Ingrid

Seasons Greetingsfrom

Ingrid was released from a Kansas puppy mill in the year of 2000 when shewas two years old. Puppy mill dogs are known for extreme fear of people, butIngrid far surpassed that. She was the classic example of pure terror. Monthsbecame years of trying to reach Ingrid with treats, petting, lap time, trips tothe big yards. She became much less fearful, but still her only wish is toescape the humans. We will never know what happened to her at the handsof people to cause such fear.

Security is most important to Ingrid. She loves her indoor/outdoor playpen inthe Homeward Bound building with the softest bed and her little companions.Her best friend is Pip, a tiny Chihuahua who came from a Missouri puppy mill

in the year 2004. Pip is anentertaining little fellow.For the few people he likeshe does the most courtlydance, twirling and prancing. For everyoneelse his little mouth curlsup in a sneer accompaniedby a warning growl. Pip isthe devoted protector ofIngrid, her constant companion. They are oftenseen curled up togethersleeping peacefully. When

visitors arrive, Pip charges the gate of the playpen with all of his five poundsand the most vicious bark he can muster. He has been known to sit on Ingridin her defense.

Ingrid has aged gracefully. She is still very beautiful, and she is such a sweet little dog who has no ill will toward any living creature. Her story that definesfear, the emotion a puppy mill dog knows best, has reached many peopleacross the continent and in foreign countries. Ingrid is happy in her own littleworld. Sometimes when she does not know we are watching, we see herdance around and play with her roommates, and she likes to sit by herself inthe yard with the sunshine on her face. Ingrid knows in her heart that peoplecare about her and that she is safe forever. We send you our heartfelt gratitude for the dedicated support that has given Ingrid her life.

Ingrid

A phone call one afternoon from asheriff ’s office told us about a dogneeding help. We met two deputies ata rural home about twenty miles fromthe shelter.

We parked the van and walked oversome rough terrain to a row of treesdistant from the house, and there we

saw JoeJoe. He was a pitiful specimen of a German Shepherd, emaciated, hiscoarse hair falling out in patches, and his beautiful Shepherd ears mutilated by flybites. He was thrilled to meet us and pulled to the end of his chain, which waswrapped around one of the trees. A dirt circle, the only area he could move in,was worn around the tree, and his water dish was dirty and empty. We happilyunhooked his chain and led him to the van.

We were told that the two deputies had been in the area on other businesswhen they saw JoeJoe. They could not leave him there and forget such a sceneof suffering. A citation was served on JoeJoe’s owners.

When we took the filthy collar off JoeJoe’s neck, all the hair came off with it.JoeJoe had a severe case of mange and was scratching constantly. He was ravenously hungry and devoured dishes of food. JoeJoe’s health problems wereeasy to cure with simple mange treatments and the best nutritious food. Verysoon the most gorgeous Shepherd met us at the gate of his apartment with abig smile and a happy dance. He loved us so much, and the feeling was mutual.

JoeJoe was adopted and now lives in Omaha with Erin and Michael who say he is extremely smart and very sweet. The day that he arrived home, he was afraidto come into the house, but once inside, he loved being in any room wherethere were people. When his family left him home for a day, he jumped a halfdoor and opened a door with his teetharound the knob. They found him sittingpeacefully in the living room waiting for them.His behavior at dog parks is excellent—kindto all other dogs and so sweet to people.Recently, JoeJoe graduated with honors fromobedience school and sent us a picture ofhimself in his graduation cap.

We are very proud of JoeJoe and thankful for his fine home. For the law officerswho saved him we have a world of respect and gratitude.

JoeJoe

In January the van pulled up to HUA bringing scores of dogs just rescued from aNebraska puppy mill. As we unloadedthem, we saw some who were afraid, somewho appeared relieved--all in all, a typicalmill assortment of stressed, downtroddenlittle creatures. And then there was Iago.He was clearly a SUPERSTAR, strutting outof his travel crate as though he were walking the red carpet. His philosophy was“Let’s get this party started!” He delightedin sharing his zest for life with all of thehumans and dogs at the shelter. Every dayhe woke up happy and excited. Making up

for lost time after two years in a horriblepuppy mill was on the top of Iago’s list ofthings to do.

