I Almost Lost My Cool Today

[crestie_rsq]

I was running around this afternoon doing errands (mostly all doggy related). Stopped at my local gourmet pet store where I pick up Merrick canned foods for the kids and I saw this young couple in there with a teeny, tiny little dog. They happened to be checking out the chew treats while I was picking out all the Merrick goodies when I overheard the girl tell someone the dog is a…ready for this….Shih-tzu/dachsund mix. I giggled and said "oh what do you call it, a ****z-hound?" I was just teasing but then she went on to tell the person the dog was only 7 weeks old and she'd already had it for 2.5 weeks. Okay, so you know I could not let that slide by. I asked if she had any idea that it was against the law for the breeder to have sold them the pup at such a young age, that the dog should not be out & around other unknown dogs (such as any pet store) until it had been given it's full set of initial vaccinations, and if they had any idea that because the dog was taken from it's mother & siblings at such a young age the potential for temperament & housebreaking issues has now significantly increased. They just stood there open-mouthed staring at me for a minute and said…."uh no, but we paid $1000 for her and she comes from champion lines and she's registered." So, needless to say, a lengthy discussion ensued about how they got fed the typical line of BS from BYB/miller and that while there puppy is cute as all get out and looked healthy, there is no such thing as mixed breed champion lines and that there is not reputable registry for mixed breed dogs. I didn't loose my cool, but let me tell you, I wanted to smack them upside the head a time or two for being so damn ignorant. I suggested some good reading material for them, wished them luck with their pup, and went to my truck & felt like banging my head against the steering wheel. Of course, the dog came from a lovely puppymill in Harrisonville, MO (rumor has it she's allegedly got cancer is trying to sell off her 400+ dogs….sorry, I know I shouldn't say this, but I say it's divine justice).

[DiggityDogs]

!!! I see this every day. I love hearing about someone's 'champion pedigreed puggle', let me tell you. I am so sick of people not doing their homework! I think I'm going to start offering puppy purchasing seminars at my facility like once a month. I have several clients with 'designer' dogs and I love the dogs to death, but it makes me SICK! When I bought my first dog, I knew what I was looking for, and I knew when I looked at the pups, and decided to put a deposit and then the breeder said 'I want them all gone by next week' and they were ONLY 3 WEEKS OLD that I was't giving this waste of flesh any of my money. It's not illegal here in Texas (as far as I know) for someone to sell a dog earlier than 8 weeks like it is in other states, and I see dogs all the time that were purchased when they were 4 and 5 weeks old. SHEESH PEOPLE!!

ok.... sorry for the rant. *sigh*

Oh, and about your puppy miller, karma's a b*, isn't it?

[pbrdog]

I hear knuckleheads all the time where I work talk about thier preference of the future dog they're gonna own. Sad, but they'll have the dog til it's maybe 1 year old, then dispose of it like it's nothing at all. They talk about Akitas and pit bulls because they're cool dogs to have. These are the majority of the popullous out there that puts a bad name on dogs. And they just give you that blank look if you question them about thier stupidity. A dog to them is like getting a new cell phone. Cool until the next model comes out.

[chacha]

My neighbors brought home a RugRat (Pug/Rat Terrier) who ended up with kennel cough. The dog was getting sicker and sicker. The called the breeder and they said to drop her off and they would put her in a incubater. The next day they said the dog was fine and to come get her. They brought there puppy home and I swear that was not the same dog. There is no way that dog could have been totally cured over night. After asking them several questions about this "breeder" I told them I thought it was a puppy mill and if they sure they got the same dog back. They think it is the same dog but I am not convinced it was. And I thought it was a dumb idea to let these people play vet. As long as there are dumb people out there the puppymills will never go away.

[ashmittens]

Hey, I had read in several places not to bring a puppy home till it is 8 or 9 weeks old...until I read this article! Read it and tell me what you think-it seems very scientific and factual.:confused:

http://www.apbc.org.uk/article5.htm

[Patch O' Pits]

Buyer Beware BYBs are everywhere!

I could just scream with the amount of people that contact me asking for help because they don't know how to feed or train the 4-5 week old pup they just bought UUUGH!

BYBs must really talk a good game to convince so many people. I wish people would research what they are getting into. This is another reason so many dogs are in shelters. They get what they can't handle or are not prepared for:mad:

[DiggityDogs]

Yes- and the truth about that article is that if you purchase from a responsible breeder they would have handled the puppy from the day it was born and started socialization for you- eliminating the 'need' for you to bring them home that early. I would NEVER take a dog from someone who would give it to me any earlier that 8 weeks. I once visited a woman with some boxer puppies and decided I would buy one. I left a check for a deposit and went home. I called her a few days later and we spoke about making a second payment and maybe visiting with the pup again since it was only 2 1/2 weeks old. She said 'well, you can come get 'em at the end of next week, 'cause I want 'em all gone by then anyhow' They would have not even been 4 weeks old!!!! I promptly thanked her and cancelled my deposit check which she thankfully had not cashed. Some people are nuts.

