Fight Animal Cruelty

When I see stories about animal cruelty I feel a mix of sorrow, revulsion and anger.  I can't understand how anyone could abuse or mistreat an innocent animal.  Here's one horrifying story that recently found my inbox:


Dog found in ditch had live roaches in fur


LOS ANGELES - Its hair was so matted and overgrown, the poodle had to be sedated just to be groomed. Veterinarians found live and dead cockroaches snared in the 2 1/2 pounds of fur they cut from the dog.


The dog's condition was so unbelievable that Tracy Lapeyrouse named him Ripley.
The 2-year-old poodle was found Oct. 19 in a ditch in LaPlace, La., with no identification. He was taken to Lapeyrouse, who runs My Heart's Desire animal shelter in Houma, La., about 60 miles from New Orleans.


"He didn't know he had ears. When his ears would touch his skin, he would shake his head," Lapeyrouse said in a telephone interview from Louisiana. "It took a week before he could walk normally."


The dog was skinny but not malnourished, and no one could figure out how he ate because his mouth was blocked by overgrown hair. He has packed on a half pound since his rescue and now weighs 5 1/2 pounds. Sores hidden beneath the fur healed once they were exposed to the air.
"Now he's a social butterfly," Lapeyrouse said. "We have to go slow, but he wags his nub of a tail and is seeking interaction with people."


Several people have filled out adoption papers. Ripley Entertainment Inc., parent of the Ripley's Believe It or Not! brand in Orlando, Fla., will offer the new owners a gift card for future grooming and other expenses. It also donated $400 to the shelter and may feature the former fur ball in its next book.

Poor baby - Before, Amazing baby - After

The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) was the first humane organization in the Western Hemisphere. Their mission, as stated by their founder, Henry Bergh, in 1866, is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.”

The ASPCA is very active in lobbying and advocating for animal rights. They maintain a website full of information about preventing cruelty to animals.  I found this article and thought it was helpful in understanding what we can do as individuals to help our animal friends. 

Signs That an Animal Might Be Abused

Recognizing cruelty is simple, right? Not quite, say ASPCA experts. Aggressive, timid or fearful behavior doesn't always tell the whole story. Animals may appear to be timid or frightened for many reasons other than abuse.

“It’s almost impossible to make conclusions based on a pet’s behavior alone,” says the ASPCA Animal Behavior Center’s Kristen Collins, CPDT. “The best way to tell whether a pet is being or has been abused is to examine him and his surrounding environment.”

Check out our list of signs that may alert you an animal needs help:

Physical Signs

• Collar so tight that it has caused a neck wound or has become embedded in the pet’s neck
• Open wounds, signs of multiple healed wounds or an ongoing injury or illness that isn’t being treated
• Untreated skin conditions that have caused loss of hair, scaly skin, bumps or rashes
• Extreme thinness or emaciation—bones may be visible
• Fur infested with fleas, ticks or other parasites 
• Patches of bumpy, scaly skin rashes
• Signs of inadequate grooming, such as extreme matting of fur, overgrown nails and dirty coat
• Weakness, limping or the inability to stand or walk normally
• Heavy discharge from eyes or nose
• An owner striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal
• Visible signs of confusion or extreme drowsiness

Environmental Signs

• Pets are tied up alone outside for long periods of time without adequate food or water, or with food or water that is unsanitary
• Pets are kept outside in inclement weather without access to adequate shelter
• Pets are kept in an area littered with feces, garbage, broken glass or other objects that could harm them
• Animals are housed in kennels or cages (very often crowded in with other animals) that are too small to allow them to stand, turn around and make normal movements possibly with too many other animals

“Reporting suspected animal cruelty ensures that animals in jeopardy receive prompt and often lifesaving care,” says ASPCA Special Agent Joann Sandano. “By making a complaint to the police or humane society in your area—you can even do so anonymously—you help ensure that animals in need are rescued and that perpetrators of animal cruelty are brought to justice.”

