How Mabel Became a Mascot

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She was one of 179 dogs rescued from a horrible puppy mill in Virginia. She had never felt grass under her feet; she had spent her whole life by herself in a cage. She was geriatric, losing her eyesight, and still forced to carry babies in her womb.

When Best Friends found her, she was, despite all, the friendliest dog you could hope to meet. She was pregnant, having trouble breathing, and it looked like there were tumors. But she was nice to everyone who petted her.

Immediately, staff replaced the number around her neck - the only thing she'd ever been known by - with a nametag. "Mabel". Now, she was an individual. Somebody someone might care about. Next, it was time to see the vet.

Sadly, the vet didn't have much good news. Mabel should have given birth already; she was long overdue. And there only one puppy in there - what could be taking so long? Her lungs couldn't get in enough air because of her big, pregnant belly, and without a C-section, Mabel and her babe both might die. So it was already time for surgery. And though Mabel did very well under the knife, sadly, the lone baby did not make it. There was nothing the vets could do. Mabel was simply too old to be having children. Her body wasn't doing it correctly anymore. Somebody should have stopped this long ago...

Everyone wanted Mabel to understand that her baby also would not be a "number". She was given a name - Autumn - and a proper burial.

It was just Mabel now. And with all those tumors, she was going to need a lot of continuing vet care. Plus, at her age, it was time to retire and lounge on some pillows somewhere. Shed been a working mom under inhumane conditions long enough. It was time for Mabel to look for a foster home. And along came Lynne Przychodzki, ready and eager to give Mabel her very first taste of a real home life. Before they left, Lynne made a headstone for Autumn, and showed it to Mabel so she could say her last goodbye. And then they were off...

It's hard to say what Mabel must have thought of the long drive to New Jersey! But when she arrived, she discovered a life unlike any she'd ever known before. Doggie beds. Not sharp wire under her feet, but real, fluffy, cuddly little corners that she could claim for herself. Good food. People touching her floppy ears, even holding her. And best of all? Mabel discovered she had a voice. When she gave her beagle howl, something would always happen. Maybe she'd be let outside to go to the bathroom, or maybe she'd get her food dish handed to her a little faster. Or maybe somebody would just ask her to be quiet, for heaven's sake. But she was heard. It wasn't like being in the puppy mill, where her voice was lost amidst the crowd of other desperate doggie voices, and no cry ever caused a response. Mabel could now be heard.

News only seemed to get worse at the vet's office, however. Because Mabel hadn't been spayed until just now, she had developed cancerous tumors. Sure, they could be cut out - and they would be - but they could grow back. It was upon hearing this that her new foster mom, Lynne, knew that Mabel would stay with her forever. Knowing that Mabel's time might not be long shook her heart, and made her certain that whatever time Mabel had left, she wanted it to be spent in just one home that she could count on - hers.

It's been more than six months since Mabel went home with Lynne, and Mabel is doing great! She's needed lots of medical care (including an eye tumor removed), but the cancer, so far, has not returned.

Mabel keeps a blog on the Best Friends website, where folks can see photographs and read cute anecdotes about her adventures in her new home life. The blog has become so popular that Mabel is now something of a mascot for people everywhere who protest the horrors of puppy mills. "There is NO CHANCE of Mabel's blog coming to an end," says Lynne. "Mabel has some of the most dedicated fans and supporters on the network!" 

Mabel wouldn't be in the poor health she's in if she hadn't been used so horribly for puppy breeding, well into her golden years. And yet, when you look at her blog, it's very clear that all is forgiven! She just wants to love and be loved. For as much time as she has left. And some day...she'll be with her little Autumn again. And in some small way, their stories may have helped make a difference for victims of puppy mills everywhere.

You can become one of Mabel's fans by going to her blog!

Written by Elizabeth Doyle
Before photo by Clay Myers
After photo by Lynne Przychodzki