R.I.P., Buster
We love sharing adoption updates and the happy endings for the dogs we rescue, but inevitably there are also sad stories. Yesterday we said goodbye to Buster, a very sweet Maltese boy who was a victim of abuse and neglect from a backyard breeder. He came into the rescue with his brother, Nubbins, both in horrific condition from living in squalor in an outdoor pen, never having any vet care, proper nutrition, or even basic shelter from the elements. They were both heartworm positive, had few teeth left, had been starved, and were covered in fleas. How any human being could allow dogs or any living creature to live like this is unthinkable, but sadly these conditions exist all over the country because consumers continue to buy their puppies.
Most people don’t realize that the adorable little puppy you see in the pet store, or the dogs you see advertised for sale on Craigslist or in your local newspaper all likely come from this type of breeder. When you or someone you know buys a cute puppy from one of these sources, it contributes to the cruel and inhumane practices of these backyard breeders. Most people would never intentionally support this, and most don’t understand the level of abuse these dogs are forced to endure.
Backyard breeders and “puppy mills” are inhumane commercial dog breeding operations. What they have in common is the belief that dogs are a commodity, and their only goal is to breed and sell as much of their product as possible. The result is that these dogs live in neglect and indigence, receive only enough food and attention to keep them alive, and are in constant fear and pain. These poor pups spend their entire lives locked up in tiny, crowded cages, and those who aren’t left out in the heat and freezing cold have most likely never seen the light of day. It’s sad and unthinkable, but it’s happening right in our back yard and in communities across the country.
We wish that we could’ve gotten help for Buster sooner, so that his story would have a better ending. We are so thankful to his foster parents, Paula and Gary, for taking such wonderful care of him these last few months and showing him the only love and kindness he’s ever known. We are so grateful that Buster had an opportunity to know what love is, and wasn’t locked in a pen alone like so many others like him when he passed.
Millions of dogs die every year because they are unwanted or neglected, but people like you who support rescue and choose to adopt are changing their fate and making a difference. We hope Buster’s story will encourage you to tell your friends and family the importance of rescue and the effect it has on the lives of so many worthy dogs.
