The Little Apricot Poodle from a Puppy Mill

By Ashley Schlyer, Assistant Shelter Manager

The little apricot poodle never had a name, but I will call her Halley. Halley was one of 70 dogs rescued from a puppy mill. She and three other dogs were brought to our shelter by one of the Kansas Animal Health Department inspectors.

Most of the dogs that came into our care would need dental work, but otherwise would be healthy enough to be adopted into a forever home.

Halley never knew what it was like to have a warm bed to sleep on or a space all her own. It was the least I could do but to give her fresh food, water and a soft blanket to lay on that night. Halley didn’t know what treats or toys were, and even though she had never known what it was like to be loved, she would look up lovingly hoping to be noticed.

The conditions Halley was living in were so poor that she had no use of her back legs. She struggled to pull herself around on her two front paws while dragging her whole backside behind her. It was a pitiful and saddening site to witness.

When she was taken to the vet the next morning, it was evident she had been forced to breed over and over even without the use of her back legs. This would have been extremely difficult and painful for an animal in this condition.

The next time you think about buying a cute little poodle puppy from a pet store or a breeder, think of Halley. She, too, was once a cute little puppy that was given a death sentence by the puppy mill that bought her and used her to make profit until she was seemingly worthless to them.
Even in the short time we got to know Halley, we could see they may have broken her body, but her loving spirit lived on. The job we do isn't always easy and often times is thankless, but giving Halley one day of knowing what it's like to be loved was truly worth it.