The Back Roads of Missouri

Through the southwestern hills of Missouri, you will find an picturesque setting - beautiful rolling hills full of colorful trees.  It seems tranquil and  pastoral.  You almost think you could be in the setting of a Disney film.  However, these hills and rolling meadows hide something horrendous - specifically Mountain Grove.  This is home to one of Missouri's puppy mills.  The web site to this particular mill boast about their family-raised giant schnauzer pups.  They show pictures of little children snuggling with cute, healthy puppies.  They don't show the cages, the lack of fresh water, the lack of good nourishing food and they certainly don't show the mistreatment of these animals. 
Sophie was rescued from this mill.  She is 10 months old.  Her coat that should be thick, shiny and healthy is matted, discolored and thin.  If you make a quick movement with your hand, she cowers.  Her captors did a criminal job of docking her tail.  She was so scared when we got her that she peed and pooped all over herself and us.  She looks up at us with huge, brown questioning eyes.  "Is this how I'm to be treated all my life - is this what a dog's life is like?"
No Sophie.  Not on my watch.  Sophie is staying with us for a few days before flying to Seattle to her forever home.  She has made huge strides in just the few days that we have had her.  She gobbles down her food and then goes to see if Albert has left any crumbs.  She is apprehensive about hands - but she knows that our hands are full of love and she will let us pet her.  Albert knows she needs special care - he has been very gentle with her.
Tomorrow she boards a flight to Seattle and after this one last traumatic event, she will be home with Chris - her hero.

Please don't buy dogs from pet stores, please don't buy dogs from flea markets, please SHUT DOWN THESE MILLS.  As my friend Amy says - be kind to animals - get karma points.