that have given us unconditional love.

THEN YOU CROSS RAINBOW BRIDGE TOGETHER.

September 2006

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of our precious Shotsky.  She was 10 years old when we adopted her from PMR, and we had six tremendous years with her.  She developed mammary tumors, which we had operated on.  Later, the cancer came back and went into her lungs.  She was with us to the end, and is now buried out in the yard that she loved and enjoyed so much.   In Shotsky's name,  I would like to take this opportunity to encourage people to adopt the older dogs.  We did, and enjoyed every minute we had with her.    Elaine Richardson, Las Vegas, Nevada

September 3, 2006

Rusty

Rusty was not a PMR dog, but he belonged to Robin's son Chris and we at PMR would like to pay respects to Rusty, Robin and Chris by placing Rusty on our Rainbow Bridge page.

Rusty belonged to my son, Chris.  He was a 14 year old temperamental Chihuahua.  We rescued Rusty from the Humane Society where he was classified as a biter.  They figured that he was a mill escapee that had been on his own for quite awhile.  His coat looked as though it was moth eaten when we got him about 9 1/2 years ago.  Rusty had claustrophobia and would bite if he was crated in anything but a large crate.   Chris told us that no one would ever understand him like he did, so he never let.  He and Chris had a bond that did not end with Chris's death.  Rusty could tell when Chris was near and you could tell it in his behavior and actions. 

 Rusty was diagnosed with a grade 5 heart murmur almost two years ago.  He was not symptomatic until about 6 months ago when he was placed on heart meds.  Two weeks ago we were told that he was in end stage when he started having breathing problems.  They said his heart was enlarging and it would eventually enlarge too big for the chest and not be able to beat.  Last night after eating, taking his meds, he was acting cute and wanted held.  He was having his now normal breathing issues.  As he was in my arms, he suddenly, quietly, and quickly passed over the rainbow bridge. 

 He no longer has any problems breathing and he can run like the wind.  And best of all, he is now with his best friend and pal, my son, Chris.  We miss them both terribly but are at peace that they are now together again.

 Robin

August 28, 2006

Harley

Harley came to me as a foster just two short years ago.  But in those two years he worked his way into my heart as if he had been here forever.  He was so frightened he wouldn't come out from behind the furniture for months.  Then, suddenly, he gave me a little kiss on the cheek and I knew he was here to stay.  So, he adopted me.  We were absolutely devoted to one another.  He was my "baby boy" and I was "his momma".  He started to become braver by the day.  He no longer poohed out of fear whenever he went to the veterinarian or when someone came to the house. He protected his house and his momma because he thought he was as big as his heart was. 

 Every one fell in love with little Harley.  After all, he was beautiful, shy and yet had a twinkle in his eye.  He even won the heart of an artist who painted a large portrait of him because she wanted him to become as brave as his portrait was large.  He was invited to her gallery opening and was known by everyone as "The Famous Harley".  He had his photo taken by many guests.  What a popular boy. 

 He was there for me when my husband and I separated, making a difficult time much easier to get through.  I absolutely adored this little boy. 

 Then, two months ago, Harley started vomiting and had diarrhea.    When it didn't clear up within a day or two, I took him into the veterinarian.  He was given blood tests and it was thought he had some kind of infection going on.  He was given antibiotics and sent home.  He didn't seem to get any better, so back we went.  Blood tests showed his white blood cells were elevated and the red were really low.  More medications were given, steroids, stomach meds, and special food.  Still, no improvement.  Things were getting worse and a rush trip to the vets twice a week or more was not uncommon. We did more tests, more blood, and more meds.  This went on for weeks and I could see him getting weaker.  I took him to specialists down state who gave our local vet some options of what could be wrong.  More tests...more meds...He even was admitted to the animal hospital for three days and put on IV's.  I visited him every day at my lunch hour and after work. He was released to my care since he responded so well to me.  I was force feeding him every hour, hoping to keep some nourishment in him.  But, the diarrhea was getting worse.  His breathing became labored, so another rush trip to the vet’s office.  It was then believed he had a malabsorption disease which he had probably had all his life and had finally reached it's peak.  Nothing was saving my baby boy.  I took him home with more meds and again force fed him every hour.  He could barely walk now. 

On August 28th I had to take my baby boy into the vets and make the ultimate decision needed to bring peace to the love of my life.  I have never felt such pain in my heart.  The vet even cried for poor Harley.  Harley is at peace now and is in a special spot here with me.  I know he is running strong and healthy now and will never be afraid again.  There will never, ever be another Harley, but I know he would want me to help other frightened little dogs become brave and as loved as he was.  So, my baby boy, Momma will carry on in your honor.   I will spread the word to adopt a dog in need, for they will love you with all their hearts, just as you did, my dearest Harley.  And I will love you for ever and ever and ever......

