[StormiesMom]

For some reason, I don't know how to put photos in a thread, but there were two photos of this dog that I wanted to share, she was so thin and trying to feed her little pups and had this look on her face that said "just, please help me"... I had to share her story from a rescue in Florida - it made me cry.



Comments from foster home:

Junebug came to FBR after Sumter County Animal Services raided a puppymill and seized multiple Boxers being used as breeding machines. She is a sweet girl who will require time to be nourished and gain her strength back before she can be spayed. Junebug is so happy to be in a loving environment! Check back for more on Junie soon.

UPDATE 1/21/08:

I need to tell you my story and I am sorry if it makes you cry, but I too am crying and you will soon read why.

I came into rescue after Sumter County raided the puppymill where I was working and barely living. I was nothing but a way for people to make money by using me as a breeding machine. I put out litter after litter with no thought of how it affected me. I have lost count of all the litters I have had in my life. I am almost 6 years old and was still being bred repeatedly, for pups.

I was malnourished, full of worms and pregnant when I was seized from the puppymill. You can see by my picture that I was terribly underweight and neglected so when I had my babies I couldn’t nourish them the way a momma should. My milk was no good because I was so sick. The shelter called FBR for help when I had my babies and many dedicated rescue volunteers stayed up all day and night feeding my babies by hand every two hours. Sadly though, in just one night I lost 3 of my babies. The very next night I lost another 2. That left me with one little baby who the FBR volunteers and veterinarians tried so hard to help save. They named him Waffles and my many foster mommies fed him and loved on both of us, 'round the clock but my last pup wasn't doing well. I hoped he could just hang on, but he didn't survive either.

I am a loving mom with no babies to care for. I know FBR did all they could, but I am still so heartbroken and want my babies back. I keep searching the house in hopes of finding them and when I can’t find them, I am in such despair. So many people don’t realize how bad puppymills are and that when you buy dogs from pet stores those cute little puppies came from a hard-working, neglected adult dog like me.

With the help of FBR I now have plenty to eat and am getting the love, attention and medical care needed to be healthy. My rough life is evident all over my body with little scars, sore spots and premature gray in my muzzle. I am very sweet and have lots of kisses for those who have shown me kindness. I need time to recover from losing my pups and I am not sure right now about sharing attention with other dogs so we are taking introductions slowly. I have not had any accidents in the house and I walk well on a leash. My foster mom is going to work with me on crating.

Please look deep into your heart and give me the second chance I've surely earned. Like so many Boxers in FBR, I too require expensive vet care to help me regain my health so I can be adopted. If you would be so kind as to make a donation to help with that care I would really appreciate it.

I am happy to be free from my former life (if you could even call it that). I do look forward to being adopted by someone who will show me kindness and love for the rest of my life.

UPDATE 1/31/08:

Junebug is recovering well after losing her litter of pups. She is very friendly and gentle with people and did very well today on her first visit to the dog park. She does much better with the smaller dogs as she really doesn’t know how to play so she just likes to run around and sniff EVERYTHING. She is completely house and crate trained. She even will sleep in the crate at night if she has to. Junebug is just starving for love and affection from a family. She is a sweet little angel of a dog and would be the perfect dog for someone that will need her as much as she needs you. She doesn’t know how to play with toys or even chew on any bones. She eats her dog food and a few treats but other than that she has shown no interest in chewing anything.