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| Name: |
Molly
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Age: |
Six years old
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| Gender: |
Female |
Breed: |
Shih Tzu |
| Home: |
Ontario, Canada |
This
little sweetheart is Molly McButter. Molly was a puppy mill
breeder "miller" and until recently had spent her life in an 18" x 20"
wire cage. I was looking for a companion dog for my male Shih Tzu and
learned about Molly through a rescue organization. On August 17th I met
volunteers immediately after her rescue. I was unprepared for the
sights, sounds, and odors that met me. There was organized chaos
everywhere. The smell that permeated was indescribable. The
overwhelming stench of urine and feces made my eyes water and my stomach
churn. and in the dim light of the underground parking garage I saw the
fourteen dogs that were rescued. All were covered in their own feces and
urine; all had matted, dull, and sparse fur; all were weak and
malnourished; all walked like trembling zombies. Yet even in the midst
of the horror you could literally feel the hope and sense the freedom in
the air. I was then handed Molly. She was so small. Her eyes were
glazed and she appeared disoriented. Her teats were swollen from a
recent litter. My heart melted.
Molly did not live; she existed. She had never walked on grass, played
with a toy, experienced the outdoors, smelled fresh air, received
affection, or been treated by a veterinarian. She was a faceless and
nameless entity existing for profit only. Molly was too old to meet the
puppy mill greedy standards. She had become a disposable commodity.
Molly was transported home with windows rolled down to filter the rancid
smell of her badly soiled body. She was immediately given two baths and
groomed. Already she looked better. We watched her take her few first
steps. It was like watching a toddler learning to walk. She was
unstable and wobbly. It was obvious she did not know how to walk. She
kept her head down, shuffled her feet, and her back was unnaturally
arched. She did not show any emotion. Her tail was tucked tightly
between her back legs. The following day Molly was taken to the vet to
be evaluated. Among ailments such as extreme dental neglect, fleas,
mites, and worms it was then determined that she was blind. The long
term result of untreated eye infections, malnutrition, and neglect.
After a month of rehabilitation she was stabilized enough to be spayed.
Molly will never again be used for monetary gain.
Today Molly is a different doggie. Her rebirth date is August 17th. The
day of her rescue. Slowly her personality has begun to shine through.
She is affectionate and loves being with her people. She walks with her
head up and tail high in the air wagging happily. Her fur has turned to
a thick and lustrous cinnamon red. I have become her seeing-eye human.
She follows me everywhere and at the sound of my voice her ears perk up
as she follows the sound. She is totally house trained which based on
her past is a very big accomplishment. She has recently started playing
with squeak toys. Her lack of vision does not stop her from joining
playtime and she navigates the house and yard without a problem. Molly
and I have a special connection and she has given me more than I can
ever express in words. It is a joy to watch her blossom. I urge
everyone not to buy a puppy unless you know where it is coming from and
if possible adopt one of the beautiful doggies in need. There are many
great rescue organizations that will help you to find the dog of your dreams.
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