If you read yesterday’s post, you know that my grandson, our daughter Kalissa’s middle son, Gannon had some complications after getting his tonsils and adenoids out. I’m happy to say, Gannon has improved.
As of my writing this he was in pediatric ICU but it sounded like he would be moving to the regular floor soon-ish. He is no longer on oxygen and is managing his own breathing with success.
We have a new problem though. Gannon will not swallow. He has tried several times to drink apple juice and it just comes out of his nose. They have tried everything and it just is a no-go. I suggested to Kalissa they try a sucker so he is more tricked into swallowing. As he sucks it will create saliva which needs to be swallowed.
Until he will eat or drink something, he has to stay at the hospital. It’s not as serious as the breathing issues were but it’s something we are still very concerned about.
Me, I’ve been holding down the fort here. I have Kalissa’s other two boys here and am managing them. Anders and Carver had a sleepover last night. I’m not used to getting up in the middle of the night with a baby anymore. Anders was up and ate then right back to sleep so it wasn’t terrible…just different.
Carver slept in the spare room. I have their family dog, Betsy, and she hates all of the other dogs that are here. She’s a loner dog. She ended up getting to sleep with Carver last night. Can you see her nose peeking out from under the covers at the foot of the bed?
Speaking of dogs, I did not go pick up more puppies today. I would have liked to help but between having these two pups, my awful cold, having the grandsons, and having no vehicle because Craig took my van to get to Iowa City, it was bad timing. I feel so bad as the foster who has them now is LOADED with puppies!
CeeCee the one in the middle is going to her home tonight. She was supposed to go tomorrow but they are predicting snow for tomorrow so the family called and asked to come tonight. I don’t mind a bit.
Right now I have a fence that the two stay in when they aren’t out and about. It’s in the middle of my kitchen. Once CeeCee goes I’ll take the fence down and will kennel train BeeBee. When there is more than one, it’s easiest to use the fence but with only one, it’s easiest to use the kennel. They still spend part of their day in the fence as they are still working on house training.
Izzy loves having the puppies here. They are better rompers than Rosie is. She was super happy after I stopped at Dollar Tree and picked up extra dog toys. Izzy is a terrible sharer. I put toys in with the puppies then when I take the puppies outside, the fence door is open and Izzy sneaks in there and takes the toys all back. Silly dog.
Anyway, when I was at Dollar Tree they had this toy. It’s just a rope with a piece of plastic on it.
She love-love-loves that toy. I will be checking another Dollar Tree to see if there are any more. The location I bought this one only had one. Rosie who doesn’t like toys surprisingly likes this one too. They got in a scuffle over it.
As long as I’m just rambling, I had two different blog readers leave comments. I thought I would address them here. They might be a bit controversial so I’m asking that nothing turn into an argument.
One blog reader said:
“Thank you, Jo. But I think I have to disagree with you that this is not a “true puppy mill”.”
Both of these comments were left after I wrote this morning’s post about more puppies coming into the rescue. I said that the puppies were coming from an Amish farm, not a “true puppy mill”. For me, a “true puppy mill” is caged dogs that aren’t out free roaming. The dogs are bought and bred continually for the only purpose of creating puppies to sell. Dogs are there to make money period.
The farms where most of these are coming from are from the Amish. They are regular Amish people who happen to have a couple of dogs. The dogs are free-range dogs spending their life outdoors. Many Amish according to religious beliefs, don’t spay or neuter. So, dogs get pregnant. This does not give them a free pass in my book…no. But, there is the flip side of things…I don’t want anyone telling me what to do in regard to my religious beliefs either. Is this right that we continually get puppies from these farms? NO. But these dogs have access to water…they aren’t in a cage… there is family and activity around them. They can move freely. Is it a great life?…probably not.
Should they keep their dogs separated when they are in heat? YES. Should they be more responsible? YES.
I just can’t quite lump these choices into the category of “true puppy mill”. Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s my opinion…and that is my explanation of why I used that wording.
Another blog reader said:
“I would adopt them all if I could! Warm hearts mean warm homes.
Just as a side note, do you think it would be better to refer to the Amish farm where most of the pups came from as just a “farm”? When you say Amish farm it sheds a bad light on Amish people in general. I have good Amish friends and feel a little sensitive to the farm being labeled Amish.”
First off…I live in between two Amish communities that are just over an hour apart. We shop at their stores. I have given treadle machines to one of the gals that run a bakery to my south. I have found their help invaluable when it came time to get my treadle running. I appreciate their stores as they have great gloves and outerwear that the farm guys in my life love. I am always kind and cordial. I’ve only ever had a good experience with any Amish I have encountered…and I do see them regularly. In my life beyond fostering, I only have good things to say.
I have never been to an Amish store/farm and seen dogs running around. I do not think all Amish have inappropriate dog breeding practices. For a second, I never even knew it was a problem until I started fostering with the rescue.
I could never figure out why Iowa was ranked so high in puppy mills and unwanted puppies. I never saw it, so figured it was a made-up statistic.
I feel, being I have a blog and I write about fostering, I need to use the blog a bit to educate many of you as well. I’m guessing many people thought like me…I don’t see a puppy problem so where can it be?
