Andrea Rosebrock 
This tiny little puppy, an English Mastiff, was headed for death. He is one of 14 puppies born to a mother that was only nine months old, a puppy herself, to a Maryland breeder. Four of the puppies were killed and this little guy barely survived.
He was severely bitten in the head and the attack ripped his ear, requiring stitches, which earned him his name, Stitch. But more complicated injuries came with it… impaired vision and brain damage.
“So it’s really his coordination and his sense of balance and sense of direction are definitely affected here,” said Brian Butzer, a veterinarian with Clint Moore Animal Hospital in Boca Raton.
Stitch walks in a circle, has difficulty controlling his head… a disabled puppy, now of no value to the breeder.
The breeder was going to put him down because basically he was useless. Not only would he not make them any money, he would cost them a bundle and you know breeders, aka, puppy millers, they’re in it for the money.
Luckily for this little guy, word got out and people wanted to help and save his life.
“Through this network of people, there was a gentleman who wasn’t even involved in the groups that has a little 2-seater plane. He left New Jersey, picked up the dog in Maryland and flew into Pompano Beach Airport,” said Donna Carrigan with Tri-County Humane Society in Boca Raton.
Now this precious little bundle is safe and they’re optimistic that with care and treatment, Stitch will be just fine.
“He’s going to need some nursing care and some help to grow up like a normal dog but he definitely will be able to do that. It just takes time and energy and money,” said Butzer.
Stitch is just a little guy now but will grow to be about a hundred pounds and his treatment will most likely run to the thousands of dollars. He will probably be available for adoption in a few months.
To find out more about Stitch and how you can help him, visit Sanctuary Animal Refuge.
I wish to take umbrage to your statement in the English Mastiff puppy article which states in part, “and you know breeders, aka, puppy millers.” The general public walking into a pet shop is going to buy a pup that originated from a puppy mill. The educated person will look for someone like myself who is active in our breed club, trains group classes for Parks & Recreation, has a litter every few years to keep a puppy for myself with a calm, intelligent disposition, healthy, no genetic problems & sold on a Limited Registration. Our contract states the dog comes back to me if ever there is a problem. In nearly 40 years I’ve had 2 returned & in that time I’ve rescued hundreds that are obvious poor quality in health, temperament & conformation from puppy mills. I am very disappointed with your statement.
Marge, first allow me to apologize. If you look through my site, you will see that I have great respect for ethical, responsible breeders and do not lump all breeders in with puppy millers. From the way the statement is written, it does look that way, sorry.
I deal with so many horrendous stories about unscrupulous breeders, commercial breeders, puppy millers that sometimes in my anger I don’t always clarify. In this case, the breeder, breeding a 7 month old puppy, by my standards and no doubt your own, would fall into the category of a puppy miller. Someone who is unscrupulous and only doing it for the money, not for the love of the breed.
Just based on what you wrote, it sounds like you would fall under what I would consider a responsible and reputable breeder. Please accept my apology and understand where my heart was at when I wrote what I did. No offense was intended except to this breeder who would do something like breed a puppy to produce puppies!
Kindest regards,
Deanna
Dear Deanna .. thank you for your response. I’ve read every issue of yours for a long time & forward many of your articles to over 100 serious, ethical, responsible “dog friends”. I’ve forwarded most of your petitions on & hope my friends participate. I too am so angry at all the abuse that I can barely see straight & am horrified to see the problems intensify as the economy worsens.
Your For the Love of the Dog project is enormous .. I can’t imagine all the research & work involved to publish daily or sometimes more often. I do look forward to each one. I spent about 10 years writing a club newsletter that only went out once a month, (before computers), so it was typing, printing, collating, stapling, folding, stamping, addressing & mailing, so I can really appreciate all your work.
I do know that you don’t lump reputable breeders in with puppy millers but I just couldn’t resist contacting you for clarification of the statement, just in hopes that the average pet owner is made aware of the difference. Best wishes to you & keep up the good work!
~ Marge
Thank you so much Marge! You were very right to bring to my attention what you did. It is important for people to know that there is a big difference between ethical, responsible breeders, and commercial breeders and puppy mills.
I realize that many animal advocate believe that all breeding is bad and should be stopped but although I know that there are many dogs in shelters and rescues in desperate need of homes, I also know and believe that there is a place for breeders such as yourself and others out there who breed for the love and betterment of the breed, not the money.
Thank you for your support and helping to get the word out. It’s takes every one of us to make a difference.
LOL… Yes, it does take many, many hours of research and writing and editing every day but like what you do, it comes from the heart so it’s worth every minute!
Deanna
PS. I visited your website, your babies are phenomenal!! Absolutely gorgeous!! Can’t show it to my other half, he’s been talking about labs for a long time!
stupid twits!!!! why would somebody breed a puppy of 9 months? poor baby…..n Stitch, he’s just adorable…i do hope he has an awesome life…hang in there, li’l dude. hugs.