Happy ending for Texas puppy mill dogs

Submitted by EARS Field Leader Norma Rodriguez of Bellflower, California

As a first-time Field Leader I apologize for not creating a daily blog. My pitiful excuse is that by the time we returned to the hotel, had a shower and some dinner, it was 11 p.m. By then I was too physically and emotionally wrung out to string two words together.

Yesterday, the EARS deployment officially ended, but it will live in our hearts forever. It was my first puppy mill experience and now I am more committed than ever to shutting them down! Last night, while sharing some lovin’ with my own dogs, I noticed that I didn’t feel any bones while petting them. Many, many of the dogs at the emergency shelter were so emaciated that it was heartbreaking. One of our convergent volunteers actually broke down when she began working with a wonderful little Bassett who was painfully thin. I think that she, too, is now committed to helping shut down puppy mills.

Thankfully I can say that the joyous moments far exceeded the sad ones. Seeing lethargic, dehydrated dogs become not just responsive, but attention-seeking love hounds was a true joy. One poor standard poodle, terribly emaciated and dehydrated, did a complete turn-around with the help of EARS volunteer Beverly Brenner. I asked Beverly to take him to a quiet place on the loading dock with a bowl and bottle of water and give him some one-on-one attention. He hadn’t had a drink or relieved himself for two days. It only took a few minutes for him to accept and focus on Beverly’s kindness and compassion. A few minutes later he was eagerly and gratefully drinking. By mid-afternoon he was at the front of his kennel seeking attention!

Something very unusual happened in that some EARS folks ended up taking dogs home. A sad- looking labradoodle claimed Christine’s heart, actually demanded it, and now has a wonderful forever home. I honestly don’t know who claimed who, but it was a match made in Heaven, for sure! My guess is that Chris did cartwheels after I called her to come and get her dog. Connie, a wannabe midwife, went home with a new therapy dog. Connie was in charge of our nursery and quarantine area. She had charge of three beagles who were due any day. Tracy said they were ready to “download.” Unfortunately they hadn’t delivered by Sunday and Connie didn’t get to be a midwife.

Speaking of newbie EARS volunteer Tracy…she kept us entertained with her dog dialogues. Tracy has a way of putting into words what dogs would say if they spoke English rather than barkish. The antics of her own animals also kept us in stitches. Her expertise in large dog handling is so fantastic. I don’t believe there is anything Tracy can’t handle. I think her experience working with 700 military dogs provided her with a great deal of knowledge and insight.

The many, many EARS volunteers and convergent volunteers from the local community were truly fantastic. Everyone worked with a great deal of energy, compassion, dedication and spirit. Some came for a day, a few days, or more than a week, and everyone regretted having to leave. The community support was amazing. Every need, desire, or wish was granted so quickly! One spectacular supporter fed us and fed us and fed us! Suzanne even brought a birthday cake, ice cream and candles to celebrate Sandy Rogers’ birthday. When I spoke with Sandy she said it was the best birthday she’d ever had. (Just don’t tell that extraordinary husband of hers, G-Man Jesse!) If there was such a thing, Jesse would have earned an honorary red shirt for all his hard work and dedication! So many EARS volunteers and convergents showed up while I was there that if I hadn’t kept a daily attendance sheet I wouldn’t believe the numbers. I just hope that I was able to convey to all of them how much I appreciated their contributions to the care and welfare of the nearly 500 dogs and their teammates. They truly were extraordinary!

I also must note that the staff of the Humane Society of North Texas, especially Sandy, were very, very accommodating and great to work with. Chesapeake, instrumental in getting this rescue off the ground, provided so much in the way of support, attention to needs, and care of the volunteers. People like Ricky Ewing who were there every day asking how they could help us were a true blessing. The Hyatt Place Hotel staff was very gracious and accommodating. When we needed to be at the shelter at 6 a.m. they set up a breakfast bar for us at 5 a.m.

I have so many more experiences to share with all of you and hope to do it in the next few days as I decompress from my first Field Leader experience. In the meantime, feel free to share your own experiences and thoughts here in the "comments" section.

To paraphrase a quote I read somewhere: Saving one dog won’t change the world, but it will change the world for that one dog.

Part of the EARS team in Texas

It's hard to get any EARS volunteer to stand still for a minute, let alone to get a group of them to stand still for a minute all at the same time!

EARS volunteer Mike Brodersen managed to do just that, and we're glad he did. He snapped this rare group photo at the end of the day, before anyone had a chance to shower or clean up. Despite their exhaustion and the oppressive heat, the volunteers still feel like saying that they're number one!

This photo was taken a few days into the response, so a (relative) calm and routine had been achieved. That day, the volunteers started caring for the animals at 8 a.m., took a mid-day break so all the volunteers and pups could enjoy a brief siesta, and concluded around 7:30 p.m.

Read more about two EARS volunteers who deployed to this situation in this news article.

The dust is starting to settle

Submitted by EARS Roxanne Quinlan of Austin, Texas

This morning was really exciting. We moved the last section of dogs out of the giant airline carriers and into cages. It was great finally being able to glance in and see how they were doing without having to crawl on the floor! To me, it seems like the dogs are finally starting to settle in. At first, lots of them were just afraid when you came to their cage. But now they get excited when they smell the food, and recognize that we are here to make them feel more comfortable. We still have a bunch of them who just freeze when we take them out to clean their cages. But even they are getting better: Now when you walk by, they sometimes tentatively wag their tails, and come to the front to get some love.

