I just "rescued" a Doodle, now what?

[Camilla and Darwin]

I was browsing through the ad listings on KSL and saw that a Goldendoodle puppy was listed for free. The man said he had bred a litter, but one of the pups has seizures so he can't sell him. Apparently he should grow out of these seizures, but nobody was interested in him anyways. He said he would have to put him in a shelter or kennel somewhere because they are leaving town on Dec. 26th. I was a little bit afraid that someone would see "FREE" and jump right into it before they realized how much responsibility a puppy, especially one with seizures was. I contacted him and told him about the DRC, and told him I would pick him up on the 26th until he could be taken to the Doodle Rescue collective. He sounded relieved and quickly agreed, so I gave him my information...

So, what is the proper course of action now? I looked on the Doodle Rescue Collective site and didn't find a number to call or anything... The problem is that I work and live in an apartment, and I can't really keep him for an extended amount of time, although I am willing to transport anywhere to get him to a representative. Is there someone I can contact that I could possibly transport him to? I hope I didn't overstep my bounds... but I was truly worried he wouldn't go to a home that was prepared for the responsibility... help?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I agree with keeping them inside. There are times in Southern California where it freezes at night and people are warned to bring their animals inside, but I guess if you have straw or all weather dog houses that the animals would be ok. It just never occurred to me that puppies would be outside in the winter. How naive I am.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

He has a horse farm where he supposedly boards & trains other people's horses, and there are on-line complaints against him...supposedly, one horse that was entrusted to him died from neglect.
If you do a google search for the phone number in the ad, you get the horse stuff, and also a construction business. I would be very surprised if there was any testing done on the dogs or if there was any experience in dog breeding there at all.

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

grrr - that is what I get for typing before I meet my caffeine quota - totally missed this before my below response.

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

ALL doodles should be indoor dogs regardless of the temperature, and puppies - I cannot even go there, there is nothing I can type to words that you have not already thought of. Doodles are people dogs, they crave interaction with people and are eager to please. The very qualities that we love in these magnificent creatures are the same that result in enormous frustration for them and their owners when the appropriate environment is not present.

With that said I do want to add that I do not know the exact circumstances and feel that in the long run we will do far more for the cause of ending such tragedies with continued education and reaching out rather than condemnation. In my head I am thankful that this man reached out, there may be others that feel backed into a similar corner that do not because they fear such judgement. Kudos that the puppy has been neutered. Because we do not know what health testing was done or the background to be precise I suppose in looking back I can only state frustration at what I do know to be fact - that being that if the puppy did not have a home by the time they left to go away it would go to a shelter. I know many a breeder who in the same situation would have made provisions for this puppy so that they could provide care and find the RIGHT home in which the owners would be fully aware of what they were dealing with and have a willingness and the resources to tend to him.

In the spirit of good will I am thankful to you Camilla that you were in the right place to provide a soft landing to what could have other wise been a tragedy. In that same spirit perhaps you can direct the breeder to doodlekisses and with information rather than condemnation we can all plant the seeds that will avoid such tragedy in the future. And who knows, if this was a one time scenario what a tool we may have if this breeder would perhaps do an article based on first hand experience of why it is so much more complicated and should not be done without serious consideration.

Please keep us updated, collect what information you can of the background and of course we want pictures! I am certain between the DRC, DK, IDOG and the doodle community as a whole owners and responsible breeders his story will become widespread and his home that is already waiting will be revealed.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I have some horrible news.

I called the man this morning to confirm the pickup, and he informed me that he had already taken the puppy to the vet and had him "put down".

Apparently he had another seizure (his third since he has been born... he was ten weeks old) and the guy decided there was no reason to keep him around if he wasn't going to "grow out of it" I told asked him why he would do that when I had already told him I would take him, and provide all the medication he needed. He said he didn't want me to bother or something.... and that his vet decided they should just "put him out of his misery"

It's pretty clear to me this guy's vet doesn't know anything. I asked him about the vet's diagnosis and he gave me all these vague answers like "he said it just happens sometimes" and "he'll probably grow out of it" When I told him I would take him, he said "Yeah, you should probably take him to a better vet" If he knew his vet wasn't that great.... why let him put him down?
I am so upset... I can't believe this actually happened. Why would you put a puppy down when someone already offered to take care of them?