 Your momma

August 12, 2006

Honey Bear

My friends,

 I can almost not type this..it is so painful... But I know we all grieve when there is a passing of one of our babies so I wanted to share with all of you..as I know we all cry together...My darling Baby Girl, Honey Bear, died today. She was great all day..I was home  till about 5pm when I went to the shelter to help paint the cat room. I came home at 7:30 and when I went to let everyone out, she didn't come, so I went back in to get her..she was a spoiled baby and I often had to insist she go out..but I went to get her from the bed she was on  and she didn't smile at me...something was wrong... to my horror she was dead...my sweet girl had gone to the bridge with out me.  I have no idea except it was her time. I tried CPR but it was just to late..:((

 She had just been groomed this week and she was so pretty I bought her a new pink bed, which she hated. That was so Honey Bearish...My heart is breaking and I am at a loss how to fix it...she was 9 1/2..much to young to go...she was my first PMR adoption...She just went asleep and didn't wake up.  What I have always said I wanted for my babies..but I don't want it now!!

 Thank you Cindy and  Les for listening to me cry..I am just to upset to talk right now...I appreciate everyones prayers for Honey Bear and for me..I need them...

 Eileen

Eileen and the Full house in Seneca Falls,NY 

I'm Still Here

Friend, please don't mourn for me
I'm still here, though you don't see.
I'm right by your side each night and day
and within your heart I long to stay.

My body is gone but I'm always near.
I'm everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I'll never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your heart.

I'll never wander out of your sight-
I'm the brightest star on a summer night.
I'll never be beyond your reach-
I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach.

I'm the colorful leaves when fall comes around
and the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond,
The clear cool water in a quiet pond.

I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in the spring,
The first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,
and you'll see that the face in the moon is mine.

When you start thinking there's no one to love you,
you can talk to me through the Lord above you.
I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,
and you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.

I'm the hot salty tears that flow when you weep
and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.
I'm the smile you see on a baby's face.
Just look for me, friend, I'm everyplace!

Author Unknown

June 10, 2006

Beauty

This is the email I never wanted to write--the one that I somehow hoped would never have to be written. Yesterday at around 10:00 am Beauty Boouber Dog left her old, broken body and flew free to The Bridge. Her sister Kelly was there waiting for her, as were all the babies she had in her 9 years in the mill that never made it out.

Beauty was a survivor in every sense of the word. She went through so much in the past year and a half--but she never complained and she fought hard to try to overcome the toll that 9 years in hell had caused. Her spunk and determination kept her going this long. About 2 months ago, we began to see that her fight was waning, she was getting tired. Her lungs, heart, and liver were all unwell. When she went into kidney failure from all the meds needed to keep her other organs going, I knew time was not on her side.

Beauty taught me so much in the 4 yrs and 10 months she had with us. She taught me not to sweat the small stuff--no matter what life throws at you, there is always someone else enduring even more. She taught me to "live my life with arms wide open" and keep going when you really don't want to. I owe my Boouber Dog so much.

I want to thank PMR for saving this precious girl. If not for rescue, Beauty would have died years ago--gasping for air in a filthy cage. Instead she left this world peacefully and in her mom's loving arms.

I don't know when my tears will stop, but no matter how many I shed, that won't be enough to show the emptiness I feel from this loss. My heart aches and my arms feel so empty. Feeding time is almost unbearable because I had been hand feeding her the last couple of months. I miss holding her and cuddling her. Beauty's Yorkie sisters miss her, especially Bailee, who is restless and seems to be obsessed with searching for her.

 I have attached a few pictures from when Beauty first came to me. She was afraid of us in the hotel room on her trip home so she slept on the nightstand. She soon realized we were ok though. And 2 pics from a puppy mill march in Harrisburg back in 2002.

 So, run free my Boouber Dog, you are whole and healthy. You were loved so very much--and we miss you.

 Penny Ellis~~PA
PMR Foster Home/Application Processor/VetCare Team 
Proud mom to PMR's Beauty, Abby, Miss Peach,and Bailee!

Angel, Logan, Matilda (aka Nellie Olsen), and The Kittie Gang

"Being in a mill is like being on death row waiting to die--without having commited a crime."
Support PuppyMillRescue.org and help SAVE A LIFE
Say "Yes!" to fostering and help end a lifetime of misery

At The Bridge: Kelly-my heart and soul, Jacob, and kitties Sheila, Byron, Timothy, Baby Zak, and Edward Scissorhands--Until we meet again...

