I was purchased from a backyard breeder in Missouri and flown to Ohio when I was 12 weeks old. My owner planned to breed me but lucky for me that didn't happened. My owner was not a true dog lover and he was not tolerant of my normal puppy behavior. People questioned him about why he even got a dog. Then one day the neighbors called animal control because they could see my bones were sticking out. Well, that really upset my owner because now animal control realized that I had been not licensed. My owner was given 14 days to get me licensed and also to have a vet determine if I was skinny because of health or lack of food. My owner got really angry.

As you can see from my pictures below, I am very emaciated. I actually weigh almost exactly the same as I did when I was 6 months old! If you look closely at the pictures of my head, the one on the left, you can even see where my right side of my face is swollen. The picture on the right was taken less then 24 hours later and the swelling has already gone down to some degree. It is the opinion of the rescue that my condition is consistent with abuse and neglect. The rescue has already scheduled a vet appointment for next Tuesday. This will be with an orthopedic surgeon to see if I have any medical issues.

I am so thankful that my owner decided to release me to Harlequin Haven. A nice man immediately came and took me to a safe place. The rescue contacted my breeder (per the rescue's policy) and he didn't even asked how I was - even after seeing the pictures the rescue sent him of me. Instead all he cared about was the rescue's plans to spay me!! His exact words were, "Please contact me at your earlist convience before you destroy the breeding capabilities of my animal." He even told Grandma "If you want this animal, I will consider selling you my rights." Grandma let him know that the rescue was not paying him a penny!! She asked him if he wanted to provide financial support or make a donation toward my care and his reply was, "Without ownership I surely have no responsibility as both go hand in hand.  Since your intention is to alter this critter so that it cannot reproduce, I am not intersted in retrieving this animal!......... I hope she goes to a good home!  I think you charge fair and reasonable prices." I guess he doesn't understand that a reputable breeder would want to provide for his puppy and that a rescue is not making money from their dogs like he is. Rescues are trying to end the problem of homeless dogs and not continue to add to the homelss population.