Thirteen of 41 rescued Shih Tzus awaiting adoption

‘Proud of bearing,” with an “arrogant carriage” and a “long flowing coat” are just a few excerpts from the American Kennel Club’s list of ideal characteristics for Shih Tzus.

But for 41 examples of this breed, who, along with a few Maltese, were rescued from a Bledsoe County puppy breeding mill last August, “lifeless,” “neglected” and “undernourished” were more common, according to animal experts.

“It was awful — the worst thing I’ve ever seen,” said Deborah Turney, an employee at Wally’s Friends Spay and Neuter Clinic, which coordinated with the Humane Educational Society and the Almost Home Pet Foundation to rescue the dogs.

Six months after their release from a small trailer without electricity or running water where they were housed together in small wooden pens, 27 of the dogs have been adopted and one died. The remaining 13 are living with Ms. Turney, who was, at one time, acting as foster mother to more than 20.

“It’s a job to have that many animals at home; but I love the dogs, so it’s fine,” she said as the remaining baker’s dozen swarmed around her feet at Wally’s. “I cry every time one leaves.”

When they first arrived at Wally’s, their condition was pitiful, said Eileen Price, the clinic’s director.

Because the trailer wasn’t cleaned, the traditionally lustrous fur Shih Tzus are known for was so matted with feces and urine it hardened into a cast on the dogs from the mill. The fur on one dog’s leg was bound so tightly that it created a tourniquet that nearly required the limb’s amputation, Ms. Price said.

For some the of the animals, the living conditions were fatal.

“It was in the heat of the summer during one of those days when it got way up over 100, and there were already several animals lying dead next to the ones that were alive,” she said, adding that several more were found dead under the trailer.

After they were rescued, the dogs were shaved and treated for physical ailments, including tooth extractions as a result of malnutrition. All were spayed and neutered.

At puppy mills, animals are used to produce as many litters as possible, and the resulting stress prematurely aged some of the dogs, Ms. Price said.

“An average life span for one of these little dogs is anywhere from 14-19 years when they are well treated,” she said. “(But) some of the dogs we recovered look like they’re very old when they’re really only about five or six.”

For all the help they’ve needed at the beginning of their recovery, however, the animals’ improvement during the past few months has been astonishing, Ms. Price said.

“Tears came to our eyes when they first got here because they had no soul — it was like they were dead inside,” she said. “When they first got here, they were all huddled in the corner like they were thinking, ‘OK, what’s going to happen to us next?’

“They’d been treated like little breeding machines with no care, no love, no human touch. They have, just in this part of their life, discovered compassion.”

Ms. Price, who has worked on five other animal rescue efforts, said many of the animals were “fear biters,” lashing out at any attempt to touch them.

Now, the dogs have rebounded and rub up against legs, eager to be held and petted.

“They’ve made such a turnaround,” she said. “That’s why animals are so incredible, because they are absolutely forgiving and just spring back to life because they’re always hopeful and looking for trust in humans.”

Despite the knowledge that they are moving on to a loving home, giving up dogs has been difficult for Ms. Turney.

One in particular was especially hard to let go of, she said.

“Storm was the hardest to give up,” Ms. Turney said. “She just got attached really quick.”

Now, Storm — dubbed “Stormy” by her new owners — is living with another Shih Tzu at the home of Kevin and Connie Gilreath.

After seeing a TV report of the Bledsoe County rescue, Ms. Gilreath said she knew she had to do something.

“When I saw the story, it broke my heart,” she said. “I’m an animal lover, and I couldn’t believe anybody could treat animals this way.

“She was very shy and timid when we brought her home. She’s definitely improved — everybody falls in love with her who meets her.”

Of the 40 dogs recovered from Bledsoe County, a dozen were puppies that were adopted nearly immediately. While the remaining dogs are older, they are just as adoptable, as long as potential owners are patient, Ms. Turney said.

“They just have to get used to you. They’re not going to run right up to you and love on you until they know that you’re not going to hurt you.

“It’s just going to take time.”

And if that time never comes, then Ms. Turney said her home is theirs.