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....

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Denise, You know we know your heart. Jacquie and I have been through this also and send big hugs across the miles to you and to Honey. Honey, Blake and Ginger made it out and made it to loving homes. The sad one's are those left behind. I pray the day comes soon when Skip and Almost Heaven are shut down for good. - Lynne

[Michele Barton]

Oh, God bless you for saving poor Honey! It blows my mind that people who obviously don't care at all about dogs choose to get into the business of breeding them. I don't know what the punishment is for running a puppy mill, but I'm sure it isn't even close to what it should be. Good for you for standing up to them!!!!! And God bless all you loving, responsible breeders out there!

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

The sad reality is this.....This man is a multi-millionaire thanks to his "business"....It is the LARGEST commercial breeding facility in the state of Pennsylvania....At one time he had over 800 dogs on this property.....It is alleged that he has people in high postions in local and state government, law enforcement and inspectors with the USDA and The Pennsylvania Dept of Agriculture on his payroll......He has been banned by the AKC FOR LIFE....This is why he decided to go into the doodle breeding business....No AKC papers neccessary to get the big bucks.....

He has been "breeding" dogs in deplorable conditions since the 1980's in various locations throughout PA and under several different kennel names.....He has been in violation of Pennsylvania and Federal dog law multiple times....He did 3 years of jail time in the 1990's for starving 41 dogs to DEATH....Bill Smith at Mainline Animal Rescue along with the PSPCA and countless other individuals and organizations have been trying to shut him down for many years.....and yet still he is in business....Goverrnor Rendell who is well aware of Almost Heaven, who publicly pledges to stop the puppy mill atrocities in the state of Pennsylvania even going as far as writing a personal letter to Oprah Winfrey that was read aloud to the nation on her follow up puppy mill show has done NOTHING about this....


SEE THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE, PHOTOS, VIDEOS AND LINKS REGARDING ALMOST HEAVEN KENNELS

http://doodlerescuecollective.ning.com/group/doodlerescueinthenews/...

http://doodlerescuecollective.ning.com/forum/topics/does-anyone-hav...

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

Well said Jacquie, these are all things Skip is so good at keeping from the public. When you go there he is the perfect con-man. When he can't, he gets others to do it for him. I was also threatened by Skip to have charges pressed against myself for testifying against them, since Honey was on a breeding contract, and my check did bounce...reason why, and main reason...Honey having the proper Vet care was more important than Skip and his greedy needs, I could of paid more to have a stop payment put on the check, but it cost less for me to let it bounce. They are claiming I stole the dog, but had a verbal agreement to pay for Honey when I could. I also have a written contract, which I still question if it is legal and valid. Skip and April were well aware of my disability and financial status before selling to me. Skip also wanted me to leave blank signed checks with him, and he would fill in the date and money amount, I didn't do this, Thank God. He could of wrote checks out for 1,000.00's. If he wants to press charges against me, so be it, I have my defense and its an honest one, one at this time I really dont want to post because of possible pending trials, but I do want others to know that there are people out here who are going through what you might be. Please come forward, we all want to work together and make our doodles the happiest, healthiest, loving dogs they deserve to be.
Also a huge Thank You Lynne and Jacquie, lots of hugs and doodle kisses from Honey and myself. My only draw back from all of this is, I could kick myself in the butt for possibly not taking her, and the first month always thinking why did I do this, what did I get myself into. But through the last 3 months of having Honey (Shreky shreeder) the bond we have formed for each other is Priceless....

[Debbie and Thomas]

Reading this makes me feel sick-I think you are a wonderful person. Most people would have walked away from taking a dog from these "MONSTERS", but I would have done the same thing. Something sent you to get Honey, and you saved her from the cruelty she was enduring. BRAVO!! I know nothing about puppy mills-but I am learning fast from reading yours and other posts how horrific this is. Our dogs are lucky to have us-but thinking about all of the others makes me sad and angry. Thanks, Denise

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Wouldn't it be wonderful, if this guy and his "staff' got shut in the cages instead of the dogs. Too bad we don't have some doodle commandos to fulfill my dream.

[Deena Womack]

It is just good that you saved Honey from these horrid conditions. I don't understand how any human being can be so cruel to these animals, it is unfortunate, but thankfully there are people out there opening up their homes and hearts to give these dogs love and attention.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

These people should be shot! I hate hearing and seeing stuff like this! Some humans are so rotten!!! Honey is so so blessed that you came along! You are her angel! These awful puppy millers should be locked in a cage, starved, never bathed and given scabies, fleas and everything else so they can see how it feels to the poor dogs!

[Betsy D.]

Oh, Denise... you are such a blessing. The difficult times you are enduring right now and look at you. In court because of the puppy mill! You are amazing!!! Honey was meant to be yours for some reason!!! She may be teaching you about strength or patience or something else, but the two of you, along with Hannah, are supposed to be together. You are there for them and they are there for you. Betsy

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

UPDATE- MAY 3RD,2009

Almost Heaven Kennel Operator Bound Over for Trial; Worker Found Guilty of Violating Pennsylvania Dog Law

http://doodlerescuecollective.ning.com/group/doodlerescueinthenews/...

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

Sorry but this just keeps breaking my heart knowing there are other dogs there suffering like Honey did. Always remember even though they have been found guilty of these charges, (Skip and April), they still have the appeal process. There are attorneys that are with the Department of Agriculture working to shut down this kennel and stop this suffering. It seems so slow, but I pray in the end, justice will prevail. I to wish I could lock Skip, Brian Smith, April "W" Patti Fontana, and all who done this to these animals in a cage and let them live the way they treated these dogs. Sad to say it seems like the justice in American government takes forever to accomplish, even with hardcore criminals. I won't give up fighting for these dogs, any dog, they all are in my heart, they all deserve to be loved and cared for in forever homes.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Skip and others like him will get what's coming to them...if not in this life than in the next.