July 26, 2015

Dog By Dog: Puppy Mills and The Blackfish Effect

Christopher Grimes Dog by Dog Puppy Mills Mayan Theater
With Christopher E. Grimes, the director of Dog by Dog at the Mayan Theater in Denver, CO 

On Thursday night I attended the premiere of Dog by Dog, a documentary that seeks to reach the general public with information about the reality of puppy mills and the politics and pocketbooks that continue to support them. It was incredibly uplifting to see the support the documentary received in the local animal welfare community. Hosted by Colorado Citizens for Canine Welfare and attended by famous football players and state representatives, the turnout in my favorite historic theater in Denver warmed this advocate's heart.

While it had extremely emotional moments (and in fact I saw most men in the theater wiping their eyes at the end), this is not a film filled with graphic footage of abuse. The shots of the empty cages and the tough guy cradling a filthy rescued puppy against his chest are enough. The real impact of the documentary lies in its informed interviews and shocking statistics, as well as exposure of the ways in which corporate agribusiness and the AKC fight against legislation meant to improve conditions for commercially bred dogs. The film was well-researched and effectively delivered, including interviews with rescue volunteers, politicians and heads of animal welfare organizations.

I already knew much of the information presented, but what I was most surprised by was the widespread lack of knowledge. One of the women interviewed sincerely believed that the puppy she bought online was coming from a loving family home where the dogs were frolicking in fields of flowers. This could not be further from the truth - internet retailers with payment plans and immediate shipment are more than likely puppy mills. According to the film, between two and four million puppies are born in puppy mills every year, to parents who will never know grass beneath their paws, a kind hand on their head or even shelter from the elements.

For my own reasons, I will probably always adopt from rescue. I love potcakes and podencos, and don't have any purpose for my dogs outside of companionship; however, I understand the purpose-bred dog and the love of purebreds, and the movie does, too - it does not vilify all breeders. During the panel discussion after the film, one of the audience members asked why the director and filmmakers didn't take a stand against all dog breeding and the answer was that this was simply not realistic, too polarizing, and essentially shooting themselves in the foot when rescue groups and reputable breeders can and should be a united front against large, profit-driven commercial puppy mills.

The most inspiring part of Dog by Dog - much needed after the discouraging illustration of just how deeply embedded the politics and bureaucracy surrounding legislation of puppy mills are - was the story of Mindi Callison Long, founder of Bailing Out Benji. Since 2011, Mindi has been educating and organizing peaceful pet store protests in her hometown, rain or shine. For a while now I have been considering joining a local protest group, and I think this was exactly the push I needed to get my hands on a sign and my feet on the pavement. If any one of us can get just one person to turn around at the door of a pet store and head to their local shelter instead, or to sign up on the waiting list of a reputable breeder instead of clicking "Buy Now" on that cute picture at the commercial breeder website, then we are making a difference, person by person, dog by dog.

The goal of this documentary is to reach beyond those of us who already know about the horrors of puppy mills. The Mayan Theater was filled with people who were already deeply aware and passionately supportive of this cause. While in this early stage of screenings around the country, the ultimate hope is for Dog by Dog to have the same powerful impression as Blackfish did, for the general public's eyes to be opened to the injustice of keeping loving, intelligent dogs in wire cages for their entire lives, churning out puppies to be sold behind facades of storefronts and webpages, dressed in ribbons and lies. If one by one, our family members and co-workers - potential puppy-buyers whose lives don't revolve around dogs as ours do - abandon pet stores and wholesaler websites the way families and sponsors and stockholders have been abandoning Sea World, then we will see the world start to change the way it should. Please spread the word about this important film - follow Dog By Dog on Facebook, share the trailer, and watch for it in a theater near you.

23 comments:

  1. It sounds like an amazing documentary! I really hope people start to wake up and open their eyes!

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  2. I keep wondering why it has taken so long for a documentary to be made on Puppy mills. Several years ago Oprah had some footage on her TV show that opened a lot of people's eyes. But people have short memories.

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    1. I think the timing is exactly right for something on a larger scale.

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  3. Lara! I'm so excited you went to this premiere! I am from Iowa, just thirty minutes from where Mindi Long stages her protests! I have yet to join her, but have always wanted to. She is SUCH an amazing person, and I can't wait for the Iowa premiere on August 9. This was a wonderful review. The more people we can get to see this documentary, the more lives we can save. <3

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    1. Thanks, Chelsea - it was an amazing night. Mindi's fight is living proof that one person can make a difference!

