During her time with Lily, Teresa did her best to make up for the years of abuse and neglect that the poor pup had suffered in the puppy mill.
Have you ever longed for the opportunity to confront those suffering from your dogs? In memory of her greyhound named Lily who became a symbol of the cruelty and neglect dogs suffered in mills, Theresa Strader founded National Mill Dog Rescue in 2007.
Lily spent seven years of her life as a stud dog living a life of confinement. The website tells us her story; “Lily’s days were consumed inside a cold wire cage located in a foul-smelling barn.” She was deprived of exercise and social interaction, confined to her surroundings. Lily was forced to produce litter after litter without rest; Another breeding machine valued only for its ability to produce puppies.
Before being rescued, Lily was subjected to an onslaught of pro
fit-driven abuse. The photo used was obtained from National Mill Dog Rescue.
Sadly, Lily’s life ended when she was seven years old. Throughout her existence, she received care that greatly distressed all concerned.
Years of neglect, poor quality food, lack of water bottles, rabbits, and lack of chew toys led to Lily’s roof and lower jaw becoming decayed. In addition her chest was covered in lumps. She was afraid of people.
Lily finally gets the attention and love she deserves. Photo source: National Mill Dog Rescue.
Lily found refuge from the reception in May 2008 when her loving father embraced her and her family. This happened fifteen months after her rescue.
In an attempt to make a difference in Lily’s life, Thirsey wrote a letter to Lily’s governess. However, we hope this message will also resonate with anyone involved in breeding or selling dogs to mills.
The following post was shared with permission from National Mill Dog Rescue and can be found here; [Rescue link].
It’s been fifteen months since we met. You probably don’t remember much about me; Everything we met on your property in your world. However, parts of your world have been a part of mine since that day. And for that, I and others are truly grateful.
In February 2007 I received an email with the line “50 Greyhounds, in need” along with the phone number. Being a fan of the breed, I decided to call the number and see how I could help. Now let me tell you what happened next.
On February 17, 2007 it was announced that after more than 40 years of operation, the kennel would be closing. Finally it is time for them to retire and take a break. On that day they were to auction off 561 dogs, including 49 greyhounds. It was clear to me that I had to step in and help. Honestly, I had no idea what was going to happen during this process. Given the transportation restrictions, it became clear that if these puppies were to be rescued, I might have to make the trip myself to Lamar. So, on February 16th, my daughter and I set out for Missouri.
You see, my whole life has revolved around working in dog rescue. fostering and finding homes for dogs; Caring for injured puppies. Support overcrowded shelters. You name it. While puppy mills and pet store puppies have always existed, every animal I’ve ever had at home has been a rescue on my radar.
To be clear, I want to stress that I am not an animal rights activist. Rather, I strongly believe in the importance of treating all living beings with compassion.
The conditions I observed on your property, Martha, were far from humane. Many anxious and sick faces were trapped inside a wire fence. Some of them looked at me fearfully while others seemed afraid to make eye contact, unsure of how to interpret the interaction. The distress and fear evident in their eyes have haunted me ever since.
Realize that you are simply adhering to the regulations set by the USDA. It is a concept I find disturbing. Canines that are bred for specific purposes are also known to be considered livestock within the circuits. However, Martha’s dogs should not be treated as livestock. Humans domesticated dogs thousands of years ago to fulfill roles; As protectors, hunters, shepherds, guardians, and most importantly as beloved companions.
I brought home nine greyhounds, two dachshunds, and two papaya terriers. Throughout my 25+ year experience in rescue work, none of the dogs in my care have ever been emotionally harmed. As the coming months unfold before me like a learning journey intertwined with pet protection.
However I would like to focus on one dogs in this post. We have a puppy here that has found his way into our family and home. It’s called “Reedgates Swift Motion”. It is officially registered with the AKC. Swift Motion is actually a greyhound that has never had the opportunity to experience running. Unfortunately, she spent her life confined to a cage, resulting in her leg muscles never developing the strength necessary for running – a sad fact for a breed known for its agility.
When we rescued her, we removed the chain from around her neck. I replaced it with a collar. We decided to name her Lily. At the age of seven and one month, Lily finally experienced freedom outside those restrictive confines.
Lillies are quite unique among dogs because they do not have a jaw bone (lower jaw). I’m really curious as to why so many of your dogs are affected by this condition. Have you ever worried about their pain or how they managed to eat enough to survive? Furthermore, I wonder if any lives have been lost under your care due to this disease. Have you even noticed these issues? Aside from their deteriorating conditions, I’m sure you’ve also noticed their ability to produce puppies – after all that seems to be the primary focus of your company; Raising puppies at all costs.
Laila has become part of our family. Despite the health challenges she faced and the overwhelming fears that came with them, she eventually found courage through love and care. Her ability to touch hearts was undeniable. People of all ages, men, women and children, were moved to tears when they heard her story and enjoyed meeting her. Having Lily in our lives wasn’t about what we could do for her. How can we provide a comfortable and caring home for her?
It was truly heartbreaking for our family to witness Lily undergo four surgeries to remove her breast tumors, repair her deteriorating face, and undergo a spay – a procedure that included removing the organ that had previously housed her uterus. She will never understand the pain she went through; Your indifference is evident.
Every meal becomes a challenge for Lily due to your neglect. We tried different types of food and methods to make it easier for her to eat.
Eventually, she decided to do things her way using techniques she learned at home to survive. Such as picking up food with its claws and scattering it on the ground, then rubbing its face on the ground to catch the food on its tongue. Next she was stretching her neck. Swallow it whole. Can you imagine eating one meal this way?
Do you remember when we sat in my car after the auction? The guys were collecting the dogs that I “won.” “I really adore greyhounds,” you told me. Oh, the thoughts that ran through my mind when I said those words. Martha, you don’t actually like dogs. Instead you spent forty years of your life exploiting pets for gain without regard for their sanity. It was all about their ability to reproduce. Think of all those thousands of dogs that have passed through your hands. Each of them has been deprived of the joys they truly deserve.
In our family, Lily has learned a lot, about experiencing the love of being a dog and being valued as an individual. I am always saddened by the fact that she never had the opportunity to run and play like dogs. However, she excelled at understanding and responding to love even though she could not express it in words. Her presence changed our lives forever.
Lily endured seven years raising dogs in a mill. Photo taken from National Mill Dog Rescue. She died on May 13, 2008 at the age of eight, half the typical age of an Italian greyhound. Martha, she died because of the neglect she suffered under your care for those seven years. How many others have faced fate?
This industry has remained hidden for a long time. The truth spreads quickly. time is running out. People, like you, will soon find work in the fields while leaving the responsibility of caring for God’s creatures to those who truly cherish them.
