I bought a cute puppy at the pet store

Moe Lived in a horrible Puppymill for 7 years called LapDog Kennel in Salina Kansas. He arrived here on 06/14/2005 scared of his own shadow. He is still very frightened of being picked up.: 07/09/2006 - LapDog Kennel is Closed for business.. Freedom for ALL

I bought a cute puppy at the pet store - Moe's story - by Debbie Tovar

This story is in honor of "Moe" who knows the truth about puppy mills.

Lady 1: Oh, you just have to see my Papillion puppy that I bought at the pet store today! I walked in there, and just had to have her. She is just too cute! I have papers on her and everything. She was expensive, but look, there is a breeder's name on the papers. I wasn't planning on a puppy, but I just couldn't turn her down!

Lady 2: Wow, I am looking for a puppy. Maybe I will try that store. I heard that I should go to a shelter or rescue. I could find a good breeder, but oh, that takes SO long. I must say, your Papillion puppy is really cute. Do they take credit cards there?

Lady 1: Oh, yes, and they don't ask where you live, or anything. They said my eight-week-old puppy is too young to play with toys (editor's note: that was actually said at a pet store!), so I didn't spend any money on those. But, be careful, ok? There was this weird lady outside the store handing out some literature about puppy mills. There were gross pictures of dogs living in horrible conditions. Well, I KNOW my Papillion wasn't from one of those places. This store says they only use 'professional' breeders. (Fact: 99% or more of puppies purchased at a pet store are from puppy mills).

And so...the story goes for seven years, time after time. In a puppy mill in Kansas sits Moe. Who is Moe? Moe is the father of many Papillion puppies sold in pet stores across the country over the last seven years. Here is Moe today:

He's kind of cute isn't he? It looks like seven years in a puppy mill didn't hurt him at all. Maybe for the first year or so, Moe dreamed about life somewhere over the rainbow. At some point, he quit dreaming. But what is Moe's real story?

I first heard about Moe on a Yahoo Papillion list two months ago. A rescuer named Mary took in several abandoned puppy mill dogs. Mary runs a rescue/sanctuary in a neighboring state. A couple of them were young (dumped because of luxatting patella’s) and were able to be adopted out quickly. The scars of never being removed from a cage for anything other than mating weren't impressed on their brains yet. The older ones were a different story. They are dumped when they can no longer produce enough puppies or when they are too sick to mate. One of those found a forever home but then was returned to the sanctuary. She doesn't understand human affection, and doesn't get excited when someone walks in a room. She won’t ever be a “normal” dog. It will take a special someone to adopt her, and just love her, even though she may never love back.

Then there is Moe. He is about seven years old. He is probably father to tons of Papillion puppies. He has beautiful eyes and a bit of a smile. So, why does everyone on the list cheer and cry when Moe is mentioned? To put it simply, Moe is un-adoptable, and any progress in his life is a miracle. Moe lives under the drawer pictured there. Moe just sits and watches the world go by. Just leave him alone, and he is happy. Moe was residing under the bed for a month, but finally Mary said enough was enough, and boarded up the bottom of the bed. Moe just packed himself up, and moved under a drawer. Moe will probably never trust a human being. Moe becomes stiff as a board when picked up. After all, for seven years, the only human contact he probably had was to be moved from one crate to another. He isn't going to fall for Mary saying, “Moe, we love you. You are important.” Moe's emotional state of mind isn't good at all. Oh, sure, he's smart, you can see it in his eyes, but chances are there will never be any trust, no understanding that some humans love their dogs. Yet all of us, who know about Moe, pray that one day Mary will write that Moe responded to affection. We still believe that miracle could happen.

You may look at his picture, and say, he sure looks clean and white, and in good health. Sure - with two months of hard work by Mary, he is getting there. Mary now has the job of cleaning dried dirt and crusted skin from urine burns off his stomach. After all, SEVEN years of no bath, no grooming, lying in pee and poop, takes it toll. Moe apparently had garbage to eat, and no bones to play with. Moe has absolutely no teeth left. They had to be pulled. Yet you say, “he's so white!” Only after many baths in whitening shampoo did this little guy turn white. While some dogs aren't crazy about baths, it was a horror for Moe at first. Moe's only experience with water was when the cages were hosed down...with the dogs in them. Moe's beautiful white hair was stained yellow from pee. In case you find that hard to believe, here is the picture of Moe the day he came into Mary's rescue and a picture of his extracted teeth and his now healing belly.

Our Lovely Mo. The middle picture is what was left of his teeth after years of eating store bought dog food that wasn't any good for anything. The belly picture is of his raw belly. It is raw because the puppymill where he lived DIDN'T care about him at all they didn't even clean out his cage so his own pee wouldn't burn him.