Soon we received a lovely application fromJen and Chris, a vibrant young couple fromSalt Lake City, Utah. Since Iago’s arrival attheir home, he has had many wonderfulnew and exciting experiences. He haslearned to jet ski and is hoping to get his license soon, but for now he stickswith Jen and lets her pretend she is driving. He has also attended a formalwedding decked out in a stylish tuxedo, where a special canine cake was madejust for him and his pals at the reception. Iago is now so famous that he isbeing followed by the puparazzi. He recently landed on the cover of a localmagazine wearing his super cool shades andwas in the feature story on ways to pamperpets, a subject on which Iago has becomequite an expert. Jen and Chris say thatevery day is full of happiness, and that noone, human or canine, has stopped smilingsince his arrival.

We are ever so grateful to Jen and Chris for allowing Iago to fulfill his destiny ofbecoming a party animal celebrity superstar!

Iago

Angel was sold at a dog auction in Missouri.Authorities had mandated the sale of the dogsat auction. In Missouri, that means that theplace had to be absolutely horrible. A rescuerattending the auction bought the freedom ofover fifty dogs for almost nothing. She loadedthem into her van and headed north makingfrantic phone calls for help to other rescue

groups because she had no place for all the dogs to go. An HUA volunteermet the transport van on the interstate to accept many of the dogs, and Angelwas one of them.

It was obvious that Angel would very soon give birth to puppies. Herabdomen was huge in contrast to the bony skeleton that was the rest of herbody. She was starving, and her skin was covered with cuts and abrasions. Welearned that the dogs had all been shaved and dipped in a poisonous chemicalprior to the auction to kill parasites. Angel still had fleas and mange, as well asan infection in her ears so long untreated that growths had formed completelyblocking her ear canals. Laser treatments were required to give her relief.

Eight beautiful puppies were soon born. Angel was an excellent motheralthough she far preferred being with people to nurturing puppies. We knewthat Angel had once lived in a home. She was devoted to people and greetedeveryone she met with a big hug around the waist while standing on her backfeet. She knew vehicles were to ride in, and she understood leash walkingexcept that she had to stop frequently to hug the person walking her. Someterrible thing must have happened for Angel to have gone to one of the worstpuppy mills in Missouri.

Angel now lives with Lynne and Don in Lincoln,Nebraska. When they visited the shelter, theyintended to adopt a small dog, but then they metAngel, and they could not resist this sweetest bigPoodle.

Angel is a dream in her home. It is as though shehas always been there. She understands housemanners and sleeping in a human bed. She lovesher big yard and long, leisurely walks. Most of allshe loves her people. Everyone gets a big hug.Angel is home. After the nightmare of her yearsin a puppy mill, she is so happy and grateful.

Angel

When Renella’s breeders deliveredher to the shelter, she rode in thetrunk of a car. She was a tiny, ten-year-old Bichon weighing eightpounds. It was obvious she hadnever been groomed in her life.Her curly Bichon hair had pulledout in tangles, leaving patches ofraw skin with dreadlocks over her face.

From the first day, we knew that Renella was a stalwart little character, a survivor. She was not fearful of people but rather looked for every advantage she might gain, watchful of thecaregivers to see that her routine was being met punctually. At her vet visit,she lost eighteen teeth, but there was nothing else noteworthy wrong withher after all her years as a breeding machine. Her biggest love was the playyard. She spent hours there relishingthe freedom she had never knownbefore.

Renella stayed at the shelter for eightmonths before she was adopted byJodell and Bryan in Berthoud,Colorado. Her new dad drovethrough a day and night to bring herhome, and her mom called his cellphone constantly requesting updates.

