BratPack Day 1: The Middle of Nowhere
Marilyn and Fred head out into the middle of nowhere, following the directions they are given to meet a group who has transported these dogs as part of a larger group from the Missouri puppymill, that has already traveled to Georgia and then south to Florida. Kathy will meet Marilyn and Fred and help transport the dogs.
Originally, we were told we would be getting 10-14 dogs. However the number of dogs keeps diminishing, and we eventually come away with 4, and possibly more to follow.
The area where they pick up the dogs is down a long dirt road, in a swamp. At the end of the dirt road is a house trailer, where the dogs are handed over to the Bratpack volunteers. The other dogs that were brought out of the puppymill are not there. We don’t know where they are.
The bichons are filthy and smell HORRIBLE! Kathy takes two - one will be delivered to another volunteer the following day.
Marilyn takes two, as one will also be going to another volunteer. The first order of business will be baths. The stench is absolutely unbelievable. Even after bathing them, they are still filthy and smell bad, but better than before.
Kathy has given ‘Booger’ a new name - he is now Charlie. And she discovered during his bath that he is missing part of his right ear, possibly from being confined with an aggressive dog (which is illegal).
Marilyn renamed ‘Precious’ - she is now Miss Darcy. We are told she is 6 years old. She has bad teeth, and she is absolutely terrified.
She is a pure-bred puppymill brood dog and must have had the worst life possible. She is so afraid that she won’t even look at Marilyn and trembles when Marilyn holds her - Marilyn starts to cry. At least she will have a nice soft bed tonight…
‘Cotton’ has gone to Kristen’s house. Kristen has renamed him Marlin. She thinks his back leg was broken at some time in the past and never set. He also has sores on his rump, possibly from flea bites. She will know more when he sees the vet. All the dogs will see the vet as soon as they can be worked in and we will know more about their conditions.
From top to bottom: Booger, Lester, Precious and Cotton.
