By SCOTT HARRISON

s.harrison@krdo.com

PEYTON - Turkey dog food and a safe, comfortable home were things some suffering dogs could be thankful for Thursday.  51 dogs were rescued from puppy mills in Missouri and Arkansas by the National Mill Dog Rescue.  Whole Foods donated the dog food.

The staff brought the dogs to the Peyton care facility last weekend.  The breeder who owned the mill in Missouri went out of business.  Ten puppies were taken from a roadside seller in Arkansas.  The dogs, which had lived in deplorable conditions, will be cared for until they are adopted.  One dog, a boxer named Durango, already has a prospective owner.

"They're thankful to be here," said director Theresa Strader.  "They feel so much better than they did a few days ago.  So it's a thankful day for everybody."

Darcy West was so moved by the dogs' plight, she convinced her employer to donate $250.  West presented a symbolic check--along with a hug--to Strader.  "I know these people, but only through E-mail and phone.  So I'm hoping to either foster or adopt."

Strader says all but about 50 of the 1,800 dogs the facility has rescued in the past two years, have been adopted.  She says most dogs usually recover from their mill experience and become loving pets.  If you'd like to adopt a dog or help care for them, check the facility's website for more information.