Before we get started on this blog post, we'll once again set up the stage. If you go read our About Us description, you'll see right up front and center that we've admitted from the very start to be ambassadors for rescue and adoption. That's because - as you know - and as you've helped us celebrate our new lives - we were both puppy mill breeders in our earlier lives. We know, first hand, how horrible the conditions were. Our rescuers know, first hand, what miserable physical and emotional shape were were in when we were rescued. Our furever family knows, first hand, what it's like for us to begin to recover from those first years.
We don't want to make people uncomfortable. Or maybe we do. If it causes someone to come to action - whether by adopting, themselves, or encouraging adoption with their friends - then it's worth it. (We are thrilled to say that we've already influenced one family - Susan and Timo and company - to adopt Teddy, a 2 year old miniature schnauzer who had been recently rescued. They've got quite the story of their own to tell, but we'll save it for them. We're hoping they join Dogs With Blogs in the near future!)
Anyhow, we've linked to three videos in this post. Three videos that, if you choose to watch some or all of them, will probably change your lives. The first is a very very difficult video to watch, but, if you can bear it, it holds some very important information. You won't go away from it untouched. We're pretty sure you won't go away from it dry-eyed. The conditions that are described and shown are similar to the ones that Fergi endured for eight years. The second video is one that was taken by a rescue cam, worn by one of the Humane Society rescuers, showing what the rescuer sees as they take the dogs away from a life of misery. The third video shows the events of Ohio, Arkansas and Kansas dog auctions. That's where Jake was first rescued - at a dog auction in Missouri, after the mill where he had lived "unloaded" him to be sold - probably destined for yet another mill. Or worse. If there is anything worse.
We promise this will be the only time we put up videos that are this disturbing. We may let everyone know when there has been another puppy mill bust - in hopes of touching someone who might be able to help. But this will be the only post that hits the subject this intensely. We didn't know any other way to do it, and still meet our mission of informing those whom we meet.
And now for the GOOD NEWS! Here's another promise: We've got some celebrations coming up! Fergi's (supposed) ninth birthday is this Saturday, April 18. And, as best as we can tell (from her records), she was rescued from the mill one year ago on April 23rd. We call it Busting Out Day! (Her actual adoption day was in August, after Mom and Nina returned to town with Jake, after a prolonged vacation. They had fostered her for a couple of weeks in May - but she stayed with PJ for the summer, beginning the healing process with her support.) Fergi's Adoption Day will most definitely be celebrated in the late summer. Oh! And Jake's 4th birthday is on May 26! So see, there WILL be some happy celebrations to report :) We aren't going to be all about doom and gloom. How can we? We are two happy wire fox terriers with happy new lives and wonderful new friends and family. Life is Good! Really really good!
