Suki

Adoption status: Adopted!

My name is Suki and I am a puppy mill survivor. I grew up in a wire cage packed with other female mill dogs waiting until we were ready to reproduce. Then, when I gave birth to my puppies, I got my very own wire cage. Sometimes my puppies would die in the cage with me. Once my puppies were gone I would be thrown back with other dogs and roughly grabbed by any part of my body that the mill people could reach. This is the only life I have ever known. Somehow, I did not die in that cage. I found myself on a series of rides and transports from people who know of our pain and dedicate their time to saving us. I heard someone say that I was the most frightened of the Missouri 8. I may never be a normal dog. But I can be loved and I can give you my love if you are willing to show me that you are not mean, hurtful or cruel but that you are kind and gentle and patient.

This world DCSIR brought me to is filled with so many sounds, smells and sights I have never encountered. I do not understand it. I am still so scared. Once I let my foster mom caress my fur; she inspected the countless scars from bites I have all over my face and body. I can see the pain in her eyes but hope she doesn’t blame the other mill dogs for taking out their frustrations on me. We were all in eternal agony, but I am not a fighter, so I carry these scars for life. I see my foster mom with her Shiba family and they look so happy and confident that she will never hurt them in any way. So I follow and I watch them from afar. Maybe one day I can be secure and maybe one day I can have a place with a human that loves me so much that they would never hurt me.

I will need some time in rescue. But when I am ready, I would like to go to a home with another dog who can show me how to live and a patient and caring family who will continue to work with my fears. Please follow my progress with DCSIR and share my story so that more people know the life of a mill dog and so that my forever family will see me and bring me to my forever home.

Please email adoption@dcsir.org and tell them you’d like to adopt Suki!

DC SIR is a non-profit, volunteer-run network of foster homes in the Washington, DC area.

DC SIR does not have a shelter facility. To meet our adoptable dogs, interested adopters can attend one of our monthly adoption events.