I decided to be brave today even though I knew in my heart where Cali came from. I started researching Cali’s stiffness in walking, what I call a shuffle and how it relates to the conditions she was born in. One of the sites that came up was the Missouri Humane Society. On the site it talked about the 22 different mill busts that were made and how some of the dogs have suffered. I began to wonder what if one of the places busted was were she came from. They had a number to call with questions and concerns in regards to known mills.

I called and told them of Cali and asked if any complaints were made against Cali’s breeders. They referred me over to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Animal Care Division. I decided to call.

A very nice inspector answered and pulled the name and records up for me. He readily told me about details of the complaints. The “breeder” had been in business since 2005.  They had one complaint about a microchip number not matching the paperwork and that was resolved.  They had 22 minor infractions involving the grounds and roof. The following month the infractions were corrected. They have many different breeds and are following the “standards” set.  There were no complaints that the dogs were dirty, malnourished or that they did not have access to water.

He told me that USDA breeders are subjected to 3 different inspections a year, one from their department, one from the Federal (Agriculture inspectors based out of Colorado) and the Humane Society. He told me that the breeder is trying to comply and readily fixes anything that is noted.

The thing he did confirm is she was born and brought up in a kennel environment, either wire cage or cement run. Breaks my heart. Regardless if the “breeder” is complying to the laws and rules truth is a mill is mill.  Something nationwide, worldwide must be done to stop the way these animals are treated, raised and neglected. 

Cali’s check up is next month, our vet is going to check her over thoroughly. Her shoulder blades almost touch whereas Zoe’s does not. Her front legs are stiff on hard surfaces. I have read and was told by our vet’s office that the some dogs raised on wire learn as soon as the start to walk that they need to walk softly and slowly because the wire hurts and the nerve endings in the pads are delicate. Once off the wire the mind still thinks the dog is on wire especially on harder surfaces, it is like the dog is subconsciously patterned to this behavior, imprinted. We are concerned for her joints and back. At one point she had slight inflammation between her shoulder blades, to the point you could feel it.

The specialist office that we took her to for her kidneys at 6 months has an orthopedic specialist if we need to have her looked at further. It is the same office that took care of Zoe’s dental needs. She may end up with arthritis as she ages, she is only 2 now. This could explain her reluctance to move off the bed or couch at times.

One other thing I did was check the site of the broker that sold us Cali. They wanted to get a larger piece of property 2 yrs ago so they could spread out and even breed their dogs. The land deal fell through. On the site now is a posting that the y got a piece of land so they can “let the puppies run”. Reading between the lines he will not only be a broker but a back yard breeder with kennels, this was his intentions earlier.

Makes me angry, he allowed the mills to do this to our dog by selling the puppies for them. Right now he is selling all designer dogs, no cavaliers at this time.  He breeds his cavaliers with poodles and brings cavaliers in from Missouri.

He originally had a tri male cavalier the same age as Cali, he wanted me to breed her with him (I did not want to breed Cali).  When the property deal fell through when Cali was 3 months old he sold the male to a lady that is a client at our vet’s office. The dog now has some of the same issues that Cali does, he also came from the same breeder in Missouri. Our daughter told me that the owner talked to her during the vet visit and asked if Cali was the same way. It is sad, both dogs are as loving as can be but to have the baggage they carry is a shame. 

This unseen baggage is imprinted as puppies and carries through with them for life.  I see it when we go for walks, if a dog inside a fence or house barks, Cali freezes and is frightened refusing to go forward.  I see it when I go to pet her neck or head, she backs up or lowers her shoulders.   I see it twice a day when she eats, afraid to look down and put her face in the bowl.  Mill dogs are feed in trays or group bowls, strongest eat first, attacking weaker dogs/puppies, pushing them out of the way.  This I have outlined about her in previous postings, how after the loss of our two older dogs within a months time, when she was about 7 months old must have triggered something from her past that I haven’t been able to help her through.

All we can do is love and care for them.