May 26, 2006

GiGi

May 14, 2006

Daisy

Hi Everyone

It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to tell you that Daisy went to the Bridge last night. Her little heart just finally gave out. I can tell you I would have sold my soul for her. The specialist at the hospital did everything to try and revive her but she just slipped into peace. I want to thank you for this borrowed Angel, I have never met a more sweet and pure soul. She touched everyone that came in contact with her, tears are flowing through my entire neighborhood. I will tell Daisy's story every chance I get to try and bring to light the suffering that goes on behind those trailers in the middle of nowhere and behind those barn doors. I truly hope I did enough to make the last stage of her life the best any pupper could ask for, and she finally had her dental she was for once in her life pain-free and romped and frolicked like she should have her whole life. I wish I could go on and on about her but my heart is broken and I can no longer make out what I am typing through my tears.  But I want to thank PMR and SBRofSC for rescuing Daisy- I just wanted to fix her and I couldn't.

Susan M Huber
 

May 5, 2005

Lady

April 29, 2006

Cricket

April, 18, 2006

Pancho

01/26/06

Peanut

A Tribute to Peanut

 I remember when I picked you up at the airport.  You were so tiny, just a little bundle of fur.  Your parents loved you so much that they turned you over to Puppymillrescue in hopes of you getting the medical care you needed.  When I left with you, your daddy cried, because he loved you so much.  I came to love you as much, how could I not, with your zest for life?  Everyone who knew you or saw your cute little face, fell in love with you. 

 When we saw Dr Ducote, not only did you have Atlantoxial Instability but you had Hydrocephalus (water on the brain)  She said that you were too tiny to do any surgery on, she said to take you back home and see if I could get some weight on you and to bring you back in a month.  Your prognosis was very guarded. What a month that was.  With your neck brace and with Prednisone you ate and grew from a one pound puppy to a 2 pound 6 oz happy go lucky puppy. 

 You learned to play and run around, learned to bite my toes, chew on shoe laces and wood work, you would get a toy and shake it for what it was worth; you loved green beans, treats, rolling around in the beds, and so many other things.  You put up with me taking hundreds of pictures of your cute little face.  If I wasn’t getting your food ready fast enough, you would bark and bark and bark at me, telling me “Mom, you aren’t moving fast enough.  Hurry up, I’m starving”. 

 I would watch you chase Mini Mouse around trying to bite her little leg and she would quack at you to stop it, but nope not you, you would keep it up until she really gave it to you. 

 You were so easy to potty train.   I would put you on the pee pad and tell you “Peanut Pee Pee”, you would stand there and look at me and I would tell you again and then you would pee.  One day I noticed went running across the room with those short little legs of yours, I got up and followed you, you went to the pee pad and peed.  You were such a good girl.   

You would stand guard at the back door when your fur siblings went outside.  You were waiting for Coty Bear to come back inside; he is always the last one to come back in the door.  You would pounce on him and he never once growled at you, he just let you do it.  I use to tell you to watch out because one day Coty Bear would bite your nose for doing that, but it never stopped you and he never did.   I just had to watch and laugh at you.

 Peanut, I am so sorry that because people are so greedy for the all mighty dollar and people want a “cute teacup yorkie”, or “pocket purse puppy” that you were bred and had so many health problems and could only live 7 short months.  It was so unfair because you should have lived a very long time in your own forever home.  I am so glad that I got to love you for the short time you were here.  Know that we will continue to save little ones like you in your name.  God Speed little one, know that you are badly missed and I thank you for the laughter and joy that you brought into my life.   

Love Foster Mom,

Jackie P.

December 14, 2005

Haley

Mid November 2005, Haley was diagnosed with severe gall stones.  Haley underwent surgery to remove the multiple stones from the gallbladder and liver.

December 19, 2005

JEWEL

Dec 3, 2005

HOPE

My beloved Hope died yesterday in my arms. I adopted her from PMR in 2001 when she was 10 years old and loved her very much. She had Inflammatory Bowel Disease and despite all the veterinary specialist could do, she continued to fail. It was the hardest decision to make but it was time to let her go.

I had the privilege of watching her go from a scared little girl who hid in her bed to a happy busy little dog. There is definitely an empty place in my life without her. I want to thank PMR for trusting me with this little life. She gave me great joy.

Annette Stollman

November 16, 2005

Morgan

Kelsey was born and raised in a puppy mill. She
produced litter after litter in the worst of
environments until her body was no longer able.
Perhaps the first real kindness shown to her was the
day she was granted freedom and delivered to John and
I. Thank you, Aunt Jan, for that.

