"We were there to complete a mission," says the rescuer who purchased Nellie the West Highland Terrier at the Thorp Dog Auction, "and we were told not to show emotion. But when I saw her pulled up by the back of the neck, I started to bawl. Animals are not disposable. You can't throw them out like trash."

     Nellie came home from the auction with long nails, very dirty coat, and terrible teeth. She was also discovered to be over 5 1/2 weeks pregnant. If the seller had known, she would have sold for much more money -- the turnaround time to make a profit is much shorter with a pregnant female than if you have to go through the whole gestation.

     After her pups are weaned, she and they will all go to carefully screened, loving homes. All will be spayed or neutered.

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