Launceston author Marion Gavin has written about the lives and loves of her Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and the darker side of puppy farms, in a book called Born to be free.

Marion has two rescue Cavaliers, a tricolour and a ruby, called Bella and Georgie, that she rescued from a puppy farm. In the book, they have a story to tell from the farm of horrors, to the love and devotion by their new owners.

Marion said: “My inspiration came after the vet from Vets 4 Pets, Joe Dudek, suggested I write something about my rescued King Charles Spaniels to raise money for The Blue Cross.

“I have previously written three other books and was initially unsure whether to write about the harsh realities of puppy farms.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a book for children, but I think it’s something that would be of interest to anyone.”

Marion had researched the abuse and trauma the dogs were put through before they left the farm.

This starts with the breeding process, through to the birth of the puppies and the abuse they go through, before they are sold on. They are often taken away from their mothers too early, to allow people to groom them and sell them on as pets, making a lot of money in the process.

Marion said: “False documents of an owner and registration can be made up, a false registration certificate can be made with titles, a wrong date of birth and giving a false Sire and Dam (mother and father).”

At some puppy farms females are given a minimum amount of food and water to keep them alive to breed, no exercise, no stimulation or affection. They are bred constantly by different dogs until they are worn out and sometimes when they are of no more use, they can be dumped and left to die.

Marion said ‘dog peddlers’ will go to to puppy farms and buy multiple dogs to take home, clean up and sell onto the unsuspecting public.

This is what happened to her dog Georgie.

Marion said: “A couple bought her after seeing an ad on the internet and when they got home with her she started biting and being very territorial. When I rescued her from this couple she started biting me and my hand.” Marion was determined not to give up on this dog and after a year of care and kindness, Georgie was a different animal altogether.

Worser still, is the story of her other dog, Bella. She experienced something called ‘puppy chaining’, which is when a male is physically chained to a female dog for the sole purpose of breeding. According to Marion, once the female has given birth to as many pups as she can, she will then be tossed away like a broken machine.

Marion said: “Bella was crowded into a cage with an overpowering stench of ammonia as she was not kept clean and some dogs were laying in their own faeces continually barking for attention.

“Someone got her out of where she was being held and was then brought to me to be looked after. She used to be so nervous but now she acts like any other dog.”

Marion gave this advice to other potential dog owners: “Above all else, I think love is the most important thing for a dog. Do your research when buying a dog, don’t just take the seller’s word for it.”

The proceeds from the book will go to The Blue Cross animal charity and will be on sale at Pets at Home, Launceston.

Marion will be at store on the weekend of January 19 and 20, signing her book with her dogs. There will also be plenty of refreshments, cream teas, face painting and a raffle to enjoy.

For more information, contact Marion on 07504 660140.