One tiny victory - a puppy broker lost one customer

[BG and Gavin]

My very good friend’s Jack Russell mix died a few months ago after a very long and happy life.  The family decided after much consideration that a French Bulldog is the next dog for them.  Two nights ago my friend sent me a pic of a cute Frenchie pup that they are going to pick up this weekend.  The picture made my spidy senses tingle.  Everything about it from the blue background to the fake grass carpet shouted broker to me.  I made some gentle inquiries and gave some info on being careful around choosing a breeder and was assured that they did their research and the website looked professional with all the health guarantees, hundreds of references etc.  So, I googled and found the exact pictures on two different classified sites with different ages/birthdays of the pup.   I saw the pictures a third time on what was undoubtedly a broker site.  I then found a complaint site with information.  The broker had recently changed names, but there were several entries under both names. The stories were terrible with two people having their pups die after being home less than a week.  Some people took the pups to “save them” from what appeared to be an abandoned house with an office where the deals are made.  Speculation was that the pups were being bred at a mill in PQ and sold out of this “home” in the GTA.  They were expensive, but much less than the norm for this breed.

What followed was a difficult series of texts and emails.  Me offering bits of info for her to consider; the inherent health and behaviour problems from poorly bred dogs; offering the expertise I had gained from DK.  She had all the familiar refrains:  we just want a family pet, we are not looking for a show dog.  I needed to educate her gently (so she could educate her husband).  She did not want to look foolish of course.  She assured me that if things did not look good when they got there they would call it off.  I would be very proud of anyone that could do that, but I know of no one that strong.  They already had a name for the little girl, the kids had fallen in love with a picture and after a three hour drive and that notation of “saving” the puppy – well they would already be committed.  Who could walk away?

The following day I emailed the links to the negative experiences and also a copy of “What to look for in a Breeder” from DK.  She texted me last night, briefly stating that they agreed it sounded sketchy, they got their deposit back (egad! I didn’t know that they put down a deposit!) and they are considering another breeder (which I also googled and looks good).  At first I know she wished she had never told me, and she is not quite ready to say “thanks” but I know I did the right thing.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Okay, thanks Karen.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

You are a good and wise friend. Also, even if "their" puppy had been healthy, you stopped someone from contributing to the profits of a puppy mill. If that happened more often, more mills would disappear!

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Great job!  A true friend is one who will tell the truth, even if that truth is a little hard to swallow.  You did the right thing.  She will thank you later when they have their wonderful dog!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Good for you BG! you did the right thing and I am proud of you for sticking to your guns. Your friend will thank you in the end, I'm sure of it.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You did just perfectly because you got results.  Pat yourself on the back!

[DJ & Chance]

No question but you acted in the best interest of your friend!  Someday your friend will recognize this.

[Christine & Camus]

It is a very hard lesson to learn, but you did good.  No telling what would have happened had they decided to get that particular pup.

[Christine & Shelby]

Good job.... I would do the same thing. :)

[Theresa & Duncan]

It couldn't have been easy for you to do this knowing how attached your friend already was, but you absolutely did the right thing. And kudos to her for making the right choice in the end too.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

I think you handled that very well.  thank you for educating your friend....that is much more hard to do than with a stranger because you still have to worry about maintaining that relationship when it is your friend.