Kaufman County Texas Puppy Mill Raid, Part One
This is our first official ‘The Judi Files’ post! I’m so excited to be adding this feature – and my Momma! – to the blog! Now let me tell you about my strange day that happened a few weeks ago:
I was on Twitter in the morning, as I usually am, and I saw a tweet from one of my AL Twitterers (it may have been AL.com) about a puppy mill raid that happened right here close to home. It was in Talladega County and they were going to be taking over 200 dogs. It was a strange moment for me, because, I have met a lot of people out here that don’t have the same belief system about animals that my folks and I have. It was not only refreshing, (although sad) but, I was also excited to be able to send an email to my mom saying, ‘Hey! We do need you out here – grab your kneepads and come on!’ (She just got some new super duty kneepads for all of her animal work. LOL) When I didn’t hear back from her very quickly, I decided to go ahead and call her – this was definitely worthy of a ‘right now’ conversation. When she picked up the phone, it was rather noisy in the background. I wondered why she was driving with the windows rolled down and asked her, ‘Are you in the car?’ But she wasn’t in her car —->
Ok, you’ve got to know how funny this sounded – and ironic, too. If you’ve been reading Hippie Spelunker for any length of time, you know that I love 18-wheelers! And my folks have often wondered what’s wrong with me! LOL And the other thing is that, my mom is a female ‘suit’ – you know, at a desk, crunching numbers all day. Too funny! And then she tells me it’s because she is going on another puppy mill raid, and this time she got a promotion, of sorts, and got to ride in the big truck! COOL! Saving animals AND riding in a big truck – my dream job!! I need to shut up, though, because this is really her post – I only meant to introduce her again and set the scene. But sometimes I just can’t be stopped! Please, read her account of Day One on the puppy mill raid. Grab the kleenex! The blog’s all yours, Momma!
Kaufman County Puppy Mill Bust – August 11, 2009
545 plus dogs
I’m back at work after spending 2 heart-rending days in the 2 ICU units at the Kaufman County fairgrounds. Day 1 started in the HSUS trailer with about 20 sick dogs, several with new puppies. We fed, cleaned and loved on some very sick dogs and some that just needed out of the heat. One mother had 2 yorkie puppies that found novel ways to play even in such close quarters. They chewed on their stuffed bear and jumped under and over it, they pushed their puppy pads into the cage next to them, they dumped their metal water bowl before dragging it around the cage and they systematically ate their paper bowls before eating their food.
There was a senior poodle with a prolapsed uterus. No telling how many puppies she had to deliver in her lifetime. There was the tiny poodle that was just too tired and weak to hang on any longer and the big champagne schitzu that became too weak to stand and lost control of her bladder and bowels and was mercifully pts. The saddest thing is to see a very senior dog that has been neglected. These dogs have never been allowed to live a decent life. I can only console myself knowing that their final days will be lived in peace and they’ll be allowed to die with dignity.
Then there was the old black dachshund that was expected to go into labor at any moment, but when 2 days went by and nothing happened she was taken to the vet to have a caesarean, only to discover she was filled with fluid and not babies. She’s now resting comfortably.
There was a cute, energetic terrier mama with 2 babies who just didn’t want to do this anymore. One baby was taken in by a surrogate daschund who already had 5 or 6 pups but was very willing to help out. She immediately licked her all over and tucked her in with the others for a meal. Sadly, the other puppy didn’t make it.
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Thanks Momma! What an emotionally draining and physically exhausting day!
We’ll be back with Day Two of the Kaufman County Puppy Mill Raid in a few days!
Stay tuned!
UPDATE Now you can read the rest of the story! Click here –> Kaufman County Texas Puppy Mill Raid, Part Two
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Wow…thanks “Momma” for that heart-wrenching post. I can’t believe the cruelty of some people towards our four legged friends. I live in Montreal, Canada, and the province I live in, Quebec, has much of the same issues regarding Puppy Mills that other areas do. Every time I hear such stories so close to home it saddens me and angers me all at the same time. In fact, a local talk radio station, CJAD, plays a PSA throughout the day with a message from Bob Barker who “begs” us to take action and to become political in this issue by contacting our members of parliament to take this issue a lot more seriously. I hope this happens. Thanks for being there for the “little ones” and take care. I look forward to more of your adventures. All the best.
