...

[Billy Woody]

Thanks to all the supporters. 

Billy

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Is there any possible way this could be corrected surgically?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Please let us know when you do. I really hope it can be corrected surgically.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Call it harsh, I'm calling it reality - he used and continues to use the term "rescue" - look at his website.  This is misleading, meant to tug at the heartstrings - why not just say that they are puppies that were returned due to medical problems?  The website say "puppies that have special needs that require a specialized diet."  Sorry but that is also misleading in its lack of any real explaination of this very serious condition and what it will take in time and expense not to mention emotional pain to care and treat these puppies.  He created these beautiful babies but keeping them himself - oh no - he doesn't have time, would have too many dogs to be able to keep breeding (making money).  Yes he does tell us that the Dam is retired and her siblings but only after I bring that issue up.  Then later upon further pushing does he say that the Sire and any off-spring are being retired.  This is the same breeder who had two puppies die from a litter not long ago due to a "spider bite".  On their web-site they call themselves Hobby Breeders - would you go to a Hobby Doctor?  A Hobby Dentist?  Want your kids to have a Hobby Teacher?  This is exactly why breeding should be left to professionals.  No one will be praying for a mircle for these two babies more than I will be.

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

The issue right now is saving these puppies lives,is it not? As a community we can get the word out about these pups,their condition,and what can be done to help them. I don't know this breeder and am not interested in passing judgment on him at this point. What I am interested in is helping to find a home for these pups. Billy has owned up to the fact that he cannot care for them,he is reaching out for help,and thank goodness he has not euthanized them. When drc had little scout in their program..the one that has yet again been returned to rescue....I lost countless night sleep trying to figure out how I could care for that little guy. I have no children, financially I could have done it....as long as I continued to hold a job but the mere fact that I do hold a job made his needs impossible for me to meet. Yes in a perfect world Billy would keep them..but he can't and I appreciate him knowing that he can't. I hope we can get the word out and try to save these pups lives. We can't go back and make them unborn. Let's pray,educate and spread the word.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Amen Ronna, I agree, we need to gather to help and not judge. Lets put our heads together and help. If you don't want to don't, but I am willing to.

[Adina P]

I want to address the term 'hobby.'  The top breeders in the country consider themselves 'hobby' breeders.  That's actually considered the 'right' term for good breeders.  Doctors, Dentists, and Teachers go to school and earn a degree in a profession and thus are not hobby doctors, dentists and teachers.

Hobby breeders do it for the love of the breed and improving the breed--it is a very accepted term.  In the world of doodles there are many who make a living off of breeding or at least some money.  That's not as common in the pure breed world of hobby breeders.  But the term itself has no negative connotation in the world of breeders. 

[Chloe, Finley & Mama Shelley]

Amen

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

I have read this discussion all day - I keep going back to it.

I have typed many responses and not posted them.

Let me explain - We adopted Mariner after he was was severely injured as baby, while in the care of his breeder.  We had read about him and his injuries and decided (after consulting our vet) we would be able to fit Mariner into our family.  He was never presented as a "rescue" - he was was a dog with medical problems that needed a home.

We were naive - his problems were greater than we anticipated.  We willing took on this responsibility.

 

Here there are two dogs that have severe medical problems and probably will need medical care their entire lives to cope with these problems.  Perhaps if this breeder were to put aside $50-$100 from each future puppy sale they could create a fund for these dogs medical care.  The breeder has to be willing to be financially responsible for the care of these animals. 

 

[Billy Woody]

As mentioned before, MOST breeders would have put the dogs down a day after they were returned. Period. We are not made of money and we do not make much money on selling dogs. I work as a teacher an my wife is a stay at home mom of our three kids. As I mentioned before, if I did not have three kids all under 6 I would not have a problem keeping all the dogs and becoming that "dog guy" down the street with all the rescues.

But as I said, Iam trying to be a realist here and do what I can for these dogs. This is by far a rescue, why people are so caught up on that word is beyond me. I purposely put in special needs so that they will inquire and I will give them a full accounting of their medical history and their story. I don't want people to get misinformation from others.

We are working on trying to get surgery done but as I said, it is expensive and that is why most breeders just put the dogs down because they too could not afford to care for them all.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

There is no character  assassination going on here.  There is a lively exchange of opinions.  I am of the opinion that this breeder is responsible for the well being of the animals he breeds.  I am also of the opinion that Billy Woody has purposely misused the term "Rescue".  I have never referred to Mariner as a "rescue".  He is a dog with a medical problem that I elected to adopt. 

The way Billy Woody has presented this issue has rubbed many members the wrong way.

 

He does gain financial reward from his breeding program yet talks about that it would be to expensive for him to give these dogs the care they need.  It appears that he does not want to "just put the dogs down" nor does he (financially) want to give them the care they need.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I think it's great that you took back those sick doodles and are caring for them. That is the sign of a good breeder. And from what I've read here, if it's all true, I have found no reason to think you are anything but a good breeder. But, I see the point others have made about using the word 'rescue'. You are looking to re-home doodles that you are responsible for but cannot care for due to financial and other reasons. That's called re-homing, same as if I were to decide to give up one of my doodles because I have no time, or lost my job, etc etc ... (over my dead body, but I digress...).

It's really you that wants to be rescued from this terrible and unfortunate predicament. I sympathise, but only to a point. This is the risk you take when you decide to be a dog breeder. I can see how breeding doodles and doing it well is a labour of love that is very costly, on many levels. Kudos to you for doing the right thing by these adorable little guys, but please chose a different word than rescue, and describe the situation for what it really is.

[F, Calla & Luca]

We have had many chip in buttons on DK for rescue doodles. What difference does it make if this is a rescue situation or not? These doodles might be OK given surgery so we should find out what the facts are. A little bit from those of us who can afford to donate is a lot easier than many thousands from one person. In unity there is strength. Look at Hurley.