I THINK I WANT A PUPPY

[Cathy C. Bennett]

That’s how it usually starts – let’s face it puppies can melt the hardest of hearts!

Whether or not a person has thought about it for a long time OR they saw one recently and can’t get it out of their mind.  All it takes is for one family member with the notion, and the “let’s get a puppy” train  leaves the station! The search begins.

For me? – I had craved one like crazy for many years. When I finally decided I was ready to dedicate time, positive energy, and sacrifice hard earned dollars to love, nurture and support a doodle – my search began…

• I knew I wanted a Goldendoodle

• I knew I wanted a male

• I knew I wanted a “puppy”

I tried to read almost everything I could. I read about…

• the breed

• puppies in general

• potty training

• crate training

• toys

• nutrition

• vets

• vitamins

WHEW! I was a reading fool. I even thought I had educated myself enough to spot a puppy mill set-up if I came across one. But some are “slicker than snot on a door knob” – does that description gross you out? It should – just as puppy mills should!

I passed on a number of breeders when I called inquiring about a doodle pup. I finally settled on, whom I thought to be, a reputable breeder up North. He and his staff (family owned) had been in business for several years, were not on any “puppy mill” hit lists, and were always pleasant, available to talk, patient with my excited rambling, and eager to meet me.

I went up there, met with everyone, played with both of Harley’s parents, spent about four hours looking at almost a dozen different dogs of all ages. Spoke to other clients that came through, and after sizing up the cleanliness of the facility, I left a deposit, and sang all the way home because I had purchased a puppy.

Harley would be born in a couple of weeks and two months after that, he would be mine to bring home!

At nine weeks old, Harley was such a tiny thing…

Little did I know then that he was also a very sick tiny thing. He slept a great deal, was constantly hungry, had loose stool, and by day three, I was counting the hours before his first vet appointment, because I was concerned.

The vet’s visit revealed Harley had the “worse case” of Giardia (a terrible, nasty, infection of the small intestine caused by a tiny parasite) she’d ever seen. She recommended I contact the breeder to let him know, so he could treat the mother and other puppies in case they too were exposed. I called, and he assured me he would get right on it.

For the next four months the vet and I fought this thing together like it was an epidemic.

By the middle of the fourth month, Harley was coming into his own. He had gotten stronger, and his true inquisitive personality was coming through…

With a clean bill of health, and the parasite behind us, I remember channel surfing in the kitchen before starting dinner for my family when I heard on “National News” there had been a puppy mill raid at the same place I’d purchased Harley. The report made my stomach churn as I stood frozen in my shoes watching horrible footage of what was taking place right behind the building where I visited. Hundreds of frozen carcasses being carted out from the back storage facility, etc… It was so unnerving, I cursed the TV as they walked the owners out in handcuffs.

I then sat on the floor – cradling Harley as I cried. There was no dinner cooked that night.

Some of you might be wondering who the breeder was – doesn’t matter. He is finally shut down for good. He “M.O.” (in the past) was to re-open kennels in different states as he fled to escape fines and penalties. He used alias names, and family members to front his business. His reign has ended.  He is now experiencing what it’s like to live in a cage, behind bars. There is a God.

With spring right around the corner, puppies will once again be in high demand. I wanted to share my story, my very common ignorance in the whole “let’s get a puppy” process. I hope it will touch many, and help even more in their search for a puppy of their dreams. Arm yourself, do your due diligence, learn all you can about breeders and adoption/rescue agencies (so many cuties out there waiting for good pet parents like you!).

Harley’s story has a happy ending. As doodle daughter comforted me while I sat on the floor bawling that night, she reminded me that Harley was blessed by us and in turn has blessed us.

You’ve  come a long way baby…

For more information: please visit:
11 FACTS ABOUT PUPPY MILLS

HOW TO FIND A GOOD DOG BREEDER

Thanks for reading…

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

It is important not to purchase from puppy mills or stores. Thanks for posting. You are right in that some of them are pretty slick. 

Why purchase a book like you suggested,when you could read this link:  http://www.doodlekisses.com/notes/What_To_Look_for_In_a_Breeder 

for free.  If one joins some of the 'more serious'  groups here on dk, they can learn all about dogs in general and doodles especially - enough to be very aware of what to look for when getting a puppy.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Thank you for blogging on a very worthy cause. This blog was your all time best

I don't always know what your links pertain to in regards to promotion. Possibly, since you post here often, you may want to consider this link, which I believe is much better and informative. It would also support this great site.
What to Look for in a Breeder

http://www.doodlekisses.com/notes/What_To_Look_for_In_a_Breeder

[Star and Goldie]

Wow, incredibly touching. Thank you so much for sharing. I hope that those on this site who haven't gotten a puppy yet and are still doing their research see your story!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Wow! You have opened the eyes of so many! Even with all the research, those that are less then honorable will find a way to deceive us. Harley is blessed to have his way to you!!!

[Ginny Nightingale]

What a story you told! Holy cow--so upsetting but so true--you are so good to help him so much when he was little and now you get the reward of a gorgeous healthy dog!

My neighbors had a GD pup flown to them from Missouri--the dog is great, but I always think that Missouri is a haven for puppy mills--the neighbors tell me that it couldn't be a puppy mill that they used, because the people were so nice on the phone and the facility looked great on the internet---yeah, right! Anyone can be fooled by the cons that these people create--thanks for posting.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

I'm so glad you posted your story and in doing so will educate others. How wonderful that Harley has you, he and Leo are living the life!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

What a great post - thank you for this very honest blog.  And I am glad you have Harley and he survived the sicknesses!

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Thanks Cathy for informing us and getting this out!  I'm sorry you, your family and Harley had to go through so much because of a "so called breeder".  You are heaven sent to Harley and how fortunate he was to join your family. So glad things turned out well and Harley is happy and healthy.  I know I have said this before, but your Doodles are beautiful!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Thank you Cathy for the reminder that even the savvy can be fooled. I am so happy that Harley landed in your arms and not someone who would just give up on him. He and Leo are both gorgeous and lucky doods.

[Kathy]

What a sad story  with a happy ending,,but Harley is beautiful,And what a good Mama you are!I I once did the same as you and  I went thru hell  It was a nitemare!All these Pet shops should be closed down!!  Now you can educate friends and familys that want to go to these places!!!Sorry you had to learn the hard way!!! Like me!!!