This is Maggie, the 2nd-hand dog I fostered last summer (and subsequently fell in love with and later officially adopted). We think Maggie is a full-blooded Newfie who was "working" in a local puppy mill.
Here's my soapbox : Puppy mills are evil and run by unscrupulous breeders who have no regard for the health or well-being of the dogs in their care. It's all about money and how much they can get out of these dogs (Don't think there's money to be made? A single Newfie pup can go for $1200, or more).
We (us, the vets, and the humane society) figure Maggie was about 5 years old last summer. A city dog who had never learned to walk on a leash or been house-broken, she was terrified of absolutely everything and everyone. Puppy mill dogs are typically kenneled all the time, and not socialized or given new experiences as a pet dog would be. She was interested in other dogs, but was afraid of people ... She couldn't even raise her tail because she didn't have the muscle tone to do so (How pitiful is that?). Her coat and tail were thin and scraggly. She was also painfully shy and depressed last summer, just wanted to melt away and disappear into the ground--and recovering from the stress and malnutrition of yet another litter of puppies. Have you ever seen an 80-pound dog who didn't know what to do with a pig ear or a hot dog? That was Maggie last summer ... Maggie has made a remarkable recovery, a true testament to the resilience of her spirit as a dog. Maggie is wonderful! I can't believe no one bothered to find that out before us.
This spring, Maggie's coat was so lush and full, we actually had to take her to a dog groomer. And I still have to brush her at least once a week. Her fur is so SOFT! It is a luxery to be able to come home from work and pet this lush dog! I'm saving her fur for projects--needle felting, or spinning, or something else ...
Yes, Maggie is almost a normal dog now, thanks in part to her gentle nature, my family's patience in helping her come into her own, and in part to Purty, our other overly confident pup :
Purty helped Maggie learn to play and enjoy life. They are best buddies now.
Soapbox : Don't bother with breeders and purebreds. There are so many dogs who need homes as it is. Visit your local animal shelter first. They've got just the pet for you--burebreds included. If you must opt for a purebred, make sure the breeder has morals, genuinely cares for the dogs in his care, and is NOT running a puppy mill.
I never thought I'd have a Newfie of my own ... The sad thing is, I know that when Maggie is gone, there will be another puppy-mill survivor to rehabilitate ... So much for the casualties of a market economy.
3 comments:
I agree wholeheartedly with you about puppy mills and purebreds. Your pups look so cute, and, well, spectacular.
Well done! You have done a fabulous job with Maggie and I agree with you about puppy mills and purebreds too.
I found your blog because I was searching for information on a spinning wheel (the Louet S90) I have the chance to buy one but because I have never seen one or even heard about them before I thought I'd see what I could find out about them.
Do you think it would be a good wheel for an inexperienced spinner? (I've been spinning on an Ashford Traditional for about 9 months and spun with a drop spindle for about four years before that)
I hope you don't mind me asking for your opinion - your blog is the first place I've found an S90 and you seem quite enthusiastic about it so I thought you'd be just the person to ask :-)
Dear Bonnypurr--
Yes, I highly recommend the Louet S90 as a beginner's spinning wheel. This is the model I learned on in a beginner's class about 10 years ago. It went so well, I went out and bought one for myself. I think if I had gotten just any old spinning wheel from a rummage sale down the street, I would have been very frustrated with missing parts and problems. This is a great wheel--and it's portable. It folds up and goes where you go. It's also neat to watch the wheel go around as it reflects the light differently as the wheel goes round.
They are very versatile, too. You may be able to get a "high-speed flier" for spinning fine yarns.
Ashford makes excellent spinning wheels, too. Have you been satisfied with the Ashford? You may find the Louet "chunkier" by comparison. But like I said, I've been very happy with it.
I commend you, if you've mastered the drop spindle. I was so frustrated with that method, I had to get a spinning wheel, or I would not have continued spinning at all.
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