Moe is one of the lucky former puppy mill dogs. He's alive and in good hands. Many dogs rescued are so bug infested or ill that it is necessary to end their life. Meanwhile, dogs like Moe and the girls rescued with him, 'worked' for their whole lives producing puppies for the American public that doesn't want to wait for a good breeder to breed her champion dog, or doesn't want to get a dog from a rescue or shelter "because we don't know the history." Yet, they will go to a pet store, purchase a puppy, and never think twice about who the parents of the puppy really are.

Back to our ladies:

Lady 2: It says here, your puppy was born in Kansas (nothing against Kansas, there are puppy mills in Wisconsin too!). Have you thought about looking up your puppy's parents on your next vacation?

Lady 1: No, why? I am sure her Mom is lying by a fire tonight, and Dad is probably close by. Maybe they just had a litter of puppies. Can't you imagine her on a doggy bed with those puppies? Meanwhile, Moe sits under his drawer, and says, “Lady, I am your puppy's Dad, and I paid a high price in life so you could have your puppy. “

Lady 2: Yeah, you are right. With that cute a puppy, their parents must have been champions and leading the good life..........

Moe can't speak for himself. He needs us to pass on his story. All of these dogs have been neutered or spayed, so that they will not have to re-live the horror again of their previous life.

Please, if you want a puppy (older dogs are great too!), go to a shelter or rescue. These are NOT second-class puppies and dogs. They need homes. If you are in love with a certain breed, there are breed rescues that are filled with pure-bred dogs (even though we think our Mutts are just as great!) If you want a purebred puppy, we can provide with information on how to go about seeking a good breeder.

Mary, Moe's caretaker has given permission to pass on Moe's story. Should there be miracles happening in Moe's life, I will be sure to update his story. Mary runs the Stickneys’ Toy Breed Retirement Sanctuary, in Cortland, Nebraska, www.petfinder.com/shelters/NE28.html.

One month later: What is the most natural thing in the world for a dog to do? To play and run in the grass, of course. For Moe, there is a question of wondering if he has ever seen or felt grass. Maybe in his very early days, or maybe not. Maybe he did spend every single day of his life in a cage. Now Mary, the owner of the rescue takes Moe outside. She holds him close. Is Moe happy to be outside? Probably not. Mary gets pee'd on. A few days later Mary places Moe in an exercise pen in the yard. Moe just sits and shakes wondering what that weird green stuff is under his feet. Maybe some day, Moe will run in the grass, or maybe not. It's our dream that it will happen. Unfortunately, soon, Moe is going to have another new experience, and he might wonder what happened to the green grass. Soon, there will be a bit of white stuff on the ground called snow. Added note: it is now thought that Moe may be a lot older than originally thought. We can only hope he will live long enough to have some joy near the end of his life, and be able to accept the love he is given.

Update 12/18/2005

I have been bringing Moe up on the bed with us at night , while we watch TV. He is not to sure about it, but he hasn't pee'd on me. He is looking good and feeling good. He is still very afraid of being reached for and picked up all though he does calm down once up on my lap. He is also still very afraid of running water. The only way I can give him a good bath is to take him in the tub with me.

Moes first Xmas.. Moe doesn't play and doesn't like blankets yet , so he got a big bowl of warm puree chicken. He has no teeth so its easier for him to eat if we puree it for him. It was a beautiful day so I drug him outside.

Update 01/19/2006

It has taken 7 long months , one month for each year he was in that cage , but today a miracle happened. I got home and Kim told me that Moe had came out in the Living Room on his own. He came out once for a few minutes and another time for 20 minutes and the third time he sat on the dog blanket that has the toys on it for an HOUR.

Update 02/14/2006

I let someone else hold me. Ok it was not my idea , but Mom thought it was high time. And I did not pee on her , I am so proud of myself.

Update 02/17/2006

Moe has a new friend. Her name is Dolly she came here on 02/03/2006 from a puppymill that has 400+ dogs. She is scared and goes to see Moe for comfort and hides with him in his Cave.

Update 02/22/2006

Moe coming out.wmv

I had a plate of scrambled eggs and cheese out on the floor by my chair. This was the dogs and my breakfast today. Dolly had come out and grabbed a piece and took it back to the Cave. Moe stole hers and was barking and growling at her when she tried to take it back. So I took another piece over there so they each had one. Well Moe wanted more and here he is trying to work up the nerve to come over to the plate.