The worst part is that he offered to have me pick him up Christmas Eve, but I told him I couldn't make the trip until Saturday... because I was at my family's house for Christmas. I feel so selfish... the holidays are meaningless compared to a puppy's life... I just didn't expect that if I waited one day... it would be a life or death difference.

I feel heartbroken over this... I had this little guy's crate all set up with toys, and we were going to go get him a collar and tags today. We had decided to name him Newton. I know this kind of tragedy can happen with rescuing dogs... but I have never felt the reality of it as much as today..

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Oh, this is so sad. I hope you know that you really did your best to try to save this puppy. You couldn't have known he would do something so heartless.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I seem to have woken up this day after Christmas in a very curmudgeonly mood. I don't believe this guy's story at all, and I don't think you should either. Certainly, you shouldn't feel guilty or bad, Camilla.
There's no way this guy found a vet open on Christmas day, or even Christmas eve; and no halfway competent vet would have put an 8-week-old puppy to sleep to "put him out of his misery" because of a seizure, no matter how bad a vet it is. Plus, they charge for that, and this guy doesn't sound like the type who'd be willing to pay for that when he had another alternative.
My guess is that somebody else saw the ad and offered him money for the pup. Maybe another BYB who doesn't care if the pup has seizures, or someone who believed the "he'll grow out of it" and wanted an adorable doodle puppy cheap.
Either way, Camilla, you went above & beyond to try to help this puppy, and you have nothing to feel guilty about. We can't save them all, and if we dwell on individual tragedies like this one, we'll drive ourselves crazy. We do what we can do, and move on to the next life that needs saving. Please don't beat yourself up about this. Hugs to you.

[Dan, Judi, & Timbow]

Camilla, the fact that you were wiling to go out of your way during the holidays to take in a special needs puppy shows what a huge heart you have. There is no way that you could've known this was going to happen and I agree with Karen that this guy's story sounds a little shady. We are thinking of you and sending lots of hugs and doodle kisses.

[Leslie and Halas]

Camilla, you shouldn't feel guilty. You were willing to get this puppy out of that terrible situation, and you should be proud of that. That guy sounds really irresponsible, and it's clear that he never had the puppy's best interests at heart. You did all you could to remedy that, but it wasn't meant to be. I know it will be hard for you; you were all ready to welcome him to your home, so it's like you lost a puppy. Give Darwin a big hug, and try to keep your spirits up. Someday, there will be another doodle that needs your help.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

" I am so sorry", is just not enough for me to say to you today. :(

If, just if, someone may have offered him money, Maybe...... someone who thinks like we do, saw the ad and also rescued this doodle. Yeah, I have been accused of " The glass half full type", but I just can't help but think there are may who are capable of recognizing this situation, just as we have, and stepped into help.

When I truly don't know for sure, I just have to have some faith. Again, this is such a heartbreak for you and I wish I could reach across this screen and hug you.

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

When I came in from work last night I found myself anxious to open this discussion and see how everything went for you Camilla. What I found resulted in such a heavy feeling I found myself unable to even respond. Camilla you answered the call of your heart and I am so sorry that kind heart bears this weight. You did what you were able, that is all any of us can do - one person can make a difference and the difference you have made may never be revealed to you. You never know who is watching and how they also are touched, in your difficulty you may have inspired many other 'Camillas' to also act as you have. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers today. I hope these really tough lessons never close our eyes or hearts to the window that opens when a door is shut. And I also hope dear Newton was able to find another life preserver to lift him from his situation - I am going to hang on to that one as it is my feeling this guy was looking for the quickest bandaid and someone else may have been able to provide it faster so he took it. Blessings to you doodle friend ~ Dianne

[Adrianne Matzkin]

You are this little mans Christmas angle! Bless you for doing what you are to keep him safe. Can't wait to hear all about him.