On Saturday, I get to take part in transporting ELEVEN Shiba Inus from a puppy mill in Arkansas to their new foster homes. This is one of my greatest passions, saving these animals from certain death, or from lives lived solely in a crate, producing litter after litter of puppies.
The last time I did this, there were only eight dogs, but they were all either adults or older puppies. This time, we’ll have NINE PUPPIES and two adult females. Four of the puppies are about 2 months old, and they all have special needs. One of them has one leg shorter than the others, but we don’t know what kinds of issues the other three have. The remaining five puppies are 3-5 months old, and for some reason weren’t “good enough” to sell.
Here is where I get on my soapbox and scream, “NEVER buy a puppy from a store!” These puppies always come from puppy mills, and the only way to put puppy mills out of business is to stop buying their products. My two Shibas, Kaia and Chloe, spent the first 8-9 years of their lives living in cages. Their only job was to produce litters, and they had very little human contact. Once they became too old for breeding, the owners were just going to euthanize them.
Thank God for the Shiba Inu Rescue Association (www.savingshibas.com), and all the other rescue groups and shelters. They take these “unwanted” dogs and find loving, permanent homes for them. So please, if you ever want to get a dog, check out your local shelter or search for rescue groups for the particular breed you’re interested in.
OK, back to the PUPPIES! I think it goes without saying that I am SO EXCITED to get my hands on nine little Shiba puppies! Our portion of the transport is only about two hours, so I’ll have to get my puppy fix in quickly. My plan is to have Nature Boy drive, so I’ll be free to pluck them out of their cages at will, and play with each one for a bit.
Cutest puppies EVER!
And no, we aren’t keeping any of them. Both Kaia and Chloe were supposed to be temporary foster dogs, and we know how that turned out. We’re definitely not ready for three dogs!
More great news on the dog front: we’re getting a fence tomorrow! My fur babies will be able to go outside and roam around the backyard without a leash! I’m excited for them and for myself, because this means I don’t have to walk them three times a day. Now, if we can just get a doggie door, that would be icing on the cake!
I’ll be sure and post pics of the pups after the transport!
Just Me...And The Voices 
19 Comments
That is just full of the awesome! Are you sure you won’t keep just one? Seriously, look at that sweet little face. How can you resist? I think what you are doing to help is wonderful. I am a huge animal lover and can never imagine keeping animals cagged 24-7 without contact for money.
Don’t tempt me! I have very little restraint!! 😉 Some of the worst offenders are the Amish. They have HORRIBLE puppy mills. We had a bust here in Missouri a few months ago, and there were over 300 dogs that were seized. It’s unthinkable.
They are the cutest puppies ever. I wouldn’t be fooled, though – we once had the sweetest kittens ever, but they had the cheek to grow into ordinary cats!
I know! What is UP with that whole growing up thing?? Can’t they just stay cute forever? Hope you’re feeling better!!!
You are double awesome.
Awww, thanks Captain!
This is awesome work you do. We have an aging Rhodesian ridgeback who we got from an AKC breeder as a pup. We didn’t want to support puppy mills, but we were afraid to go the rescue route due to concerns about the potential for rescue dogs and small children not mixing well. What is your take on this? I would love for our next dog to be a rescue, now that the kids are 4 and 6 and we are more seasoned dog owners, but do you think we’re still asking for trouble with kids those ages and a rescue dog?
Kudos on finding a good breeder! A nice reputable breeder is a far cry from a puppy mill, and a great alternative for people who are concerned with the “issues” that some rescue dogs have. Not knowing a dog’s history is scary, for sure, especially with young children in the house. In this circumstance, I would be hesitant to get a dog straight from the Humane Society or local shelter, because you know nothing of the dog’s background. All of the dogs in our association, and probably most of the other rescue organizations, are fostered before being adopted. We do this so they can be evaluated in many different situations: with kids, other dogs, cats, at the pet store, at the vet, in the car, etc. before they go to a forever home. We make recommendations as to what type of household would be the best match, and we interview possible candidates and do a home visit before placing any dog. One of our foster moms kept a dog for nine months because she so particular. Which is a good thing! If you’re looking for a particular breed, you can search for rescue organizations for that breed. Breed-specific rescue organizations are going to be much more knowledgeable about not only the breed itself, but about how that breed typically behaves when coming from a mill, owner surrender, etc. Hope this helps!!
I should make clear: we went with a reputable breeder so as not to support the mills.
So glad pups are getting rescued. And glad you continue to spread the word about puppy mills. I still hope to rescue a greyhound… once we have a house that’s big enough for one, that is. And of course my dog allergies disappear. Miracles can happen, right? 😉
Of course miracles can happen!! There are hypo-allergenic dogs, but I’m not sure if a greyhound fits into that category.
Freakin adorable!!
I know! They look like little bears.
Great post, and good for you for doing such a good thing and saving those pooches! And most importantly… AWWWW, SOOO CUTE!
Agree with you on not buying dogs from pet stores, is just wrong and supports puppy mills, ours are from breeder and rescue, and the next one will be a rescue dog. We have found a schnauzer rescue society here in the great white north and will be getting dog number three from them.
Awww.. puppies are soooo cute!
Thanks for the comment!! And YAY for you for going the rescue/breeder route!! Gotta go check out your blog now!
That dog looks like a canine teddy bear. Soooo cute. I’m glad you’re saving the dogs. It’s so sad about puppy mill dogs. 😦
We bought our dog a fence a few years ago. And, yes, it was entirely for her. It was a great purchase. Before that, she had to be on a tether in the back yard because she jumped our old fence all the time. Now she gets to run and bark and generally be a jerk. But a happy jerk.
OMG they were so cute! But they looked nothing like the teddy bear pic! I’ll be so happy when mine can run around and be jerks!! They didn’t put the damn fence in on Friday because of rain, so it’s rescheduled for tomorrow. But it’s snowing here, so I’m thinking it may not happen. Grrrrr.
I know! What is UP with that whole growing up thing?? Can’t they just stay cute forever? Hope you’re feeling Better!!!
Cute puppy..So cute.See Natural Dog Foods
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