[JFarrell12]

Yeah my neighbor did the same thign. Bought this cute little dog, which I thougt was a puggle...boy I have to catch up on my designer breeds now..it was a papillion pug mix..I've never heard of such a thing.

Said they paid 850 and he was AKC, champion lines etc.

I know how hard it was for you not to just scream at them. I asked him why someone would do that. His respponse...they are trying to grow the snout out on the pugs, so they bred it with the pappilion. WHAT?

Im sure it came from the new "Petland" that opened up on the main street, selling all sorts of animals.

[Stark]

I'm always amazed at what I read on some of these forums. I read about newbies and how ignorant they are or how stupid they are but yet I never read about how stupid the so called experts are for not making an effort to educate the public. If I see a brochure for a rescue group once a day I see one 20-30 times. How many times in a week do you hear about spay/neuter? Think about it, what is the agenda? How do we expect newbies to know anything if we don't try and educate, it's a whole lot easier to criticize. I don't know of anyone who fell out of the womb with a collar and leash in one hand and and a breed encyclopedia in the other.
I'll tell you part of the problem is that almighty dollar, no money, no advice right. Like I said it's real easy to criticize.
Just as many"professional breeders" rip people off every day of the week.

[JFarrell12]

Very true Stark.

Good Breeders should educate ANY buyer of their puppies on at least a few things before the puppy is turned over to the new owners.

Pet stores rarely EVER have any education for new owners. They are usually interested in selling "accessories" to the new parents so their new dog looks cute.

It's not only educating new owners about things, but also the pet store owners/clerks/people selling the animals. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But if only 1 of the clerks in a store that sells animals talks to customers about spay/neuter..training...etc...then that 1 person makes a difference.

And if they don't want to listen, there is usually a "pin up board" to place business cards & ads on...so leave some info on there..people look at that all the time.

[DiggityDogs]

The education part is true- but what are the experts supposed to do, go out and find every puppy buyer and warn them about bybs? if someone came to me BEFORE they bought a dog and asked, I'd be glad to help educate them. I've had several clients that I've had to 'educate' after the fact, and they'll never make the mistake again. I think a LARGE part of the responsibility is on the buyer's shoulders- would you go and buy a car without doing research on what you're paying for? Or a house? Or even a refriderator? What people fail to realize is that one dalmatian puppy is not exactly like the next. You have to do more than just read a book about the breed to have done research- and every puppy buyer should do some research.

[crestie_rsq]

Exactly Diggity....most people put more time & effort into selecting their next new cell phone than they do selecting the right dog breed for their lifestyle.

[SiNNiK]

I didn't loose my cool, but let me tell you, I wanted to smack them upside the head a time or two for being so damn ignorant. I suggested some good reading material for them, wished them luck with their pup, and went to my truck & felt like banging my head against the steering wheel. Of course, the dog came from a lovely puppymill in Harrisonville, MO (rumor has it she's allegedly got cancer is trying to sell off her 400+ dogs….sorry, I know I shouldn't say this, but I say it's divine justice).
you seem to lose your cool quite often. might i suggest some light reading, maybe "How to make friends and influence people"?

and did you really just say that woman deserved to get cancer?? i can't believe it.

[crestie_rsq]

you seem to lose your cool quite often. might i suggest some light reading, maybe "How to make friends and influence people"?

and did you really just say that woman deserved to get cancer?? i can't believe it.

Yep, I do lose my cool with morons like you cuz you just don't get it! I live in the heart of puppymill central and will do what I deem necessary to educate people against buy from millers. Read the post...I said "sounds like divine justice to me" do I apologize for it absolutely not, I believe it's Karma at it's finest. You get back in this life what you give and people like her have made their living off the backs of thousands of animals who have no voice to speak of the ungodly horrors they live through every day. They did not choose to be brought into this world, they did not choose to live their lives confined to cramped wire crates getting urinated & defecated on day after day after day; they did not ask to be born with genetic defects and despite that continually used in a miller's breeding program; they did not ask to be left untouched or untreated when they fall ill and left alone to die usually in horrific pain. They have no voice and until we, the dog lovers community, speak up about it and educate people against it, it will never end. Sadly, it will not end in my life time either, but it sure as he$$ won't be because I, like you, turn a blind eye and closed mouth to it. If that makes me rude, then so be it.

