Meet Penny Rescued 2002

Hi Everyone!
My name is Penny, and I am a 7 year old red Affenpinscher. I spent the first 6 years of my life living in a small wire cage, where, for the most part, I ate, slept, pottied, and was used strictly for breeding purposes. This place is called a puppy mill, so there were lots of other dogs being kept there like me. Then a year ago last February, the woman who runs this puppy mill decided she didn't need me and two other Affens, so she was going to take us out and club us to death, but a rescue person in the area convinced her to let her buy us. The puppy mill lady agreed, so she came and got us. This nice lady met two wonderful ladies, who had driven a long way to bring us to a new safe place.

I was really frightened by this horrible life experience. Not only did I smell really bad, but my hair was so badly matted, it stuck to my body in clumps. My teeth were in terrible condition and I was definitely overweight. Because I had spent most of my life in a small wire cage, my hind legs were so weak and the knee joints kept popping out of place, so I could barely walk. Since I had not been held and loved or allowed to play with other dogs and toys, run in the grass, become a well adjusted, socialized little dog, I arrived at my new foster home terrified of every movement, sound and person.

The first thing, I was taken to the vet. He checked me all over, gave me some shots, gave me some medicine to get rid of all the worms in my "tummy," cleaned and pulled some of my rotten teeth, and spayed me so I would never have to have any more puppies. A groomer gave me a bath and shaved off all my matts. My new foster mom, knew my legs were in bad shape and that I would need surgery on both hind legs, if I was going to be able to walk or go up and down stairs like the other dogs in my foster home. I guess by now, I had won the hearts of the entire foster family, so they decided my foster home would be my new forever home. Back to the vet I went, for my leg surgeries. With lots of tender loving care from my new mom, it wasn't long before I was walking and running with the other dogs.

Even though some things still frighten me, my mom says I've come a long way in a year. My sad eyes are brighter, my flattened ears are perked up, I chase squirrels, I'm learning to play with toys, love to ride in the car, my body is slim and trim and I will allow nice people to pet me. I follow my mom everywhere she goes all the time. My favorite place to be is snuggled in her arms or on her lap. When she is around, I will not let anyone else hold me, but they are allowed to pat my head. I do my funny "affen dance" and make lots of funny sounds with my mouth. My family and others think I am funny, cute and adorable. I just think I'm a very lucky little girl, because there were people who cared enough to rescue me, and give me a second chance to be a real dog. Now I live in a nice home with a loving family, who give me all the care and compassion I could ever want or need. I wish all abused and puppy mill dogs could be so lucky.

Thanks for reading my story.

Lots of licks and wags,
Penny