In her home Renella has really proven what an astute learner she is. She followed the lead of her sister Bichons for basic household manners and

went on from there to develop skills of her own,like barking for ice cream and barking to get herparents up early every morning. Renella is a bigfan of television. Her favorite program is“Desperate Housewives.” This privileged littleprincess writes us to let us know how happy sheis and how much she is loved. She says, “I don’tknow what my mom and dad did without me.”

Renella

In June of 2008, Arlo was found sauntering around the fenced dogyards giving the dogs something to discuss. No doubt he was a drop off at the shelter.

Arlo joined the other HUA catsand soon made a reputation forhimself—that of being a bully.Injuries mounted up until the decision was made to have Arlo

declawed humanely with a laser. He did not suffer at all and still thought he was harassing both the other cats and the humans.

In the fall of 2010, Amy and Russell from Lincoln visited the shelter with Penny,their Australian Shepherd/American Staffordshire mix, to find Penny a playpal. Itwas soon learned that Penny did not want other dogs near her family, but sinceshe had previously lived with cats, the possibility of a cat adoption was discussed.

When a volunteer went into the cat room to select a nice cat for introduction,Arlo sneaked through the door out to the meeting room. It was love at firstsight with Penny. Purring, leg rubbing began with little fake games of chase. Arlo demonstrated his leaping acrobatic play antics. Penny hunkered down inher best play mode, seat in the air while Arlo rolled on his back, batted her faceand gave her love nibbles on the nose. They were so enthralled with each otherthat they barely knew anyone else was in the room.

So Arlo went home with Penny, and the love story has continued. They are soulmates, constant companions. Penny has perfected a new game of running at top

speed through thehouse and jumping overArlo who rolls over onhis back and grabs ather to initiate play.The resident HUA catsare celebrating. Theythought Arlo wouldnever be adopted. Theyare happily looking forward to a holidayseason with peace inthe cat room.

Arlo

Twelve-year-old Drummer was partof a large transport of puppy milldogs coming out of Missouri inAugust of 2009. He was the onlydog on the list not assigned to anyrescue group. After twelve years in apuppy mill, Drummer was finally free,and he had nowhere to go. So hecame to the HUA shelter along witheleven little dogs who had hopped

the ride to freedom unannounced at the last minute and also needed someone to care for them.

Drummer had to be treated for heartworms and other health problemscaused by years of neglect. Finally, he was well and moved to a villa apartmentwhere he loved the big yard and his Kuranda bed. Drummer’s story on hisweb page described him as the sweetest, most mannerly gentleman whoalways greeted us with a smile. He was loved by everyone who met him.

We were elated when we received an application to adopt from Tami and Ronin Omaha, Nebraska, people who adopt older dogs to give them comfort andlove for the rest of their days. Soon reports of Drummer’s activities in hishome began to arrive. Tami and Ron came home from work to find the dogfood canister open with food scattered everywhere amidst other products ofdestruction. Apparently, Drummer was happily making up for his lost puppyhood. The remains of his huge,expensive dog bed was replacedwith Goodwill blankets. After repeatperformances, Drummer was regret-fully put in a crate, but he met hispeople at the door when theyarrived home.

Finally, with two padlocks on the dogfood container, two chew toys, oneKong, six stuffed toys, and the FoodNetwork on television, Drummer occupies himself and keeps the house in order. Fortunately, love conqueredall—the love of good people and the immense love and gratitude of a puppymill dog who never dreamed such happiness could be his.

Drummer

Samantha was rescued from a breeder by a group in Michigan. They ran out ofresources to diagnose and treat this sweet little waif and asked us to please help

save her. Samantha was diagnosed with a horrible infection that had caused almost complete deteriorationof her hard and soft palate. It was so bad that foodwould come out of her nose when she ate. She wouldrub her head on the carpet the whole length of theroom trying to get some relief, and she sneezed almostconstantly. Weighing only five pounds, she was barelybeing kept alive by antibiotics and was so undernourished that her skin hung off of her.

