Sometimes having a dog stuffed animal is a way to have something you love, but for a number of reasons, can't actually have the real thing. While a dog stuffed animal can never take the place of a living, breathing pup, at the very least, it can provide a measure of comfort and companionship.
Puppy mills have been around for a long time decades, in fact. The definition of a puppy mill is a high-volume, sub-standard dog-breeding operation, which sells purebred or mixed breed dogs, directly or indirectly to unsuspecting buyers. They are essentially dog factories, churning out as many puppies as they can. In so doing, dogs are forced to live in small wire cages with no human companionship, comfort, or toys. Conditions in a puppy mill are nothing short of shocking to say the least.
When you make the choice not to visit the place you are purchasing your puppy from, you are often inadvertently supporting the puppy mill industry. Despite the fact that you are able to visit a retail store, it doesn't mean you're getting a healthy puppy; most stores that choose to sell puppies get them from puppy mills (often contrary to what they might tell you). The best way to ensure you are not buying a puppy mill dog is to not buy your pup from a store or an internet site. You can also refuse to buy any type of animal supplies from a retail store or internet site that that sells puppies.
With the huge number of dogs and puppies that are abandoned and given up on a daily basis to rescue groups and animal shelters, you can save a life by going through any one of these organizations to get your pet. Most of these places are non-profit and run completely by volunteers who work tirelessly to save dogs that have come from horrific conditions puppy mills included. Their mandate is the care and welfare of the dog and/or puppy with an overall aim is to match the dog or puppy with the right owner so the animal can have a 'forever home.'
A dog stuffed animal really doesn't know how lucky it is to never have lived its 'life' in a puppy mill. While it may wait a while on a toy store shelf until it's chosen to go home with someone, at the very least, it doesn't have to endure the horrendous conditions found in puppy mills. When the right person finally does come along and chooses that dog stuffed animal, it will go on to live in the lap of luxury compared to the real thing that may have to endure a life in a place it never 'asked' to be.
Angeline Hope is a collector of big stuffed dog toys. You can view a selection of dog plush animals at MyBigPlush.
Related Animal Puppy Articles
