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Pet Store Pups |
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It happens over and over and over again. Caring, loving people see pups in pet
stores (flea markets, on the street, etc.) and decide to buy one for various
reasons. Those reasons include
“rescuing” the pup, impulse buying, “the right time” for a pup in their
lives, etc. Others, not so caring, also buy such pups often with the plan to
breed them to recover their money and they are usually encouraged and told
how much money they can earn by “producing” pups. PRODUCING PUPS? Are we
talking about some commodity that one gets by making a template and pumping
out copies? Well, sad to say, those
who buy pups for this purpose don’t really care about the pups and , wanna know something? Pet store pup retailers don’t care either! With this formula in mind, the breeders of pups that find
themselves in pet stores don’t care or the pups wouldn’t be there! Does that sound harsh? Well, let’s think about it. People who care about the pups they breed
always, ALWAYS! ask lots of
questions of prospective buyers to determine if said buyer would give their
pup a good home. Questions
include: Did you ever own this breed
before? If so, what happened to your
last dog? (Should you reply that your
dog was hit by a car you are not a good prospect for a pup!) Do you
understand the breed’s health issues?
Coat care problems?
Socialization needs? Do you
plan to take this pup to a puppy socialization course? If not, why not? You are given the breeder’s name, phone
number, statistics on the pup, such as date of birth, vaccination record,
when it was weaned, how many in the litter (VERY IMPORTANT INFO!), a sample
food supply so the pup doesn’t suffer food change diarrhea, crate training
suggestions, a chance to meet the bitch and maybe even the sire, a contract
that states that if you, (for whatever reason!) cannot continue to care for
this dog, no matter at what age, you
will contact the breeder and that
breeder WILL take back his/her “pup”
Likely to happen in a pet store?
When is the last time you ever saw that offered with a pet
store pup? To buy a pet store pup all you need is money! Pup’s future is not an important issue. After all, if this one doesn’t live,
doesn’t work out for whatever reason there a lot
more where it came from! Yes! There certainly
are pups bought from the worst possible conditions as well as pups rescued
from a life on the street that become the dog of all dogs, wonderful pets, super stars with the smarts of Einstein. And then there are all the others. Those with serious health issues including
crippling inherited diseases (canine hip dysplasia comes to mind immediately
but it is not alone!), temperament issues like the darling bit of fluff I saw
today that is a serious risk should it end up in a home with children. If it were a huge breed of dog anyone in
its path would be at risk as it matures!
Surely this pup could be “managed” for the rest of its life
but is that a reasonable request to make of the innocent buyer? Must they forever sequester the
pup-soon-to-be-dog from interaction with visitors for fear of a “snap”? Please understand that “snap” is what
little dogs do but big dogs bite! The
result may well be the same depending on if the recipient is two years of age
or a whopping 200 pound male human. It
is a sad thing to see a child's face torn by a dog who
"snapped". Caring, loving people seeking a canine companion in their
lives deserve proper help in achieving that goal. Pups and dogs available for adoption and
purchase ALSO deserve that same attention.
Please rescue a dog.
Seek a responsible breeder.
Avoid buying any pets, whatever they may be, from pet stores. Having said that, should you succumb to
impulse buying please, at the very least, ask to have the pet examined by the
vet of your choice (this is correct procedure even when buying from a
reputable breeder!) and, obviously, if a vet is selling pets do go to a vet
who does not ever sell pets, no matter what!!!! Ask for at least two days trial time and if
conditions do not suit that you may return the animal for a complete
refund. No trading issues - a
refund. If you do not get that agreement , RUN and do not look back. Sad for the animal left there? You bet.
But , should you buy it you encourage more breedings of more creatures facing the same very
questionable future as well as being the innocent victim and having to deal
with “management” of a risky animal or a very unhealthy animal for the length
of its life. Am I being harsh? Absolutely.
But it comes from so many sad experiences that I dare not tally them. M
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