Samantha spent nearly a month at Kansas StateVeterinary Hospital having multiple reconstructive surgeries to fix her mouth. The veterinary technicians called or wrote every day with updates on their favoritepatient. She endured the entire ordeal with a spunky, happy attitude. WhenSamantha arrived back at the shelter, she showered us with kisses of gratitude.

We could not believe her good fortune when out of the nearly 40 Dachshunds atHUA Samantha was chosen to live with Claudia and Michael in Saugerties, NewYork. After the passing of their sweet HUA alum Dachshund Flora, their otherHUA alum Dachshund Nellie became very depressed. Nellie needed a sister, andClaudia and Michael needed some new joy in their lives, too. Samantha will alwaysbe prone to infection, but she was ready for life in a home.

When Samantha arrived Nellie perked up right away,happily showing her new sister all the best things to doaround the house like snuggle in the big bed, go for longwalks and beg for food. Claudia and Michael weredelighted with their new family member. They dote onher every move. She sleeps ON the people, not BYthem. When Claudia and Michael come home, they find

that she has managed to tuck herself into the covers of her gorgeous new dogbed. It is a mystery how that happens…perhaps the cats tuck her in? She loves cattoys because they are just her size. She is so small and delicate that she has been nicknamed The Pencil Pup. She is obsessed with tissues, which everyone finds quite amusing given herneed for them. She turns over wastebaskets, looks onnightstands, all in the quest for big fluffy tissue. She hasbrightened her family's life with laughter and love. Theentire story is such a miracle that we have to wonderif Flora did not have a paw in helping orchestrateSamantha’s recovery and restoration of peace and joyto her beloved family.

Samantha

The Midwest 2010Pet overpopulation in the Midwest has been oppressive for many years. Nowthere is a torrent of homeless animals. The tide of public opinion turningagainst puppy mills and the downturn of the national economy have causedserious damage to the pet trade. Breeders are ridding themselves of dogs bythe hundreds, reducing their numbers, going out of business, or being shutdown by authorities. Rescue organizations in the Midwest are contendingwith a monstrous number of animals and struggling to meet the challenge.

On a bitterly cold day in January, HUA volunteers and representatives of othergroups met a Nebraska breeder transport ofalmost a hundred dogs—Chihuahuas,Bichons, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, Poodles—somany ravaged by their lives as breeders.These pitiful animals could not believe theirgood fortune when they were carried intothe warmth and comfort of the shelter.

In March, HUA volunteers traveled to central Nebraska to pick up the dogs afterthe shutdown of a notorious breederoperating in a garbage dump of rusty, broken wire cages and rabbit hutches. Itwas a glorious day when we returned withtwenty-four Cockers, Labradors,Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus.Another trip to the same area was madeto save a dozen Cockers from a backyardbreeder going out of business as requiredby authorities.

Dogs have poured in from Missouri, Iowa, Kansas,and South Dakota, often the remainder of largerelinquishments from breeding places, the leftovers with nowhere else to go, or the specialneeds cases when the resources of the receivingshelters have been exhausted. Kaycee, a lovelydapple Dachshund, required two surgeries to takeaway the dreadful pain of a ruptured disk in herneck. When the suffering was finally over, Kayceeloved to roll in the grass.

Throughout the year dogs have been releasedby a Nebraska breeder. The number received isnow sixty-one as this place dwindles down tonone. These dogs are the sickest ones we haveknown with tumors and infections. Little WillieWonka is one of them, a tiny Yorkie with nobottom jaw. He loves the HUA shelter wherehe often meanders around looking up at us withthe sweetest look on his face.

This summer a puppy mill near the HUA shelterclosed to avoid cruelty charges. Forty-two dogs,mostly Papillons, were released, many with heartworms. Not much later fifteen neglecteddogs were taken from a Nebraska backyardbreeder.

In the torrid heat of July, we made a twenty-hourround trip to northwestern Nebraska to save

twenty-five Pugs from a breeding placeforced out of business. The Pugs rode tofreedom with both front and back air conditioners of the van running full blast.These dogs were all terrified animals. Thebreeder had grabbed them by the scruffs of their necks and tossed them around.

