Important Info For All Doodle Lovers-Roadside Puppy Stands?!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/17057676?mtf=1

(Discussion updated with the full story by DRC President Jacquie Yorke)

Last week, DRC rescue partner Elizabeth Gunn of Gunn Dogs took in a 3 month old Goldendoodle puppy surrendered by it's owners for what they were calling "behavioral issues." The puppy Smokey was bought from a "breeder" selling pups out of a truck in the parking lot of the local McDonald's in Greenbrier, Arkansas.

Smokey would not allow the family to touch him, hold him and when they would try, he would cry out run away  bumping into objects as he would try to hide from them. They said he had seizures (their vet said it was due to "low blood sugar) and that he was "crazy" and "way too much work"  He had UTD shot records (given to the family by the "breeder") So Elizabeth took the pup knowing that our two organizations would be able to assess him properly and get him the proper care and rehabilitation and whatever else this poor boy needed to be happy and healthy.

The  moment he arrived he had a seizure. He was immediately taken to the vet where he had another seizure. The vet came to the conclusion that Smokey had Epilepsy which would certainly account for his apparent behavior and he was placed on anti -seizure medication and sent home.

Smokey stopped seizing briefly but still cried out, ran away bumping into objects trying to hide.  Elizabeth and I came to the conclusion that the puppy was suffering from blindness and neurological issues not associated with Epilepsy. We thought perhaps he had been abused, kicked in the head or struck with a blunt object and that head trauma was the reason for his symptoms and seizures.  

Elizabeth and I also suddenly realized that despite his young age,his neurological symptoms and  the blindness were also indicative of advanced Distemper. We were horrified by the thought  but had to act immediately. So Smokey was rushed back to vet and the vet was told of Elizabeth's observations and our thoughts on diagnosis.

X-Ray and other tests  showed no sign of head trauma or internal bleeding and the vet agreed as we had suspected that Smokey was indeed blind. Bloodwork and other tests did reveal our worst nightmare. Poor Smokey did indeed have advanced Distemper which due to his young age could only have been so advanced if he had contracted it from his mother while in-utero.

We are sad to announce that Smokey lost his battle with Distemper this morning, and has gone to the Rainbow Bridge.

Obviously Smokey's shot records were falsified, and/or this puppy miller has Distemper in his/her kennels. The sickening part is, this breeder was trying to sell several different breeds of puppies at this roadside truck  stand. A ll of the puppies were there displayed outside.....in crates......in the 110 degree heat .  

All of them probably have Distemper.

There are likely dozens of broken-hearted families out there as we write, who purchased puppies from this roadside stand and this disreputable puppy mill "breeder" ...

Smokey belonged to a 14 year old girl before he was surrendered to us. Her father has not yet told her of his death.

Smokey  was just an innocent  baby - He was 8 weeks old when he was purchased - The untreated distemper resulted in his blindness, his seizures and the excruciating pain he must have been feeling this past month. 

To DRC & Gunn Dogs the thought of this is just too horrible and too much for us to bear.

We are cooperating with state law enforcement, the Arkansas State Department of Agriculture and HSUS to  find out who this puppy miller is and shut them down!

If anyone is in Arkansas and has any information that may help, please let us know.

 

 

(PS: Karen here.  I had thought I might take this little black guy myself, had he lived. Rest in peace, Smokey.)

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

That poor baby. This is a painful story to read. I hope they catch this person and put them in jail.

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

I want to also mention that poor Elizabeth has been dealing with this situation on her own in Arkansas and all the while caring for our Arkansas 8, doodles Benton, Sheridan, Benellie, Picabo, 2 other doodles she picked up as strays wandering on a highway in Little Rock (we are in the process of naming them) and the other 36 dogs of various breeds and sizes that Elizabeth is personally responsible for saving ....Liz Syring and I were seriously considering jumping on a plane to Little Rock this past weekend.

Elizabeth is an amazing woman and a dedicated rescuer. We are proud to have her as a friend and a colleague.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I can't wait to get an update on the Mad Scientists! They will turn out beautifully with a little TLC, I am sure! Thanks Elizabeth for all you do - and everyone else involved in DRC.

[F, Calla & Luca]

You are doing very wonderful things for these dogs. Thank you.

[Zoe, Benny and Tyler]

OMG, this story is giving me goosebumps.Poor Smokey, this madness really needs to end. Can greed really make so cold hearted? I hope this "breeeder" can be found and stopped. And indeed education, education, education is the key. Don't buy the puppy because you feel sorry and want to rescue it - no money for these people otherwise they will never stop.

[Frannie & Callie]

i just don't even have words (that would be appropriate in this forum) for the breeder. I hope that Smokey finds the peace that was stolen from him in his short life.

[Tamara & Giada]

Aww.......SO sad =(

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Hi Brittany, it sounds like you have some knowledge of this type of situation yourself. That would make sense, with your mom being a doodle breeder in Arkansas.
The information in this post is not just based on "what this Gunn lady says". It is based on vet records, the information from the owner, and from the breeder herself.
The breeder in this case has admitted that she sold this one black puppy to a broker at the age of 6 weeks because she couldn't sell him. He probably did contract distemper while with the broker, which is why no decent human being would give a 6 week old puppy to a roadside puppy broker for any reason, especially not when they are the one responsible for having brought him into the world in the first place. I'm sure there is not one breeder here on DK who would dream of taking a 6 week old puppy away from his mother and littermates and basically signing his death certificate, because he was an unpopular color and they might have to feed him for a few weeks or months until he was placed or relinquished for adoption. And yes, I do judge anyone who would do such a thing. If somebody is going to put food on their table by bringing these babies into the world, they have a moral obligation to do right by them. This baby didn't ask to be born, and he sure couldn't help what color he was. He deserved better than this. Breeders have choices; this baby had none. I find it very interesting that your sympathy is for the person who was responsible for what happened to him.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Perhaps you should reread the post. It talks about one specific situation, one breeder and one breeder only. Nobody said a word about "all breeders" in Arkansas, or anywhere else. Please quote for me one sentence that "is sounding like this is saying every Goldendoodle breeder in Arkansas is a PUPPY MILL". After all, you are the one who wants to see "fax", or did you mean to say, facts. So, show me where it says that or anything like that, Brittany. It sounds like you are being a tad defensive. The only person who has any reason to be defensive is the one who did wrong.
As for records, no, we are not going to present records or people's names here in a public forum. We stated the facts, just not the names, and I think the majority of people here on DK are intelligent enough to understand what is being said. Which is that a tragedy occurred and this puppy died a horrible death for no reason. It has nothing to do with breeders in general; in fact, other people who are breeders read and commented on this and didn't feel the least bit offended. I can't help noticing that you are the only person out of all the people who read this who focused on defending the breeders of Arkansas rather than crying for this poor puppy.

[Deirdre]

Well said, Karen.