For those who have just discovered Kira’s blog and want to start at the beginning of her story, I have compiled a list of posts below in chronological order, beginning with her rescue.
When I first adopted Kira, I searched and searched for information about what it was like to live with a former puppy mill dog. I wondered if my experiences with Kira were “normal.” I wondered if I was doing the right things. I wondered what life was going to look like with a dog who was so afraid of me! Would she ever adjust? Would she ever leave her crate? Would she always be so damaged and afraid? I also wondered about so many everyday things…. Was it normal that she would only drink water at night? That she was afraid of my voice? That she ran from me every time I spoke to her? That she was too afraid to go to the bathroom for the first 2 days she was with me?!
I read everything I could find on Puppy Mill dogs and I’ve included some in the resources section. What I didn’t find was owners describing what it was like to live, day-to-day, with a puppy mill dog. I decided to write this blog to fill that gap and I hope that in the future when someone adopts a puppy mill dog and finds themselves searching everywhere for information, they will come across Kira’s story and reading it will help them! All dogs are different and Kira’s story won’t be every dog’s story. This blog doesn’t have any great training advice and it doesn’t tell anyone what to do with their dog. It’s not a “how to” manual for puppy mill dogs. It simply shares our story – our successes and failures.
I did my best to provide Kira with a safe, quiet loving space and a predictable routine. I tried to respect her fears and allow her to progress at her own pace. This blog is a record of her journey. And it was her journey, not mine. It was her courage that allowed her to move beyond her abuse and it was her quiet, gentle spirit that somehow remained open to the possibility of love in spite of all she had suffered.
VIDEO Kira’s first year: https://youtu.be/UpcMSjb0BkQ
Kira’s Road to Us… or Our Road to Kira
Kira’s 1st Month: Beyond this Point There be Dragons
The Power of the Pack & Routine, Routine, Routine
When Kira Smile: Limitations, Celebrations
Princess Kira’s Happily-Ever-After Story
A Valentine for Kira and Friends
A Sense of Wonder, Summer Days
Loving Old Dogs (not a Kira post)
Always in my Heart (in loving memory of Roxy)
Kira goes to Fearful Fido class!
4th Anniversary of Kira’s Blog
Impossible Goodbyes, for Mocha
Posts Shared from Other Sites
Kira's Puppy Mill Journey 