Yankee’s Story
Yankee Doodle was saved from a puppy mill located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania on January, 31 2014. Matted and smelly, a volunteer from A Tail To Tell Puppy Mill Rescue cradled this small boy and whispered in his ear, “You are free, you are safe and you are loved.” With terror in his eyes he looked at the volunteer, truly not knowing what the future held for him. All this small pup knew was that people had not been very kind to him in the past. This was his first day, his first day of freedom and the first day of his life where he would be treated as all dogs should be…as a companion and as a loved and cherished family member.
Yankees first stop was to the veterinarian’s office. This is the priority for all dogs rescued as they have lived a life without proper vet care. Yankee was diagnosed not only with a heart murmur, but also infections in both ears, paw infections, and severe dental disease.
Ear infections are quite common in rescued mill dogs. As dog owners we notice when our dogs are acting out of sorts or are displaying a behavior that is indicative of a medical problem. Breeders certainly are not checking the dogs’ ears and most certainly aren’t going to incur the cost of a vet visit for an ear infection. We have dogs that come to us with bacteria, fungus, yeast, etc. in their ears. Some with impaired hearing because of the lack of treatment, and some with recurrent ear problems that persist over their lives. If you have had an ear infection, then you know how painful they are…these dogs live with this…with no care and no treatment. A dog with ear infections will still be bred…
Splayed paws and paw infections are commonly seen in rescued mill dogs as well. Many live in wire bottomed cages which can cause cuts in the paws. Because the dogs are living in filthy conditions, including their own waste, infection can set in. We have many dogs who for even years after rescue suffer with paw issues. Some have antibiotic resistant bacterial infections that can be especially difficult to get rid of. Yankee was treated when rescued and yet over a year later he again developed an infection between his paw pads. This is a sensitive area for these dogs, and painful as well. A dog with paw infections will still be bred….
Dental infections we see in pretty much every dog rescued. Their “basic” vetting always includes a dental exam/cleaning. An adult dog should have forty-two teeth. Yankee came to our rescue with only twelve teeth left. These remaining teeth were covered in soft and hard deposits, loose and infected, so that ten of them had to be removed. He now has only two upper canines left and a lower jaw that is slowly deteriorating because of the lack of any teeth with root structure to maintain it. Can you even imagine the pain these dogs endure? Dental disease is extremely painful, and can make it very difficult for dogs to eat. Also, because of the rampant dental disease, with a plethora of different bacteria in their mouths, these dogs suffer from other issues as well. Organs that can be affected include the heart, kidneys and liver. A dog with dental disease will still be bred…
At these initial vet visits, many times it is discovered that the dogs have more invasive and serious issues. We have rescued dogs that are diabetic, have thyroid problems, have bone breaks…including dogs that have come to us with broken jaws, blind dogs and dogs with severe eye issues and ulcerations, dogs with tumors, dogs with cancer and dogs with heart problems. The veterinarian noted that Yankee had a heart murmur. So, after his initial care, bloodwork and neuter it was off to the cardiac specialist to determine what was going on. It was found that Yankee had a genetic heart condition that causes his mitral heart valve to thicken. This impairs blood flow to his heart. The sound of this impaired blood flow causes the murmur. Yankees’ little heart has to work a lot harder because of this. There is no treatment at this time, but we are aware that he will at some point go into congestive heart failure. A dog with the above mentioned conditions will still be bred….
One of the most disturbing things discovered about Yankees past life in the puppy mill was that Yankee was debarked or devocalized. Debarking is a cruel and invasive procedure where a metal instrument is forced down the throat of the dog to sever/remove laryngeal tissue. It involves a great deal of pain to the dogs. It is an inherently cruel procedure mill owner’s use as a means of “noise control”. Yankee is able to bark, but it is a raspy abnormal sound that emerges. He also has choking issues due to the amount of scar tissue that was left. This procedure was NOT done by a veterinarian, most condemn the practice and refuse to perform it. This was done by a lay person and without anesthesia. It’s hard to even type these words…it’s hard to imagine this dog going through something so terrifying and painful. But it was done, and it is done to many of the dogs in puppy mills. A debarked dog will still be bred…
I also want to mention that in addition to the medical issues Yankee came to us with, he also suffered emotionally. He has been with our family for four years now and still has some trust issues with my husband and sons. They are extremely gentle and kind to him, but there are times when the psychological abuse makes it hard to get over his fears. He does much better with them now that in the beginning…it’s baby steps for him and time, love and patience from us.
Yankees story is his, but truly could be about any of the dogs A Tail To Tell Puppy Mill rescue saves. His is not one of the worst cases of cruelty and abuse we have seen in a dog rescued. No, his is typical. Isn’t that both sad and infuriating? The reason I have ended most of the paragraphs above with, “A — dog will still be bred…” is because that is the reality. Commercial kennels/puppy mills are about profit and not at all about the dogs they are breeding or the puppies have they produced. It is a business run as if they were producing an inanimate product…not living things. The dogs in puppy mills live in filthy conditions, many outside in the elements with lack of clean water and quality food. They live without proper vet care or attention to ailments they are suffering from. They live without socialization, a loving touch, appropriate exercise and without a name. They are literally bred to death. And yes, a blind dog, a deaf dog, an injured dog, a dog with infections, broken bones or a serious genetic issue will still be bred and can still produce puppies…we know, because we see it every day in rescue. Our rescue spends thousands of dollars to properly vet and care for these dogs that have made the kennel owners thousands! Yankees initial care alone was over three thousand dollars. A Tail To Tell Puppy Mill Rescue is an all-volunteer organization, with all money donated and raised going to the care of the dogs. We do not spare a dime providing these dogs with what they have been deprived of, though those making money off of them do. This is a business of animal cruelty.
Our companion animals deserve so much better. The parent dogs suffer for life in these mills, used for the sole purpose of breeding then disposed of when they are no longer productive. Puppies are born into these same filthy conditions, many unhealthy because they were born to unhealthy parents. Yankee suffers from a genetic heart condition, yet he was a breeder dog for 5-8 years in the mill. His condition is one that he would have passed to his puppies. People are purchasing family pets, companions, and yet the parent dogs never know this life. The puppies can have issues from parasites to genetic issues. And unsuspecting consumers are being duped into thinking they are purchasing healthy puppies because of a USDA license or some paperwork received. They are being lied to.
You can make a difference for Yankee and all of those left behind. Please choose rescue/adoption as a more humane option. Please do not purchase from a pet store as pet store puppies are puppy mill puppies. No reputable breeder will sell their puppies in a pet store. Online brokers are simply middle men for these kennels. Always ask to see the parent dogs, ask to see where the breeding dogs are kept. If you are looking for a specific breed there are breed specific rescues. There are reputable breeders who are in this for the DOGS and not for profit. They are breeding to maintain the quality and characteristics of a certain breed. They will show you the parent dogs, and will ask you as many questions as you have for them. They want to be certain their dogs are going to the best homes.
Lastly, please support legislation that will help these dogs…be their voice because they do NOT have one.
