The Artz'

LAKE OCONEE — Sept. 20 is National Puppy Mill Awareness Day(PMAD), an annual ‘howliday’ typically observed on the third Saturday in September. This important event helps raise awareness about the cruel puppy mill industry.

PMAD shines the spotlight on inhumane puppy mills, the “breeding facilities that produce puppies in large numbers” for profit. Sadly, many of these beautiful animals endure awful conditions, living their entire lives in overcrowded, filthy cages, and receiving little or no love or attention. These poor pooches receive minimal if any veterinary care and are often fed poor quality food. Many animals are never touched or get to leave the confines of their disgusting cages.

Molly Artz was once a puppy mill breeding dog. This pretty shih tzu/poodle/schnauzer (maybe) mix lived her life in a cage in a puppy mill in Missouri, a state infamous for having more than 3,000 puppy mills and only a handful of inspectors. After being bred so many times that her nipples and belly were stretched mercilessly, she was deemed no longer useful to the breeder. Luckily, a Memphis rescue group saved Molly from certain euthanasia. Out of all the dogs rescued from this breeder, Molly was the only one who did not need to have ALL of her teeth pulled. She was spayed and transferred to Mostly Mutts, a Kennesaw animal rescue group. This is where our heroine, Lynn Artz entered the picture.

Lynn had determined that she was ready to adopt a dog again, two years after her beloved Maddie (the Atrz’ second rescue) passed away. Looking at dogs similar to Maddie on pet adoption sites on the internet, Lynn saw Molly and her story. She went to an adoption day at PetsMart near Towne Center Mall, well over 100 miles from Lake Oconee, to meet Molly. When one of the volunteers approached Molly’s cage, the frightened dog cowered in the back of the cage. They managed to get her out and Lynn and her husband Duane walked Molly around the shopping center.

“Should we take her back and think about this for a few days?” Duane asked Lynn. “I can’t bear to put her back in that cage,” Lynn replied. And Molly found her furever home, sleeping all the way back to Lake Oconee.

That was just the beginning. Molly wasn’t housebroken. She needed to have six teeth pulled because the excessive breeding pulled the calcium from her body. Having lived in a small cage, often in her own filth, Molly had never been outside before being rescued. She was afraid of grass, of loud noises like thunder, and especially afraid of people. Lynn and Duane like to entertain and Molly would cower behind Lynn, not letting guests touch her. Molly has toys, but doesn’t understand about playing with them … she had never been allowed to be a playful puppy and it shows. She was clueless about the dangers in the outside world — like moving cars and that she shouldn’t jump off a fairly high retaining wall in the back yard, or what might happen if she walked off the boat into deep water!

However, through the love and patience of Lynn and Duane, Molly has thrived! She greets guests at the door, loves affection and being petted and groomed. She is a beautiful, happy, loving member of the Artz family. Lynn, an avid tennis player and a board member of the Lake Oconee Tennis Association (LOTA), is the chair of the LOTA Classic which takes place on the weekend coinciding with PMAD. Each year the tournament, which is played at The Lake Club at Reynolds Plantation, draws players from across the south and the net proceeds benefit a different charity each year. This year, the tourney benefitted the Oconee Regional Humane Society (ORHS).

Stephanie Coleman, director of fundraising for ORHS, is deeply appreciative of LOTA’s support of ORHS. “Over the years, ORHS has saved thousands of cats and dogs; many from puppy mills. Since our funding comes almost entirely from grants, donations and fundraising, the support from Lynn and LOTA, the tournament sponsors and the tournament players is incredibly important to our success.”

Tournament sponsors include Classic Wines, Freedom Boat Club of Lake Oconee, St. Mary’s Good Samaritan, BankSouth, KB Voiceovers, Plum Creek Timber Company, Howard Sheppard, Inc., Aesthetic & Dermatology Specialty Care, Bug House of Lake Oconee, Barry & Debbie Darugar, Cash Painting, Franks Chiropractic Life Center PC, Greensboro Tire, Keller Williams/Kim & Lin Logan, Ron Kalpak, Reynolds Plantation Real Estate, LoanSouth and Oconee Beverage Warehouse.

It is estimated that millions of puppies are sold to people each year via the Internet, newspaper advertising, pet shops, brokers, breeders or in person. Many of these pets come from mills. Sadly, many die or are euthanized due to disease, genetic defects or behavioral issues.

While there are some reputable puppy-friendly pet stores that do not support puppy mills, many pet stores do purchase their animals from mills. By refusing to purchase any animal from mills, we can stop this cruel and inhumane cycle and put these folks out of business for good. Before you ask how much is that adorable puppy in the window of a pet store, ask yourself where this puppy really came from and what kind of conditions the poor little guy had to endure.

Millions of unloved, neglected, abused and unwanted pets are waiting for forever homes at shelters across America. Many will be euthanized through no fault of their own. Please consider opening your heart and home to a beautiful doggy or kitty by visiting an adoption day by ORHS or another rescue group before it is too late! Available pets can be viewed at www.orhspets.org!