She named him Toby--for tobacco stains. His normally white fur had been stained brown after five years in a cage filled with his own urine and feces.

Businesswoman Louise Epstein, former Austin City Council member, and University of Texas McCombs Business School's current Entrepreneur-in-Residence, adopted this little dog from the kill shelter because she believed no one else would.

Louise notes that thanks to the sweet terriers he lives with Toby is beginning to engage in dog-like behavior with his new pack, a 12 year old Westie named Mr. Knickers, and Joy, a 12 year old Cairn Terrier.

When Louise rescued Toby he needed 20 severely infected teeth pulled; the infection had even moved to his snout. A shocked Louise discovered it is standard practice for a puppy mill breeding dog to spend its entire life in a cramped cage without proper veterinary care.

On March 15, 2011 a public hearing was held at the Texas State Capitol in Austin for a new breeder regulation bill, House Bill 1451, designed to establish humane standards for commercial breeders with 11 or more adult female dogs or cats.

HB 1451 has been placed on "pending" status so the bill's author, Representative Senfronia Thompson, can continue to hear and understand all points of view regarding the bill.

"When we adopted Toby I thought we would change his life--but he changed ours. Love heals. Let’s spread it around".

During her testimony Louise presents a statement from the Rabbi Komerofsky at the Texas Hillel Foundation. In it he says "If we do not stand up for the defenseless, we are unworthy of the mercy we expect from the One who has dominion over us. I respectfully ask you to support HB 1451.

At the hearing, some dog breeders like Sara Whittington oppose the bill. They think existing animal cruelty statutes should be enforced instead. Sara shows an empty harness, saying "In ten years, these will be our dogs".

Louise testifies this bill has widespread support--endorsed by the ASPCA, Humane Society, Veterinary Medical Association of Texas and even oilmen like Boone Pickens and Trevor Rees-Jones. The bill is not anti-business, but seeks a minimum standard of care for animals.

A Texas bill designed to regulate commercial breeders died in committee in 2009. Toby's plight caused Louise to spring into action. This year she contacted every lawmaker in the Texas House who voted against that bill and told them Toby's story.

Businesswoman Louise Epstein, former Austin City Council member, and University of Texas McCombs Business School's current Entrepreneur-in-Residence, adopted this little dog from the kill shelter because she believed no one else would.