Kelsey arrived in our home in a damaged little body,
both inside and out. Over time, we discovered that
Kelsey had sustained neurological damage from blows to
the head. Things that come naturally to a dog were
beyond Kelsey's ability. She did not bark for many
months. When she first tried, she made sounds I had
never heard from a dog. Gradually, she started trying
to mimic Lexi's barks. She learned that her voice had
a purpose and a meaning and she began to look at us
when she barked and we knew that she was trying to
tell us something specific.

It took a year, but she finally learned her name.

Unfortunately, as Kelsey - the real Kelsey, the gentle
and loving little girl - struggled to come to the
surface and introduce herself, another side emerged.
Without warning, Kelsey began to attack Lexi - almost
always when Lexi was asleep with her back to Kelsey.
We learned that this was not a behavior issue, but
something more like a seizure. Lexi caught on quicker
than we did. Instead of being angry or afraid of
Kelsey following an attack, Lexi wanted to check on
Kelsey and make sure she was okay. She seemed to know
that Kelsey did not mean to hurt her.

John and I sought help from everyone we could think
of: doctors, specialists, behaviorists, rescue
people with more experience. We tried medications,
time outs, supervision, patience, but nothing seemed
to help. Kelsey simply could not control the
behavior.

Wednesday evening I came home from work to my worst
nightmare. Kelsey's demons attacked and Morgan paid
with her life. Morgan was gone. The kitchen was a
bloody mess. Kelsey was curled up in a bed in the
corner barely able to stand. Lexi and McKenna were
outside calling for help that did not come. As the
night went on, Kelsey slipped farther and farther
away. Her eyes were glazed over and unable to focus.
By the next day she could not walk, hold her head up,
open or close her eyes or mouth all the way. She had
lost control of her body and looked out from deep
within in despair. I bathed her one last time,
dressed her in her favorite t-shirt and a pretty pink
hair bow and held her close. John and I took her to
the park to have some quiet time. Kelsey loves
tortilla chips. So, John brought chips and Kelsey
crunched chips, her favorite snack. Even though she
had trouble swallowing them, we let her crunch away to
give her one last bit of joy.

By the time we got to Dr. Carroll's office, Kelsey was
slipping faster. With tears in his eyes, Dr. Carroll
noted that we wore matching shirts. Kelsey ended her
time here in her mommy's loving arms looking up in the
loving eyes of her mommy and her daddy. We each
whispered that we love her and John introduced her to
Chandra. And we said good-bye to the second little
girl in as many days.

She's gone.

But she will never be forgotten. Kelsey, who was
passed over and left behind until it was too late,
deserves to have her story told.

Kelsey was born to be a loving little girl. She tried
so hard to live up to her Yorkie destiny. It was not
God's design or even poor breeding or poor diet that
caused Kelsey to lash out. Kelsey's body
lashed out and she simply could not control it. She
was not angry or enraged; she was simply not herself.
The cause was intentional, repetitive abuse at the
hands of a human. Kelsey was struck in the head hard
enough to permanently damage brain cells and cause a
condition that continued to deteriorate more than a
year after she was released. Kelsey was not angry and
did not seek revenge. She simply lost the ability to
control her body. It would not do what she wanted and
she was powerless to stop it from doing that which she
did not want. Kelsey loved Morgan and would never
hurt her. Yes. Morgan was killed. But not by
Kelsey. Kelsey's demons killed both our girls.

Hitting a ten-pound dog locked in a tiny cage with a
board is nothing less than evil. There is no
justification for that kind of behavior. It is not
self-defense. It is not acceptable. It is not
anyone's right. It is reprehensible.

It is easy to ignore, forget or disbelieve the horrors
of a puppy mill dog's past when you are staring in the
face of a beautiful little girl wearing a pink t-shirt
and fancy hair bow. People see our girls lined up
looking all pretty and healthy and spoiled and well
behaved and they smile think how pretty they are.
They don't see them flinch when their daddy reaches to
pick them up or their food crunches too loudly. They
don't know that Kelsey had nightmares that resulted in
bloodshed. They don't know that Kelsey had to work
harder and longer for the simplest of things. They
don't know that the truth is Kelsey was given too
little too late.

We think it admirable, and it is, to rescue a dog - to
choose a damaged adult instead of a perfect puppy.
But I beg each of you to remember that inside that
precious little face may be a time bomb waiting to
explode and claim one or more lives. There are things
I wish I had done differently, but I honestly believe
we did the best anyone could have done for Kelsey.
NEVER would we have left her behind or turned our
backs on her. I looked and looked for signs that
Kelsey was having a bad day, or about to go after her
sister, but there were no visible signs. They say
hindsight is 20/20, but that is not always true. Some
things remain hidden.

