Mutts Matter: Casey's Journey

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Casey is an adorable 2.5-year-old terrier mix who weighs about 17 pounds. He’s a puppy mill survivor who is still very timid and adjusting to the world around him. He takes time to warm up to new people and trust new situations, but he finally knows what it’s like to be loved by a family and is embracing all the pleasures of home life, like treats, belly rubs, and snuggling with his foster family in bed.

Casey was one of 35 dogs that Mutts Matter took in from a large puppy mill bust in Virginia this year, and he was one of more traumatized dogs we rescued. He spent the entire first two years of his life locked up in a tiny, crowded cage, never having access to the outdoors or freedom to explore his environment. He was malnourished, his coat was severely matted to the point it limited his mobility, and he suffered from neglect and abuse at the hands of humans.

Most people are still unaware of puppy mills and that they are operating right here in our back yards. Puppy mills are inhumane commercial dog breeding operations whose only goal is to breed and sell as much of their product as possible. They don’t care about the welfare of the dogs, and the result is that these dogs live in constant fear and pain, receiving only enough food and attention to keep them alive. Dogs like Casey are born into this terrible situation and abused their entire life so that your local pet store will stay stocked with a fresh supply of puppies.

Knowing where Casey came from, his transformation has been remarkable. When he first arrived at his foster home, he trembled in a corner, too afraid to come out. Now he enthusiastically greets his foster mom with excitement and joy whenever she comes home, or even just calls his name. He’s also found camaraderie with his three Boxer siblings, and loves being part of a pack. He follows them everywhere and will playfully jump on them, then lovingly licking their face and ears to groom them. Casey really enjoys other dogs, and will need another dog in his home to learn from and help him feel secure.

Casey is a work in progress and needs a special family who will help him continue his transition. He’s still fearful of the outdoors, but is learning to go on walks with his foster family. He walks well on a leash once he’s out of the home, but putting the leash on and getting him out the front door is still a process. He feels safe in his home, but the great outdoors present a lot of unknowns for him. He never even set foot on grass before being rescued, so there is a lot to get used to. He really needs a fenced yard in his next home, it doesn’t have to be large, just a safe area that he can learn to explore and trust.

Loud noises, thunder, and being picked up still frighten Casey, so he will need a calm home and patient family to work with him. He distrusts being petted, but will allow you to touch him once he feels comfortable. He will snuggle up in bed at night and jump up on the couch to be near his foster mom, but keeps a little distance before he feels certain. Once he settles in and relaxes, his foster mom can roll him over and give him belly rubs, but she knows to respect his pace.

Casey has experienced significant trauma and has a lot of reasons not to trust humans, so it will take time for him to learn that he is safe and loved in his new home. We’ve worked with a lot of puppy mill survivors and know that each pup progresses in their own time, but dogs are incredibly resilient, and we believe Casey will transition to be a loving family member in the hands of the right, patient owner.

We can learn a lot from dogs like Casey, and he has made an indelible impression on his veteran foster mom, Tammy, who has fostered over 65 dogs. She knows Casey came from a cruel beginning, but has seen his transformation first hand, and knows he is a dog who wants to be loved. She offers that, “Casey has taught me there’s more to life than just forgetting about bad things that happen to you. You really have to forgive to forget, and while humans in the past have hurt him, he’s safe now and will never have to face that cruelty again. Casey has come out of his shell and now follows me from room to room, and wants to be near me. I always kiss him goodnight as I do with all my dogs, and know he’s a special little guy who will make the right family happy and complete.”

To learn more about Casey, go to the Mutts Matter Adoption Page and fill out an application, or you can contact Suzanne at suzanne@muttsmatterrescue.com.

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