Windy, left, watches Hope play with a Christmas present. A year ago, Hope had no idea how to play with a toy.

Hope, who had been in an Amish puppy mill for five years, struggles with trust issues. Free from the mill for a little more than two years, she has made progress. Yesterday she surprised me again.

If you have at least one dog, most likely that furkid follows you around the house. Ours are no exception.

Windy and Jake were napping while I went to the bathroom. I must admit, if no one else is home I don’t shut the door. A few seconds after I was in there, Hope came to the doorway alone.

That was surprising. She started to bark for a walk. Jake and Windy did not roust from their naps. Then Hope walked into the bathroom.

Hope marched up to me then smacked her nose on my shin. She didn’t delicately touch my shin or tap it. She smacked it then looked at me and barked more. She stamped her front feet. She let me pet her on the head. I told her she was a good girl.

This may not seem like much, but when we brought her home in September 2009 she would not come out of her crate.

If you are interested in rescuing a puppy mill dog, you must have patience. You celebrate small victories. It helps to have at least one normal dog to teach your puppy mill dog how to be a pet. If you have doubts – don’t rescue one. It would be worse to take it back to its foster home, and then the dog starts the process all over again. Plenty of organizations can help you find a dog that has been a pet.

As for Hope, she got a walk while I had a song in my heart.