The Boys. . . appearances can be deceiving

Prince and Mason, our two Maltese, were playing the other day and I caught it on video. They are well loved and well cared for, and look as healthy as can be. Appearances can be deceiving.



Mason came here scared to death. He started life in a mill in Texas, was sent to a mill in Oklahoma and eventually was rescued by a dear friend from Puppy Mill Rescue. He was flown from TX to OH and immediately became Mason the Magnificent and owner of my heart.



Prince's mother was purchased pregnant at a MO auction. Prince and his sister were both born with hydrocephalus, microvascular dysplasia and a few other problems as a direct result of poor breeding. Their two brothers fared a bit better, no hydrocephalus or MVD, but they too have poor teeth and luxating patellas.

They are both doing well today and to look at them, you would never know that at Prince's last dental he had 29 teeth removed or that Mason has lost a total of 26 teeth. Poor nutrition for generations of mother/father, grandparents, great grandparents along with inferior breeding practices have resulted in bad teeth being common place in Maltese.

Another common but avoidable condition is luxating patellas -Prince has Grade 2 in both knees and Mason has a Grade 2 and a Grade 3 - their knee joints do not stay in place sometimes making walking difficult. So far, we have been able to avoid surgery by managing their diet and keeping them at the proper weight. However sometime in the future, we expect Mason will need surgery as his luxating patellas are a bit worse than Princes'.

You'll also see Prince do his little "head shake" about half way through this video - a result of his medical issues. So far, Prince has not had seizures that often accompany hydrocephalus, but we are ever watchful.

I wanted to share this video because so many times, when taking the boys out in public, people see this kind of behavior and think that now that they are out of the mills and in a good home, Prince and Mason's mill experiences are behind them. But the sad fact is that regardless of how well they are cared for now or how cute, how playful, how down right adorable they are - they will carry the damage inflicted on them at their respective mills for the rest of their life. We manage their health problems, but they are still there. Sub-standard kennels are producing thousands of dogs just like these every year. Please gt involved and support the legislation needed to ensure the welfare of all of the "Prince's and Mason's" being born each year. As you can see from this video - Appearances can be deceiving. . . .

In pursuit of a new groomer. . . .

We lost our groomer, I'm not sure what happened, her shop is closed. No notice, no phone call, just an empty shop and a phone that is no longer in service. The economy? A personal situation? I don't know, but I wish her well even though I wish she had called.

She was a really good groomer, my dogs jumped for joy - literally - when it was their turn to go "get pretty." She was great with them, most are mill survivors, none ever crated except when they were groomed. She understood that and whatever happened in her shop when I wasn't there was all good. My pack loved her. I did too, sigh. . . . Kathy, I miss you.

So with 10 dogs and no grooming skills, I'm in pursuit of a new groomer. I debated and decided to try the groomer we had for 9 1/2 years. She always did an okay job on my pack (only 6 at the time) until the day her assistance shaved Prince and Mason in the middle of winter. When I went to pick them up, I literally did not recognize Prince at first. I was furious, she said they were matted. I keep them in puppy cuts, they go to the groomer once a month - if they were never brushed they could not matt so badly in a month that they needed shaved. When I cooled off, I called to talk to the owner - no apology - no offer to do my dogs herself again - not the least bit upset when I cancelled the standing apointments for my pack.

But, she was close, most of my pack knew her so I called and asked if she wanted to do my dogs again as my groomer had gone out of business. She said yes, so I said if I bring them back there are several non-negotiable conditions we need to discuss. I wanted her to do my dogs, not her assistant - no problem. I want to bring them in 3 at a time, she does my dogs then calls me to come get them - I want them crated for the minimal amount of time. I dropped them off at my previous groomer between 7:30 and 8:00 and picked them up between 10:30 and noon at the absolute latest. Could she do that? no problem And none of my dogs were ever to be shaved. If she thought one was matted and needed shaved - just bathe them, trim as best she can and we'll discuss when I come to pick them up. no problem She made an appointment for Wednesday as she was not busy and could easily do my three within the time requested.

