The harsh realities of a rescue dog’s previous life have been made clear in a video of the moments after she was recovered from a puppy mill and suffered a panic attack in the car.
In a clip posted on Instagram by Millie’s owner, who chose to remain anonymous, the dog was clearly overwhelmed. The text overlay read: “The day Millie was rescued from the puppy mill, she had a panic attack in our car. It took 45 minutes to get her out.” In the caption she added: “She was so scared.”
“Millie had never been in a car before and was completely overwhelmed. She was panting, drooling, trembling, and wouldn’t make eye contact—classic signs of a panic attack. I sat with her on the car floor, speaking softly until she could calm down,” the owner told Newsweek.
Before being rescued in late May, Millie had spent her entire life in a puppy mill, where she was used for breeding.
A puppy mill refers to a dog-breeding facility that prioritizes profit over the health and welfare of the dogs. Often characterized by poor living conditions, indiscriminate breeding, and minimal veterinary care, there are an estimated 10,000 puppy mills in the U.S.
When she was rescued, Millie had recently given birth to a litter of puppies, but as she was no longer profitable for the breeder, her future looked grim. Fortunately, she was rescued by Long Island Golden Retriever Rescue.
“The day we got Millie was full of firsts for her,” said her owner. “She had never been outside the mill, had never been in a house, and didn’t even know how to climb stairs. She was afraid of the TV and household appliances. It was heartbreaking to see how limited her world had been.”
Despite her initial fear, Millie has made remarkable progress in her new life. Her owner says she now spends her days playing catch, and her favorite toy is a red ball, which has become her security blanket. “She carries it everywhere and uses it as a comfort when she’s nervous,” the owner said.
The golden retriever has become more confident with time and care. Her owner said: “Millie is resilient. She’s still cautious, but curious about her new surroundings. She wasn’t used to affection, but now she responds so well to pets and cuddles. She’s really coming out of her shell.”
Millie’s owner also offered advice to dog owners whose pets may experience panic attacks, drawing on her experience with Millie’s recovery.
“Millie’s episodes are less frequent now, but I’ve learned to recognize the signs early. If she starts trembling or seems anxious, I give her space, offer comfort with her red ball, and remove her from overwhelming situations. It’s all about taking things slow and introducing new experiences one at a time,” she said.
Though her life started in a dark place, Millie’s owner made clear that her story is one of hope and resilience. Today, she enjoys daily adventures with her new family, and her favorite activity is swimming at the beach and playing with her trusty red ball.
“She was a foster for only a week before we realized she was special,” her owner said. “Now, she’s part of our family forever.”