![]() ![]() “The dogs are so forgiving and so resilient, and it is breathtaking to see a puppy mill survivor start to overcome those challenges once his or her new life begins,” says Elizabeth. ![]() They’re usually not interested in balls or toys, but watching Leeda play bow with Rambler makes me so happy,” she says. “It’s sad to think that puppy mill dogs don’t know how to play. The two meet often for play dates and seeing Leeda’s tiny tail helicopter when she sees Rambler is one of Dawn’s favorite sights. ![]() One of Leeda’s best friends is Rambler, a German shepherd previously fostered by Dawn. “For puppy mill dogs, having other dogs around really helps them,” says Dawn. She loves going for car rides and meeting other dogs. When Dawn moved her crate into another room to be near a new foster dog, Leeda would still go back to the old spot to lay down. “Leeda is a creature of habit she likes her crate, so she happily goes in it when she needs solitude or when I need to leave the house,” says Dawn. “If you want to get physically close to pet her, you can’t look her in the eye,” says Dawn. Shy dog making great progressĮven now after four years together, Leeda is still quite shy. With Savannah by her side, Leeda was gaining confidence. ![]() It seemed like she’d be a good fit for their family.ĭuring their drive home to Wisconsin, Leeda already started learning the ropes from Savannah - like how to secure a comfy spot on the bed. After introductions, they decided to take the plunge and make Leeda their own. “Dogs rescued from puppy mills have some deep issues because they never learned how to be dogs,” says Dawn.Īfter contacting the adoptions staff at Best Friends, Dawn drove out with Savannah and her husband to meet Leeda. Dawn would have to carry Savannah from room to room like a stuffed animal. It was Savannah, a Shetland sheepdog saved from a puppy mill, who introduced her to what it would take to rehabilitate such a survivor. For many years, Dawn fostered dogs for herding breed rescue groups. Her brown eyes twinkled at all the new smells and sounds.ĭawn Armstrong was exploring the Best Friends website when a photo of Leeda caught her eye. Things like grass, children and cars were all new to this dog, who had spent seven years in confinement. The staff worked with Leeda to help overcome shyness and socialize her to life outside the kennel. Leeda, an Australian shepherd rescued from a puppy mill, found safety at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. These dogs often require special care, but the commitment is worth it. As demand for puppies from commercial kennels diminishes, the need for new adoptive homes for the rescued adult dogs increases. “It requires a lot of patience and understanding because, sadly, these dogs have no reason to trust anyone.”īest Friends is on the front lines of helping stop puppy mills by addressing the consumer side of the industry - working with communities to pass legislation banning for-profit pet sales and replacing puppy mill dogs with those rescued from local shelters. “Adopting a dog that has spent most of his or her life in a puppy mill comes with a lot of challenges, but also a lot of rewards,” says Elizabeth Oreck, national manager of Best Friends’ puppy mill initiatives. Challenges, rewards of adopting former mill dog Adopting a puppy mill rescue dog can be a great and fulfilling experience for the both the adopter and the adopted pet. ![]()
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