Have you ever wished you could confront the people responsible for causing your dog’s misery? In honor of her Italian greyhound Lily – who was a billboard child for puppy mill dogs’ abuse and neglect – Theresa Strader founded the National Mill Dog Rescue in 2007.
In the first seven years of Lily’s life, she was a breeding dog. Here is her story, according to the website: “Lily spent all of her days in a small, cold cage in the dark, foul-smelling barn.” The dreary confines of Lily forced her to supply one litter after another without respite. Lily never left her cage for exercise or socialization. Her worth was measured solely by her ability to produce puppies, just like all commercial breeding dogs.
Before being rescued, Lily endured a lot of abuse. Image source: National Mill, Dog Rescue Lily had been wiped out by the age of seven. As part of a common industry practice, she received very little to no veterinary care throughout her life, which was incredibly distressing to her. Lily’s mouth and mandible had rotted away due to years of poor care, poor food, rabbit bottle watering, and lack of chew toys. There were mammary tumors all over her chest, and she was terrified of people.”
Just fifteen months after her rescue, Lily took refuge in the embrace of her loving adoptive father and family. Image source: National Mill, Dog Rescue In May 2008, Lily gave up being a ghost and took refuge in the embrace of her adoptive father and family.
This potent letter was written by Thersea while trying to influence Lily’s passing. While it is aimed at Lily’s breeder, we hope anyone involved in pet mills will find it interesting.
The letter is reprinted with permission from National Mill Dog Rescue: Dear Martha, It has been fifteen months since I first met you. As you likely know, I probably don’t know much about you. After all, we met on your property. Since then, elements of your world have become part of mine in a big way, which makes me and many like-minded people very thankful.
The email that I received in February 2007 was entitled “50 Italian Greyhounds in need” and contained a telephone number. I called the number in order to discover what the story was and if I could be of assistance. It is likely that you will recognize where this letter is going now, as I have a lifetime affinity for the breed.
After 40+ years, your kennel will close on February 17, 2007. A total of 561 dogs will be auctioned at the auction that day, 49 of which will be Italian greyhounds. It is time to retire and relax after mistreating dogs for four decades. It had been without a doubt that I might be of assistance, but I had no idea what I might discover through the method.
The things I have seen on your property are not human, Martha. Many terrified, ailing faces, imprisoned in their wire confinements, some watching me, but most too afraid to look into my eyes, unsure of how human contact should be interpreted. The sadness and fear in their eyes haunts me to this very day, after having caused me so many sleepless nights.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s standards are all that you work within – what a despicable idea. It is also my understanding that in your circles, commercial breeding dogs are considered livestock. Dogs aren’t livestock, Martha. They have been domesticated by humans for thousands of years as protectors, hunters, herders, guardians, and most importantly as companions.
Nine Italian Greyhounds, two Dachshunds and two Papillons came home with me. Because it is related to saving dogs, I will be continuing my lifelong education for the next few months as none of the dogs I have cared for has suffered physical and emotional damage to your dog.
It is only one of these dogs that is the focus of this letter. It is my hope that this dog will find her forever home here… #251 – AKC registered “Reedgate’s Swift Motion.” Oh, the irony of her name – Swift Motion – an Italian greyhound who has never been ready to run. Because she was kept in a cage for her entire life, she was unable to run freely. For a breed that is meant for running, this was a cruel reality.
Lily was released when she was seven years and one month old, with the chain removed from her neck and a soft collar put on.
Among your few dogs, Lily does not have a mandible. Would you be able to explain why so many of your dogs had this condition? Have you ever thought about the pain or how they would be able to eat enough for survival? I’m wondering how many of your dogs died from this condition. Do you even notice the fact that they died? You probably didn’t notice one thing besides the rotting faces, though. You’re in the business of producing puppies, no matter what the cost.
Our family has cherished Lily for many years. She suffered from many health problems and extreme fears, but over time, with a lot of love and care, she found her courage. This made her love impossible to resist. Everyone listened to her story in tears and had endless fun meeting her. Lily’s life wasn’t about what she could do for you, but rather, how we could make it up to her in a warm and loving environment.
In addition to four surgeries to remove her mammary tumors, fix her decaying face, and spay her — removing her uterus, which was once a papery black, pus filled organ — it was agonizing for us. Never know her pain, only dollars. That’s how selfish you are.
Our daughter is unable to eat any food because of your negligence. We have tried a number of foods and various methods to make eating easier for her. Nevertheless, she had to do it her way, the way she had learned at your house, the way she had kept herself alive for you in the end – she picked kibbles from her bowl with her feet, spread them across the floor, rubbing her face with the ground to catch a kibble, then extending her neck upwards to swallow it. Martha, I totally agree with you. How would you like to eat only one meal that way?
During the auction, the blokes were gathering up the dogs I had “won.” When you said, “I love my Italian Greyhounds,” I could remember what went through my mind. Martha, you do not love any dogs at all. What you might do is use dogs for your own gain for forty years with your god-given life. There is no consideration of the dogs’ physical or mental well-being, just cashing in on their breeding ability. Believe the thousands of dogs you killed – you robbed them of the easy joys they so deserved – meals, shelter, medical attention, and most of all, companionship to fill their lives with meaning.
In our family, Lily has learned a lot-about being a loved person, about being a dog, about being a worthy person. The fact that she didn’t learn how to run or play will always bother me. But she did learn how to love and be loved, and we were changed forever by her.
As a breeding dog at a puppy mill for seven years, Lily suffered. Image source: National Mill Dog Rescue Lily died on May 13, 2008, at the age of eight, about half the value of an Italian Greyhound. Her neglect over the past seven years caused her to die immediately. How many others have suffered the same fate? There has been too much concealment in this industry. The word is out, the times are numbered. Those of you who love God’s creatures will soon leave them in the care of those who do honest work.
