The following are letters from adoptive moms
of puppy mill auction Bichons!
Subj: Snoopy (formerly known as "Weed")--becoming
a happy Rescue boy
Date: 9/4/2002 5:05:04 PM Central Daylight
Time
From: JediCarrie@aol.com
To: Pup3
CC: BA DEHART
Robin,
Since you are on the subject of Puppy Mill
Rescues from Auctions, I thought I should
let you know how our Snoopy (previously known
as Weed) is doing. You put him on a plane
to us in mid-May (2002). My husband Tom picked
him up at the Hartford airport. We were so
desperate to hug and kiss him, but he was
petrified of us and everything around him.
That first night at our home, we took him
outside to go potty; he sat down on the grass,
not knowing what to do, and cried. We cried
with him.
What a difference a few months makes!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Although he still shies away from people
when they go towards him, he no longer runs
and hides in his kennel. Snoopy often peeks
around corners of rooms and sofas to see
what is going on; he doesn't want to miss
anything! He loves eating at our house; Tom
grills almost nightly just for the dogs--they
often get nice little pieces of chicken,
steak or hamburger mixed in with their doggy
food. Snoopy's favorite place in our house
is the nice, comfy [people] bed in our master
bedroom. He now rolls around on the bed,
pretending to fight with the pillows, and
doing "Happy Puppy". He loves snuggling
down for the night w/Tom, me, Charlotte and
Nicky. Sometimes he relocates to one of three
doggy beds we also have in that room.
Getting Snoopy was one of the most difficult,
challenging, rewarding, heartwarming experiences
of our lives. I know our beloved Pierre (who
went to be with God 4/24/02) is happy that
we have adopted Snoopy and are giving him
the best life we know how. Snoopy seems to
want to make up for 'lost time'. He is trying
to cram in all the new things that puppies
normally experience that he missed out on
being cruelly kept as a stud at a puppy mill
for 5 1/2 long years. He loves to run and
wag his tail outside. He just, two short
weeks ago, gave his first full bark, and
let me tell you, that was one of the most
beautiful sounds I ever heard.
Snoopy, with Charlotte and Nicky's help,
seems to finally be understanding what it
means to be a D O G. Watching him discover
new things each day and become more confident
and happy is such a rewarding experience
for me. I can't imagine it much better than
this!
Let me also add part of an e-mail I just
sent earlier this week to my family and friends
about Snoopy:
I GAVE SNOOPY A FULL BATH TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I needed to wash little Charlotte's toes
and decided to try putting her and Snoopy
in the same tub at the same time, to see
if he could handle it. I put both kids in,
and Snoopy just looked around and watched
Charlotte prance around the tub w/no water
in it. Then, I added 1/4 inch of water and
just let it sit there on their toes. He was
still fine. I let the water out, and put
a little more in this time; I did this about
4 times, putting a tiny bit more water in
each time. Charlotte just kept prancing around,
and Snoopy kept watching her. But he did
not shake at all! Snoopy even sat down in
the water after awhile, since nothing else
was happening. I started sudsing up Charlotte's
toes and Snoopy just watched calmly. I swirled
the soapy water around him and he just stayed
put.
I needed to wipe his eyes, so just used my
wet fingers to gently wipe around his eyes.
He looked straight at me, AND THEN PUT HIS
RIGHT FRONT PAW IN MY HAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK, so if that wasn't a sign, I don't know
what is!!!!!
I went for it, and wet him all down and tried
to wash him w/the shampoo as quickly as I
could before he got too scared. He was pretty
good holding still, until I tried to wash
under his tail. I calmed him down, and just
rinsed him off.
After being rubbed down, he trotted around
the Blue Bathroom wagging his tail so fast
and smiling!!!! I think he has been waiting
for me to bathe him so he could smell nice
like his Princess Charlotte!! I couldn't
believe how calm and accepting he was. What
a sweetheart!!!!!!!!!! Snoopy didn't really
want to be blown dry, but I held onto him
long enough to get most of him blown out.
What a gorgeous little boy, albeit a little
overgrown!
As you can tell, my/our world pretty much
revolves around our Fluffy kids. I think
it is a most wonderful life.
Sincerely,
Carrie N. Soriano
One Happy Bichon Mommy :-D
P.S. Robin--please feel free to use part/all
of my e-mail in a Small Paws® letter, whatever
if it would help.
Subj: Fluffs
Date: 9/4/2002 4:25:23 PM Central Daylight
Time
From: SRMigdol@healthmidwest.org (Migdol,
Sharyn)
To: Pup3@aol.com
Dear Robin,
I just finished reading the story from Phyllis
about her Ralphi. I had tears in my eyes
and a lump in my throat while here at work.
I can only imagine the joy Phyllis felt when
her baby reached this milestone. I just had
to write and tell you how thankful we too
are with our fluff babies Sophie (formerly
Savannah) and Sierra (formerly Betty Jo).
We have them just over 3 months and just
yesterday I brought "before" and
"after" pictures to work to show
off my babies. Everyone that saw the pictures
couldn't believe it was the same two dogs
in so short a time. They all said you could
see the complete changes in their appearances.
