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Margret Nolan, Director of the Humane Society of Inverness in Florida, had driven over 20+ hours to Missouri for this moment. It was her first dog auction and she was not prepared for what she saw. Still recovering from her last chemo treatment, she and her staff member, Amanda, made the arduous journey to stand in the middle of one of America's worst nightmares. The tiny little Pekinese known only as #74 shook as Margret held the badly emaciated dog in her hands. No stranger to animal rescue, Margret has rescued over 8,000 dogs and 1,000 cats. But even she could not fathom the depth of cruelty that spread out before her. "I have never seen this kind of abuse in one place," she told us later. In the world of puppy and dog auctions, misery is labeled by numbers, not names. It's much easier to sell a number that is clinging to life than it is to sell a dog begging for a chance to live. And because no cameras are allowed at these sell-offs, the world remains ignorant of the horror that feeds the greed of these disreputable dog breeders. One by one, Margret and Amanda watched as these sick and badly treated dogs were auctioned off for fifty cents, a quarter, a nickel. Over and over again, they heard the familiar refrain, "#210 sold for twenty-five cents." But when a mother dog and her one-day old puppies were laid out on a table for sale, Margret became physically ill. Dog auctions are the final chapter in the lives of puppy mill breed dogs. It is the end of the line that measures their worth in pennies, quarters and sometimes dollar bills. The exception is when a dog is still capable of having "several more litters in her." Then she may be sold as high as $95. Or if it is suspected the dog is already pregnant. Margret and Amanda watched as dogs that have been bred almost to death lined up with a number around their necks…and waited. Their whole life had been this way, full of uncertainty, anguish and abuse. Now they waited for the final calling. Some had eye infections, no teeth, wagging tongues and bodies so emaciated they were nothing more than breathing skeletons, like #74. It was a far cry from the cute little puppies you see in pet stores, those borne from this abject life of crime. As often as possible, the two women would out bid other breeders looking for dogs with just a little more life to them. Once these animals had birthed all they could, they would be discarded with little more respect than garbage. Margret cried for the dogs she could not save. She watched as they were forced to go to yet another disreputable breeder, condemned to live out the remainder of their days in cruelty. At the end of the day, other rescue workers reminded Margret of the 85 dogs she was able to save. But she still took it hard. Margret took #74 and her other rescues back to her motel room, cleaned and fed them and then played them Christmas music. Her hands gently stroked their emaciated bodies and spoke softly to them. More than anything, Margret wanted these poor mistreated dogs to know that there was love in the world. Some of them just shook when she touched them. Imagine being so scared because someone is showing you kindness! Barely more than skin over a skeleton, Peke #74 was far more emaciated than the other dogs. Margret quickly gave her fluids. In her heavy German accent, she told us, "I got her out of hell so that she will not be breed (bred) any more." She then lovingly placed Peke #74 on a bed pillow with a Miniature Pinscher where the two could comfort each other. Then she made them all a promise. "I told them that they will be all retired in Florida and would be only the last time in a cage for the transport to Florida," she said in her heavy accent. The next day, Margret gently picked up the sick dogs and placed them back in the cages they knew all too well. Little Peke #74 shook as Margret gently placed her in her own cage. "I drove fast the 1200 miles back. Only stopped for gas. I arrived Sunday morning on our place." But it was not enough for Peke #74. With a body so worn out and no understanding of hope, the little dog just gave up. She died during her long ride to freedom. Margret's grief turned to self-blame. Through angry tears, she cried, "I could not keep my promise to her." It's easy to take the result of another person's cruelty and place it firmly on your own shoulders. When you love with all your heart the magnificence of God's creation, it's so very easy to forget who the real culprit is in all of this. If only the little dog could have understood that just once in her agonized life an angel had come to give her a beautiful life. But what does a mill dog know of hope? Of love? What is kindness? What is the gentle touch of a person's hand? How do I know all of this is real? Little Peke #74 had no way of knowing that those kinds of emotions existed in the world. Margret knew the clock was ticking. That's why she drove with such fierce determination to Florida. She wanted her little tribe to get the love and medical attention they so desperately needed as quickly as possible. Her love for these badly treated dogs and, in particular, for #74 gave them all a moment's peace. No, #74 never got a chance to ease into a beautiful new life. But she did get to taste for one brief moment the gentle caring of Margret. #74 got to feel what it could be like to be loved. And that's more than anyone ever gave her. Because of Margret's determination and compassion, 85 auction dogs were saved. But it was little Peke #74 that touched her heart so deeply. "I will never forget her," she said sadly. And neither will we. That's why The Mosby Foundation has decided to hold a fundraiser in memory of #74. Because of Margret's incredible courage and all the volunteers at the Humane Society of Inverness, this little dog will now touch the hearts of so many because her story will be heard. We will never see a picture of her because it was not allowed. But we can picture the love that Margret gave to her, hoping it would sustain the Pekinese through the last leg of her journey home. The Mosby Foundation has also made a donation to the Humane Society of Inverness to help with medical expenses for the 85 rescued mill dogs. We are forever grateful to ALL of the rescue organizations that worked together to bring these precious animals to a new life. Right now, the Humane Society of Inverness is getting the dogs vetted and groomed. Then they will go into foster homes where they will begin to experience love for the first times in their lives. "We provide for all our fosters food and cover medical expenses. This will be huge expense for us. But every penny is worth it for these dogs who never ever met a kind human," Margret tells us. "Some of the older ones are starting to wiggling their tails when they see us," she said in her best English. "They are so thankful for fresh water, blankets and some love. It's unreal." Please join with us in memory of #74. Let's honor her anguished life by helping other mill auction dogs live the lives they so richly deserve. #74 will never understand why you chose to give. But other dogs will raise their eyes to see kindness flowing in a world that previously held only cruelty. Send
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us spread the word: 8 Common Commercial Kennel (Mill Dog)
Survivor Behaviors 1. Terror of human hands 2. Aversion From Eye Contact
3. Running Away from Food or Any Approach 4. Marking/No Housetraining 5. Flight Risk 6. Stool Eating (Coprophagy) 7. Fear of Water (Hoses) |
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In Memory Of Peke #74