Wisconsin last week became the tenth state in 2009 to enact legislation cracking down on abusive puppy mills, when Gov. Jim Doyle signed a bill to require licensing, inspection, and basic standards of humane care at large-scale dog breeding operations. The measure was introduced by Rep. Jeff Smith, D-Eau Claire, and Sen. Pat Kreitlow, D-Chippewa Falls, and backed by The HSUS, HSLF, the Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project, the Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies and the Wisconsin Humane Society. It will finally provide some relief for dogs trapped in filthy cages for years on end, without exercise, companionship, or human interaction.
Ed Kitsemble, Eilene Ribbons, and Joyce.
It was a celebratory day for dogs, but the victory was quickly followed by a note of sadness: Just hours after the governor signed the bill into law, one of the advocates who fought so hard for its passage, Joyce Kitsemble, passed away. Joyce and her husband Ed had collected more than 5,000 petition signatures in favor of a puppy mill law, and they traveled to Madison from their home in Wisconsin Rapids to witness the bill signing. She started feeling ill in the capitol and was rushed to a hospital where she died.
Eilene Ribbons of the Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project said, “Joyce was one of the most avid puppy mill fighters I have ever known. She provided a loving home to many mill dogs through the years. Although she did not use a computer, Joyce used the power of her pen. Whenever a call went out to write our legislators, Joyce wrote. One of the most touching puppy mill dog stories in our archives was penned by Joyce. Often, during our ten year friendship, beautiful cards of support and encouragement arrived at the Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project from this kind and dedicated woman.”
I’m grateful to Joyce for all her hard work over the years to protect animals, and I offer my deepest condolences to her husband Ed. Joyce made the world a kinder and better place for animals, and I’m sure it was one of her proudest moments to see the puppy mill bill finally signed into law. She reminds me that each and every person advocating for animals is making a difference and leaving his or her mark on the world—the millions of people who write and call their lawmakers, gather petition signatures, reach out to their friends and family, support animal protection groups, and participate in the cause in so many other ways.
I wanted to share with blog readers a poem that was written by Joyce and was published in her obituary:
Good Friends go to Heaven
People long to have a friend,
Who's loyal, kind and true.
Who'll never lie and never cheat,
And never leave them blue.
Someone who'll always stand by them,
Through all the good and bad.
Rejoice with them when things are good,
Lend comfort when they're sad.
I am blessed with friends like that,
They're sent from God above.
He must love me to send to me,
These priceless gifts of love.
And I have made a promise,
That I will try to be.
As good a friend to all my friends,
As they have been to me.
I'll tell you now my friends are dogs,
Whose hearts are always pure.
And leave you with one final thought,
Of which I am quite sure.
This world would be a better place,
With peace both near and far.
If we could only become the people,
That our dogs think that we are.
Written by Joyce A. Kitsemble