I believe education is the way to stop this. That’s one of the reasons I have said, the pups came from an Amish farm. Another reason is this:
I grew up on a farm. My husband grew up on a farm. We lived on a farm. Most of our friends are farmers. We live in a VERY rural area. We have one family friend who, years ago, had a male dog they didn’t neuter and a litter of puppies came from that. We have another family friend who had a litter of puppies. They purposely planned it as they wanted to have pups from the mom who was a family dog. The mom had two pups and the pups stayed within the family.
Is it fair for the farmers in my area who do spay and neuter and who do find their own homes for the one accidental litter to be lumped in with SOME Amish farmers who aren’t responsibly taking care of their dogs? I don’t think that’s fair either.
That is why I regularly write, puppies came from an Amish farm…and I often write that we offered to get the female spayed but the offer wasn’t taken because spaying is against the beliefs of many Amish.
So…I hope that helps everyone understand why I have used the terms that I have. We all might not agree with them but please know, I have thought it through and have made the decisions I have because, in the end, I think we all want what is best for the dogs, and educating people is a huge step in making that happen.
But…back to the original topic…Gannon is some better but still not out of the woods.
Don’t feel bad for the foster mom with many puppies…… I am sure she feels bad for you with 4 dogs, two young grands and NO car!!!!
Now about the Amish farmers – what are their reasons for having these puppies??? to make money or not to be bothered about keeping males and females apart????
glad to hear Gannon is better, will continue prayers as he recuperates.
What a blessing about Gannon! Can Gannon have ice cream? That was classic when we had our tonsils out in the early 60s. We had a lot of ice cream, or maybe it just seemed that way because we usually didn’t!
He can have ice cream but sadly, he won’t eat that.
Oh I love Bee Bee – I had a dog named Brandi and we called her Bee. You’re awesome to foster those babies. I’m so Happy to hear Gannon is improving. Can they give him a cool pop? Or would that be a problem if he coughed? We put him on some powerful prayer chains here in Tx and missionary in the Philippians. Will keep praying.
My first thought about Gannon not swallowing is maybe he’s afraid to. He has good reason to be afraid! I am sure they have thought of that, but just wanted to mention it. Prayers continuing…….for everyone as well as Gannons healing.
Puppy mill or not, most rescues won’t call it that/call it out publicly. They find out that if they do, the owner will no longer work with them and often will simply put a dog down rather than relinquish it to rescue.
Thankful that Gannon is improving and pray that it will continue. The poor little tyke. So cute what Izzy does – taking the toys. She is a very cute dog. I agree with your reasoning about the farms.
Thank you for giving us the rest of the story about Amish farm & puppy mills. So glad to read that Gannon is doing better, prayers that this continues, and he is sent home soon.
Continued prayers for all. Love all the pups!
Especially glad Gannon is better and hope he continues to improve
So happy to hear Gannon is improving! Prayers have been answered for sure! Continued prayers till he is home with his loving family!
Is it that his throat hurts when he tries to swallow or something physical not working properly — swelling etc?]
it is so nice to hear that his other issue with oxygen etc is improving.
Puppy mills are the work of the devil.
Regards from cold and frosty England.
I’m from Illinois and I went to the Jacksonville rescue for a small dog. What I found was appalling. The rescue told me all the really pitiful dogs were from the Amish. Another friend who does rescue work nearer to where I live by St Louis said all her rescues were breeder dogs and came from the Amish. My Phoebe was still breeding at over 9 years old when she was rescued. If she heard aloud clang sound, she shivered for an hour. She didn’t know what grass was, she had been kept in a cage. I used to think kindly of the Amish but no longer. Everyone can have their opinion about them. I am glad that you have told where the puppies come from, let’s not keep secrets. Ignorance is not bliss.
I made the comment about the “puppy mill” I don’t think I questioned your religious beliefs at all. Maybe that response wasn’t meant for me. I don’t know. But considering this farmer was offered to have his dogs spayed or neutered and the offer was refused he isn’t a responsible dog owner. You will be getting more puppies from him.
I was reading Kalissa’s blog about poor Gannon. I hope he feels better soon. I can see why he afraid to eat or drink.
Glad to hear Gannon is on the mend. I was watching for an update after your last message. He sure manages to have the unusual happen to him and for sure keeps you guys on your toes!!
Interesting blog and comments about Amish and about their beliefs and how they handle things like unwanted puppies. There is always a flip side to everything.
Jo, I am soooo happy for you about Gannon, I payed hard when I read your blog yesterday. God is good.
I live in PA and they publish puppy mill info, it has been a problem here. I will say the names are Amish and non-Amish, but per capita the Amish are distressingly more problematic than our non-Amish neighbors. I agree with you about their religious beliefs. But it’s definitely a problem.
So glad the little lad is on the mend. When I was in hospital it wasn’t ice cream, but my mum got tins of baby food and I remember slurping up the prune puree like no tomorrow. I guess it is a game of trial and error to find out what takes his fancy too. But what a relief for all the family.
As for the pups, it is a different life. Nicely put, thank you. Some things good, some not so good – just as in some places without religion being drawn into it. But the pups find happy homes so that’s a good thing and the parents aren’t kept in a tiny pen just for breeding. I do hope you feel better soon and the young’uns don’t get the lurgy either!