These dogs were rescued from a puppy mill in Young County just outside of Graham along with several others Friday afternoon by the Humane Society of Young County. 72 dogs were relinquished to HSYC. (Photo courtesy of the Humane Society of Young County)
72 dogs relinquished from puppy mill
by By Cherry Rushin
 (Posted Tue 03:36 pm)
newsdesk@grahamleader.com

A puppy mill just outside of Graham with an estimated 20 or more years of churning out dogs has been shut down for good.
“That’s part of the conditions. They’re under agreement with the Humane Society and Young County Sheriff’s Office, they’re subject to random unannounced visits to make sure they aren’t engaging in any activity like that again,” Chief Deputy Carl Magee said.
Magee and Kim Baxter, executive director of the Humane Society of Young County, confiscated 72 dogs Friday afternoon after receiving a call concerning the welfare of the animals.
“The animals seemed to be in poor health and crowded conditions. We found some matted, and kennels weren’t as clean as they should be ... The water dishes in the kennels were all frozen,” said Magee.
Baxter said the owners had numerous violations and in light of that decided it would be best to surrender the animals to the Humane Society. She added that not all of their animals were surrendered. The family kept eight house dogs but with stipulations.
“They have to come into compliance with all state laws regarding rabies vaccinations, and they have to coordinate through the Humane Society to get the remaining animals spayed and neutered,” said Magee.
Baxter said this is not the first time she was asked to investigate these breeders.
“We’ve had previous dealings with (them). We had another complaint on them and went out. They’ve been doing this probably 20 plus years to the best of my knowledge,” she said.
All of the animals were examined by Dr. Nick Burnham on Saturday. Baxter said several will need surgeries and further medical care.
“They lived in feces and a rodent infested environment,” Baxter said. “A rat jumped out at us when we were taking them. The smell of urine in the whelping trailer was overwhelming. There was no heat, only one space heater and three or four heat lamps in the whelping trailer, but as cold as it was, it was not enough.”
Baxter said several groomers volunteered to help with the rescued dogs and all of the animals that could be groomed were completed Saturday.
“The more we groomed, the more pregnant ones we found. There are probably eight to 10 pregnant dogs. They did nothing but produce babies ... they’re breeding for money with little concern for the animals. They breed them back to back and never give them a break,” she said.
Baxter said the response to the rescue has been overwhelming thanks to the story airing on Wichita Falls television, but the shelter can still use help caring for the animals.
“Right now, we really need monetary donations. We’ve got vet bills, and we’re going to continue to have expenses we’re going to have to pay out-of-pocket,” she said.
The shelter was closed Monday and Tuesday to process the animals. All are getting vaccinated, wormed and any other vet care they may need. Baxter said she hopes to start adopting them out this week.
“I think they’ll all be adoptable. There are some that weren’t very social because they hadn’t been touched much, but with love and patience, they’re coming around,” she said.
For those interested in adopting a dog, the adoption application is available on the HSYC Web site at www.humanesociety-yc.org. The breeds include Chihuahua, Yorkshire terriers, rat terriers, shih tzus, Lhasa apsos, Pomeranians and more.
Baxter said the shelter could also use bleach, paper towels, dog food, puppy pads, Fabulosa, laundry detergent and volunteers for bathing, brushing and loving the animals.
She said other shelters have offered to help. Representatives from the Wichita Falls shelter came Saturday and brought towels, blankets and food and offered to take some of the animals, but for now they are going to remain at HSYC.
Although the animals are now safe and will possibly find new homes, the breeders may not have heard the end of it.
“Kim and I are still working on the case and investigating, and once we finish our investigation, we’ll sit down with (County Attorney) Dane (Miller) and determine if we need to file any criminal charges,” said Magee.

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This kind of thing just plain makes me mad.  How on earth can a person live with himself?  I am so glad that someone finally stepped up and took control to give those dogs a better life.  How could they leave 8 of them in the care of these people?  As long as people will buy from these types of breeders, this "business activity" will continue.  When will we learn?  These are living, breathing, feeling beings and deserve to be treated with respect.  I know everyone is not an animal person, but surely people realize that we were given the job of caring for the animals of the earth and this is not how to do it.

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Dog back after a year MIA in Afghanistan

This is such a wonderful and uplifting story, so you know I just had to share it with you all.  I think about all the animals that are regularly displaced because of the weather, because of war, because of the actions of people.  I recognize that I cannot save every animal that is lost, but I do relish the pleasure of a story about a found lost dog.

I know that if my little man were to be lost, I would also be lost.  I would have to move mountains and earth until I had found him, so the story below really moves me.

