[Belinda]

Last year about this time a puppy store opened in my town. It was the 2nd store for the owners and called The Puppy Experience 2. The handfull of us who are adamantly opposed to this invasion in our town referred to it as "The Puppy Mill Experience" or "The Puppy Bad Experience". I painted "NO PUPPY STORE" on the windows of my SVU and parked it right on Main Street across the street from the store and directly in front of the restaurant where I work. That lasted until Labor Day when they have a 2 hr. max on parking. I handed out almost 500 flyers purchased from The Humane Society explaining responsible puppy purchasing (no pet store!!)/adopting. We spoke at several town and civic association meetings and myself and a few others wrote numerous letters to the local newspaper. And of course, as I've done my whole adult life, responded to people's questions about what was "wrong" with the store with the adorable puppies in the windows (I kid you not). I work in a restaurant, I talk to alot of people who know me as "The Dog Lady". WE DID IT!! They moved out yesterday! I am so proud that members of a community (some total strangers) can work together to make a positive change in their town. It was kind of exciting being public enemy #1 to two very large, unsavory men with very bad reputations (they called my place of employment twice and "threatened" me). but when someone asked me if I wasn't scared of them I replied, "No, I'm too pissed off." Please educate people about the horrors of puppy mills and puppy stores. The only way to stop this cruel an inhumane business is through education. It worked here in Hampton Bays, it can work in your community. Take care, Belinda.

 

[Belinda]

Yes, that's us. I lost Nellie a few days before 9/11, blind from glaucoma and almost 12. She was my "teacher" dog and is the reason I am so involved in the Basset (and dog) world today. I miss her every day, but it is because of her, my 1st puppy mill rescue, that I was able to aid in the closure of this puppy store. Thank you all for all of your support. I don't think of myself as brave. I'm rather like a mother bear trying to protect her cubs. And those "cub" are the breeder dogs at puppy mills. The ones left behind. The ones you never see in the puppy store windows. Take care, Belinda. P.S. You don't have to be "brave" to help. Volunteer or write a check to your local Basset Rescue.