Burt Usher was one of 118 dogs rescued by the Oregon Humane Society on November 13, 2013. I met him a couple of days later at a wonderful doggie daycare that provides the necessary grooming rescue dogs require before vet treatment is possible. I was volunteering as I had before for one of these special days where these poor creatures experience some of the first human kindness of their lives. The
condition Burt Usher and the other dogs were in was tragic. They were filthy, matted and terrified. We coaxed them out of the kennels one by one and held them until it was their turn for bathing and haircuts. Once clean and dry, the dogs were put into a new pen where after a few minutes of sniffing and cautiously checking out the surroundings they began to actually relax and play. There were more than 20 adorable little guys but for me there was something very special about Burt. I held on to him longer than I should have. Shortly after that day I started foster Burt Usher. The day I brought him home I had no idea how old he was. By his slow walk and and inability to jump we thought maybe he was a senior dog. As the days went by, Burt go younger and younger! He started to run and jump higher than our other younger dogs could. I wasn't allowed to talk about fostering Burt or post pictures about him, but as the months progressed and people came by the house they would hear the story of the terrible Puppy Mill where Burt had spent the beginning of his life. One time a friend played the TV news story on the link on this page and Burt heard his former cell mates barking, he was so troubled he got of the couch and hid under a table. We don;t talk about it n front of him anymore. After 9 months of fostering, I was legally allowed to adopt Burt Usher in August 2014. Not all of the dogs who were rescued have been adopted yet. The case against the woman who ran the Puppy Mill is still ongoing. The owner was charged with Animal Neglect and more ...
"The Rainier case is one of the first times a person has been charged under Oregon’s recently passed Omnibus Animal Protection Act, which elevates penalties from misdemeanors to felonies for cruelty offenses involving 11 or more animals. OHS was one of the major advocates for the new law. In the Rainier case, animal owner Catherine Setere faces felony charges involving 48 individual animals. Each count carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail and a fine of $125,000. Under the previous law, first degree animal neglect was punishable by up to one year in jail and a $6,250 fine. Persons convicted of animal neglect are also barred from owning domestic animals and horses for five years. At yesterday’s arraignment in Columbia County, Setere pleaded not guilty to all counts." When I think about how Burt's life was just a little more than a year ago, my heart breaks. I am so grateful to Oregon Humane Society and the other people involved in the rescue. Burt Usher is one of the few lucky ones - there are still so many dogs suffering at Puppy Mills - because of greed. Burt is now a very loving and happy dog. He loves his new brothers and sisters, he cuddles and he's finally learned how to play with people. He's one of the sweetest dogs you could meet. Please rescue a dog - don't support puppy mills and donate to Oregon Humane Society and other dog/animal rescue groups often. you can read the story of the rescue here: http://www.oregonhumane.org/news/stories/OHS_rescues_CCdogs.asp #.VGVzbPnF8tw