If you see signs of animal abuse, don’t keep it to yourself. Here’s how to report cruelty in your area.

Questions or concerns about calling in a cruelty complaint? Take a look at our Reporting Cruelty FAQ.

The joys of fostering

The easy thing about fostering is that you get to meet some great dogs who really appreciate and need some help.  The difficult thing about fostering is that, if it works like it should, they find someone else to love them and they leave you.


My first foster was Bernie, the very scared and anti-social Pomeranian who came from a hoarder and possibly a puppy mill via Happily Ever After.  After 3+ months, I decided to hold Bernie on my lap, despite his protests, extending the time each day.  He put up with the "holding sessions" but didn't like them much, except for the treats that followed.  Then one day, he jumped up on my lap without any provocation.  That was the day I knew he was destined for a forever home and he now lives happily with the Briggs family where he is considered to be their "lap dog".

Bernie on his way to his new home

Next came Princess, who was surrendered by an elderly man's family when he went to a nursing home.  Princess is still with us.  She's deaf and elderly and sometimes a pretty crabby old lady who startles easily, but underneath there's a sweet, gangly old gal who needs love just like we all do.  I have become pretty attached to my first "girlfriend" who I call Princess Maxine after the Hallmark card lady Maxine.  She's been here since early summer and she helped me get through the loss of my little sweetheart Zacy.  Right now her forever home is my home and she can stay as long as she needs us.

Princess Smiling for the Camera

Note:  Princess is now an official adoptee...guess where?  Ok, after a year and a half I could not imagine surrendering her an anyone else.  I'm her mom now.  She is so sweet.

Benni came on the heels of Gizmo, the bichon mix, who didn't get along well with Princess.  I had to send him back to HEA.   It was just one of those doggie dislikes that I never understood, but she was here first.  Benni stole my heart totally and I knew giving him up would be tough.  Enter Pat and Ron who live a few blocks away and lost their beloved dog about a year ago.  I liked them immediately and knew they loved Benni too.  He now lives with them but visits when they go away for an extended time which is often as Pat does a lot of volunteering.  We've seen him every week since he left and that's a bonus.

Benni lounging at the pool with Gizzy

Shadow came when Benni left.  She is a sweetie too who was left by her family at the vet's office when they learned she needed some expensive surgery.  Happily Ever After paid for her surgery, the removal of a benign growth on her back and a dental.  She's now in great health and a real joy to have around.  She's very submissive and Princess sometimes gets the dogs all worked up by playing the "bed troll", growling and barking at anyone who attempts to jump up.  Gizzy, my cairn, accidently bit Shadow today in a fit of craziness initiated by Princess.  That was just before I took her on a home visit.  It went well for her where she met an older woman and her truck driver hubby.  The family does not have other dogs which seems like a good fit for Shadow.  I may be having to say good bye to her soon too.

Shadow at Happily Ever After event

Note:  Shadow was adopted but a couple of months later they found she had cancer that had spread throughout her body.  She was returned (as requested when things are not working).  HEA kept her comfortable until her death surrounded by people who cared.

Although each dog who has lived here has been deeply loved, I know that each deserves the very best home and long-term relationship that can be found.  I have been fortunate to have some input about their re-homing and I have had every confidence that they will continue to have the same good treatment and affection they received from me.  I am so proud of my Bubba and Gizmo for allowing these foster dogs to have a part in our lives and our home. That is why I foster and I encourage anyone who can to experience the joys and rewards of fostering.

Bubba looking shaggy and big 

Graphic Night

Tonight I spent too much time fooling around with my header graphic for this blog.  I must say, I think it's kind of cute, but that's just me ('cause I drew it).

Later today, because it is Saturday, rescuers everywhere will be out doing what they do...attending events, fundraising, showing and cheering on their animals...hoping to find homes for the homeless.  When I go out, I'll see them, perhaps I can snap some pictures.  Look for more later.