Very late inthe year a huge effort began in Nebraska, mandated by authorities, to take twenty-foursmall dogs and the pups that did not sell from litters of designer dogs--Labradors, GoldenRetrievers, and Australian Shepherds all mixedwith Standard Poodle and known as the Doodles.Fifty-two large pups, weighing from forty toeighty pounds, were living in pens that they hadlong since outgrown. They were climbing overeach other just in an effort to move around.

These sweetest pups have become the happiest ever now that they finally haveroom to run.

We thank you with all our hearts for the support that has saved hundreds ofdogs this year. Your kindness gives the gift of life to so many that would otherwise not survive after their years of suffering in the puppy mills. We are so grateful for the ability to help and love these most grateful creatures whoreturn love a thousandfold.

The record for length of time a doghas spent at the HUA shelter beforebeing adopted has been broken again.In 1999, Shauna came from the backroads of Missouri where it is common to see running packs ofdogs, starved and mange-infested.She was a young girl at the time,saved by kind people who found her.

Shauna lived in a villa apartment for eleven years, watching many of her companions leaving for their homes. She was always cheerful and kind, accepting any new dog that arrived. All the staff and volunteers loved her asthe sweet girl that she is, just another victim of overpopulation.

When Shauna was adopted this year by Sue and Bob in Omaha, Nebraska, shejoined Sport, an HUA dog adopted months earlier. In 2005 a faithful volunteerdrove Sport to HUA from a shelter in Kansas where he had stayed a bit toolong. At that time Sport’s name was Gramps because he appeared to be anolder dog. Like Shauna, Sport is an easy liver, never causing any problems, butshortly after his arrival, he surprised us by climbing a villa fence—a feat veryfew dogs have ever accomplished. For that we changed his name fromGramps to Sport. Once was enough of the fence climbing for Sport, however.He never tried it again.

When Sport found himself in ahome, all his manly pursuitsdeveloped. He loves the opencountry, sniffing every scentwith the wind blowing his ears,and he never gets enough ofgoing swimming in a lake.Shauna is very much the lady.She likes looking at herself inthe full-length mirror in a closet, and she prefers wadingin the baby swimming pool.

The happiness, love, and gratitude of these two dogs is a tribute to the goodness of the people who gave a home to those passed over for so long.

Shauna and Sport

When Mac’s little Yorkie passed away atthe age of fourteen, he was devastated.E.L., pronounced Ellie, was his constantcompanion. She went everywhere withhim and was often seen looking out thewindow of his truck or being carried in tobusinesses. Mac is a retired businessmanof Auburn, Nebraska, and a past AuburnCity Councilman.

Very soon Mac began visiting the shelter to be with little dogs. Twice a weekhe spends the mornings grooming dogs, most often those recently brought infrom puppy mills. We hear him talking to them, making every effort to comfort the fearful little creatures and make them feel better. Mac has evenmade friends with Derek, the partially disabled Dachshund who lives in themeeting room where there is a carpeted runway for Derek’s walking exercise.Derek has almost stopped trying to nip Mac’s ankles when he walks throughthe room carrying little dogs to the grooming room.

This summer we heard from a volunteer in Kansas that a Yorkie type dog hadbeen found abandoned by a lake. Nicci was the little dog’s name. She hadbeen taken in by a family who thought she was going to have puppies. Aftertime passed with no puppies, Nicci was turned in to the pound. A veterinarianperformed exploratory surgery to try to determine the cause of Nicci’s bloated abdomen. Nothing reasonable was learned.

When Nicci was brought to the HUA shelter, she was taken to Mobile AnimalClinic in Omaha where the good Doctors Jensen and Westenberg would knowwhat to do to help her. It was found that Nicci has Cushings disease. Thebest new medicine was prescribed for her, and with rechecks and expertadvice, Nicci has become a happy, healthy dog.

