Thersea Strader founded the National Mill Dog Rescue in 2007 in honor of her Italian Greyhound, Lily. According to the source, Lily spent her first seven years as a breeding dog in a wire cage in a barn, with little to no veterinary care.
The source says Lily had rotted areas in her mouth and lower jaw, mammary tumors, and extreme fear of people. The Strader family gave her veterinary treatment, including four surgeries. Lily died at home in May 2008, about fifteen months after her rescue.
Strader wrote a letter to Lily's breeder, Martha, after Lily's death. The source reprints it. In the letter, Strader says she visited Martha's property on February 16, 2007, after a notice that about 50 Italian Greyhounds needed rescue. She says she took home thirteen dogs from the auction, including Lily. Strader writes that she believes Martha was operating within USDA standards, and she criticizes Martha for treating dogs as livestock and for profiting from their ability to breed.