Not only do they have beautiful white fluffy
coats, but most of all you can see they actually
look happier and it appears they are smiling.
When they first came home we had them in
a large cage, but with the door open. They
came out and went back in at their convenience.
After just 2 days they both decided they
didn't need to stay in the cage any longer
and picked a spot on the side of my bed.
Now, when it's time to go to sleep, they
come up on the bed. I took a picture the
other day of how I wake up every morning
- with 3 dogs on my side of a king sized
bed. Every morning I literally have to extract
my body from them and squeeze out of bed.
It took a while for them to take food from
my hand and Sophie is now wild about popcorn.
They come when called and understand when
I say it's time to go out and pee and poop.
I was just extremely patient with them and
when they had an accident, I just calmly
spoke to them and said we do that outside
and not inside the house. My husband and
I work all day, but they don't touch anything.
There are 3 dogs and a cat in the house and
although our children are grown and out of
the house, my husband says it's like having
4 toddlers in the house. We call them our
children!! My babies were caged for 7 years,
but you'd never know it now. I'm going to
try to get my husband to send the pictures
to you on the computer to use on the website
if you want to. You also have permission
to publish our letter if you want to. We
want to tell everyone what a joy these dogs
are and all they want is a lot of love, attention,
and caring. They deserve to live the rest
of their lives in a loving environment and
I tell everyone I meet to pass the word.
bj: Re: $500 Matching Challenge Donation
for the Puppy Mill Auction this Weekend!
Date: 9/5/2002 9:04:24 PM Central Daylight
Time
From: randp@grantspass.com (Renee)
To: Pup3@aol.com
hi robin,
about mill dogs: tulsa still does not want
to be touched - buttttt - he
touches us. he gets up on the couch with
me so he
can lick my toes. WOW!!!!!!!!! he greets
us when we return and jumps all
over us with happiness. he then, ofcourse
blitzes around the house to show
his excitement. although he shows us love
in many ways, there is one way
that is special. i love to take a nap in
the afternoon, which i do on the
couch. when i have been sleeping too long
he
puts his paws on the couch and his face in
my face and does the softest
woof, to wake me up and to be sure that i
am alright.
he is my special mill dog and i love him
with all my heart.
renee
Subj: Re: Operation: Bring Them On Home (This
Weekend) /Cassie update!/Okie Bichon ...
Date: 9/3/2002 5:32:11 PM Central Daylight
Time
From: BICHONE 3@aol.com
To: Pup3
Hi Robin,
Well you know how I feel about the puppy
mills. I will put a check in the mail for
25.00 best I can do and I hope everyone on
this list will help. You see I will have
my Ralphi boy 2 yrs on 10/6/02. Sat morn
I was taking a break from cleaning the floors
sitting at the kitchen table and I felt little
paws on my leg and as I reached down to take
those little paws off my leg because I was
going to start my work again I realized it
was my precious little puppy mill boy Ralphie.
He made my heart sing, that is the first
time he has gotten up on his hinds leaning
on me for some attention and he did this
again on Sunday when I was watching tv, I
thought it was my Romeo, but no it was my
sweet little boy Ralph..he wanted to come
up on the chair with me...I just pet him
I didn't want to startle him because he came
on his own...so Robin "bring on home"
because enventually they start to trust us
humans and I tell you that feeling can not
be matched for me seeing this little scared
boy coming to me to be loved, not even the
joy of seeing my grandchildren after they
were born...and that is a mighty joyful feeling...
Love,
Phyllis
Subj: Lucy Bird
Date: 9/6/2002 12:07:53 PM Central Daylight
Time
From: Marilyn.Buchanan@oag.state.tx.us (Marilyn
Buchanan)
To: Pup3@aol.com
Ladybird, right after rescue. She is now named Lucy Buchanana
Robin, I want to update you on Lucy Bird.
She is really coming around being a regular
member of the gang. When I get home in the
afternoons she is in the middle of the fluffs,
barking, jumping up on my knees telling me
hello. When I get the leashes she heads to
the door and barks until I put her leash
on. She is so excited to get outside. She
comes to me now when I call her. The other
day we were walking, her leash broke and
she went running off to see one of the neighbors
who was walking their big dog. I started
calling to her. She go to the big dog, turned
around and discovered she was not with the
right people and came running back as fast
as she could. Sometimes she hops like a bunny.
She and Petey really love each other. They
play chase in the house. Sometimes she is
so happy she starts running by herself up
and down the hall. She has a lot of puppy
spirt in her in spite of what they did to
her at the puppy mill. She is much loved
and loves her new home.
Love and Prayers
Marilyn B
ubj: Nellie's Story
Date: 9/30/2002 10:37:04 PM Central Daylight
Time
From: varina@plvwtelco.net (Varina)
To: Pup3@aol.com
Dear Robin
My name is Nellie and I have a story to tell.
I didn't always have a name. I had a number.
I was born in Missouri (or as Robin says
- Misery). I was cute tiny and female. The
people who owned me were not nice. For seven
years all I did was have puppies, one litter
after another after another, after another,
well you get the picture. One day my person
took me to an auction, I don't really know
why. These people kept bidding and they got
me. They told me I would never have to have
any more puppies. They took my picture at
the vet's office but I was not very pretty
to look at. I was dirty, my hair was matted
and they kept calling me BillieJo. Who in
the heck is BillieJo. I have a number, I
think it is ten. It's tattooed in my ear.