When Mac first met Nicci, we suspected that a very special bond had begun.Mac took Nicci home to meet his wife, Vicki, and soon Nicci went home tostay. Nicci’s health requires continuous attention, but attention is not something she lacks at all. She is Mac’s constant companion, going everywherewith him, most often seen looking out the window of his truck or being carried in to businesses. Nicci is such an adorable little girl that people everywhere have to stop and admire her. We hear many Nicci stories whenMac comes to the shelter twice a week to help the new little dogs feel betterafter a good warm bath and lots of attention.

Nicci

Linka, the gorgeous Vizsla who wasthe cover girl of our summer 2009magazine, now lives with Jenny andCurt in Waterloo, Iowa. Linka joinedLayla, another Vizsla, and the two girlshave a marvelous life together intheir home.

Linka came to the HUA shelter froma Nebraska puppy mill when she wasthree years old. The first years ofher life were spent in a cruel prison,an outdoor pen where she suffered

the extremes of weather and had nothing more than a cold, hard bed. Linkalearned disappointment from puppyhood on. With all her youthful energy, shelonged to run and play, but her hopes were always crushed, and she becamesullen, silent, hateful toward people.

Linka first stayed in a playpen in the central care room of the Canine Condos.She sat frozen in one corner on a large, plush dog bed growling if anyonecame near her. As a large, younger dog, Linka had beautiful, white, sharp teeth.We had to be cautious with her, but the key to her heart was soon discovered. The first time she was taken to one of the big playyards, Linka wasoverjoyed. She ran laps around the yard until she was exhausted. All thesweet nature of this intelligent, sensitive dog soon emerged. Before long, shewas overpowering her caregivers with grateful kisses.

Linka and Layla have a hugeyard to romp in to theirhearts’ content. In the summer months they oftengo swimming in the pond.Linka loves her family dearlyand is friendly toward everyone. No would everguess that she once had anybad thoughts about people.Linka’s life is now a dreamcome true--the life shealways should have had.

Linka

Little Swiper has made HUA history asour first dog to fly on PetAirways, theairline where dogs are the only passengers and ride in the cabin of theplane. The good people who started thisairline knew that dogs need to travelbecause that good home and the peoplewho want them may be located manymiles away.

Swiper was born at the HUA shelter. Her mother, a small Shepherd mix, wasone of fifteen dogs received from a backyard breeding operation. Her dadwas obviously a Sheltie. Shortly after her mother’s arrival, she gave birth tosix beautiful puppies.

When Swiper was three months old and all herveterinary work was completed, the reservationwas made in her name. It did contain the names ofresponsible humans who were sending and receiving her, but all reference to it was in the nameof Swiper as most important. As hundreds of HUAdogs had done before her, Swiper was an overnightguest at Aunt Jean’s house in Omaha where shereceived royal treatment before making the trip tothe airport at 4:00 a.m.

Swiper was checked in at the PetAirways pet lounge, a comfortable privateplace for pets only. She was greeted with hugs and smiles and escorted to theplane by a flight attendant. The Pawsengers receive constant attention duringthe flight to make sure they are comfortable, even including potty breaks if the flight is long. When the plane lands,they are immediately ushered to thereceiving pet lounge where their familiesare waiting.

Swiper’s mom was so pleased with thefriendly service of PetAirways and happily greeted her new baby girl.Swiper now is loving all the comfort andattention she has in her new home withLauren and Brent in Denver, Colorado.

Swiper

Kid Rock was a miracle baby. He was found in a ditchon a cold night by some kind young men who drovemany miles bringing him to the HUA shelter. Whenwe noticed that this tiny puppy was having troublebreathing, we rushed him to the Animal EmergencyClinic in Omaha.

There we learned that he had injuries consistent withhaving been thrown from a moving vehicle. His jaw

was broken and displaced at a 45-degree angle. He had a broken rib and trauma to one eye. The break in his jaw was at the joint making surgeryimpossible. A muzzle was made for Kid, taping his little mouth shut in theslim hope that the break would heal.

