THE GREAT WESTIE WINDFALL
(Puppy Mill Rescue Effort)
October 2007
To make a donation, sponsor a Westie, or apply to adopt, please go to the end of this page for further information. Your bids (along with many "overpayments" raised about $2000 on our auctions. It will go a long way towards covering our costs. |
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WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS??
Westie Rescue received notification of eleven Westies at an animal control in rural North Central Michigan. When this happened, we were working on a waiting list because we had so many Westies in foster care already. However, there are situations that just can't wait and this appeared to be one of them. A phone call to the shelter director revealed that what they really had was 4 Westies, 2 Westie/Bichon mixes, 1 Bichon, 4 white Schnauzers. One of our Club members checked with a local vet who has Bichons and they agreed to temporarily board the Westies, Westie mixes and the Bichon if we would provide the transportation. They would foster and place the Bichon while we will be responsible for the others. While they are there, they will receive grooming and medical care. With that, we began the operation.
The background story is that of a puppy mill which had about 300 dogs. While no one was ever able to bring any charges against them in court, they were issued over 75 tickets. The requirements for the care of animals are so low that he was in general compliance. Over time, the owner was convinced to reduce the dogs in his care. Possibly because there was a lot of official attention to this situation, the dogs didn't just "disappear". (Our understanding is that he had been drowning unwanted dogs.) Instead, they were released to this shelter in small groups. At this time, after much effort by the director of this shelter and law enforcement, we understand his numbers are down to only about 10 dogs. He indicated that he had agreed to do this because he was no longer able to stay financially afloat in this bad economy. NOTE: The shelter is working with officials to strengthen the laws there in hopes that this won't happen again.
Within a few hours we had three volunteers to drive to the shelter and pick up the dogs. The next morning (Thursday), we made the trip. It was a 2 hour trip (one way) for one volunteer and closer to three hours (one way) for the other two. But we made it there! This shelter is small but very clean and well run. The people there seem to really care about the dogs. We went back to see the dogs and were appalled at their condition. Without any medical personnel, we could only judge based on their "looks" and behavior. These dogs did not appear to have had a hair cut in years. Some may be 8 years old and their behavior indicated that they probably hadn't been out of their crates in that period, other than to do their work in procreation. They were absolutely terrified and upset at being on a leash and being in an area with space around them. These dogs have probably never walked on grass, much less having run and played.
 
 
The Four Westies as they were pulled at the shelter. (Believe us, these photos don't begin to reflect the dirt, filth and smell!)
  
The two mixes and the Bichon
It was very hard to leave some of the other dogs there. We stopped at one cage with a dog in it who simply trembled. We had a hard time telling the Westies from the other breeds. Their ears were the best giveaway but with all that hair, it was hard, even then, to tell. The Schnauzers could have been Westies ...they were all about the same color of dirt but the Schnauzers appeared to be larger dogs. And since we were also getting mixes, the ears weren't even a giveaway on those.
The dogs were transferred to cars and transported back.
* Click on the banner above to read about Registries and why they matter. This may save you from making a big mistake.
The two female Westies went back with their Foster Mom. Their first stop was at a groomer, Sandy Halm of Freeland, Michigan, who was able to save a bit of skirt so they aren't totally shaved down and then on to the vet, Dr. John Peters, Cole Veterinary Hospital in Saginaw. One was thought, at first, to be pregnant but they now realize she is in heat. The rest went back in the other two cars. They were pretty quiet for this trip but smell made their presence obvious. (My car will never have a "new car smell" again!) Eventually we were met by a Club member who transferred three dogs to her car and those two cars with the remaining five dogs went on to the vet in Plymouth. Remrock Farms and Vet Larry Letsche were wonderful to step up so quickly. They were able to get the dogs into an isolation area until they were cleaned up and checked over. The results weren't too pretty.
Waiting for her turn
They all had fleas and dirt and matts. They were shaved down to the skin and bathed. They had extensive work done on their ears and feet while they were under for their spay/neuter and dentals on Friday. We are sad to say that we were unable to save the Bichon. At age ten and blind and biting, this dog was in such bad shape, we felt it was better to release him from this life. However the other four appear to be friendly and happy and likely to make good pets. After cleaning them up we discovered that the two Westie/Bichon mixes are possibly Westie/Bichon/Schnauzer mixes or maybe even Schnauzer/Cocker mixes (especially since their ears hang to their shoulders). Pictured are Laurie Carlton and Vet Tech, Pam. The third photo is of one of the females being groomed by Sandy Halm in Freeland, Michigan.
  
