Party raises funds to rescue puppy mill dogs

Fifty people and about 60 dogs got together Saturday at the 14th annual Yorkie Stock Party held at the home of Chris Wells in Washington. Jackie Wells said people and dogs arrived from Wisconsin, Illinois, Tennessee, Florida, Missouri, and all over Iowa.

Wells told of one little dog named Finn who came from a puppy mill. He had ear mites, heart problems, a tumor on one testicle and bad teeth. A veterinarian worked on Finn's teeth, removed the tumor and he was neutered. His lower jaw collapsed.

A foster family took are of the ear mites in Finn's ears, taught him how to eat and treated the heart condition. During the Yorkie Stock Pooch Party on Saturday, he was adopted by a loving family and taken to his new home in Dubuque.

Another remarkable dog at the event was a large mastiff, named Yogi. He weighed 180 pounds. Finn, at 3 pounds, was the smallest dog. Yogi is the child of divorce and is living with relatives now.

There were many stories, some happy some sad.

Because of the condition of the puppy mill dogs, the group loses a few dogs every year. Thankfully, there are compassionate folks who take in the dogs and try to give them better lives.

The party is held each year to raise funds for veterinarian bills and for foster care. There was an auction that raised nearly $5,000 this year. A fine lunch was offered, partly potluck, but with generous donations from two local grocery stores.