Puppy mill survivor so ‘scared’ she had panic attack during rescue

The harsh realities of a rescue dog’s previous life are shown in video of the moments she was pulled from a puppy mill and had a panic attack in a car.

IN clip published on Instagram According to Millie’s owner, who wished to remain anonymous, the dog was visibly dazed. The overlaid text read: “The day Millie was rescued from the puppy mill, she had a panic attack in our car. It took 45 minutes to get her out of there.” She added in the caption: “She was so scared.”

“Millie had never been in a car before and was completely stunned. She was panting, drooling, shaking and not making eye contact—classic signs of a panic attack. I sat with her on the floor of the car and talked quietly until she could calm down,” the owner said Newsweek.

Before she was rescued at the end of May, Millie spent her entire life in puppy mills where she was used for breeding.

A puppy mill is a dog breeding enterprise that prioritizes profit over the health and welfare of the dogs. Often characterized by poor living conditions, indiscriminate breeding and minimal veterinary care, there are approximately 10,000 puppy mills in the United States.

When she was rescued, Millie had recently given birth to puppies, but since she was no longer making a profit for the breeder, her future looked bleak. Luckily, she was rescued by Long Island Golden Retriever Rescue.

“The day we got Millie was full of firsts for her,” her owner said. “She had never been outside the mill, had never been in the house and didn’t even know how to get up the stairs. She was afraid of TV and household appliances. It was heartbreaking to see how limited her world was.”

Despite the initial fear, Millie made significant progress in her new life. Her owner says she now spends her days playing with a ball and her favorite toy is a red ball, which has become her security blanket. “She carries it everywhere and uses it as a comfort when she’s nervous,” the owner said.

With time and care, the golden retriever became more confident. Her owner said: “Millie is full of life. She remains cautious but curious about her new surroundings. She is not used to affection, but now responds so well to pets and hugs. She’s really coming out of her shell.”

Millie’s owner also offered advice to dog owners whose pets may be experiencing panic attacks, based on her experience of Millie’s recovery.

“Millie’s attacks are less frequent now, but I’ve learned to recognize the signs early. If she starts shaking or seems anxious, I give her space, comfort her with a red balloon, and get her out of unbearable situations. everything happens slowly and brings new experiences one after another,” she said.

Although her life began in a dark place, Millie’s owner made it clear that her story is one of hope and resilience. Today, she enjoys daily adventures with her new family and her favorite pastimes are swimming at the beach and playing with her trusty red ball.

“She was only fostered for a week before we realized she was special,” her owner said. “She’s now a part of our family forever.”

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