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By Kathryn Tancos, CNN

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Sabi was bomb sniffer for Australian special forces
• American soldier finds K-9, returns her to Aussies
• Dog disappeared during 2008 firefight in which handler was wounded
• 4-year-old Lab must be quarantined before returning to Australia

(CNN) -- An Australian special forces dog has been found alive and well more than a year after going missing in action in Afghanistan.
Explosives detection dog Sabi was recovered by a U.S. soldier who found her wandering near an isolated patrol base in the desolate southern province of Oruzgan last week, according to the Australian Government Department of Defense.
John, the U.S. soldier, who was identified only by first name, knew his Australian counterparts were missing an explosive detection dog. He knew immediately that Sabi was not a stray.
"I took the dog and gave it some commands it understood," he said.
When she disappeared, the black Labrador was nearing the end of her second tour of duty in Afghanistan. She went missing in September 2008 when insurgents ambushed a combined Australian, U.S. and Afghan army convoy. Nine Australian soldiers, including Sabi's handler, were wounded during the gunbattle.
Trooper Mark Donaldson, currently in the United Kingdom after meeting Queen Elizabeth, said Sabi's return closed a chapter of their shared history.
"She's the last piece of the puzzle," Donaldson said. "Having Sabi back gives some closure for the handler and the rest of us that served with her in 2008. It's a fantastic morale booster for the guys."
The 4-year-old canine was flown to the Australian base of Tarin Kowt to be reunited with one of her trainers.
"I nudged a tennis ball to her with my foot and she took it straight away. It's a game we used to play over and over again during her training," said the trainer, whose name was withheld for security reasons. "It's amazing, just incredible, to have her back."

Sabi will now undergo quarantine before a decision is made about when she can return to Australia. A veterinary assessment into possible exposure to diseases is under way. If the tests prove negative, Sabi will be cleared to return home.

Links referenced within this article dog http://topics.edition.cnn.com/topics/Dogs Afghanistan http://topics.edition.cnn.com/topics/Afghanistan_War Australian http://topics.edition.cnn.com/topics/Australian_Armed_Forces

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Jessica is saved!

I just read my email and found that Jessica, the cute little rattie I featured on the last posting, has been adopted and now has a new forever home.  I hope she is loved and treated like family at her new home.  I can't imagine what it must be like to live most of your life in a cage, so I hope she has a big yard to play in.

It's not often that you get such quick Good News in the area of rescues.  Just goes to show you what a cutie she is and what good taste the new family has.  Rat terriers are the best pets you can ever have. 

Good Luck, Jessica.  Enjoy your new home.

Help me save Jessica.

This is a plea to save a little rattie out in California.  She is in dire need of a foster or forever home before her elderly owner succumbs to pancreatic cancer and she ends up at the pound.  If you, or anyone you know can help this lovely little one, please, please contact Patti whose email is listed at the end of this post.

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This little dog is looking for a home quickly or will be brought to the pound.  She is a rat terrier and weights about 12 to 15 lbs at most.  She is a bit shy at first, but warms up quickly.  She was potty trained, but now will use newspapers and would probably catch on quickly again to go outside and do her business.  She is learning to walk on a leash because she always had the backyard to use.  She is also great with other dogs, but not sure on cats.  Her neighbors are trying to help rehome the dog and they can't keep her so they are just trying to help her. If you aren't interested in her please forward it onto your friends and e-mail list   The owner was 83 yrs old yesterday and has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given about a month to live.  Jessica (the dog) was kept mostly in a kenneled cage we think because the women was just a little too old to handle a young pup.  She loves to run the yard and play.  She is a spayed 2 ½ yr old dog.   If interested in taking her please contact Patti 818-717-8575 or patti@pattirussell.com

Satchmo's latest vet visit

Took the little man to the vet this morning.  He was the perfect gentleman and did not evacuate his bladder or bowel in the building.  We saw a different vet, so he was just a bit nervous. 

Anyway, with some difficulty, the vet got a good look inside his mouth after I explained about his habit of rubbing the right side of his face on the carpet or pawing frantically at it.  According to the vet, his mouth is healing quite well, but there is still some inflamation and drainage.  We are to stay on the antibiotic and he got another round of pain medications. 

The biggest issue was getting the stitches removed from his leg.  Satch howled like we were killing him when the vet tried to use the suture removal tool.  With quite a struggle, we did finally get all four stitches out and it looks really good. 

So, I think the little man is on the mend.  I can't tell you how happy that makes me.  He is my delight.

Satchmo is off his food!

I'm now becoming worried about my little man.  He has turned his nose up at his food now for the second day in a row.  He will eat cheese if I hand feed him, but nothing else.  His bodily functions are all normal so I wonder if his mouth is hurting him.  He has begun to really paw at his muzzle again and loves for you to scratch the sides of his mouth.  I wonder if dogs can get dry sockets like people can?  If so, I am worried that he has developed this painful situation.  Today the vet will be closed and tomorrow I have to work so I will have to make do until I can get him in on Monday.  Anyway, I had saved two of his pain pills so I gave him one this morning.  Hope it helps.

Dog Falls for Cat

Here's another cute video about a rattie and a cat!  Watch it and see what happens. 
This little rattie is really so cute!  These dogs are truly intelligent and loving. 
Enjoy the video...