Things are not always as they seem

I am going to try to stay positive, although I've had a few disappointments lately in the rescue world.  My Pollyanna view has been somewhat dimmed by some nasty quibbling that resulted after some of the rescues (not present) questioned the motives, tactics and results of the auction/rescue.  Accusations and back seat quarterbacking comments flew on my auction rescue group and it became very upsetting, unfair and mean-spirited.  I'm told the rescue world, which is made up of mostly women (no surprise), is also full of "alpha bitches" who are not afraid to give an opinion, even when not asked.

Yesterday, I found a post from someone who claimed to have 2 shiba inu's, 6 puppies, a shih tzu and 3 poodle mixes that were surrendered by an Amish farmer in SW Wisconsin.  I cross-posted and quickly heard from a few people who were interested in helping.  One person in the Milwaukee area even went so far as to find a foster home for the momma and pups.  We found out the dogs were still available but the person who originally made the post suddenly stopped answering our emails.  Now we are left wondering "What the hell just happened?"

I heard from the poster of the original message.  The dogs are still with the Amish farmer who is surrendering them and several potential fosters have come forward for the momma and pups.  The other dogs are still available for foster or rehoming.  See my page Wisconsin Dogs Need Help. 

Yesterday, after the passage of Prop B in MO, the breeder release group posted a number of voluntary releases available to rescues.  They seem to be responding to the call.  However, at the same time, an independent rescue in Nebraska had all her dogs confiscated by the area Humane Society after a report she was running a substandard facility that was covered in urine and feces.  They took somewhere between 50-100 dogs from her (depending on whose story you believe).  The rescues who know this woman claim she is a saint and she says she has been set up.  I'll continue to monitor that situation too.

One thing I am quickly learning...The rescue world, just like any organized effort, is filled with animosity and acrimony.  Everyone thinks they do it best.  Independent rescues do not believe in the tactics of the Humane Society, PETA or the ASPCA, for varying reasons, some I have yet to understand.  Everyone wants a favorable outcome for the dogs, but hardly anyone agrees about how that should be achieved.  It's a wonder these poor creatures survive in man's world at all.

I am bewildered and disappointed, but this appears to be the reality of the rescue world.  Still, I choose to keep my eye on the stories that inspire and amaze.  I refuse to let my respect and admiration be tempered by a vocal few and will continue to report the stories that uplift from the heroes I discover.

Please forgive me for my negative post today, but it's my blog, and I gotta "calls it as I sees it."

The auction in the words of my rescuer friend Carolyn

The dialog below was written by Carolyn Hadley, Something Special Castaways of Kansas City. Carolyn and her partner, Susan Turturice had set up a fund to bid on as many of the auction dogs as possible and to arrange for their safe transport, foster and re-homing. This is their story...not mine. I only observed what happened with admiration. I also went to the vetting station where some of the dogs stayed until their transports arrived. Although we hoped to be able to rescue more, many factors prevented that reality. God bless those who got out and those who were responsible.

This past few weeks have been a whirlwind. We did manage to pre-buy some of the dogs being offered up at the Schindler Auction in Mexico Missouri. We "pre-bought" the labs, german shepherds, cane corso's and 7 senior poms. My daughter and I drove down to pick them up on Wednesday, where we were met by a rather confrontational gal named Betty. She is a breeder as well and was clearly not fond of rescue. We then met Bonnie Schindler who in all honesty was a very nice lady, she is on her 3rd battle with cancer and is terminal. When we went out to receive the dogs at one point we must have gotten to close to the edge of the drive as Betty told us not to go any further. We picked up all the dogs without incident, got them back to Kansas City for boarding and continued to gear up for the upcoming Friday and Saturday Auction.

