Some sad news came in via television, radio, and the newspapers (read HERE) regarding the discovery of a large puppy mill in Virginia from which authorities removed nearly one thousand dogs from a breeding operation where the pups were found crammed into tiny cages, some covered in feces, and some in very poor health as a result of the expereince as a whole. It's a shame that such operations exist at all, a harsh reality that should remind everyone that the almighty dollar will motivate people to do some of the most deplorable things. . .in this case, breed dogs en masse, with little regard to in-breeding health dangers, place stress on females forced to have too many litters, and the storing of the animals like they were TV sets as they wait to be shipped to the highest bidding pet shop.

Please know that over one hundred of these dogs were taken in by North Shore Animal League America in Port Washington on Long Island, and will be available for adoption first thing this Friday morning. They're all wonderful, and all desperately in need of a loving family.

I spent the evening at the League last night, photographing a few dozen of the puppies for their website and literature. The pups were all cute, and some so obviously sad and mistreated that it broke the heart. They loved the attention, and it's clear that they need and crave it. One in particular just sat in the back corner of its cage, staring at the floor with its back to the door...an obvious indicator of what its been through. Please, if you're considering a pet for someone special this holiday season, stop in at NSALA to see the dogs they've taken in from the Virginia mill rescue. They're open very early, and very, very late - easy to access. Thanks!