with submissiveness and shyness in a dog- I get fear with passivity. I do not have the skills to handle an aggressive rescue or the issues that come with those ones. I would be a terrible owner for those dogs. It's just not in my make up. But it is for some people.
I do think some people feel they should get "saint status" when they adopt. And they like to lecture others on the morality of rescuing. I could go on and on about that one....

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Great article that we can so relate to. Our rescue, Lacey has the same challenges with doors and people; even people she knows.  Lacey has been with us for 3 years and we still have to leave the kitchen (backyard door) and sit down in another room before she will come in from the backyard.  She is still not comfortable around standing people but if you sit quietly or are lying in bed she wants to snuggle and give kisses.  When we take her to the vet, groomer or when she runs with me she is always double leashed because she will always be a flight risk.  We love her greatly and I think she loves us as much as she is able.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Not a doubt in my mind, Nina.