Many people get to be removed from the realities that come with learning about puppy mills. They can go to a pet store, see the dogs, and simply get excited about how cute they are. Both fortunately and unfortunately, I do not have that luxury.

I don't have the luxury to turn the other way when it comes to these poor, neglected, abused puppies because, in September, I got one of my own. Shyanne is the sweetest, most quiet dog that you've ever met. To meet her is to love her. I've slowly been bringing her out of her shell, but every day, I see that damage that coming from a puppy mill did to her.

When I first got her, she would hide her food. This is because when she was in the puppy mill, she was stored with many other dogs and did not know where her next meal would come from or when it would be. For months, I would find some of her food hidden in luggage underneath my bed, in blankets, and the creases of the couch. Slowly, she is starting to trust that I will feed her every day.

When I first got her, she could only eat soft food for dogs. This is because she had lost teeth from being stepped on in the wire cages she was kept in for her whole life. Slowly, I was able to start feeding her harder and harder food.

When I first got her, she would hunker down anytime you came near her to pick her up. She would cringe because she was hit so many times in the puppy mill. It has taken me months to be able to pick her up without her shrinking back from my touch, thinking that I was going to be another person to hit her.

When I first got her, she would suck on her back foot, much like a child might suck on their thumb. It was a nervous tick that became like a security blanket for her in the puppy mill. I'm finally getting her closer every day to stopping.

Shyanne is one of the lucky dogs. She got rescued. But every day, I see the impact that being in a puppy mill had on her. I see what it did to this sweet, quiet dog, who is afraid to make any noise for fear of being hit again. And every day, it breaks my heart.

There are still puppy mills operating in almost every state in the United States. The Humane Society is working to eradicate those puppy mills, but they need the public's help. If you suspect something like a puppy mill may be going on somewhere near you, please contact the Humane Society so they can rescue these poor dogs before they meet their end never having known a loving home. There are plenty of dogs like Shyanne populating your local shelter as well, so go and show them the love they deserve.