Introduction to HSO's Puppy Mill Rescue Page
IMPORTANT NEWS:
Calling all dog trainers: Help Save One is looking for experienced dog trainers in all different states to help assist us in a program we are trying to start. We would like to offer a training package to our adopters where we would subsidize a good portion of the first several sessions. We are focusing on tools we can provide our adopters to make the chance of adoption one of success. If you are interested in working with us please contact us directly at marissa@helpsaveone.org.
Calling all dog trainers: Help Save One is looking for experienced dog trainers in all different states to help assist us in a program we are trying to start. We would like to offer a training package to our adopters where we would subsidize a good portion of the first several sessions. We are focusing on tools we can provide our adopters to make the chance of adoption one of success. If you are interested in working with us please contact us directly at marissa@helpsaveone.org.
This section is dedicated as a place to learn about what a puppy mill is, why you should NEVER buy a puppy from a pet store and what to expect from your puppy mill dog.
As the President of Help Save One, I can tell you from personal experience that the fight against puppy mill's is near and dear to my heart. I am the owner of two puppy mill dogs. I have seen first hand the damage that is done to these dogs and how their lives are affected. This webpage is my project and it is important to me. I hope people come here to learn about the injustices our companion animals face everyday. Maybe they will adopt one of these rescues as well :)
Below are photos of my two precious puppy mill rescues. The Boston's name is Mikey. He came out of the puppy mill missing an eye. He loves to be around people and thinking of him in a cage with no human contact breaks my heart. Mikey is responsible for opening my eyes and he is the reason I started Help Save One. A month before I adopted Mikey I was looking in pet stores to buy a dog. That's how much he has changed my life and how much his adoption has taught me. Every dog Help Save One has ever rescued can be traced back to a one eyed Boston named Mikey.
The other dog is Reba, my blind elderly pug who has also impacted my life a great deal. She was in far worse condition mentally than Mikey was. Reba has learned over the course of the year I have had her that humans can be really nice. Despite her years of suffering my Reba does not have mean bone in her body. She is even learning to assert herself more. Just the other day she made it known that touching her wrinkles for fun is NOT permitted. She also has demanded rights to sleep in our bed every night. Should she feel tired and she has not yet been lifted on the bed you can be certain you will see two paws on the mattress and hear lots of barking until she is lifted up. Reba still does not like to cuddle but when she is in a deep sleep I get the pleasure of curling up next to her. She is one of the sweetest little old ladies I have ever come across.
For every mill dog we can get adopted it leaves a spot open for another dog like Mikey and Reba to be saved.
One of the most moving pieces I have read comes from Lisa, The president of an organization that we work with:
I am a Champion
From the day I first arrived
I am a Champion
I know the loving warmth of my Mother
She loves me
She keeps me warm
She makes sure that I am not hungry
Despite all odds She wants to keep me clean, safe, by her side
She is a Champion I know not that she is scared, unhealthy, depressed
She knows it wont be long before the man hands take me away
She will once again be left empty, lonely, broken
I know not this fear
She loves me
She is my Champion
Most days are the same with my Mothers love I can hear crying and desperation in the next box
My mother curls around me and my siblings
I am happy, she is gentle
She is my Champion
What is this it smells funny
I see a brightness within the darkness that I have known My Mother, her eyes
What is wrong?
She growls, pins herself as far away from the hands as possible
All the while we are scattering under her
My life as I have known Gone
A heavy hand flings me into a dark box by my leg
I try to see my Mom,
My Champion
No more
Me and my siblings will never see our Champion again
The hands come with a pan of food
Not enough for us all Something is not right
One of my sisters wont move
I tried to play with her
She smells different
Day after day I have to walk over her to eat
She was a Champion
I am cold, scared this is my life
I wait for food
Which comes less and less I feel a sharp pain
My leg has fallen through the wire
SnapI will limp forever I am a Champion
I am now 8 months old I am scarred
My belly grows I now have something to love
They need me
I love them
They are my Champions
My new little ones
Now 5 weeks old
The hands They come
I fight
I am hit with a club
I wake to loneliness, emptiness
My little Champions Gone
I am now 7 years old Look into my eyes You will see not a glimmer of light
In my eyes
You will not see hope, joy, love
That was ripped from me with each babe tore from my heart
My little Champions
The hands are coming for me
I smell fear, death, loneliness
You wont hear a sound from me
I know this day As I have always known it would come
Others have been taken with the hands and the gun
The smell of death is strong, overwhelming, sickening
I am 1 of 50 not needed any longer Although scarred I am lighter
Lighter then ever before
I know this Torture is over
I am a Champion
As the President of Help Save One, I can tell you from personal experience that the fight against puppy mill's is near and dear to my heart. I am the owner of two puppy mill dogs. I have seen first hand the damage that is done to these dogs and how their lives are affected. This webpage is my project and it is important to me. I hope people come here to learn about the injustices our companion animals face everyday. Maybe they will adopt one of these rescues as well :)
Below are photos of my two precious puppy mill rescues. The Boston's name is Mikey. He came out of the puppy mill missing an eye. He loves to be around people and thinking of him in a cage with no human contact breaks my heart. Mikey is responsible for opening my eyes and he is the reason I started Help Save One. A month before I adopted Mikey I was looking in pet stores to buy a dog. That's how much he has changed my life and how much his adoption has taught me. Every dog Help Save One has ever rescued can be traced back to a one eyed Boston named Mikey.
