Touching moment 12-year-old dog who spent her entire life in 18-inch puppy mill cage walks on grass for the first time

Video shows Lizzy the Maltese apprehensively walking over the grass
But a second video taken weeks later shows her bounding across the grass as she revels in her new-found freedom
She was found at an Arkansas puppy mill and taken to a Colorado rescue

PUBLISHED: 09:53 EST, 15 April 2013 | UPDATED: 13:48 EST, 15 April 2013

A touching video has shown the moment a 12-year-old dog who spent her entire life locked in a tiny cage has felt grass beneath her paws for the first time.

The footage shows Lizzy the Maltese stepping apprehensively across the grass weeks after she was rescued from an enclosure no bigger than 18 inches by 18 inches.

Until she was saved by the National Mill Dog Rescue in March, Lizzy had spent her life locked in the cage at a puppy mill in Arkansas, never leaving the confines of its four walls to play or run.

Apprehensive: Lizzy, a 12-year-old Maltese dog who spent her entire life in a tiny cage at a puppy mill in Arkansas, is filmed trying to walk across grass for the first time in a touching video

Getting there: Lizzy looks uncertain as she stumbles across grass for the first time since being rescued in March

Getting there: Lizzy looks uncertain as she stumbles across grass after being rescued in March

So it is unsurprising that the video shows how she is overwhelmed by the experience as she apprehensively sniffs the ground and wobbles from paw to paw.

But in another video taken by her new owner just weeks later, Lizzy is seen full of life and leaping across the grass as she revels in her freedom.

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She has just a right eye as veterinarians were forced to remove her left one when it was found swollen and infected. She also had several tumors removed.

'When we brought her in, she was terrified,' the Rescue's media officer, Michele Burchfield, said. 'These dogs know nothing of human touch.

Saved: An image shows Lizzy shortly after she was found. She went on to have her infected left eye removed

Puppy mill dog walks on grass for the first time

'The video is very cute and sweet but it's also very poignant because it reveals what these dogs have been through.'

She added that after Lizzy received medical care, she was put into a foster home in Colorado.

In what the Rescue jokingly call a 'foster failure', the foster parents adored her so much that they decided to adopt her, and she is now going from strength to strength.

'She's actually doing really well and looking much healthier,' Burchfield said. 'She's running about and is used to the grass. She's a lovely dog.'

Burchfield added that puppy mills are entirely legal and the dogs' treatment and cage sizes follow strict U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines.

On the mend: Lizzy, who is going from strength to strength, is pictured at bedtime at her new home

Happier times: In another video taken weeks later, Lizzy is seen hopping across the grass with ease

But while it may be above board, she added that many pet owners are unaware that their puppies have been born to mothers living in such heart-wrenching conditions.

'People don't understand the puppies in some pet stores are coming from these places,' she said. 'If you can't see the homes and see a loving environment then look elsewhere.

'Twenty-five per cent of all dogs in shelters are pure breeds, so even though it might take a bit of time, I would tell people to look around shelters instead of going to pet stores that sell puppies.'

Puppy mills contact the Rescue when they have dogs which are no longer of breeding age, and the group will rescue them. Burchfield added that other mills simply euthanize the dogs.

The Rescue takes in around 60 to 100 dogs a month and takes them to their shelter in Peyton, Colorado, where they stay until they are adopted or put into foster homes.

Lizzy the rescue pup frolicks through the grass

Locked up: The rescue center saves as many as 100 dogs from puppy mills every month (file picture)

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POOR LITTLE ONE......I HOPE THE OWNER IS CHARGED AND SPENDS SOMETIME CAGED LIKE HE/SHE DID TO THIS WONDERFUL LITTLE GIRL HOW COULD THEY

- netts , fordingbridge hants, United Kingdom, 17/4/2013 03:48

Click to rate Rating 8

Look at the way we treat people - is it any wonder we treat animals so carelessly? Always, always adopt a dog from a shelter. There are more than enough dogs who desperately need a loving home. These puppy mills MUST be put out of business.

- Dr Liz , London, UK, 16/4/2013 16:44

Click to rate Rating 27

It breaks my heart seeing how some of these poor dogs are treated! We should lock these people up in a cage for 12 years and see how they like it!

- cookiebiker , London, United Kingdom, 16/4/2013 14:55

Click to rate Rating 44

What a lovely dog - glad she found a happy ending. I think if you want to own a dog - you should always try and adopt from a dogs home.There are so many beautiful dogs who, usually through no fault of their own are waiting for a home who have so much to give. Choosing a dog isn't easy, I walked around the kennels in tears - I wanted to take them all home. I adopted a staff shar-pei cross and I honestly don't know what I would do without her. I would be lost.

- sal , bristol, 16/4/2013 14:35

Click to rate Rating 33

Let that be a lesson to all you dog lovers who want thoroughbred dogs..................... I have rescued two lovely dogs from the dogs home, the one is 13 years old and the best natured and behaved dog you could ever wish for, It makes my blood boil when i listen to people talking about purchasing a new dog from a breeder. THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE ENCOURAGING.

- jayne , Staffordshire, 16/4/2013 13:58

Click to rate Rating 40

I have one of these babies. Helping her learn to adapt to life outside of her prison has been a tremendous challenge. These stories will continue...most without a happy ending...until people stop treating living beings as a salable commodity.

- Marianne , Winchester, 16/4/2013 13:28

Click to rate Rating 37

How terrible that this is apparently legal, no dog should be confined to a tiny cage like that. I'm glad that this dog can now live out the rest of her days in a happy and loving home, but it's awful to think about all the other dogs that are still spending their lives locked up and suffering.

- Rebecca , Birmingham, United Kingdom, 16/4/2013 12:39

Click to rate Rating 46

what a beatufiul dog but such a heartbreaking story - who can treat any animal likes this? i hope she has a life full of dog treats and toys because she deserves it :)

- cdst20 , cardiff, United Kingdom, 16/4/2013 11:55

Click to rate Rating 49

What a beautiful baby girl she is! These hell holes need to be shutdown.. Enjoy the rest of your days filled with love lil Angel.. You SO deserve it!

- Joanne Pettico , Chicopee, United States, 16/4/2013 11:29

Click to rate Rating 54

Aww, what a lovely wee doggie. I hope the rest of her life is great, what great owners she has! :)

- Rachel , Belfast, United Kingdom, 16/4/2013 11:10

Click to rate Rating 57

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