Puppy mills are notorious for various reasons. From cramped cages to overbreeding and poor sanitation, dogs that come from mills tend to have multiple issues after being rehomed or rescued.
Lady, a miniature Sheltie, is a former puppy mill dog. Jack and Dino Elder were looking for a new dog to be a companion to their other Sheltie when they reached out to a Tennessee rescue mission shelter.
"We don't know that much about her because she was turned into a shelter," Jack Elder said.
"The paperwork we have shows she's about 7 years old. (She had) most of her shots, which we caught up with now. I think everybody (who) sees her falls in love with her. She's so pretty, but she is terrified of so much, especially when she first got here. "
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The Elders said they are Lady's fifth and last home. They speculate that whatever happened to Lady before coming to live with them caused lifelong trauma.
"She doesn't like girls," Jack Elder said. " She doesn't like orange or red, (and) she runs from (anyone who) wears an orange shirt."
She also doesn't like to be held and is quite skittish around new people. She also hasn't played with any of the toys the Elders bought her since being adopted.
Since having Lady, the Elders have refused to kennel her, given her background. When they go on vacation or out of town, one of the Elders stays back to take care of the dogs, as they can't stand the thought of her being caged.
"I had a bad experience once before," Jack Elder said. "I had a Cocker that I put in a kennel for a week, and when they came back, she had no voice. She barked the whole time until her voice was gone. They just love you so much. They don't want to be without you; a dog could die of a broken heart."
The Elders said they want the best for Lady, and they are committed to making her life better.
"We want her to get past the fear," Jack Elder said, "to be happy for the rest of her life, whatever that'll be -- a lot or a little, doesn't matter," Dino Elder added.
Lady is reserved around new people; her traumatic past has made her cautious around strangers. (The Sentinel-Record/Donald Cross)
Despite Lady's skittish around behaviors, she is quite energetic and enjoys running around the backyard. (The Sentinel-Record/Donald Cross)