How Much is That Doggie in the Window?

In retrospect, it was probably a bad idea to go into the Dallas Petland today after I had my nails done next door. I've read so many articles about their puppies coming from puppy mills; you really don't have to look far for a lot of evidence. Start here and you'll see what I mean. Petland in Austin and Georgetown closed last year.  See the facebook link here. Earlier, when I'd turned into the strip mall, this is what I saw:

I guess I just wanted to check things out for myself. Well, I got enough of it, and then some. I apologize in advance for the quality of the photographs, as they were all taken with my cell phone. The store was crowded when I walked in, and customers were greeted with this:

The pups are easy to find, as they're behind glass in a sterile looking environment, which covers an entire wall of the store. People were pointing and looking, some were holding puppies and talking to "sales associates." I started taking photographs of the puppies up close.

At the end of the wall were the bigger or older puppies, the ones who hadn't sold yet. They were still in the same size cages though.

About that time, my photo-taking attracted some attention, and a young sales associate came up to me. By then, I'd seen enough.  I said, "Are these mill dogs?"  "Oh, no ma'am," he replied, "I've worked here for years (he looked about twelve) and our dogs are not from mills." Anxious to leave by then, I said, "You should be ashamed of yourself," and turned to leave. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him quickly approach two employees who were standing near the front of the store. As I passed them, out of the corner of my eye I saw one take a cell phone out of his pocket. I heard click after click, and realized they were trying to take a photo of me! I hurried out the door, only to be followed by them, cell phone clicking away. Good grief! I ducked back into the nail salon, and waited for them to leave.They stood outside waiting for me. Finally, I asked my nail lady to go outside and see if they were still there. They had left. I hurried to my car and drove off quickly, not wanting them to see my license plate.  All of a sudden, I realized that I felt like someone who had done something wrong, BUT IT WAS THEM. As I looked back, they'd come back out of the store, looking for me again.

People, to say I am against puppy mills would be the understatement of the century. Please don't shop at places like this. The conditions these puppies parents are forced to live in are deplorable. They're kept confined in small, dark areas and bred over and over again. They NEVER are held, and they NEVER have even felt grass under their paws. If you have a minute, go to National Mill Dog Rescue and educate yourself. Adopt, don't shop...and as my friend Olive says, I choose to "speak for those who have no voice."