Tig’s Tale: A Puppy Mill Mom
Narrated by Christian Serratos
Discarded, because her puppies had a high mortality rate, a 5-pound Yorkshire terrier got an early reprieve from life on a mill at just 5 years old. One of few mills with a relationship with a rescue, this lucky lady was picked up by A Tail to Tell, fostered, vetted, and placed in a loving home with a family experienced with puppy mill survivors.
The conditions inside puppy mills are devastating to see, but the long-term psychological impact these facilities have on mother and father dogs who are lucky enough to get a chance at a happy life is less documented and discussed.
Narrated by The Walking Dead’s Christian Serratos, this short film follows Tig through her first year adjusting to life in her new home with the Putsches.
Like many former mill dogs, Tig had some medical issues that had been ignored. She had a mammory tumor that had to be removed - and handled the cone like a pro.
Tig and her syblings prepare for bedtime. Having a large pack of similar sized dogs helps Tig learn how to trust and how to be a dog by watching their behavior.
Wally, the poodle, makes the best pillow and is always a comfort to Tig.
Every night Tig gets tucked in with her special blanket. This routine, like all her routines, are part of helping her learn to trust people - because she has no positive experiences with people to rely on.
Having a large pack of similar sized dogs helps Tig learn how to trust and how to be a dog by watching their behavior.
Tig bonded with the cats before she bonded with the dogs. The cats are much more calm and quiet. She still like to snuggle with the cats as her first choice.
Wally was Tig's first dog friend. Tig still likes to use Wally as a pillow. Wally helps all new Putsche animals adjust to the family. He takes his position of the 'older brother' very seriously. :)
George is the pooch who is teaching Tig how to play. George (who is a female) is the rabble rouser of the pack, but she is very gentle with Tig. She shows Tig how to play bite each other and how to wrestle by just collapsing on the ground.
After year, Tig started to learn about toys. She doesn't play with them a lot - but she is starting to try to mimic the other dogs. She watches the others play and then tries to do that same thing. Now she brings them into her bed to snuggle with.
George is the pooch who is teaching Tig how to play. George (who is a female) is the rabble rouser of the pack, but she is very gentle with Tig. She shows Tig how to play bite each other and how to wrestle by just collapsing on the ground.
Monkey Lulu, the Tabby cat, was Tig's first friend. She wanted to just sit and be calm with her and let her know she was going to be ok.
Puppy pads were put all over the floor in case Tig has an accident. She is still learning to go to the bathroom outside. Tig has been in a small cage for 5 years and has never been outside regularly, much less used the bathroom outside.
Tig was interested in what was going on in the house and would slowly sneak out of the crate to be able to peak around the corner.
Tig was adopted in Febrary 2021 by the Putsches. Elizabeth Putsche is the Animal Legal Defense Fund's communications director.
On the ride home, Tig felt more comfortable hidding a little under a blanket.
Animal Legal Defense Fund Director of Legislative Affairs Kim Kelly and Managing Attorney Christopher Berry explain the legal and legislative struggles and solutions related to state and federal regulations of large-scale commercial dog breeding operations.
Runtime: 12 Minutes
A Motivo Production
Featuring interviews from:
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Kim Kelly
Director of Legislative Affairs
No More Puppy Mills
Puppy mill operators maximize their profits by producing large numbers of puppies as quickly as possible. As a result, unsanitary conditions, disease, and neglect are rampant. Sign our pledge to boycott puppy mills. Together we can end this cruel industry.