For weeks Kid was fed soft food through a syringe every two hours. He had abad sinus infection causing him to sniffle and snort through every feeding, andhis caregivers were deathly afraid that he would choke. Amazingly, his jawhealed. When his muzzle was removed, Kid was so happy to be able to eatout of a dish and be able to play with other puppies his age.

We were concerned that we might have raised a spoiled little monster afterall the attention given to Kid during his recovery, but he was a good boy—wellmannered, dearly loving to his people, and kind and considerate to other pups.

Kid Rock was soon adopted and liveswith Katie and Rob in Lincoln,Nebraska. He now weighs fifteenpounds, and he is a trim, leggy, muscular fellow. His family recentlyadopted another little guy who wasdown on his luck. Ike is a Rat Terriermix, very comparable to Kid in sizeand lifestyle. The two became instant buddies. Kid is so well behaved that heserved as a role model for Ike, teaching him house manners. Katie and Robsay that he is their little superstar.

Kid and Ike came to visit us at the shelter several weeks ago. We werethrilled to see our boy again, grown so much bigger than when we last sawhim. He remembered us, of course, and snuggled for hugs and kisses. Wewatched as he ran into the recovery room checking to see if his playpen wasstill there, and he sat on our laps in the lobby chairs where we had so oftenheld him to feed him. When it was time for him to leave, there was no sadness. Kid went happily out the door with his family, and we were veryhappy for him.

Kid Rock

Evita, a tiny Chihuahua girl froma puppy mill in Nebraska, hasbecome a career woman. Sheworks as a clerk in the famousCause for Paws store inLincoln, Nebraska. Evita knowshow important her job isbecause all the profit from thestore goes to help homelessanimals, and since she was onceone herself, she works hardselling merchandise.

Evita is very proud of her store. The nicest people donate lovely gifts to bedisplayed and sold. The store is not the typical second hand store. It lookslike an attractive retail business with good quality merchandise organizedbeautifully. Evita’s mom, Sue, gave up a career as a business manager and fashion consultant to create this store and devote all her time to the love ofher life—helping animals. The store has an all-volunteer staff, and Evita’s dad,Darren, is a major volunteer devoting many hours to its successful operation.

Life is not all work and noplay for Evita. She takessome time out to just bewith her mom. Evita lovesSue so much that she shivers with delight whenbeing held and cuddled andgives very serious littlekisses. A really big treat isa trip to the park with hermom and dad. Evita cannot wait to set her feeton the ground. She takesoff in leaps and bounds asfast as her little legs cancarry her, loving the free-dom that she never knew in a puppy mill.

True to her Chihuahua ancestry, Evita is the soul of love and devotion. Shehas found the perfect home with the most loving and devoted people.

Evita

Little Dooley arrived at the shelter asone of almost a hundred dogsreleased by a group of breeders inNebraska. He was just a baby andthe most adorable, loving little fellow.We knew something was wrong withDooley. His breeder had sent alongthe message that he was blind.

The veterinary eye specialist inOmaha ruled out any problem with Dooley’s eyes. He could see very well. At his regular vet visit that included a blood panel, the truth became known.Dooley had high liver readings—evidence of a liver shunt. A trip to the university hospital in Ames, Iowa, wasplanned, and Dooley had surgery toplace a constrictor around the shuntthat was releasing impurities into hissystem and would have killed him.

Recovery from this type of surgery islengthy and requires a very restricteddiet for months. Dooley was such agood little boy, eating his tastelessfood with gusto. We received excellent reports from his follow-up vet visits.

Now Dooley lives with Patti andCarl in Bellevue, Nebraska. Heloves a big variety of food and willeat anything he is offered.Weighing in at ten pounds, he hasbecome an accomplished wrestler,playing fun games with his brotherand sister Maltese. Dooley has avery special friend who pays a lotof attention to him. That isMichael, his human boy and bestnapping partner.

Dooley writes to us on behalf of his family and himself to tell us how happythey all are and how grateful for all the people who cared about him—allthose who supported him and sent their love and wishes that he would getwell fast.