Update 03/29/2006

Spring is here and we are starting all over with taking Moe outside. He is very scared, his ears may be up but he was a shaken like a leaf and he pooped on me while I carried him out. Tomorrow I am going to try a harness and leash in case its the pen he is scared of.

04/03/2006

Movies\Moes feelings about being out on a harness.wmv

Update 04/08/2006

Moe Living Room.wmv

I was sitting in the Living Room watching TV and filming Zoey squeaking her fish toy to death. When out of the corner of my eye I see MOE.

Update 04/30/2006

Moe has come out to the Living Room 3 times now at our meal time , but has not worked up the courage to come all the way to the table. So we slid a plate over to him. And he did not run off , he ate from it. Its only a matter of a bit more time and he will find the courage to join the herd at the table.

Update 06/06/2006

June 14th, Moe will be here a year. He is a retired puppymill production Line Worker. I was told he was 7 , but I think he is more like 12 years old or more. I have found that if they are released from the mill by age 4 or less they assimilate to somewhat normal dog life much better. Much more after that and they have a real hard time of it , if it happens at all. They just shut down emotionally and mentally. Moe will never be a normal dog.

So he will stay here , hiding under my bedside table by day and perusing the house by night.

Progress made so far:

He is now clean , of good weight and healthy for the first time in his life. The fear and dead look are gone from his eyes most the time now. Just this month he started coming out from hiding under the bedside table when we are awake. But only if fresh cooked food is involved but he will not come with in reach to get some. He comes out to greet any new arrivals to the herd. He no longer pees and poops on me when I pick him up , but still panics.

Things left to conquer:

He is still very scared of being reached for by humans. He is still scared of running water. He is scared of going outside. He is scared to be on the bed. He still remains a good 5 feet from us and we can not walk in his direction or he runs. He will not take food from our hand.

Of course it doesn't help that I scared the crap out of him the other day. I took him outside on the harness and did not let him down until we were a good ways from the house. He panicked BIG TIME. He wanted back in the house so bad , yet did not want me following him with the leash. Or in front of him on with the leash. He literally did not know what to do , so he freaked out. In order to pick him up I had to shorten the leash , which scared him.

And I carried him in the house and held him until he calmed down. And took off the harness. He is just not ready for this yet.

Update 07/15/2006

Moe has a new room mate since Dolly was adopted. Her name is Milly she came from the same place as Moe did. And we are happy to report that , that place was shut down. This picture is taken from a movie I made , Milly does not like the flash on my camera it hurts her eyes.

Update 07/19/2006

Movies\Moe Explores.wmv

Took Moe and the crew out this AM before it got hot. Normally when I open the ex-pen Moe runs straight for the house. Today there were other dogs and a cat laying on the steps. So he calmly went walking around and sniffing. I never thought I would see the day.

10/29/2006

Moes life has been disrupted, I rearranged the room and he lost his hidey hole. I thought that this might get him to stay out more. But no , he has so far taken up residence in the new bedside table.

12/28/2006

I put a box in the above mentioned bedside table so Moe could not get in it. Then put a dog bed and him in his old cave in the new spot by my computer. He kept trying to go back to the old spot and get in with the box there. After two days I finally gave in and removed the box. And now he goes between the two Caves. Sleeps in this one with the bed in it. After over a year of trying to get him to sleep and sit on something soft he gave in.

01/05/2007

There is an intruder in the midst and Moe is not quite sure what to do about it. Little Webster is a 6 week old Peke puppy born here to a retired puppymill production line worker.

03/29/2007

Movies\Moe chicken.wmv

A year and 9 months in the making... Moe walked up to me and sniffed chicken in my hand. Never did I think this would happen.

04/01/2007 -- Moe took roast beef from my hand.

05/11/2007

Its only taken just short of two years , but Moe has decided he no longer want to hibernate in my bedroom under the bed stand. He has gone outside on his own 2 days in a row , and several times each day.

05/21/2007 - RIP Moe ---- ???? - 05/21/2007 aged 19 or more

He had almost two years of freedom , scared of everyone the entire time.

When I got home today , Moe was laying on the baby bed mattresses , he never does that.

Everyone was jumping around happy to see me , so I picked Moe up...

His tongue was cold and blue , and he could not stand up.

I called Doc and Took him in immediately. He was sent to the bridge as there was nothing Doc could do.

Doc said he came out this last few weeks , because he was senile and forgot he was afraid.

He was very old and his blood work came back with kidney failure.

NOTE: The USDA has allowed LapDog Kennel to reopen. Moe was there during this USDA inspection www.petshoppuppies.com/inspections/48-A-1554_SEP-02-2003.pdf ... and he told me its a LIE.