September 8th-I got a phone call from a local breeder here in Phoenix. The only words that I remember are: "20ish dogs, can you get them tomorrow? I am losing my house"... Being a rescuer I kept thinking, "Am I enabling her by taking these dogs she has bred to death?"... At that point, I just visualized 20 bullys that needed me.
Keith, Michele, Kelly and I showed up at this lady's puppy mill. Behind 2 sets of coded gates was a house with trailers all over the property. I knew what was in those trailers. The "breeder" and her 2 adult children were there, along with a "worker" who whelps litters. Being in "survival mode", we made a list of all of the dogs, and had them bring each one out one by one so we can get them microchipped and give them a collar.
There were flies swarming the property and feces everywhere. Not to mention it was 108 degrees that day.
Each dog came out running fast, basically slithering on the ground like a snake, not knowing what may happen to them. There were a few that can't even walk. Puncture wounds on almost every one of them, missing eyes, skin issues, ticks, mange you name it. That is what was visible in the minute we got to spend with each one. Most of them hit the ground when you walk up to them, and urinate on themselves. Each female had c-section scars, and appeared to have just had a litter. One of the females they brought out was due to give birth any day.
She was laughing to us saying how she breeds each female to 3 different males, and AKC has been to her home. She said they swabbed for DNA and the DNA didn't match... All she had to due is pay a fine and notify the puppy buyers. She laughed when she said "I just told them AKC made a mistake and their dogs can't be registered." She found this very funny. She also told us many bulldoggers who have bred to her, and some who even co-breed with her still.
We got surrender forms on each one with no issue, and got outta there. We were to make another trip that evening because 4 of the dogs on the list were left behind since we didn't have enough car space. We got everyone dispersed between the 4 of us, and headed home to bathe and groom. At this point, I think we were all still in a state of shock, and the emotional trauma of this hasn't hit.
A volunteer went back that evening to get the remaining 4. No answer on the door, so she banged on windows and walked around back... She opened one of the gates, and opened the first trailer door. There were over 30 bulldogs staring back at her. 2 foot by 2 foot runs, made of cinder block, with built in puppy pens above each run for the puppies.
Cameras were everywhere, she panicked and left.
Animal Care and Control and the Sheriff's office were notified. They came to her home, and called me when they left. Every dog was in feces and urine, covered in ticks, BUT ALL HAD ACCESS TO A WATER DISH, and there was a open bag of food on the ground. NOTHING THEY CAN DO. The officer called me and my heart sank, knowing that I will never get those 4 dogs. They got the raw end of the deal. I thought I was doing the right thing by notifying the Sheriff's office, but that just backfired. We all like to think that Animal Control, Humane Society, AKC and the police can stop these people. WRONG. AKC gets the registration money for each dog. That's all they are: a registration company. Why does AKC continue to register puppy mill/pet store dogs? $$$$$$$$$$$$ Just because your dog has AKC papers does not mean he/she came from a happy place! Pet store puppies are usually bought from breeders just like this one!
Those poor 4 dogs that just happened to be at the bottom of that list. I lay down at night and that damn list just keeps popping in my head with those dog's names, Lulu, Scarlett, Bailey and Roxy. Not to mention the remaining 30 plus.
SO...Onto the dogs! I would like to officially introduce you to the newest members of rescue, and the absolute loves of our lives right now! Drumroll pleeeezzzeeee........
Picasso- 3 YO male who is missing an eye from an infection that never was treated. His eye is swollen completely shut. He doesn't breathe very well, he is awaiting his neuter and palate surgery. This boy melted my heart the minute he woddled over. :-)
Pebbles-now renamed by her foster home as Oreo. :-) Awaiting her spay and is extremeley nervous of everything. Can ya blame her?
Sammy- 2 YO female. Awaiting her spay, entropian and possible thyroid test. She is one of the most outgoing ones of the pack, and seems to have not lost her faith in all humans...