Oh, it is going to feel SO GOOD!!!
Now they are busy learning about the world. They are learning to walk on grass and to walk on leash and something as simple as being in an open space. They are learning about humans and affection. They have never experienced any of this in their lives and some may be 8 years old! Fortunately all of the dogs are friendly. None are good examples of their breed and should never have been reproducing.
WE'D LIKE YOU TO MEET THE KIDS!!
To read more about Westie Rescue and print the application, please click HERE Note: We had about 28 dogs in foster care during the year 2007. To see them, go to our Rescue Photo Album and take a look around . The 2008 album has now been started. To adopt a dog, fill out the application and send it in.
We seldom place Westies outside the state of Michigan; we place in adult homes where no children are anticipated or homes where the children are over the age of ten. We prefer a fenced yard; if no fence, we require the dog be kept on leash whenever he/she is outside.
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The girls have both been adopted and are staying together! Lucky was adopted and his new family loves him. Ellis had a slower aclimation period but has come around and is now adopted also.
 
Westie Boy Ellis, Age 4-8 yrs..............Westie Boy Lucky, Age 5-8 yr
(Click on Lucky's photo to see a video of him romping in the backyard, learning to bark and to bark at squirrels like all Westies must!) Lucky has now been adopted and doing just fine in his new home. He has a mom and dad as well as a grandma and he has a young man who has never had a dog before so he and Lucky are learnng together about how to take care of each other.
 
Westie Female, Willow, Age approx. 5 years......Westie Female, Piper, Age approx. 6 yrs
ADOPTED!!!!
Here are the girls settling into their new home.
Piper is now Maisy and Willow is now Jinny
 
Precious-Female Mix Approx. 5-6 yrs...........Sally-Female Mix,3 yrs
Dr. Carol McKee, Southpointe Veterinary Hospital, has taken the two mixes from us and will be placing them through her clinic. 313-381-7180
Ellis has been adopted!!!! As of January 2008, all of our puppymill kids are in their "forever" homes and doing well.
Click on the "Beware" banner above to read more about puppymills.
We are aware of a puppy buyer who recently purchased a puppy from this place. He didn't let the buyer see his facility. He met her part way to "save her the trip". He wasn't being friendly and helpful....he was making sure she didn't see the filth the puppy came from. The puppy died of parvo on the first day. A bit of time and gas money may save you a tragedy! Remember...a puppy miller will be the nicest person you ever met.....until he has your money in his pocket!
To read more about breeders and how to select the right one, please click on this link: BREEDERS
Your bids (along with many overpayments) raised about $2000 in our auctions. That will go a long way towards our costs in this Rescue.
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We estimate the cost of this rescue to be approximately $3000+ with the majority of the cost being medical plus some boarding and grooming. If you can help, we would appreciate it very much.
To donate via check or money order, make it out to WHWTCSEM with "Puppy Mill" in the memo area and send to:
Westie Rescue
1371 W. S. Blvd.
Troy, MI 48098
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If you would be interested in sponsoring one of these Westies, please click on "SPONSOR A WESTIE" to find an application and learn more about the program.
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| WE ARE IN GREAT NEED OF MORE FOSTER HOMES AND WEEKEND BABYSITTERS!! If you are interested, please contact Barb Engerer at bengerer@aol.com.
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Your help, especially on such short notice, was invaluable!
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NICK MALAMIS - Transporter
BARB BOGGESS AND FAMILY - Transporter and Foster Care
BETH WIDDOWS - Coordination, Transporter, Web Site
BARBARA ENGERER - Coordinator (Ply Dogs) with Vet Care and Boarding, Transporter
VINCE ENGERER - Transporter
LINDA GASSMAN - Auction Coordinator
REMROCK FARMS - DR. LARRY LETSCHE, LAURIE CARLTON, PAM (PLYMOUTH) - Medical and Boarding
REMROCK FARMS VET TECHS - MARY AND NOREEN - Foster Home
COLE VETERINARY HOSPITAL - DR. JOHN COLE (SAGINAW) - Medical
SANDY HALM - Groomer (Freeland)
JULIE RISCH - Foster Home
KATHY KING/MATT SPRYGADA - Foster Home
DIANE CALHOUN - Foster Home
SOUTHPOINTE VETERINARY HOPSITAL OF ALLEN PARK - DR. CAROL MCKEE - Medical and Boarding
ALL DONORS - Cash and Auction Items
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