I still encourage people to adopt a rescue, but please
do so with open eyes as well as an open heart.
Understand that not all the damage they suffer can be
seen with the naked eye. Sometimes it is hidden and
sometimes it cannot be repaired or reversed. Some of
the damage can be repaired and PMR pups show us daily
just how resilient they are. I only wish humans had
the same capacity for forgiveness. But we can never
make them truly whole. Each little life we manage to
save bears scars from a horrific past.

Am I suggesting that we failed, Kelsey? No. Kelsey
was happy and loved. But, I made a mistake by leaving
her unsupervised on Wednesday. Maybe I waited too
long to make that last appointment. I don't know.
But, I just couldn't bring myself to give up on her.

We couldn't make Kelsey whole, but we did our best to
show her love. In that we succeeded. Kelsey
understood that she was loved and she was happy. She
had the biggest smile of all our girls.

Jan wrote that my faith is strong. Sometimes.
Sometimes my faith is tested, and this has certainly
tested it. But, I KNOW with all of my being that God
is the only One who knew in advance what would happen
and when and He was the only One Who could really
change the outcome. For whatever reason, He chose not
to do so. If I am not to blame God, then how can I
blame myself when I could not have known? I may have
to remind myself of this several times over the days
and weeks and years ahead. But, for now, I believe
it. Maybe Cindy is right and Morgan heard God's voice
when I could not and did what needed to be done in
order to grant Kelsey true
freedom.

I want to thank each and every one of you, dear
friends, for your prayers and words of encouragement
and support and love. We are truly blessed - blessed
to have such wonderful little ones, wonderful
families, remarkable friends. We are blessed, and oh
so thankful, that Lexi and McKenna were spared. We
are blessed to have loved and been loved by Kelsey.
And we are blessed to have been attacked by the little
monster under the bed with the ferocious growl and
poopy breath. These two little girls touched a lot of
lives in their short time with us and each girl left a
lasting impression. We miss them. We will always
miss them. But I wouldn't trade the joy of having
them for anything, including the chance to avoid the
pain of losing them. They were worth that and so much
more.

God bless you my friends, and may God's gentle hand
continue to hold and shelter each and every life we
hold dear.

Dana
Mommy to
Chandra Leigh Tyler Bates (9/19/1990 to 7/28/2004)
Sir Charles of Quinn (born 1/02/2000 and ours from
the beginning)
Lexi Anne Bates (adopted from YTRN on 9/12/2004
Kelsey Doodle Bug Bates (Ours, thanks to PMR, from
Oct. 2004 to 11/17/2005)
Morgan Elizabeth Bates (Ours, thanks to PMR, from
April 2005 to 11/16/2005)
McKenna Angelea Bates (Ours, thanks to PMR, since
5/06/2005)

October 1, 2005

Zoey 11 months

Grant baby of Megan born into freedom ........

August 5, 2005

It is with a heavy heart that I am sending this last posting about Miss Muffin.

On August 5th, Miss Muffin went to the Rainbow Bridge, not because she wanted to, but because years of neglect had their toll on her poor used up body. 8.5 years of living in a cage and producing puppy after puppy has taken it toll. Her cancer returned and spread to her lungs and bones. There was nothing we could do for her except keep her comfortable in her final days.
We are heartbroken that we have lost our flower child. Miss Muffin's favorite spot in this world was underneath the flowers in the garden. She was content to lay out in the sun enjoying her freedom.
It is tragic to us that we were only able to give her 4.5 months with us here. I expected more, wanted more for her and for us, and she needed more to make up for all the years she suffered. She taught us all about quiet, gentle love, with just a lick or gentle gaze. She enjoyed her freedom as best she could with the images of her horrible beginnings always in her mind. I have always said, she is happy in her world, not the happy playful puppy world she should have lived in, but the world that she could handle as best she could.
So my precious baby is now with all the other furkids, Jordan, Precious, Barbie Doll,etc that left us to early, all because of inhuman treatment and greed. She is not afraid or scared or lonely anymore. Thunderstorms don't scare her anymore and she does not shake or tremble anymore.
But she is so missed and will there will always be a part of my heart that aches for her.
This last picture of Miss Muffin was sent to me by a special friend of mine; she knows how much this means to me.

Carol S
Mom to PMR Miss Muffin (1996-2005) My beautiful Flower Child

Muffin has a webpage click here to read her story

PuppymillRescue honors the memory of our loved companions that have given us unconditional love.