A new group of volunteers arrived, and even after the short time we've been here, it was great to have some new blood. I feel like I'm so tired, that I can barely remember my name, let alone what day it is! Today was frustrating for me, since as we set up cages, we kick up a bit of dust. Today I reacted to something that made it hard for me to breathe. I hate to not help the team, but Andy (EARS Field Leader) and I agreed that perhaps I should take a break. So I sat in the hotel room until the dust cleared, and Andy called me back to take care of my babies!

When you have a problem like this on a deployment, your mind wants to continue, but the body does not cooperate, which is frustrating. But the team leader is there to look after every member of the team, so we can look after the animals, and I think it was a good idea for me to take a break and recharge.

I'm much better now, after a two-hour break. And despite my short absence, the animals still received quality care from my teammates. One for all and all for one!

Puppy mill: Closed until further notice

Submitted by EARS Field Leader Andy Bass of Pompano Beach, Florida

On this, the third day after the seizure, almost 30 volunteers from United Animal Nations (UAN), the Humane Society of North Texas and local convergents continue to care for almost 500 dogs rescued from the abominable conditions at the Maggic Pets/Heddins Ranch. Thanks to the care of these dedicated volunteers who have been putting in 17-hour days since Tuesday, the painful medical problems and cowering spirits of the dogs have given way to happy tail wagging and belly-rub opportunities.

Having had a taste of human compassion rather than mercenary greed is bringing the poor creatures out of their solitude for the first time in their lives. Fear has taken a backseat to appreciation of the human species, and the dogs are learning that life can be a pleasure rather than a curse.

Although they are still unsure of the future, the dogs are eager to learn that being a dog can be a good thing, with the right help. And they are slowly learning to trust the humans and maybe, just maybe, believe that there is a loving, forever home waiting for them.

Due to the fact that the court hearing is not until later next week, I cannot provide photos or give you specific information on the dogs at this time. But I can tell you they are very thankful that we volunteers have come into their lives. Never again will these furbabies live in a wire rabbit hutch or be banished to a weed-filled crate hidden from view on a back-lot in sweltering 100-degree temperatures simply to churn out "product" to be sold to anyone with an Internet connection or a fat wallet. Never again will they be used to produce what we used to call mix-breed mutts, but which the millers now call "designer dogs," just to fill the coffers of an unscrupulous breeder. And never again will young puppies be ripped from their mothers to be displayed and stocked in the neighborhood pet store, simply to make a profit.

In my previous report, I had said that we have 475 dogs in the shelter. Just before we closed tonight, that number increased, as a pregnant American Eskimo gave birth to seven premature puppies. And since we have 12 other pregnant mothers, I expect the number to well exceed 500 before the court date on July 17. Although the owners intend to fight the charges in court, they are already acknowledging the truth on their Web site with a front page banner stating "Closed until further notice."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Finally, love and kindness

Submitted by EARS Field Leader Andy Bass of Pompano Beach, Florida

Day 2 of the puppy mill seizure has come to an end and the EARS team deserves a rest after dealing with 100 degree + temperatures, not to mention the 476 dogs retrieved from Montague County, Texas.

Check out the news items presented by Fox 4 News of Fort Worth.

Although about 100 animals are in relatively good shape, the "sample dogs" the public were allowed to see were covering up the real story of the Heddins Ranch. Almost 400 additional dogs, the "breeding" stock were hidden away in out buildings and in the dense overgrowth of weeds on different parts of the 1,200- acre property. Many of these dogs have mange, and others have a myriad of medical problems, including atrophied eyes, severe matting, flea infestation and earmites -- the list is almost as large as the varieties of dogs offered for sale.

Additionally, EARS volunteers are caring for dozens of newborn puppies, as well as a dozen pregnant females ready to give birth in the next few days.

Over 30 volunteers, including almost 20 EARS volunteers, have answered the call to bring these poor creatures out of crisis and into the care long overdue. Our volunteers have defied temps in the 100s and will continue until the court appearance, scheduled for July 17. For now, we are tasked with providing care, shelter, and most important, love and kindness for the first time in these animals' lives. And the fruits of our labor are already being seen. The fear and anxiety is already giving way to a more peaceful and kind existence.

Beginning tomorrow, local volunteers will begin to work side by side with our trained volunteers to learn how to care for these animals if the owner chooses to fight this in court. Should the judge rule in favor of the dogs, they will be released to rescue groups statewide for rehabilitation and placement through adoptions.

Please stay tuned for more info from the field as the situation unfolds.

500 dogs rescued from Texas puppy mill

More than 50 volunteers worked diligently through the holiday weekend and into the night at a temporary shelter in Fort Worth, Texas, preparing for the arrival of nearly 500 dogs rescued today from a Montague County puppy mill after a warrant was served by the Montague County Sheriff’s department. The animals will be cared for by the Humane Society of North Texas with the assistance of volunteers with United Animal Nations's Emergency Animal Rescue Service.

Read a news article about the seizure.

Please revisit the blog for more updates as this situation progresses.