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  4. There have been mill documentaries and the HSUS, ASPCA and CAPS undercover videos of mills and rescues. This film follows and exposes the money trail behind this industry. Something not previously done.

    Madonna of the Mills, I Breathe, and the Bauck undercover video done by Companion Animal Protection Society.

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  5. It sounds like this documentary was done very well and hopefully it will have a positive impact. It's hard to watch graphic footage of abused or neglected dogs even though it's important that people know the living conditions some are kept in. It sounds like the film was able to get the point across without having to resort to disturbing footage and maybe that means it will be seen by more people. Thanks for sharing the info about this film.

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    1. Disturbing footage was kept to a minimum; however what really hits home are the emotional interviews.

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  6. I can't wait to see that film, and I'm glad to know it's well researched and filled with interviews and information, rather than all the shocking video we've seen. Not that those shocking videos don't leave an impact - I just prefer learning more rather than watching something horrible that makes me feel helpless. Sounds like you had an awesome time at the event, and joining up with a local group is a bit nerve wracking. Recently I joined one in Michigan and it's been amazing so far, there's a big event coming up in September in front of one of the 2 remaining Petland stores here in Michigan. I'm so happy this film is being so well received, pet stores (both online & in person) have done such a great job making the customer think their animals are coming from awesomely bred parents; it'll be so great to have more information out there regarding how little a name of a kennel & parents really means.

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    1. We have a surprising number of stores in the Denver area that sell puppies, considering what a dog loving city this is (but then we also have the worst BSL in the country...) The protest that takes place nearest to me is in an affluent area - it's incredible how misinformed people are and that they believe the "good breeder" lies the pet store owners tell. At one point the film talks about an Amish breeder who was issued license after license under slightly different names at the same address, even after being served with multiple violations. It's really unbelievable.

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    2. It's just so sad the lengths they have to go to cover up what they're doing... and that it works. If I wasn't a blogger I don't think I'd question the fact that if I wanted a pet store puppy they'd provide me with a certificate showing it was AKC registered, health checked, and came from a "local" breeder - even giving you the parents names, etc. It all looks so legit, they've done such a great job covering up.

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    3. Lots of people fall for it, that's for sure. For me, the suspicious part would be letting the puppies go to fates unknown and involving a third party. If they cared about the dogs they would want to see where they went one on one like a reputable breeder does.

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  7. We protest outside of a store in Centennial every Saturday and some Sundays, please join us and join our Facebook page "no more pet stores "! Many of the protesters were at the premiere.

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    1. Hi Danielle - I have joined the group and do plan to attend soon!

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  8. Thank you for writing a great review of this film. Yes the world needs much more education on Puppy Mills! I appreciate that you mention the reputable breeders out there. I have both rescue dogs and dogs from reputable breeders. There are many good ones out there. Yesterday I heard a story of a breeder that is taking in a 12 year old dog from an owner that passed away...yes this is just one of the things they do...they are always there to stand behind any dog they breed.

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    1. Agreed, Linda! Education is absolutely key, and I think those of us enmeshed in the dog world forget how easy it is for websites and pet store owners to pull the wool over the eyes of people who truly don't know any better.

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  9. I hope the film gets distributed more widely. I'm interested in seeing it. I checked the website and they're not showing it anywhere near me.

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    1. That's the goal! They are just in the early screenings phase now.

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  10. I wish more people would understand how the dogs get out of the puppy mills. Most people think that the mills are being rated by local police. people don't understand that the mills are legal they're not breaking any laws most of the mills are not being inspected. there are a few of us here in PA that build a relationship with the Millers and convince them to allow us to take the Han wanted breeding dogs and unwanted puppies but they cannot sell. it's very hard but we do we have to go into these meals take the dogs they are willing to surrender to us. And leave behind so many dogs that stare at you with their big eyes wanting to go but they have to stay. and all you can hope for is when it's time for them dogs to be surrendered that they will call you and allow you to come take them.a lot of people don't want to understand this part of mill rescue. But what we do is very emotional we see things that most people can't watch on TV. We see things that when you close your eyes you can't sleep at night all the images of the dogs I've been to mills that have over 600 dogs so many dogs barking at one time you can't even hear your own self think please don't forget about this part of rescue and what we do.

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    1. Thank you for what you do, Joe - I can't imagine how difficult it must be to witness the suffering of these poor dogs. If only those who bought puppies online and from pet stores understood this is how their parents must live. I hope that Dog by Dog will open many more eyes!

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  11. Great post, Lara. I was a little worried when I saw the description that I wouldn't be able to handle seeing this movie, but it sounds like it can do as much to raise awareness as Blackfish did.

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