Just Venting.....

[Robin & Josie]

Last Sunday, my husband and I took Josie, our 14 mo. old mini ALD to an outdoor restaurant for brunch. The place is "French", so they allow dogs on their patio and even bring them a nice bowl of ice water.

We were having a lovely meal (and after the New England winter we just suffered through, it was especially nice), when along comes a young family with their two children and small dog.

Naturally, Josie was very interested in their dog and we started the usual chatting - "What's your dog's name", "How old is he/she?" etc.

I asked the woman what kind of dog she had - BIG MISTAKE. 

Answer: (proudly) "He's a mutt". 

Me: "Well he's adorable and seems very sweet and calm. You're very lucky. He looks like he has some terrier in him."

Woman: "We don't care what he is. He's a rescue." "What kind of dog is yours?"

Me: "She's a Labradoodle. You might say she's also a mutt because she has a lot of different breeds in her heritage." 

She: "She's not a mutt. She's a designer dog."

Me: "What's the difference?"

She: "How much you pay for them."

Frankly, I wanted to punch her in the face. Of course, as any dog lover would, I believe in rescuing. What I don't believe in are people who think they are better than you because you paid more for your dog. It's like reverse snobbery - looking down on someone because they didn't get their dog from the pound. 

Maybe it's because I already feel guilty for not getting a rescue, but I have allergies and I bring my dog to work and I had to know what I was getting. I don't know why I have to make excuses. Just had to vent.

P.S. Had I known I could get a Doodle rescue, I would have gone that route. I didn't have a need to spend this much money. Just saying. Grrrr.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Don't be so sure you could get a doodle rescue! For very good reasons ( I am NOT disparaging the rules, at all) families with small children or who do not have a physical fence generally do not qualify--which (for the fence reason) is why we went to a breeder.  

It's so like everything else in this world.  Everyone has an opinion, some good, some not and some just plain stupid!  Hope you had a lovely brunch ! 

[Lynda Kamrath]

Well, it is really true.  How much you pay for them is a consideration.  You can go the rescue or rehome route, or you can select a breeder for whatever reasons you want to select a breeder.  I really prefer to select a breeder and establish a relationship with them.  I recently went the rescue route because I wanted a dog who could be a companion to my ALD, but I am also planning to purchase another doodle from a breeder who I have been in constant contact with.  Yes, it costs, but I will know what I am getting.  Rescue is great, and doodle rescue is even a step up from that, but it is right that they are designer dogs.  I wouldn't be angry with the woman because of her comments.  You DO get what you pay for.

[Amy, Lilly & Leo]

I couldn't agree with you more! My own college age son felt the need to scold me for not going the rescue route....but I have rescued dogs in the past, and at this point in my life I wanted this exact breed of dog, as a puppy...that doesn't make me a bad person! What has happened that you are made to feel guilty for spending your hard earned money on what you really want? It's crazy to me, and I do think rescue is wonderful, but it is not ALWAYS for EVERYONE! I agree with you! Grrr...

[Robin & Josie]

Thank you Amy. It was the snooty tone I object to. She considered herself a better person because of her dog choice. I do feel a bit guilty about going the breeder route. Thank goodness there are people who can handle the pot luck aspect of rescue. I am not one of those. I just resent the attitude. I'm not a fan of being judged. Maybe I'm judging her? Whatever. She pissed me off, and I assume others have had the same experience, so I'm hoping for some commiseration :)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Our first dog was a Lab and really was the best dog. After she died, we adopted our Honey from a Lab rescue. Little did we know she had separation anxiety and our $100 dog quickly turned into our most expensive dog ever. We did everything we could to help her with her anxiety...trainer, vet visits, medicines, etc. We loved that dog like nobody's business, but she was a hard dog for our family. She loved me so much and barked at the door when I left...for hours. I would come home and find my husband sitting outside with her, because he said it made her feel better. When she died I thought I was done with dogs, but I couldn't stand it. This time we decided to get a puppy....a Labradoodle puppy, mainly because I thought it would be like a non-shedding Lab. I was clueless as many do shed, but we got lucky. Rescue is not for everybody, although it is a wonderful thing to do. Fudge and Vern will probably be our last dogs and I wanted the dogs I wanted and to start from scratch. I owe no one an explanation for my decision and it is none of their business how much I spent on a dog.

The older I get the less I care what other people think of me. She isn't worth getting upset about. She was being an a$$....LOL :)

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Laurie: AMEN....no use in my typing a reply..Laurie nailed it! ( for me, anyway) ;)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thank you :)

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yep, and as long as you are satisfied, that is all that counts.  All dogs can be very expensive, and I like to start at the beginning with a puppy also.  Good reasons for rescue, just like good reasons for a puppy from a good breeder.  Depends on what you want.

[Kim and Jaxson]

Well said.......I especially love your last line...LOL 

[Pam Thomas]

I am going through the same thing for buying a bred dog. My others were rescues and purebred. It is my business and not theirs

ask if she adopted or had her own and why.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I wouldn't give her a second thought.  Yes, I've gotten some of that attitude but I say pfft to them and happy to say, it's rare. Choosing a dog or pup that you connect with is a very personal choice.  He or she is going to be a part of your life and heart for a long time. If that's a rescue, that's wonderful.  If that's a pup from a good breeder, that's wonderful too. I've rescued in the past and worked in rescue but couldn't adopt because I didn't meet the criteria (no physical fence, etc.) Turned out it was just as well. I fell in love with the intelligent endearing qualities of a doodle and really wanted to start with a pup with a temperament that suited my lifestyle and had been loved from the moment it put its four paws on the ground.  I make no apologies for that. You shouldn't either :)  

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Here in Virginia I have never been subect to negative comments about Haley's "breed". If I ever do I will just toss it off to a rude bore. : )