Hi my name is Missy and my story is an example of what happens when people don’t do their research before buying an English bulldog.   I was purchased from a breeder by a man who meant well but who didn’t know what he was getting into. I left my mother when I was 7 weeks old and for a while I had a good life with my new owner. I got to meet other dogs and new people, I even got to go camping and ride in a boat!  It wasn’t until a year later when I began develop some basic bullie problems that my owner’s ignorance started to take its toll on me.  I started getting ear infections and problems with anal gland impactions, and as bulldog owners know, left untreated these things can cause us bullies to stink. Instead of taking me to the vet to find out why I smelled so bad, why I was rubbing my booty on the floor and walls my owner began to leave me outside. At first he would let me in at night or when it was cold, hot, or stormy but as time went by I was left out longer and longer. I would bark and scratch at the door but no one would come. I didn’t get see my dog friends anymore or  go for boat rides and I was lucky if my owner came out long enough to give some food and water . 

After almost 2 years went by my owner made friends with the nice family who lived behind us. They could see me from their yard; they saw me out in the snow shivering and skinny and decided to talk to my owner about me. You see the nice lady volunteered at the animal shelter and was really upset about what was happening to me. They told my owner to take better care of me or to find me a new home or they would report him. They even offered to take me home but he refused. I really liked them because they had fun little boys who gave me treats through the fence. After a couple weeks of same old lonely life some scary men with uniforms showed up and took me away in a truck. I could see the nice lady from next door watching what was happening. The truck drove me to a place were lots of dogs were barking (one of them told me this place was called the Humane Society).

I didn’t have to stay long though because the nice people from next door soon came and took me to their house. I still smelled but they loved me anyway. They gave a big bowl of really yummy food and hugged me and played ball with me. I meet the cat (his name is Gary) at first I though t he might taste good but soon I learned that cats are not easy to catch and its no fun when you do catch one so I decided to be his friend.  On my second day the new people took me to the vet and found out why I smelled bad. The vet said I had a seriously bad impaction in my anal glands and my ears were so badly infected that I couldn’t hear as well anymore. I can still hear my family call me (but I like to pretend I can’t) and the dog food bag opening though.  And after some medication and good A.G. expressing and a bath I felt like a puppy again. I was ready for my new life and I try very hard to make my people happy! If your thinking about getting a dog please check your local shelters and rescue groups, there are a lot of goods dogs there (trust me, I know them), they just need a chance!