Mya 07-166 [1]

Sponsored by: Sara, Ham, Sam & Carys

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Irene H. 

Sweet Mya made it all the way to Western South Dakota, last Sunday, from the Bismarck, ND puppy mill, thanks to a wonderful group of RAGOM volunteers.  She traveled here via Hastings, MN.  Mya, and her mill mate, Maizy (07-190), traveled over 1,000 miles to find themselves a soft bed in a loving foster home.  I would guess that they traveled further than any of the other 81 dogs.  They are also likely among the oldest.   It took two days of my husband carrying them out to the yard and back into the house before the  willingly got up and walked in and out on their own.  After two days, Mya finally ate and on day three did her 'business' for the first time since arriving, so we were able to test for parasites. We're happy to report that not only is she free of parasites; she is heartworm negative and does not appear to be pregnant.  Mya will be spayed right after Easter, and she is anxious to put her puppy producing days behind her.  Mya appears to be one of the darkest colored dogs from the Bismarck puppy mill - a beautiful mahogany red and she also might be one of the chunkiest, as she weighed 82 lbs. at her vet appointment yesterday.  Mya has a beautiful coat with lovely gold highlights, very pretty feathering, thick legs and big feet.  Although she was bathed at the Animal Ark last Saturday, I decided she deserved a little freshening up so she and Maizy both had a shower this morning.  She lay on her belly as I scrubbed and rubbed and although she didn't love it, she was a very good girl. 

It will take some time for this sweet 6-year-old Puppy Mill girl to find her comfort zone.  Like all the ND dogs, her world has completely changed and she hasn't quite realized yet that it is for the better. Of all the new things to experience, people and human touch are the biggest and scariest for Mya at the moment.  Mya will venture forward to meet our touch with her nose and she even will offer a gentle lick and wag of her tail.  We think she appreciates being here.

Pretty Mya!

Sharing a nest with Maizy (07-190)

Mya (left) with Maizy