Panda’s Puppies Path

Several acres of woods are dedicated to Panda and her puppies. Panda was a dog I knew a very long time ago. She was spayed when she was pregnant. This action aborted her puppies, who’s impending births and growing bodies manifested themselves through her widening belly. My heart hurt when I heard that Panda had been spayed and I grieve her puppies to this day.

Naming these woods after Panda’s Puppies is one of the many ways I want to honor them. There is a trail that runs through these woods; the trail is a lot shorter than the property’s other trails and is a perfect path for elderly dogs that cannot walk that far and for puppies just learning to walk. 

While CCLS takes a firm stance against breeding and will alter all of its residents, dogs that come to CCLS pregnant will always be allowed to have their puppies. One of our core beliefs is that one life is not more important than another. Another core belief is not to blame the victim. Had Panda’s Puppies been born and adopted into loving homes, they would still have no role in the suffering or homelessness of other dogs. The same way a dog that requires expensive medical care is not “choosing” to take medical care away from other dogs, or a reactive dog struggling to overcome abuse is not “choosing” to take up shelter space from other dog, Panda’s Puppies were not the reason millions of unwanted dogs were being killed.

CCLS will honor these aborted puppies and their mother by doing everything we can to help pregnant dog and their babies. CCLS will be a place where puppies get a great start to life and receive the socialization needed to help them become confident, contented adults. In sharp contrast to Panda’s Puppies, CCLS will be a place where puppies receive a warm welcome into the world.