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…

[Jill Mooney]

This is a sad, but wonderful story!!!!  Thank God you and Harley made it!! Keep sharing, to teach others!! Harley is one lucky, beautiful dog!!!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I'm so glad you posted this frank blog about those evil Puppy Mills. They are so slick and deception and that is what they do best. I'm also glad that you are a great Doodle Mom to Harley and that he is such a joy. Hopefully others who are looking for a puppy will read this and the guidelines here and will steer clear of the pliers of that most awful trade.

[Leslie and Halas]

Thanks for sharing your story.  Education is the key, and sharing your experience will help others learn.

[Kristi and Mickey Finn]

You and Harley were ment for each other. He is such a good looking lovable guy! So appreciate your post today. I love this community! 

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

Good blog Cathy.  You may have made the  mistake of purchasing from a BYB or puppy mill but you stuck by Harley when he was sick and are now working to educate others.  That is all you can do.  Help get the word out to family and friends about the evils of puppy mills. 

Oh, I really love your line about that guy now knowing what it is like to live in a cage!

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

Happy tears - he is so very lucky to have you!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thank you for sharing your story with Harley and for taking such good care of this Doodle boy.

[Jennifer and Jack]

What a cute baby you have

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thank you for sharing your story! I am so sick to my stomach reading this.

[BG and Gavin]

Thank you for sharing your story.  It is an important one.  I am glad that Harley is doing okay now.  He certainly is loved!