Lyle
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment, Lyle! So you stole Bob Barker from us, eh? LOL I used to love how he always ended The Price Is Right with “Please spay and neuter your pets!” We need that big time around here in Alabama – it’s bad!! And definitely, when you hear about the wire cage lives the animals live, it is completely heart-wrenching and ghastly that people would put them through that!! Again, thanks for your kind comment!
I have to be honest and say I was REALLY afraid to read this post after just having to put down our sweet Basset Hound, Caleb this past Tuesday. BUT I am so glad I read it because mom, you are the kind of person this world needs more of and I thank you for being so strong to give these sick pups your love. I get sick over hearing how mean and cruel people can be, it’s disgusting!
When I read the part about dignity, I about lost it. That was hubby’s last words about our Caleb is that he went out with dignity. Awww. Have Lisa tell you about our dog house wine adventure though. That should make ya laugh. We are still smiling about it.
I pray for all these poor dogs and their babies. Give them hugs and kisses from me and if it’s their time, do tell them that my Caleb is waiting to play with them in heaven.
Ang – you’ve got me bawling over here, sweetie! With the sadness of losing a pet, with the richness (like we discussed) of holding their paws as they cross, with warmth and love you expressed for my mom and also with the sweetness of your having conquered your emotions to come on over here and read this post! Much love to you and your hubby! (I’ll definitely tell Mom about the dog house wine!!)
What a great post – both the intro and the actual post about the puppy mill. We’re cat people, but I can completely related. All our cats have been adopted through the humane society and it breaks my heart every time we go to choose a kitten because I know there’s a good change the ones we don’t pick wont’ make it. It’s just hard to see them mistreated this way. Thank you for doing so much to make sure these puppies get a second chance. It takes an incredibly strong woman to help and watch them die in dignity, but I’m sure it also makes watching the ones that make it an thrive so much sweeter.
Thank you so much, Susanne! You’re very sweet! I adore cats, too, and for a long time that was all I had. Then I started hanging out at my brother’s place, with all his wonderful dogs – and I was hooked! I mean, we had dogs when I was a kid, I just didn’t have any as an adult until I was in my 30′s. We just put my cat of 14 years to sleep a couple years ago. He was my buddy. I still ‘see him’ out of the corner of my eye sometimes, forgetting he’s not really here.
Speechless except for two words –
“Thank you!”
You make a difference.
That is so awesometastic!
We’re getting ready to pick up a rescue doggie here soon and be his forever home. He’s getting his vet checkup, shots, and neuter this week. We pick him up on the 13th I think.
@ Nicole You are so sweet! For you to be speechless, that must be really special!! And I mean that as a highest compliment – for real!! My fellow goofy friend!
@ Loretta Hey – when Momma gets a cool word like “awesometastic” – I know she’s done well!!
Awww…so cool on your new forever doggy – can’t wait to hear all about his adjusting in your home with the boys and Penny!! Will be super cool!
OMG, you guys – speaking of which – in the Saturday local paper, there was a doggy up for adoption from the local shelter that looked SO MUCH like Puppy, it wasn’t even funny! He was so cute! His name was Charlie – his cuteness was so amazing, that when I looked on the site on Sunday, he was already gone!!! Mark would’ve never approved, anyway, but, awww…. It was Puppy’s perfect baby brother!!
[...] course, I had to get her over to my bed and make her watch the video, too! I was skyping with her the day that my mom had called and told me she was in an 18-wheeler at a gas station so she was totally aware of what it was all [...]
It is people who care and are willing to do something about bad situations that make this world a better place. It can be rescuing dogs or people. What matters is that someone has the initiative to get up off the couch and do something.
And get up off the couch she does! Again and again and again! (Actually, my mom might not even know what a couch is!! Seriously!) LOL She is a hard core go getter!
That was such an awesome heartfelt story, thank your Momma for saving those poor puppies. We need more caring people like your “Momma” in this world.
I definitely will do that, Wendy! Thank you so much for sweet, wonderful comment!!
Awesome story. I am such an animal lover who has fostered pets and my own dogs come from rescue groups.
I have a hard time reading stories like these (because I just don’t “get it” how people can be the way they are sometimes!), but am so incredibly grateful for people like you who are out there making a difference!
Thank you!
You are so sweet, Trish! I’ll definitely make sure my mom sees this comment!!