Snoozz- 5 YO female. Produced 4 litters for her breeder, then she got pyometria. She was spayed August 4th, and STILL had her stitches in! They were embedded in her skin! Severe dry eye, ticks and ear infection.
Petunia-renamed "Sarah" after her role model, Sarah Palin... Although they don't see eye to eye on hunting. :-P Sarah is 2 YO, cannot walk on a leash. She slithers like a snake on the ground urinating everywhere. This one needs work. Lots of work.
Penny- 2 YO female. Just got spayed and my vet said that her uterus was totally "used up." Bladder infection. She is very dog aggressive, but loves humans.
Pickle-I have renamed her April. 3 YO, 3 litters, severe ear infection. She is scared of any kind of noise, but is another one who I don't feel has lost all faith in humans... She is an absolute doll, and is welcome at my house for however long she wants! :-)
Nikki- 3 YO- CANNOT WALK. She is usually carried around by her foster mom. She does not have any sockets for her hips. The breeder said they have tried to get her pregnant and she didn't take. THANK GOD. Horrible skin infection, will be long term. Her spine is almost c-shaped...
BAM- 3 Yo male. Has sired MANY litters at her kennel. Very friendly, very sweet! LOVES the water, so a kiddie pool for him is a MUST in his new home! :-)
WATSON-now MACK! 3 YO male. Had a tumor removed on his side in MAY, AND STILL HAD STITCHES IN HIM! They are obviously infected, and he of course, has sired MANY litters.
TRINITY- 2 YO. Multiple breedings and never took... When she walks into a room, it's almost like she says "WOOOOOOO WOOOOOO, get outta my way...WHHHHEEEEE!!!!" Nervous energy to burn, scared out of her mind.
LEXIE- 2 YO female. Multiple litters. Her palate is so bad that she whistles through her mouth when she breathes. She had to be sedated just walking into the vet's office. How did she ever go through pregnancy? She is a fighter...
3 dogs rescued from the puppy mill have been adopted! (CONGRATULATIONS TO THEIR NEW OWNERS!)
AND: to the future luckiest person in the world, get your application to adopt in today!
We are taking this day by day, and spay by spay! To Keith, Michele and Kelly (the three people who picked up these dogs with me in 108 degrees) THANK YOU. You guys have a special place in heaven, and let's continue kickin' A$$ for these bulldogs!
To everyone else: The BCA Rescue Network and Board members, Jana Cordasco, Dr. Cindy and everyone at Alma School Animal Hospital for being patient and understanding with our craziness, Linda Noble for offering any kind of help, Jennifer Harcharik for offering to take a dog, Oscar Matus, Kelly Stevens, Kim and Paul Zavesky and Appleby Kennels... These dogs send you their greatest thanks in the world. And to everyone who has called and offered help, other bully rescues in our division including So Cal, Nor Cal and Las Vegas. THANK YOU. Our Phoenix Bulldog Meetup group too! Could I have possibly hand picked a kinder, more generous group who would help a bulldog in a minute? NOPE. THANK YOU. Even other all-breed rescues locally who have called to offer support, supplies, etc. And to everyone we have forgotten to thank for the calls, support, etc... The last week has been a LONG one, but not one call or e-mail has gone un-noticed or un-appreciated.
THANK YOU TO TIM AND EVERYONE AT NATURAL BALANCE DOG FOOD FOR KEEPING ALL OF THESE KID'S BELLY'S FULL! They have offered to double our food order to ensure these guys get the nutrition they need.
NONE of these dogs are going to be euthanized. NONE. ZERO. Our vet is confident that they all have a bright future. With a little love, understanding and time, they will brighten someone's world! We will all be waiting to see pictures of them with their new families snuggling on the couch.
Remember: A little love and compassion can mean the WORLD to an animal in need. AKC Bulldogs ARE in our shelters and puppy mills every single day!
We don't do this for glory, we don't do this for praise. We do this because we ALWAYS root for the recovery of the underdog. ALWAYS HAVE AND ALWAYS WILL!