A year after leaving the puppy mill, Rosie’s past still lingers
When Rosie was 8 months old, her adopter noticed Rosie was limping and seemed to be in pain. She ended up needing surgery. Carlyn Schrouder
Last December, we helped rescue three puppies who were surrendered by the American Kennels pet store in New York City in the wake of our undercover investigation. The investigation revealed that sick puppies were left to suffer or even die in the store and that the store purchased puppies from puppy mills and puppy mill brokers. (Brokers are middlemen, sometimes called “class B dealers,” who purchase puppies from a variety of breeders and then transport and re-sell them, mostly to pet stores. Pet stores in New York City are not permitted to buy from brokers.)
Almost immediately after our investigation was released, New York City authorities visited the store and secured the release of three puppies who had been supplied by brokers and whom the store could not legally sell. Additional puppies were surrendered the following week, the store soon closed permanently, and the dogs were placed in new homes after receiving veterinary care.
Rosie was one of these dogs. She was fostered by Kathleen Summers, a member of our Stop Puppy Mills team, leading up to the holidays while she recovered from giardia and kennel cough. After finishing her treatment, she was adopted by Carlyn Schrouder, who works on our digital marketing team. She was a very active and playful dog, and Carlyn was so happy to give her the home she deserved.
But when Rosie turned 8 months old, something changed. Carlyn noticed she was limping and seemed to be in pain. When Carlyn took Rosie to the veterinarian, she was diagnosed with Legg-Perthes disease, a degenerative hip disorder. Rosie, who had already suffered so much, now faced another significant health battle. She would need femoral head ostectomy surgery to remove part of her leg bone and keep it from grinding against her hip bone.
“Our vet felt confident she has this disease not only because she is a small breed but due to being from a puppy mill,” Carlyn said. It is unusual for a puppy so young to require a procedure like this, and it’s suspected that the cause is genetic.
In August, Rosie underwent surgery with the best veterinary orthopedist Carlyn could find, and she continues to recover. Rosie should soon be back to her normal and perky self. The family spent nearly $4,000 to restore her ability to walk without pain.
Despite a rough start in life that still affects her today, Rosie is recovering well from her surgery and enjoying her loving home with her forever family. Carlyn Schrouder
Our Stop Puppy Mills team hears from heartbroken families like Rosie’s almost every day through our online complaint form. Most breeders who supply dogs to pet stores are puppy mills, which rarely go to the time and expense of health-testing the parent dogs for inherited conditions. Common inherited diseases found in dogs from puppy mills and pet stores include hip dysplasia, patellar (knee) luxation, and diseases of the heart, airway and liver. In heartier dogs, some of these issues may not develop until older age, but they can occur with more severity and at younger ages in poorly bred dogs from puppy mills. This can cause unforeseen costs, both emotional and financial, to families who love their companion animals.
Fortunately, New York State is on the verge of ending its pet store puppy problems for good. Both houses of the state legislature overwhelmingly passed the Puppy Mill Pipeline bill this year and the legislation is being reviewed by Gov. Kathy Hochul. Once signed, New York will become the sixth state to end the sale of puppies, as well as kittens and rabbits, in pet stores. New Yorkers will still be able to obtain loving pets directly from animal shelters and rescues and from responsible breeders, who should be screening their dogs for inherited diseases that are common in the breeds or breed types. By removing the market for puppy mill dogs and sending consumers to responsible sources of puppies instead, we will help prevent the pain and suffering of dogs like Rosie, as well as the stress and expense to their families.
Thankfully, things are looking up for Rosie. She’s mostly recovered from her procedure and is enjoying her life by playing with her “brother” dog and her two small human siblings. Recently she celebrated her first birthday with a party and dog-bone shaped cookie cake.
Everyone can get involved in the fight against puppy mills by asking their lawmakers to support the Puppy Protection Act and by following our campaign—because dogs like Rosie deserve better.
Follow Kitty Block on Twitter @HSUSKittyBlock.
Esto no es justo y tiene que acabar ya no podemos permitir más abusos hacia los animalitos no lo podemos permitir en ninguna parte del mundo
Because of the hurt in mine and my beloved beagle BooRabbit lives 8-11-2011. And both of us grieving so much. We bent into each other becoming even more Best friend than what happened ,8-9. 2009. Vet said if you don’t adopt another dog she’s going to grieve herself to death. One Saturday in late October I went to Pet Smart & asked for the most abused dog they had cause BooRabbit but b*I had a lot to give. The took me to a cage where a small 2 year old female jack Russell was. Was told she was a breeder in a puppy Mill had a deformed eye and could only see out of one. All her pups came out deformed so they got rid of her. She was made to wear a muzzle all time except to eat and didn’t even know how to bark. Or never played with Toys. Scared to death of men. You pick up a broom mop anything long she disappeared. Could drop as pencil on floor and she’s gone. She is now 13 years old. Still skiddish of men but is friendly to some.and hides when sweep mop or pick up any thing long. Beagle’BooRabbit taught her how to bark but never could get her to Play with Toys. Only time she barks is when doorbell goes off. It’s been a long road for her and still copes with it every Day.