The other dog is Reba, my blind elderly pug who has also impacted my life a great deal. She was in far worse condition mentally than Mikey was. Reba has learned over the course of the year I have had her that humans can be really nice. Despite her years of suffering my Reba does not have mean bone in her body. She is even learning to assert herself more. Just the other day she made it known that touching her wrinkles for fun is NOT permitted. She also has demanded rights to sleep in our bed every night. Should she feel tired and she has not yet been lifted on the bed you can be certain you will see two paws on the mattress and hear lots of barking until she is lifted up. Reba still does not like to cuddle but when she is in a deep sleep I get the pleasure of curling up next to her. She is one of the sweetest little old ladies I have ever come across.
For every mill dog we can get adopted it leaves a spot open for another dog like Mikey and Reba to be saved.
One of the most moving pieces I have read comes from Lisa, The president of an organization that we work with:
I am a Champion
From the day I first arrived
I am a Champion
I know the loving warmth of my Mother
She loves me
She keeps me warm
She makes sure that I am not hungry
Despite all odds She wants to keep me clean, safe, by her side
She is a Champion I know not that she is scared, unhealthy, depressed
She knows it wont be long before the man hands take me away
She will once again be left empty, lonely, broken
I know not this fear
She loves me
She is my Champion
Most days are the same with my Mothers love I can hear crying and desperation in the next box
My mother curls around me and my siblings
I am happy, she is gentle
She is my Champion
What is this it smells funny
I see a brightness within the darkness that I have known My Mother, her eyes
What is wrong?
She growls, pins herself as far away from the hands as possible
All the while we are scattering under her
My life as I have known Gone
A heavy hand flings me into a dark box by my leg
I try to see my Mom,
My Champion
No more
Me and my siblings will never see our Champion again
The hands come with a pan of food
Not enough for us all Something is not right
One of my sisters wont move
I tried to play with her
She smells different
Day after day I have to walk over her to eat
She was a Champion
I am cold, scared this is my life
I wait for food
Which comes less and less I feel a sharp pain
My leg has fallen through the wire
SnapI will limp forever I am a Champion
I am now 8 months old I am scarred
My belly grows I now have something to love
They need me
I love them
They are my Champions
My new little ones
Now 5 weeks old
The hands They come
I fight
I am hit with a club
I wake to loneliness, emptiness
My little Champions Gone
I am now 7 years old Look into my eyes You will see not a glimmer of light
In my eyes
You will not see hope, joy, love
That was ripped from me with each babe tore from my heart
My little Champions
The hands are coming for me
I smell fear, death, loneliness
You wont hear a sound from me
I know this day As I have always known it would come
Others have been taken with the hands and the gun
The smell of death is strong, overwhelming, sickening
I am 1 of 50 not needed any longer Although scarred I am lighter
Lighter then ever before
I know this Torture is over
I am a Champion
Lassie, Cleo, Rin Tin Tin and Toto don’t show up in a Rescue shelter. We don’t get the elegantly coiffed, classically beautiful, completely trained, or perfectly behaved dog or cat. We get the leftovers. Animals that other people have incompetently bred, inadequately socialized, ineffectively “trained,” and badly treated.
Most Rescue dogs and cats have had it. They’ve been pushed from one lousy situation to another. They’ve never had proper veterinary care, kind and consistent training, or sufficient company. They’ve lived outside, in a crate, or in the basement. They’re scared, depressed and anxious. Some are angry. Some are sick. Some have given up.
But we are an Animal Rescue and we don’t give up.
We know that they are living beings, with a spirit, a heart and feelings. Our animals are not commodities, things, or garbage. They are part of sacred creation and they deserve as much love and care and respect as the next Westminster champion. So please, please don’t come to rescue a dog or cat in the hopes of getting a “bargain,” or indeed of “getting” anything. Come to rescue to give, to love, to save a life and to mend your own spirit. For Rescue will reward you in ways you never thought possible. We can promise you this — a rescue dog or cat will make you a better person.”
- Author Unknown
Most Rescue dogs and cats have had it. They’ve been pushed from one lousy situation to another. They’ve never had proper veterinary care, kind and consistent training, or sufficient company. They’ve lived outside, in a crate, or in the basement. They’re scared, depressed and anxious. Some are angry. Some are sick. Some have given up.
But we are an Animal Rescue and we don’t give up.
We know that they are living beings, with a spirit, a heart and feelings. Our animals are not commodities, things, or garbage. They are part of sacred creation and they deserve as much love and care and respect as the next Westminster champion. So please, please don’t come to rescue a dog or cat in the hopes of getting a “bargain,” or indeed of “getting” anything. Come to rescue to give, to love, to save a life and to mend your own spirit. For Rescue will reward you in ways you never thought possible. We can promise you this — a rescue dog or cat will make you a better person.”
- Author Unknown