The lady that works with the vet came and
told me that I was going to have a Mommy.
Imagine that, someone wanted me even with
my dirty coat and all the mats. Well the
Vet took care of me and the vet tech was
great. She told me that my new mommy was
calling just about every day to see how I
was doing and when was she going to get me.
Then one day I took a long ride in the big
bird like thing. I flew from Tulsa to Houston,
and then from Houston to Omaha. There was
a lady waiting there, She cried when she
saw me and told me I was beautiful. This
lady, she says ssshe is my Mommy, took me
home with her. She already had one of us
there. He was a boy and he sure had a lot
of energy. My Mom said I would never have
to work at anything again. She give me treats,
I get toast with butter every morning, and
plenty to eat. My Mom says if I want to be
lazy I have eaarned the right. My Mom likes
to pick me up and hug and kiss me. I wasn't
too sure about this at first but I like it
and let her know when I want to be hugged
and kissed. She lets me sleep anywhere I
want to and if I have an accident she doesn't
yell or get upset. I try not to have too
many of these. I've learned to walk on grass,
it kind of tickles your feet, I know that
I will always have plenty to eat and lots
of love. Then wonder of wonders my Mom got
two more of us and thank heavens one of them
was another young one to play with the other
young one and and older one who likes to
play sometimes, like me, but mostly wants
to lay around. Wow what a great time we are
having. Mom says she wouldn't trade any of
us for a million bucks (I think that is money)
but she smiles when she says it. Our Dad
calls us the crew and Mom calls us her babies.
I lov3e my new life and I am so glad that
those people from Small Paws® came and got
me. I am living the good life now and I think
the others are too. This is my story and
hope it will make you smile to know that
you are the reason I have this great life
and without you and the rest of the people
at Small Paws® I would still be having baabies
or maybe I wouldn't even be alive any more.
I just know I am one HAPPY HAPPY girl. Oh,
my Mom named me Nellie and I think it is
the prettiest name in the whole world.
Varina and the Nebraska Cheerful Foursome
Duddley, Nell, Mugsy, and Holly
Ralphie
Subj: Re: Hi
Date: 1/25/2003 8:48:21 AM Central Standard
Time
From: BICHONE 3@aol.com
To: Pup3
Dear Robin,
I check our adoptable kids often to see how
they are doing and who has found homes. And
I am so happy when I see "adopted"
over their names especially our puppymill
babies. I pray someone takes the chance on
them especially Beth. She has the fear look
Ralphie had when I got him and even though
it has taken him a long time to learn to
trust me (girls are smatter than boys..))
she will come around. This little Ralph boy
is right here by me as I am typing this and
for him that is a miracle. He gets into all
the playing now with the others. Barking,
blitzing, yes blitzing from the kitchen to
the bedroom and back and smiling. When I
sit on the couch plastered under 4 bichon's
and a shih tzu, he walks back and forth tail
wagging checking the situation out. It will
take time with him but eventually he will
look to come up there with them and then
I will be plastered to the couch with 5 bichon's
and a shih tzu..:)) when that day comes you
will hear me sing all the way to Tulsa, OK..:)).
Love,
Phyllis
Powder
Powder Heart Murmur Baby
Date: 1/28/2003 12:02:16 PM Central Standard
Time
From: debbie@knothole.net (Debbie)
To: Pup3@aol.com
I'm sending new pictures of him today. He
is having me send a donation in
for him as a thanks for the happy puppy he
is now.
This is from My own Puppy mill baby. I an
the adoptive Moma of Powder. We
still fondly call him "Baby Powder".
He was bought from the puppy mill by
SPR and given a new life. Maybe even given
life. He is a Heart Murmur baby
and albino. http://www.smallpawsrescue.org/pup3/powder.html
SPR saved him from the mill and then had
his little heart fixed at Texas
A&M. Powder flew to us and on the way
home from the air port I held and
hugged him,(he did not understand) He was
afraid of people. Part way home
he could take no more and wiggled from my
arms and cowered on the floor in
the back seat of the car. When we got home
things got better, there were
other dogs, he liked other dogs. He felt
safer. Day by day he followed the
other dogs and saw that they felt safe and
happy and he started feeling
safer too. I'm sending pictures for Powder
Happy now and with his two
brothers who run and play together all day.
Maybe you could put the one of
Powder Smiling Now with his original on the
Heart Pages as a before and after.
PS. Thanks for the Prayers for my friend
in ICU she is improving and
yesterday they did a tracheotomy and she
can now start communicating with
her family.
It's still a long way but she is making progress.
please keep her on the
Prayer list. (Merrily Davis)
Thank you
Debbie, Wayne, Milo, Boselli, Frosty(SPR),
Powder(Heart Murmur)(SPR) and
Thomas(SPR).
Debbie Windham
Knot Hole Enterprises, Inc.
4845 French St
Jacksonville, FL 32205-5003