Please save any animal being abused by anyone or any company for monetary or lab use. It is not a necessary task to be done. It is disgraceful and painful.
Thanks for your concern and continue to save our animals.
Amen to that. What puppy mills and science do and or lack doing is a sad and immoral act. Shame on anyone causing unnecessary pain and lack of love. They should never have access to any animal.
I rescued my little Tessie from the Veterinarian, who has an adoption program for challenged dogs. I had a toy poodle at home that I rescued when he was only 7 weeks old. I saw this little white-shaven doggie with only one eye and one front canine tooth laid out over her lip when she closed her mouth. She was a toy poodle found on the side of the road drinking water from the flooded ditch. She had been fixed and had 6 tumors removed. I fell in love. They said she was shy of humans when I asked to hold her. She was. She shook so bad in my arms. I cuddled her up, walked around the room with her, and tried to lock eyes with her, and when I finally did, she stopped shaking. I told them I wanted her. I had to do a trial run with her first to adopt her, and Toby liked her, but she did not like him. She tried to stay hidden. I adopted her, and she has a heart condition just like Toby did (Toby from being dewormed 7 times at only 6 weeks old just before I got him).
Tessie barked when Toby barked; she followed him everywhere. She wouldn’t play with him, toys, or us. She never peed in the house, and she loved to be petted. She is terrified of thunderstorms or if the wind is strong. Toby passed two years ago, and Tess has since stopped barking for any reason, even if I coach her too. She is losing her hearing and going blind in her only eye. She has had a dental cleaning and 4 more tumors removed. Her mouth is still a mess because her gums were so infected. She needs more surgery, but her heart won’t take it.
She is finally trying to play, so we play chase. She eventually will sleep up close to me. She never leaves my side. I take her everywhere, even kayaking, and she loves it. She used to never give kisses, but now she will kiss my hand. She has new problems arising, but I love this poor baby so much I will make the end of her life as happy and loving as I possibly can. I give her body rubs to help soothe her arthritic pain, and she becomes a limp puppy. She jumps up after and stretches, and then she wants to play. She is terrified of water, but she is getting a little better with that. As long as she is happy, I am delighted. But I know her time is coming soon, and it just makes me sick. But I will get another tortured doggie and give it a good life. We should encourage others to help these poor dogs who have no idea what it is to be loved.
I tried to post pictures, but this comment won’t let me. Sorry!
Hi,
Thank God for people like you as they’re not not many willing to adopt a needy pet and love on them until their time comes. I applaud you for doing this. I adopt my dogs from rescues with the stipulation(s) they have to be a senior and/or with special needs. Seniors and pets with special needs are the most overlooked and this is tragic. I would do what you had done with the toy poodle as well.
Yes, Ms. Brewer is an amazing dog person ! Here are my thoughts on your kind request to adopt seniors or special need animals. MANY adopters do not have the extra funds to take on senior or special need pets. We can afford care, vet, etc. But seniors/spec. needs animals are more LIKELY to need MORE Vet care than other type animals. I know as I spent around 10 % of my yearly income on two of my dogs. I am glad I did, because one of them was a neglected rescue and I know she lived a better life and longer with the care I was able to give her. No regrets. I know my dog will age and I could have the senior/sp.needs situation, 👉🏻 but don’t want to start off with that issue. I had many dogs that lived LONG lives and did not have too many extraordinary medical conditions to deal with. Two of my small dogs lived till 17 & 21 ! Good years till the end. In fact, I wonder why it seems smaller dogs aren’t living as long as they did in my younger life. OK, hope I gave a side to this issue that I never see mentioned or spoken about. I love seniors and adopted one or two as rescues. Be well !
You are amazing! Thank you for sacrificing so much and putting her needs first – she knows you love her. When she does cross the rainbow bridge, rest assured she’ll be doing it full of your love. 🤗
Norma Orndoff … orndoffnorma5@gmail.com I read your post with a lump in my throat. My rescued pup is resting beside me. He was rescued from a dilapidated trailer holding 98 dogs here in Ohio when he was two years old. We’ve had him over a year. He is still afraid of my husband, but is my shadow and sleeps curled up by my belly! He does not play; only barks at my husband; hides when anyone comes in the house. He’s beagle/basset/etc. (looks like a little black dachshund). He’s in treatment now for a disc problem in his back. Perhaps surgery in the future. There are so many of these dogs that need loving homes and it takes very special people to love them fiercely but they are so worth it! Thank you.
Thank you for rescuing her. I’m sure she appreciates you.
Good for you Madonna. I like animals more than people because animals are not liars and deceivers. When they are loved, they give back more than they get.
Danke für ihre Hilfe …♥️Hoffentlich kommt das hündchen in eine liebevolle Familie … ♥️Lich danke für ihre Hilfe
Madonna, what a beautiful beautiful story. You are uncommonly kind and Tessie is uncommonly sweet and brave.