I dropped Prince, Mason and Punkin off at 8:00 am and restated no shaving, she does my dogs and do my dogs right away then call me. no problem

At 1:15 I called and asked how soon I could come pick them up, she said an hour and a half, she was finishing one dog and had another to do before she finished mine. I'm not a happy camper. At 3:15 I called and her fiance answered the phone saying he was just starting Punkin - come get them in 35 minutes. I asked if he call when done - he said no, just come in 35 minutes. Okay.

I arrived at 3:50 to pick up my dogs. Punkin is shaved almost to the skin - you can see the freckles on his little body. He will be in T-shirts and sweaters fot the next month - it's 36 degrees out today - a heat wave in comparison to the past month. She said she debated which attachment to use and apparently had chosen the wrong one. Uh huh.

Prince and Mason are cut pretty short, not as bad as Punkin so we'll live with it. We have lots of T-shirts and sweaters. Their faces are somewhat of a mess but hey, they'll grow. I pay the bill and leave without making another appointment for the remaining dogs. We won't be back, I did not waste the hours past noon waiting for her to call saying they were ready.

I did an internet search for other groomers nearby and called several and interviewed them over the phone. I explained my needs and asked if they could accommodate them. I spoke to one who seemed to understand and was agreeable. We have an appointment Monday for the next 3, we'll see how it goes.

In this economy, I would think small busines owners would want to keep their clients, I would think they would be happy to add 10 dogs to their client list, I would think they will do what they say they are going to do. I did change from taking my dogs every 4 weeks to every 6 weeks, but that's still 10 dogs they know will have a standing appointment. I don't get a discount, I pay the going rate for small dogs that are well-maintained.

So I wonder. . . . was today's groomer trying to send me a message? If so what was it? She doesn't want my business? I certainly picked that one up. That she detests dogs and could care less what she does to them in the winter? Got it. That her word is no good? Got that one too. That she will not have a customer tell her when they want to pick up their dogs? Yep, I reading her loud and clear. Does she think she is doing me a favor grooming my dogs? Maybe, but I am not looking for favors, I paid the price she asked in exchange for doing what I asked. Only one of us lived up to our word. Did she want me to know that as the owner of the business, things will be her way and not the customers? That message was received - I sure get it.

Small business owners certainly have the right to run their buiness any way they choose. With or without integrity. Customers agree or disagree by patronizing the business. I disagree, I won't be taking any of my pack back - 8 hours to groom 3 small dogs is ludicrous. Doing my dogs last is ludicrous. Caging 3 mill survivors to make a point (whatever your point was) is ludicrous.

Dog grooming services need customers willing to spend their discretionary income at their facility. They are dependant on a customer's want, not a customer's need. I don't have any dog grooming skills but I certainly could trim my dogs myself. I choose to spend my dollars on dog grooming services and I want it to be a pleasant experience for my dogs. Gosh, I miss my old groomer. But life goes on and I will find another groomer who is good with my dogs. I will find the groomer who's attitude and care of my dogs literally makes them jump for joy when it is their turn to go.

I suspect a lot more small businesses will not survive this economy. I don't know if this particular groomer will or not. I do know that my 10 dogs will be going to a different groomer. I was looking for a new groomer when I scheduled the first group and I'm still looking . . . . I am doing what we all do when we are dissatisfied with the service we receive - I'm taking my business elsewhere. Message sent - perhaps she will get it.

Punkin - Absolutely, Positively, the Last Spoiled Royal

We don't know a lot about Punkin's history. He was a breeder surrender and taken in by WolfSpirit's Toy Breed Puppy Mill Rescue. He was to be transported to another rescue group but the day before the transport, the second rescue group decided they did not want an older dog that would be slow to be adopted (he's about 9 yrs old.)

Punkin needed to be moved so we picked him up anyway with the intention of fostering him but once his foster dad saw him it was a love at first sight. Punkin is a tiny little Pomeranian, with a really big attitude. He has about 3 teeth in his head and has problems with his right front leg. The vet thinks it may have been broken at some point and left untreated. He has this adorable little move where he backs into you when he wants picked up and he barks his dad out the door every morning.