Hopeful Poms at vetting station awaiting transport to loving homes

Note from me: Before we were allowed on the property, we had to have our driver's licenses photocopied and sign a waiver stating that we agreed to follow the rules which included no photo taking. A rescue was escorted out by the sheriff for taking photos and the atmosphere charged with animosity. The auctioneer made it very clear that they did not care who bought their dogs but that we better follow their rules. 

He also stated that the auction dogs had received the required vaccinations and that the health certificates needed had been added as a mandatory charge of $10 to the bills the successful bidder would pay at the end. Carolyn/Susan had been given permission before the auction to bring in a vet and he planned to vaccinate and issue health certificates for $5 at a vetting station about 20 miles away. This was the first they heard about this new arrangement. They sent their vet home but continued to keep the vetting station open and brought the dogs there to await transport.

Schindler Property Set Up: We arrived on the Schindler property just after 8am. I was overwhelmed by rows and rows of “huts”. Each hut was hooked to the next and they were maybe 2ft by 2ft houses with equal footage of raised wire floored cages. The little dogs would run back and forth to the front of the cage and into their “huts”. For the most part the dogs were pretty social in that they did not cower at the backs of their cages, most wanted to be up front and center getting love and attention. There were several rows of very large sized chain link runs that housed the large breed dogs as well. There were many barns and outbuildings on the property which each served a different purpose, such as puppy barn, whelping barn, yorkie barn etc. Overall, the conditions were far better then I expected.

Auction: I had only ever been to one small auction before and I only went as a co-pilot. This was the largest breeder auction in the state of Missouri. They started out selling the larger breed dogs, cockers were first. They were housed in larger sized runs in sets of 2. They were ranging in price from as low as $55 up to $500. I had managed to keep my emotions in check until about the 8th or 10th cocker sold and the reality of what was happening set in. 

Several times over the next 30 min. I had to look away and stare out over the field in order to clear the tears from my eyes. To see these dogs being held up in the air as if they were same a clock being auctioned at a junk sale. They would tell you what number in the catalog the dog was, what model number he or she was (year of birth) and the females were labeled as bred, due in heat, in heat etc. Males were referred to as good workers or they threw good litters. Not a single name was used, just numbers.

Sr. Cocker Alphie now safety in foster care

Our first purchase was a male cocker 03 model (auctioneer's term) and we also managed to get another male cocker 02 model. I think this was one of the most nerve racking, heartbreaking things I have ever done. We continued on through the outside runs, including boxers, huskies (most bought by the Amish between $685 and $1150), then bassets and beagles, which also brought mostly between $300 and $600. We finally got to the last outdoor run which contained the adorable lil corgi's. We had already scoped out who we wanted to bid on and checked in with other rescues to make sure we wouldn't be bidding against one another. Up came #104 female 09 model, she was heavily bred (due soon) so we knew the Amish were going to be on her and NONE of us wanted to see these babies jump out of the frying pan and into the fire by going to an Amish breeder. I jumped in to bid against the Amish couple while others kept an eye out on what they were doing. The man said to his wife that I was rescue and wouldn't bid very high. I finally dropped out of the bid at $900, we didn't get her but they didn't get her cheap either. Don't think I will ever forget how hard we tried for that lil girl, and it breaks my heart to think she has a whole lifetime stuck with that horrible breeder. 

7 yr old Brussels Griffon Fonzi in loving foster home now 

They finally moved on to sell what they called Bullet puppies, which is English bulldog and basset cross. There were 5 puppies, all female. Bonnie came out and took about 10 min to explain how much money you could get out of these pups, the best steps to breed them and recommended a particular artificial insemination kit. I believe all but 1 of those babies went to rescue as none of us could bare to sit back and let them go into that life. Once that was over we moved into the tent to start the small breed auction.

