I came across Emma by accident while looking for a pug breeder in our area.  My husband & I already owned two wonderful male pugs, Ernie and Elmer.  We enjoyed them so much that we decided to add a third member to our family.  While doing some research I came across several pug rescue sites.  Once I had read some of the stories I felt very strongly that our next pug had to be a rescue.

Emma had been used as a breeding dog at an Amish puppy mill near Harrisburg, PA.  When she could no longer breed she was discarded to a kill shelter in the area.   An organization called Angel Pets found out about Emma and rescued her from the kill shelter.  We found her on their website.  When I saw her she looked so pitiful.  I knew we had to help her.  My husband drove us (myself and our two other pugs) four hours one way to get her.  When we got there I was not prepared for what we were about to see.

Emma had never received any veterinary care.  She was unvaccinated, severely malnourished, extremely fearful of humans & had nearly no fur left (the coat she had left felt like cardboard).  She was covered in sores and suffered from “cage toes”, a deformation of the feet from being forced to walk on a wire cage her entire life.  She had one of the worst under bites I had ever seen.   Her tail was limp & perpetually pointed downward.  I honestly wondered if we had bitten off more than we could chew but our dogs Ernie & Elmer loved her immediately.  It was like they had known each other forever.  The three of them ran and played the entire time we completed the necessary paperwork to adopt her. 

The next year was rough.  Emma was fearful of everything, especially men, which was very difficult for my husband who really loves animals.  She did not know how to play with toys, walk on a leash or walk down stairs.  She shivered & hid during every loud noise or thunderstorm.  Her health was not the best due to her deplorable upbringing.  She had lost nearly all of her teeth.  In addition she had permanently dislocated patellas which caused her to walk very stiffly.  Our vet did not recommend surgery because they were not currently causing discomfort or severely limiting her ability to walk.  She did run & jump awkwardly which were among some of her most endearing qualities.

During that time I developed a very special bond with her.  She was a very gentle dog that loved my attention.  In fact she went with me just about everywhere.  When I would shower she would wait right outside the door until I had finished.  Then she would greet me like she hadn’t seen me in months.

Over time she really came out of her shell.  She began to trust & love people.  In fact she really began to rule the roost.  When she wanted more attention she would tap you with her paw.  My husband and I jokingly called it her “slapper paw”.  She became “momma dog” to our other pugs, always cleaning & nurturing them.  They were like the three amigos.

One issue that remained was an unfortunate habit of gobbling down her meals & eating non-food items.  Our vet said that because she was starved she likely developed the habit out of necessity, especially while pregnant or nursing in order to sustain herself and her puppies.

We did our very best to prevent her from coming in contact with foreign objects (constant supervision, covered trash cans, etc)  but were forever finding her eating paper, rocks, or just about anything else she could find.  Recently Emma became sick after eating breakfast.  We initially didn’t think much of it but when she would not eat her lunch we became concerned and took her to our vet.  The vet did an abdominal series which was negative (now I know it was negative because her obstruction was between the stomach & small intestine...to high to form an obstructive pattern on plain x-ray).  She gave her some fluids/meds and sent us home.   

Emma slept the rest of the day....I thought it was just the medication but the next morning she wouldn't eat again.  We took her back to our vet.  They admitted her to do a barium study.  I had no idea how sick Emma really was.  I fully expected her to bounce right back.   I didn't even give her a proper goodbye....If I had known it was the last time I would see her I wouldn't have left her alone.  Emma was such a good girl.  As sick as she was, she even attempted to wag her tail as the vet tech carried her away.  That is my last memory of her.  

The vet called me that evening to tell me that the barium hadn't left the stomach yet so they were going to watch her overnight.  In the morning the vet called and said that the barium never moved & Emma had thrown most of it up overnight.  She said Emma most likely had an intestinal blockage and needed surgery.  I was so relieved that Emma was going to have definitive treatment.  I was out shopping for rice & baby food for when she came home when the vet called and told me that she did not make it through the surgery.  She arrested while under anesthesia just as they were closing up. 

Emma had a very high obstruction between the stomach & small intestine which wrapped around the bowel.  Our vet said that some of the bowel was already dead and that she thought Emma wouldn't have lived even if she survived the surgery.   

I am completely devastated.  Not only have I lost my best friend but I feel as though I’ve let her down.  When we adopted Emma I promised her that she would have a good life & that I would protect her.  I foolishly underestimated how deeply affected she was by the abuse she suffered.  I wish I could have helped her overcome her one remaining habit from her former life….the one that eventually lead to her demise. 

Emma was with us just  two short years but her capacity to overcome a torturous past and find the ability to trust & love humans again has forever changed me.   Sometimes I can still hear her clumsy walk on our wood floors even though I know she has gone over the rainbow bridge.   I will miss my friend always.  If you are reading this please pass our story on so that others may become aware of the horrors of puppy mills.  Together we can prevent another innocent animal from suffering as Emma did. 

If you have the capacity to help out rescue organizations please do so.  Your support is vital to helping out our sweet pug friends.  Thank you for allowing me to share our story. 

Sincerely,
Kristen Morgan