I could care less what you or Stark think of the work we in the rescue world do....if you don't like it then don't try to adopt, just continue living under your little rock and turn a blind eye to the suffering these animals endure every day of their lives...you just continue to propagate the insanity so you can feel superior.

[pbrdog]

Yep, I do lose my cool with morons like you cuz you just don't get it! I live in the heart of puppymill central and will do what I deem necessary to educate people against buy from millers. Read the post...I said "sounds like divine justice to me" do I apologize for it absolutely not, I believe it's Karma at it's finest. You get back in this life what you give and people like her have made their living off the backs of thousands of animals who have no voice to speak of the ungodly horrors they live through every day. They did not choose to be brought into this world, they did not choose to live their lives confined to cramped wire crates getting urinated & defecated on day after day after day; they did not ask to be born with genetic defects and despite that continually used in a miller's breeding program; they did not ask to be left untouched or untreated when they fall ill and left alone to die usually in horrific pain. They have no voice and until we, the dog lovers community, speak up about it and educate people against it, it will never end. Sadly, it will not end in my life time either, but it sure as he$$ won't be because I, like you, turn a blind eye and closed mouth to it. If that makes me rude, then so be it.

I could care less what you or Stark think of the work we in the rescue world do....if you don't like it then don't try to adopt, just continue living under your little rock and turn a blind eye to the suffering these animals endure every day of their lives...you just continue to propagate the insanity so you can feel superior.

Wow. You need to lighten up. You sound like a real nutjob.

[seraphicia]

Sadly, many people that profit from the misery that they inflict on animals don't ever get what they deserve, although I'm not about to say I'm glad that woman got cancer, I would be glad something put an end to her cruelty to animals. I would've preferred tougher laws being enacted and carried out and having her in prison for a substantial amount of time, not profitting from selling off the animals she exploited, but anyway... I understand what you mean crestie, and people that don't have to deal with people that are impossibly ignorant about animal care and sometimes uncompassionate to boot, don't understand. But there''s a loss of communication between the ignorant and the knowledgeable and a lot of anger in between,(that doesn't usually come out face to face), which I can't say is undeserved. Now the people that really upset me are the ones who are unwilling to acknowledge fault or own up to their actions or even see them as wrong once they have the oppurtunity to be educated, or the ones unwilling to listen or be helped.

Telling someone who deals with the difficulties of people who take on, abandon or abuse pet ownership day in and out to 'lighten up' is silly in itself, pbr. It's not a light matter, and this original post was a vent anyway, which all rescuers and for that matter, any professionals or volunteers that have to deal with the misery or blind ignorance of others, tend to do. Venting stops buildup which is always a better thing. It can be really hard coming face to face with people that are willing to give up on their pets or haven't invested the needed time and energy in caring for their pets, and not beable to tell them the truth, or easily lead them the right way. It's aggravating for me just to talk with people that have purchased their dog from petland or bring their new pup who's four or five or six weeks old, from a 'good' breeder, straight to petsmart because they didn't prepare at all. Or people buying choke chains for six week old puppies? The other day these people came into petsmart with their tiny teacup something puppy and got a rolly ball meant for a rat, to put him in to amuse themselves for an 'experiment'. The hardest thing is all of the pit bull pups and dogs i see around here by far, but really the list just goes on and on. Do I think they're all bad pet owners? No(well some), but certainly not all, they're just ignorant and perhaps impulsive, and don't do whats in the best interest of the dog, nor do they seem to know what that is. People buying dogs on a whim impulsively usually don't start out or end well for the dog.

[SiNNiK]

Yep, I do lose my cool with morons like you cuz you just don't get it!
you crack me up, silly rabbit.

I live in the heart of puppymill central and will do what I deem necessary to educate people against buy from millers.
YAY! a gold star, just for you.

Read the post...I said "sounds like divine justice to me" do I apologize for it absolutely not, I believe it's Karma at it's finest.
Karma will probably get you for that too, be careful.

You get back in this life what you give and people like her have made their living off the backs of thousands of animals who have no voice to speak of the ungodly horrors they live through every day. They did not choose to be brought into this world, they did not choose to live their lives confined to cramped wire crates getting urinated & defecated on day after day after day; they did not ask to be born with genetic defects and despite that continually used in a miller's breeding program; they did not ask to be left untouched or untreated when they fall ill and left alone to die usually in horrific pain.
oh my, how melodramatic! i bet you were the star of your high school drama class.


They have no voice and until we, the dog lovers community, speak up about it and educate people against it, it will never end.
if educating the public is your goal, you'd probably reach more people with honey than vinegar. i've noticed that you usually work in some derogatory remarks in your replies to most people, not just me. it's hard to respect you as any kind of authority on rescue work when you end all your arguements with "well, you're dumb!", makes you sound pretty immature.