Bullet with rescuer's happy daughter

People who were working there carried small dogs out 2 and 3 at a time and they were lined up on a table mostly in groups of about 5 or so. The bidding would start, someone would jump in and it went up from there. If they were females, they were held up on their hind legs and their bellies were bared to see if they were bred. Many times I saw the breeder, mostly Amish ones come up and literally, physically stick their fingers inside the vaginal opening of the dog to "check" her. The dogs were scared and the looks on their faces… the look of horror and of not knowing was gut wrenching. The prices of the dogs were sky high, on average $500 or $600 per dog. If the female was bred, it skyrocketed, if she was due in heat or was in heat, again the price was driven up. If the male was small and perfect breed standard, the price drove up. Even the 10yr old females were going high.

Day Two: By the time they continued to add to the online catalog and pass out supplemental sheets I would estimate that they sold roughly 900 dogs and puppies at this auction. Day 2 was certainly no better and probably worse than day one. They had so many dogs left to sell they set up in 2 tents with 2 auctioneers, selling simultaneously. If you were in tent one you couldn't see what was even being sold in tent 2. I saw yorkies go for as low as a couple of hundred to $1500. There were several dogs on day two that were brought out and placed on the table that were whelping (delivering puppies) at the time. One poor pug #388 female 03 model had just whelped 3 puppies but was brought out to the table, her back end wrapped in a towel to be auctioned off. One of our rescue partners wanted her but had to go to the other tent, so she asked me to bid for her, said I could go up to $600, I won the bid at $725 and just kicked in the overage from our funds. I can't begin to explain the hurt I felt for this dog when she was ripped away from her babies, but wrapped in a towel and held in the air for the world to decide her worth. There were moms with 1 day to 1 week old puppies brought out and auctioned off as a group. One yorkie mom and her babies was bought by a breeder, I did hear the breeder say later in the line to someone else, “hey do you want to buy this yorkie, I only want the puppies” and they did… so her babies were taken from her before they were weaned because she had no value to them. She was a larger yorkie without much hair and not particularly yorkie attractive… so no value for her, I did find out later that they folks she went to were rescue… thank God, they saw value in her.

At the time it was going on, it just didn't seem real, of course we weren't sleeping and were exhausted and trying to stay focused on saving as many as possible… it wasn't until I had these last few days to reflect that I understand the magnitude of what transpired. I am emotionally drained and sickened by the way these animals are treated. We ended up in conjunction with our partner rescues speaking for 114 dogs…. Dogs that will no longer be subjected to this horror and puppies we managed to get that will NEVER know the breeding life and for that I am thankful.

THE ONE WHO STOLE MY HEART: I think each of us that attended found that one dog that stuck with us… that one we knew we had to help. I met mine on Friday.

I went into the puppy barn where they had not only puppies but some small Chihuahuas as well (those that know me, know I am a big dog person… 3 great danes of my own). But in one of the 2ft by 2ft wire raised wire cages… no solid surface at all, was a white ceramic food bowl, curled up in the food bowl was a tiny blue Chihuahua. I walked over to the cage and this tiny being got up and ran to the back of her cage. I bent down and in my best baby voice said “hi baby… how are you?” This lil thing bounced around butt wagging and ran to the front of the cage with the biggest toothiest smile I had ever seen. She did this over and over ever time I spoke to her…. Heart dog????? Oh yeah…..

#652 AKA Cindy, playing in the grass for the first time

I went back several times to see her, she wasn't slated to sell until Saturday. I couldn't get her out of my head. Next day we arrived at 8am again and I found Kristin (the breeders granddaughter) and asked her if there was anyway I could buy her before she was auctioned. I pointed her out, she said she would ask her grandma, she returned about 15 min. later and said grandma said to ask Bob the auctioneer. She did just that and came back to me and told me she was bred and they wanted $400 for her. Based on the prices I had witnessed the day before I knew I had to take her for that. She doesn't weigh more then 3 pounds, she's blue and she's bred. The Amish would have paid top dollar to have her. So that's when Cindy or in auction terms dog #652 female chi 08 model, bred, became mine. She flashes that big ole smile every time you talk to her and she is the sweetest most loving well behaved lil girl I have ever had honor of knowing and loving. She will be going in next week for her spay and will never again know breeding or living on wire again. She seems to have taken quite nicely to being a couchpotatoin the most hideously ugly orange and brown sweater (only one small enough for her) ever. She doesn't mind the ugly sweater, in fact it's put a smile on her face… and mine. Don't think I ever knew that such a small dog could occupy such a huge part of my heart.

