Puppy mill dog seeks a special home
Click here to watch a video of Mr. HappyUPDATE 9/9:Mr. Happy has a foster home! To read his blog entry,
click here.
Mr. Happy a three-year-old Pekingese; one of the nearly 1,000 dogs rescued from
Whispering Oaks Kennels, a puppy mill in West Virginia. When the puppy mill was shut down, most of the dogs were found in okay condition, but Mr. Happy wasn’t doing so well. His back right leg is paralyzed.
He was the one of the dogs on the property with an obvious and severe medical issue that appeared to be left untreated. When authorities entered the Whispering Oaks property on August 23rd, they immediately noticed the Pekingese in what was used as the isolation building. He was in a cage alone in the building with mice as his only company; it’s anyone’s guess as to what plans the breeder had for this little paralyzed dog. And so after the dogs were officially surrendered, he was one of the first to see the vet to find out how, or if, he could be helped.
Dr. Carole Winsley has been working around the clock at the VCA Dudley Animal Hospital in Parkersburg, West Virginia where she’s attended to many of the puppy mill dogs. She says it’s hard to know just what happened to Mr. Happy.
“We just have no history on him,” explains Dr. Winsley. “We think he has nerve damage and that’s why he’s paralyzed.”
Who will be his forever home?Best Friends Dogtown Manager Michelle Besmehn spent some quality time with Mr. Happy and thinks he’d really do well as the top dog in a loving home.
“This little guy is very charming,” says Michelle. “He really likes it if you talk softly while petting him gently. His tail never stops wagging. He has a lot to offer someone in return for a good home.”
Currently, Mr. Happy takes a low dose of steroids to reduce swelling in the area. Dr. Winsley says she saw signs of improvement, but there may be permanent damage. Mr. Happy is also incontinent, a condition he will likely have for the rest of his life. Though a set of stylish doggie diapers should help him keep “accidents” at bay.
But that doesn’t keep Mr. Happy from being the very best dog that he can be. He loves people and pads around enthusiastically on his three good feet to meet anyone and everyone. And Dr. Winsley says it’s a promising sign that he can wag his tail.
“He doesn’t seem to know that he’s missing anything even though he’s running on three legs,” notes Dr. Winsley.
Mr. Happy gets his wheelsWhat might help Mr. Happy even more is a special cart to help him scoot around, kind of like a little doggie-wheelchair. And thanks to the good folks at
Eddie’s Wheels, Inc., Mr. Happy will be getting that special cart. Founders Leslie and Eddie Grinnell have run the custom cart business full time since 1998. Their successes have afforded them the opportunity to “pay it forward” donating carts to rescues and animal welfare groups when feasible --- they have generously agreed to donate a cart to Mr. Happy.
“This was a huge undertaking in West Virginia, saving all those dogs,” notes Leslie. “We’re happy we can be of some help. We hope this little guy finds a good home.”
Click here to watch a video of Mr. HappyWhat you can doCan you provide a forever home to Mr. Happy? Currently, Mr. Happy is in the care of the Humane Society of Parkersburg. If you’d like to learn more about adopting “Mr. Happy” (and feel free to change his name!) contact the Humane Society of Parkersburg at: hsop@hsop.org or call 304-422-5541
DonateThe cost of saving these puppy mill dogs isn’t cheap! The Humane Society of Parkersburg would be extremely grateful for any donations to help them continue their efforts. To donate, go to:
www.hsop.org/donatenow.htmHelp change West Virginia’s lawsTo sign the petition to urge lawmakers to take puppy mill issues seriously,
CLICK HERE.
By Amy Abern: Best Friends Animal Society