The American Dog Magazine sat down with these three beautiful, intelligent, passionate women to let them tell their story about why they are dedicated to speaking for those who have no voice and committed to saving those who beg for the chance to live. Photos by Heather Green.
Q: How has your dog Baby enriched or changed your life?
Adopting Baby was one of the most fulfilling things I've ever done in my life. Seeing her safe and happy in a forever home gives me incredible satisfaction. I still love to watch her dig a nest for herself in the folds of our soft comforter every night, knowing she had to sleep on a wire cage floor for 8 years. It also inspired my mission to spread the word - "Adoption is cool, shopping is cruel."
Q: What motivates you to help rescue dogs?
Living with a puppy mill survivor who lost a leg, had her vocal cords cut and was used like a breeding machine, I'm reminded every day that there are countless others who remain imprisoned at those houses of horror, and I won't rest until every one of them is freed and all puppy mills are shut down. When our President didn't adopt a dog, it was a crushing blow and made our task even harder. If he had fulfilled his pledge to support this mission, which he made when he agreed to be featured in Baby's book, A Rare Breed of Love and which he expressed a desire to do during his campaign, he would have inspired other Americans to follow his lead. The shelters would have been emptied in a year and puppy mills would have fallen like dominoes. Now the opposite will occur - the numbers of dogs in shelters will soar even higher, costing taxpayers billions, more puppy mills will open and millions more dogs will endure lives of misery. I never thought I'd be writing these words: The Obama-Biden administration, by their example, has done more to hurt the rescueadoption/puppy mill movement than any other in history.
Q: What projects are you currently involved in?
Trying to convince the President to adopt a playmate for Bo. This will not only fulfil his pledge, but it will also actually help the first family get a restful night's sleep. The First Lady said that Bo is "crazy," referring to his boundless puppy energy. If they adopt a playmate for him, the two dogs will play all day and come nighttime, they'll crash and let everyone have a peaceful night's sleep. As for the Vice President, who got a dog from a puppy mill that was cited for cruelty by PA authorities, and who agreed to adopt a second dog after so many people complained to him, we're still waiting for that to happen.