Missourians VOTE YES! on Prop B

Talk about an exciting night...

When I first checked in the vote was 49 yes - 51 no, that changed to 50/50 and now at about midnight I received this message.  Prop B passed 51-49!
Hallelujah!  God has smiled on the dogs and the rescuers at last.  Now the work can really begin!

Email from:

Missourians for the Protection of Dogs / YES! on Prop B

Dear Sara,

Thousands of dogs will soon enjoy a better life -- and they have you to thank.

Missourians voted YES! on Prop B, and chose to save dogs suffering in Missouri puppy mills.

You made this victory happen. Whether you donated to keep our TV ads on the air, spent your nights phone banking for Prop B, hit the pavement with leaflets, gathered signatures from registered voters, or engaged your friends and family in Missouri -- you helped show millions of Missouri voters what Prop B would mean for dogs.

We are grateful to the citizens of Missouri for voting to crack down on puppy mill abuses and establish common-sense standards for the care of dogs at large scale facilities. Finally these creatures will have relief from being crammed into small and filthy cages, without veterinary care, exercise, or human affection. If we can do it here in the nation’s largest puppy mill state, we are more likely to see similar reforms enacted in other states, where the industry is not nearly as strong and entrenched.

Dogs should be treated like family pets, not like breeding machines or a cash crop. We look forward to working with commercial breeders to transition to more humane systems and setting a new high bar within this industry. Missouri lawmakers and state officials should heed this message from the people, and immediately step up enforcement efforts to crack down on inhumane breeding operations.

How dogs are treated is so important to all of us -- and even more important to the dogs who have been suffering every day in Missouri’s puppy mills. Together, we fought for a better life for puppy mill dogs, and together, we won.

Thank you,




Barbara Schmitz
Campaign Manager
Missourians for the Protection of Dogs / YES! on Prop B

P.S. For the latest news and next steps, please continue to visit YESonPropB.com.

Prop B will go to voters Nov. 2

I am worn out from reading posts on the auction dog group site which has whipped up a frenzy of negativity and unfounded accusations based on what happened this weekend with the dogs going for such high prices.  I still haven't completely digested the scene at the auction or processed what happened and I think I will refrain from talking about any of that until I do.  

On this evening before the vote on Prop B in Missouri, I can't help but think of the dogs I met this weekend at the auction in Mexico, MO.  I hope their fellow breeding dogs will benefit from this Prop and that it will result in many more dogs being available for rescue.  I hope the voters of Missouri are bright enough to see that the hype about this Prop being a government attempt to take away their rights is false.  You can read more about the discussion here:  Prop B - The Truth Debunked

Below is an explanation of Prop B in a nutshell.  I can't imagine why any responsible breeder would have a problem with these requirements.  There were signs all over MO saying to "Vote No on Prop B".  It scares me that uninformed people won't realize what they are voting about.  Tonight, I hope divine intervention will help these poor suffering dogs.

What Is Prop B?

Proposition B (the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act) will vastly improve the lives of dogs in commercial breeding operations in Missouri. It will limit the number of breeding dogs to 50 per facility and require large-scale dog breeding operations to provide each breeding dog under their care with basic humane animal care, including:

• Sufficient food and clean water;

• Necessary veterinary care;

• Sufficient housing, including protection from the elements;

• Sufficient space to turn and stretch freely, lie down, and fully extend their limbs;

• Regular exercise; and

• Adequate rest between breeding cycles.