As I sit on the couch surrounded by 7 dogs, I realize that 5 of them come from puppy mills. Most people arent aware of puppy mills, places that view dogs as disposable property, not a living breathing thing. There are some very good backyard breeders out there that produce quality puppies who are socialized and genetically healthy, and care about what home they are going into. I applaud those people. As for the others... well, lets just say I am appalled. God gave man dominion over the animals, and like the rest of His creation, we are to be good stewards. Dealing with puppy mill dogs is simply heart breaking. They have not been treated kindly by humans. The only time they are touched is not pleasant, if they are touched at all. They come here with so many problems that can be avoided. Blindness and deafness due to poor genetics. Seizures. Teeth rotted so badly their jawbone is dissolving from infection. Skin infections that wont heal for months. Eye infections that have permanently blinded them. Worms so bad it has permanently damaged their intestinal tract and liver. Kennel cough that returns time after time. Ear infections. Inability to walk properly from so many years living confined and on wire floors. Toenails curved and grown into their foot pads. Reproductive infections. Mammary tumors. Starvation. The list is endless. But most heart breaking of all is their mental status. They are afraid and confused. They have never touched grass. They are afraid of open spaces and shake in fear when you take them to the yard. They quiver and duck when you try to pet them. They growl at you or attempt to bite when you lift your hand to gently stroke their head. They hide under furniture and run into the crate to hide when you open the door. Terror of strangers. Shaking and crying on a car ride. Instant fear when you turn on the TV. The collar and leash look like instruments of torture. Eating their own feces so their space is kept clean. Guarding their food as if its the last morsel they will ever have to eat. Sleeping on the bare floor because they dont know what the blanket is for. Circling and circling and circling... because they dont know anything else. Chewing their own paws raw out of nervousness. Thinking a toy ball is something you are going to hit them with. When you see these things first hand, you understand the video. You understand why rescuers do what they do. You understand how hard it is not just for the dogs, but for the people who attempt to help and rehabilitate them. Five of the dogs sitting next to me came from these circumstances. Five have lived this. Five that are saved from further harm. Five that will live a good life to chase rabbits in the yard, lay under a blanket, and learn to walk properly. Five who have learned human touch can be kind, life is not all fear, and grass is good. Five who never have to look back. If you can help a rescue organization, please do. Dont buy puppies from big chain stores that support this kind of inhumane treatment. Adopt. Spread the information. Teach your children to be good stewards of Gods creation. Do what you can to teach mercy and kindness and compassion for all life. Logans friends are counting on you. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. Psalm 50:11 youtube/watch?v=oWVkV6mZ3rw&sns=fb
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 14:50:20 +0000