He sleeps on the pillow at night and thinks nothing of chasing other dogs three times his size if they annoy him. He is as adorable as his photo and fits right in with the rest of the Spoiled Royals.

Sunny - She's A Delight

Sunny, also known as "Sunny Delight" is a doll. She was originally rescued by Puppy Mill Rescue during Awareness Day 2006 in Lancaster, PA and later adopted by us. Sunny came with quite an attitude, we later learned that her owner had died and a family member dumped her at the shelter.

A shelter worker said she believed Sunny was originally from a mill. She may have been but she had lived as a much loved and very spoiled dog and coming into a home with lots of other dogs was initially very difficult for her. She was snappy & snippy and not at all happy to have to share her persons. Over the past few years Sunny has learned to play nicely with the other dogs, she understands that 4:00 pm every day is her time for a belly scratch and she knows that no matter how many others are here, she is a much loved little pupster who will always have a special and unique place in our hearts.

She loves to go on walks, thinks going to the groomer is the best thing since sliced bread and is convinced that Pup Corn is the treat of choice by all discriminating dogs. The one thing Sunny has never gotten over is that she absolutely hates to have her picture taken!

Holly - Foxy Lady

Eight year old Holly was taken under the Puppy Mill Rescue umbrella from a back yard breeder in Ohio. We adopted her along with her two Pomeranian siblings in July of 2007.

She is our "Foxy Lady" and although she came into rescue as a frightened, skinny and unhappy dog, she has adjusted to freedom beautifully. She literally jumps for joy over the silliest things.

Tell her it's treat time and she jumps in the air with all 4 paws off the ground. Ask her if she wants a toy and smiles and hops will accompany her yips of joy. She is a happy girl who loves nothing more than to run, run, run in her very own fenced yard. She greets every day with a smile and reminds us what it means to simply be a happy dog.We have watched her change from a fearful dog not sure of what was going to happen next to a happy, bouncy, joyous dog who expects a belly rub at 7:30 every night and if we forget, she is right there reminding us.

It has been a pleasure to watch Holly go from a frightened, distrustful dog into one who welcomes each day with a huge smile on her little foxy face.

Oscar - Our Loveable Clown

Oscar was rescued from a Lancaster, PA puppy mill in September of 2005 during Puppy mill Awareness Day 2005. He is a hairless Chinese Crested and the clown in the Spoiled Royals pack.

Oscar was adopted in October of 2005 but the adoption did not work out so he came back to the rescue and we agreed to foster him again. After a couple of weeks his foster dad decided there was a reason Oscar was returned and the reason was he belonged here as a Spoiled Royal - and I must agree, it was an excellent decision.

He has the most expressive face, loves his fur siblings as well as his Dad & me and there is not a day that goes by that we don't laugh out loud at one of his antics. A rescue friend, who helped bring him back to us when his adoption did not work out, refers to him as her "Knight in Shining Armor", I don't know about the armor, but he is definitely a happy and loved "Knight" in our pack.

Callie, Our Shy One

Five year old Callie came from the same terrible place as Myla and even though she was only 9 months old when she was rescued, she still deals with fear and trust issues.Callie was adopted by a wonderful rescue friend who became ill and needed to place Callie in a home that understood mill dogs. Callie came to Camp Spoiled Royals in May of 2006 and while her Mom could have her back if she was ever able to take her, we consider this a case of shared parenting.

Callie loves the other dogs here and plays, plays, plays with them. She needed to be in a home where she had other dogs to interact with and she certainly has that here. She still has problems trusting people but will come to us for an ear scratch when we are sitting down, she will always take a piece of Pup Corn from our hand and she loves cuddle time around 9:00 or so at night when things are quiet and the others are unwinding from their day. She hops up on the sofa and climbs into my lap and politely asks for a belly rub. She is secure enough in her trust that if a belly rub is not forthcoming she will paw and nudge until I get it in gear. We love her dearly and get such a kick out of her playing with the others. We are confident that in time she will totally forget her first 9 months of life and understand that is completely a thing of the past.