ADOPTED

COCO CHANEL

Coco Chanel is one of five dogs that we recently took from a large Amish puppy mill farm in scenic Pennsylvania Dutch country. We are one of many rescues recruited by Laura Amato (featured in the HBO Documentary, "Madonna of the Mills,") that participate in these large group rescues.

For the past six years, Laura has tirelessly worked to convince "millers" to release their disposable dogs: mating pairs and unsold puppies to rescue for adoption rather than destroy them. Euthanasia in the Mill world means getting shot or clubbed to death. Laura and her team are responsible for saving thousands of dogs' lives. We stand in awe of her efforts and are privileged to play our small role.

Coco Chanel is a 5 year old Pappilion mix, who had been bred several times for profit. Her life was a misery, with only the harshest of human touch. Quite obviously, Coco had never seen daylight, as it took her eyes a while to adjust to bright lights at first.

We have found that puppy mill dogs have special psychological needs that set them apart from other rescue dogs. Mill dogs spend their entire lives in cramped, filthy crates devoid of all but the most callous form of human attention. They seem resigned to their squalid fates and their spirits seem crushed.

Coco at the vet, after her release from the mill.

Our collective heart wrenched when we first met Coco, so timid and frightened. We decided she needed a magnificent moniker to inspire her spiritual rehabilitation. And so we settled on "Coco Chanel" ....what better inspiration than the Queen of Fabulous!"

One of the biggest challenges that we have found with puppy mill dogs, and Coco Chanel, in particular, is to build a positive connection to people. For the longest time, Coco was shut down and fearful of everyone she met. It was largely through the presence of other rescue dogs that Coco learned to trust her foster mom.

Coco is large for a Pappilion, weighing 15 pounds. She was dreadfully underweight and has filled out nicely under the diligent nutritional care of her foster mom. Adopters will need to continue CoCo on a nutritious diet rich in quality protein and omega fats to maintain her good health.

Coco has good house manners and is housetrained and crate trained. She is in excellent health and is spayed. She has been vaccinated for rabies, parvo, distemper and bordatella and influenza. She has been dewormed and has tested negative for heartworm, lyme, earlichia and anaplasmosis. If you are interested in Coco Chanel, please write to Denise@eskiesonline.com for an adoption application or call Denise at 720-903-0636 for more information.