Update on Addie

The amazing story of the rescue of a puppy mill girl  from NEBTR’s Placement Coordinator and all around wonder, Jodi Groff, which was featured first on Julie Klam's Blog.

Every foster I take teaches me a new lesson but it is my first foster that opened my eyes to a world I knew existed but never understood. I anxiously awaited my first assignment. I had agreed to foster one of five dogs being tossed aside by a puppy miller. I was asked by several people in the group if I thought I was ready for such a big assignment and I kept thinking what could be so bad? Well, my no name foster came and any denial that I had about how awful dogs are treated in a mill went out the door- the terrible pictures you see are sadly accurate. When this little 14 pound peanut was put on solid ground she froze, unable to move for what seemed like half an hour because she was never on grass, outside a cage or handled gently by a people…essentially she never felt an ounce of kindness or love. She was five years old and I wondered on a daily basis if she would be able to overcome her demons from years of severe abuse and neglect. (She apparently had a litter only a few days before. Our thought was that she had a litter of still born pups because of a uterine infection which is why she was given up by the miller…only in that world is having a litter of still borns be a ticket to freedom.)

She needed a name and we decided on Addie. It took months of slow interaction and lots of patience but Addie gradually began to show small signs of improvement. Even the smallest gesture like eating her food with a person in the same room was reason to celebrate…calmly of course because you didn’t want to scare her with sudden movements). Right before Christmas an application was submitted and something was telling me that it was Addie’s new family. I cried at my computer reading it because I couldn’t believe I was going to agree to give her up but I also cried because I was happy that she was finally getting the life she deserved. The family was perfect and up for the challenge to continue what was started. On a cold December morning three days after Christmas they officially adopted Addie. Rescuing these dogs is a team effort but it is the families who are willing to open their hearts and homes to the imperfect and difficult dogs that are truly the backbone of what we do. These families have the strength to love the dogs that others will not consider and they take on the challenge with a joyful heart. They practice the true definition of rescue.

Now, just close your eyes and imagine a filthy, flea infested, frightened, continuously abused, feral dog that spent her entire five years locked in a cage breeding with no human interaction. Then see the magic of patience and love by watching Addie on the video her family sent me to celebrate her one year adoption anniversary. (She is actually coming up on her SECOND anniversary December 28th!!)  I have to give all the credit to her family because this amazing transition was the result of LOTS AND LOTS OF HARD WORK.

Addie's Two Year Anniversary Video

Here is a video of former NEBTR foster dog, Addie. Her adoptive family has made a tradition to send a video of her progress around her anniversary so we can see her progress. This year she learned “sit”…anyone who has adopted or fostered a puppy mill dog will understand what a HUGE step that is. It may have taken two years but she did it! She definitely hit the jackpot with the Alexis/Keegan crew.

-- Jodi Groff, Lancaster PA

It is so amazing to see how dogs are just as (if not more) helpful as we humans are in the healing and learning process. Great family and adorable brother Boston. Thanks for sharing!

Eileen in Cheshire, CT

Update on Chamberberg Mill Mama Addie

Hi Guys! I wanted to pass this along. December 28th I adopted out Mitzy, my current puppy mill foster. That same day was the first anniversary of the adoption of another puppy mill girl I fostered, Addie. Addie was one of the mill survivors that Tiff rescued from a mill in Chambersburg, PA in November, 2008. Three of her other mill mates were Bea with Lisa V., Quincy with Gilda and Amber with Emily T. She must have had a horrific existence in that mill because she was very emotionally damaged and even after having her for several months she was still extremely scared of humans. She has become the luckiest girl in the world because she was adopted by a very, very special family who continued to work with her and never gave up...even though it was a long and rocky road. In honor of her first anniversary they sent this video of her. My jaw dropped because I can hardly believe this is the same girl who physically shook when you came within 2 feet of her and fought for her life when you had to pick her up.

Her new family, Cathy and her daughter Alexis, have transformed this frightened mill girl into happy and healthy dog. I think what makes me love this video is you can hear how much Cathy and Alexis love this little girl!!! Just a little chicken soup for the rescuer's soul...


Here is her anniversary video.

-- Jodi Groff

And here is what her family says about her:

"Hi Jodi,

We can't believe it has been 1 year!!!! And we all are doing GREAT! As you can see Addie is just flourishing. We would never have imagined that she would be this good. She adores us and especially Petey...they are like brother and sister. To think last year when we brought her home....we had to keep her leash on and she wouldn't come near us...for months. I especially love when I come home and she hears the garage door, she is at the top of the stairs and when she sees my face she wiggles in excitement! She sleeps with me in my bed and snores like the dickens ( it lulls me to sleep!).

Thank you sooooo much for her!!!!! Jodi you did a great job! Share that video with Boston rescue if you want.

Please visit us on your next visit to Hoboken! Have a Wonderful New Year!

Love,

Cathy, Lex, Petey and PRINCESS ADDIE"

Little Addie

Hi all! I just got home from dropping little Addie off with her new family, Cathy Alexis and Alexis Keegan. They were just the sweetest!!! They were showing me the cards they send out every holiday (even Valentine's Day) with their Petey all dressed up. Addie really turned it on when she needed to because she was actually letting them pet her and she just kept following around Petey. Petey was a little unsure but I’m sure he will warm up to her and they will be fast friends. She actually jumped into their car when we were going to leave so it seems she knew where she was going. I have attached pictures of the family with their new little girl and her brother Petey (Addie looks stunned but there was a lot going on).

I really hope it all works out for her and Petey does his job as a big brother. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this little mill girl will live the rest of her life the way she should have for the last five years.

Now it's off to give the little mill girl who will be going with Tiffany a much needed bath!!!

--Jodi

Addie, Chambersburg Mill Mama

Hi! Addie is one of the Chambersburg mamas. She is doing
great and has come a LONG way in just a little over two weeks. I guess she is feeling better because she has been shot out of a cannon today and is running around like a crazy woman even after a walk. I think it is too cute but Wilbur begs to differ on her cuteness factor right now.

She is hot mama! She cleaned up well...after a few baths! ;) She is such a good girl- no accidents or pooping in her crate since Friday and we took our first long walk today. She did better on her leash than Wilbs. You were right, every time you get frustrated they do something right and you feel like you won the lottery.

--Jodi

Update on Addie

Addie was rescued from the CACC in Brooklyn, having been found as a stray. Addie had cherry eye in both eyes, kennel cough and was underweight. We had the Vet correct her eyes, her kennel cough disappeared and within 2 weeks she was playing hard with other fosters. Addie now lives on Long Island with the company of a Dauchsie.