2/14 Update -   Mindy is 5 years old.  She is about 15 pounds and all white – she would be considered a miniature poodle.  Mindy plays with puppies and little Chihuahuas here - she loves other dogs!  She came from a shelter in Ohio, a breeder turn in.  I don't think she was not kept in the house – she must have been kept in a kennel outside.  She LOVES the outside and that is where she runs and plays and acts like a dog.  She loves being with the other dogs outside and plays with toys too!   In the house she is still not quite comfortable.  She will lay on the couch if I put her there or she will sit quietly in the living room.  She is pretty calm until it is time to go outside and then she is just so happy!  She is crate trained and does quite well in it.  Mindy loves to be brushed and pet, she will sit next to me waiting for her turn.  She is doing great on her housetraining too.  Really well in fact – better then some of my own dogs!  Mindy will still not take treats from my hand – she is not scared, she just doesn’t understand.  She will eat them if I put them in her crate though.  We started working with the leash  but she is scared of it and it will be a slow process.  She can go down stairs slowly but still needs to be brought in the house – she does not want to come in!  She will go up the stairs too – but not on her own.  I think she would rather spend her days outside because that is what she is used to.  Inside is foreign to her still. 

Mindy was likely used as a breeding dog – maybe not ‘mistreated’ but not loved like a pet.  She is learning and she needs someone that has time and patience and most importantly understanding of her situation.  She may never be ‘normal’ but then you never know.  I have a puppymill rescue that is so integrated to the house now, you would never guess where he came from and he was 5 when I got him!  She is sweet and affectionate when given the chance.  She will be a great dog someday if you are willing to work with her.   She is definitely a project dog but if you ever considered helping a mill or breeder dog, she is a good candidate because she has a great head start. 

1/5 - Mindy is slowly turning the corner here!  We have learned a lot about Mindy the last few weeks and wanted to update her profile.  I think she was a backyard breeder dog, just not loved or treated like a pet.  She is learning to be a DOG now. 
Mindy LOVES to be outside - she really loves the snow!  She is a completely different dog outside running and playing, chasing the other dogs like a little puppy.  Sometimes she gets so excited she overwhelms them but it is not harmful, just excitement.  The only issue is you have to go and pick her up to bring her in, she will not come in yet on her own.  Mindy is usually quiet inside unless the dogs get her playing.  She will sit and wait to be pet and she just loves it - she comes and sit by my feet waiting for her turn.  She likes to be with people, they just have to go slow with her and not a lot of sudden movements (young kids would not be a good idea).  Mindy is not a big fan of stairs - she can do them when I put her on the stairs but will not go up or down on her own yet.  She gets nervous if she feels cornered or if grabbed the wrong way.    Mindy sleeps in a crate at night and will also go in one when we are not home to watch her.  She is does well with doing her business outside but we are home all day and she is let out a lot.  There will be accidents, just like any dog would have.  Mindy will need lots of love and patience but I think she will be able to adjust if just given time and understanding.  Mindy would be best in a quiet home, she will need a fenced yard.  If you think you are able to care for a "mill/breeder" dog and give them the home that should have always had, please fill out an application.  Mindy was adopted from a shelter once and then returned because they did not know how to help her.  She then came to rescue so we could foster her and find the perfect home for her!


12/17 - Mindy is a puppy mill survivor.  We are helping Mindy get settled now so please check back for more updates.  If you have any specific questions on Mindy, please email her foster mom Barb at barb@pixiemamasrescue.com