Dooley

Bertie spent nine years in one of the most notoriouspuppy mills in Nebraska. This poor little four-pounddoll lost 17 teeth at his first visit to the HUA vet, leaving him with none. The infection was so bad that hislower jaw disintegrated. One would think that nearly adecade of severe neglect, being kept caged with no kindhuman interaction, would have crushed Bertie’s spiritfor good. With Bertie, however, this was not the case.He was a happy little boy from the moment he gainedhis freedom. He especially loved the ladies, both humanand canine. He lived to show off and express his joy,

doing happy dances and giving sweet little kisses.

Bertie was delighted at the shelter with the best accommodations and nicest people he had ever known, but we very much wished for Bertie, as we do for allsenior puppy mill dogs, that he would find a home and know the love of a familyof his very own. When Coree, Roger and their three girls, nine-year-old Emma,and eleven-year-old Libby, and fourteen year old Ellen, from Omaha, expressedinterest in Bertie we were so excited. On our application we ask why a person is adopting and their answer read “We want to give a dog a home that has neverhad one, where it is loved in its late years.” The seniors are overlooked at shelters, and this wonderful family knew it. Coree told us she knew that parents of young children often think they must get them a young puppy, but she wanted her children to learn the joy of selflessness by helping an animal who might not otherwise find a home.

Bertie has blossomed in his new home. He loves to sleep with the girls and hasstarted to bark, something he never did before, something puppy mill dogs oftenlearn not to do because no one cares or responds. He feels comfortable andloved and has become quite a littleprince. He has learned that he doesmatter, he is important. He even stageda protest when a new food was introduced. He decided that he likedthe soft food he had had at HUA withwhole peas and carrots in it and that he would not try another kind. His demands were met.

The children did not get a puppy andthey have not regretted it for a moment. In turn Bertie repaid them by never having one accident in the house, something that could not have been said if they had taken the conventional route and chosen a puppy!

Bertie

On November 2nd dog lovers across the country were glued to the electionreturns watching the vote on Proposition B in Missouri. This bill, called the PuppyMill Cruelty Prevention Act, was the result of an initiative petition drive conductedby 1500 citizens of Missouri who carried the petitions and obtained over twice thenumber of voters’ signatures needed to put the measure on the ballot. The provisions of the bill stated care requirements for dogs in breeding operations, provisions that are so important for dogs in Missouri and everywhere.

The race was lost until very late when votes were tallied from the cities where theruthless propaganda of breeder organizations has less effect. In the last hoursProposition B won by 3%, 60,320 additional yes votes. It was a glorious victory, celebrated everywhere by those who care about animals. Almost a million peoplein Missouri, the worst puppy mill state in the nation, voted YES to shutting downpuppy mills.

In anticipation of the possible successof Proposition B, breeders in Missouribegan discarding hundreds of dogs.Dog auctions have been conductedtwice weekly with breeder dogs sellingfor pennies. Animal welfare groupshave organized transports for hugenumbers of dogs being relinquished.Missouri is a disaster area. This entireregion is a disaster with pitiful animals

pouring out of the mass production puppy factories of every state in the Midwest.

It tears one’s heart out, but it has to happen. The suffering of these dogs in puppymills is worse. The under regulated pet industry that takes obscene profit fromtired, ill dogs and the sale of sickly puppies and clogs the nation’s shelters with millions of animals and assumes no responsibility for the mess that has been madehas to stop. In this nation governed by laws that protect the weak and innocent,founded on principles of honor and justice, the injustice of the pet trade has tostop.

We thank you, our loyal supporters, for the love and goodness in your hearts. Weknow your thoughts and prayers are with these most precious animals. We askyour help for the monstrous number of ill and frightened dogs who come to us forcare and comfort. We thank you for the support that has enabled us to save somany. We wish you every blessing in the new year, and we thank you for joining usin the fellowship of mercy.

The Year 2010

Together we are Hearts United for Animals.P.O. Box 286 • Auburn, NE 68305 • www.hua.org • hua@hua.org