Sadly, it will not end in my life time either, but it sure as he$$ won't be because I, like you, turn a blind eye and closed mouth to it. If that makes me rude, then so be it.
no, it's the way you choose to communicate that makes you rude. and you don't even know it. how sad.
:( <//-- see? this little blueberry is sad for you too.

I could care less what you or Stark think of the work we in the rescue world do....if you don't like it then don't try to adopt, just continue living under your little rock and turn a blind eye to the suffering these animals endure every day of their lives...you just continue to propagate the insanity so you can feel superior.
blind eye? hm, no, i see when people mistreat their animals, and i think how sad it is for them. then i go home and pet my puppy, maybe give him an extra milkbone and a few extra minutes with a brush.

and i don't need to propagate insanity in order to feel superior, all i have to do is read any of your posts. :D

[pbrdog]

Right on siNNik!! I get sick and tired of some nut out there telling the world what to do. Education is one thing and puking your opinion is another. Statiing your hopeful wish of cancer upon someone on a dog forum is a little beyond a sane and reputable remark. I stand by my last post by saying the poster sounds nuttier than squirell turds. Kind of like a self rightous pet only vet that says to only buy dogs from a shelter. What if we don't want a shelter dog? I have a dog that has an ability that I paid dearly for. And it is so awesome to watch him work this ability. Instict is so cool. I'm so proud of Luke. He is definately a fine speciman of his breed. That statement is told to me by breeders that have met him.

[SiNNiK]

puking your opinion is another.
hahahaha, nice.

sounds nuttier than squirell turds.
rofl, better.

I have a dog that has an ability that I paid dearly for. And it is so awesome to watch him work this ability. Instict is so cool. I'm so proud of Luke. He is definately a fine speciman of his breed. That statement is told to me by breeders that have met him.
nice lookin dog!

[DiggityDogs]

Are you kidding me? You guys would actually defend a puppy miller over a rescue person just because you disagree with her? A byb is one thing- a puppy mill is a complete other. Puppy mills are a cancer in themselves and I don't feel a bit bad about saying they get what they deserve. Have you ever seen what these people do??? We have a place here in north Texas- called Canton first Monday. It's a flea market, and there's a whole section of this flea market dedicated to selling animals, named "Dog Alley". The animals you will likely see there are in horrible, deplorable conditions. These 'people' if you can call them that, bring in large trailers stacked with cages upon cages of dogs, all different breeds, from adult to puppy, often crammed so tightly into the cages that they are literally sitting on top of one another. Every sales tactic you could imagine is employed there- 'tiny teacup pets' 'designer dogs' 'champion bloodlines' 'rare', you name it, it's for sale. Everything from 'rare' white boxers to wolf hybrids to every kind of mutt-i-poo you can imagine. It disgusts me- and when I see these people, I often think to myself, if they die a horrible, painful death, they will never come close to getting back the suffering they caused these animals. When I worked for the sheriff's office, our boys shut down a puppy mill with a woman who had over 150 dogs confiscated- over half of which had to be euthanized because their health was in such a state that it would not be humane to treat them. Dogs covered with mange, fleas, ticks, and lice, with rotting teeth and jaws, broken legs (and still being bred) and in general poor health. You may not agree with rescue people- I sure as hell don't for most of the time, but I would never say that a puppy mill deserves anyone's defense. SiNNiK, I think we agree to a certain extent that a lot of rescue people are overzealous- but I am seeing a pattern of you liking to pick fights. A debate is one thing and a childish argument is another. I don't think crestie_rsq is the only one that needs to 'lighten up' around here.

[SiNNiK]

Are you kidding me? You guys would actually defend a puppy miller over a rescue person just because you disagree with her?
please don't confuse my "contempt for crestie_rsq" for "support for puppy mills", i know enough about them to dislike them, but that doesn't have to jump on crestie_rsq's little band wagon just because she's riled up.

SiNNiK, I think we agree to a certain extent that a lot of rescue people are overzealous- but I am seeing a pattern of you liking to pick fights. A debate is one thing and a childish argument is another. I don't think crestie_rsq is the only one that needs to 'lighten up' around here.
you're exactly right, Diggity. it was pretty fun watching her get all dramatic for awhile, all i'd have to do is say a few words and she'd go spinnin off into left field, but i'll lighten up.

[lesley jane]

When I was looking to buy a Staffordshire bull terrier I rang up about viewing some litters. One guy had given a date when the puppies would have been 8 weeks old but when I rang he said people were taking them already 5 weeks :mad: Needless to say I wasn't one of them:mad:
I don't think there are laws governing the age of puppies for collection in England. But most people with any sense wouldn't bring them home until they are at least 8 weeks old.