and people wonder if there are angels among us .... you and your friend are two, for sure.
I'm so deeply, deeply touched by even an across town rescue like this, but I had no idea there was such a wide-ranging network flying by me at any given time (maybe Miss Jailed-and- Bailed) out doing this all day and into the wee hours. To think of it from that toy poodle mommy's perspective is an absolute heart-shredder.
I agree that this is movie-worthy. I don't know that it would go anywhere in reality but may I mention it to one of my dearest friends who is/has this kind of contact? Puppy mills were recently exposed on Oprah so it's currently topical (sad but true that that helps). She (a former child actress most everyone in the civilized world would recognize by one role in particular ... D.i.s.n.e.y. movie from 60s with initials MP, to avoid google searches .. think flying n anny) is a spectacularly decent person, mostly vegetarian, with many pets who would treat the story with respect. Her husband is a former exec at 2 major studios, still in "the business" (most of my clients are movie/TV people, from actors to presidents). When my beloved parrot died suddenly and catastrophically 4 years ago, they and their 2 children held an actual funeral for him, dug a deep hole in a prime spot in their front yard between 2 of their beloved pets' burial sites (in the rain!) and completely honored my devastation over the death of someone they'd never met who was the size of my forearm but owned my heart. She understood that I was also grieving, through this event, the loss of my son and held me to sob uncontrollably and didn't flinch when she was covered with nose-goo and dribble. She, too, embodies compassion (I can just see her going along to help as you do) and knows heartache herself. The stories of these helpless babies needs your and your friend's perspectives to come to life to inspire others to help, too. May I at least mention it to her to consider how it may or may not be viable?
Big hugs to you and your friend for doing this. Wow!
