The Incredible Indecency Of Some Puppy Inquiries And The Joys Of Boys

I recently had an exchange with an interested person for a puppy.  It was an inquiry that I declined.  They openly admitted to having a seven year old doberman that they had not neutered.  I found this to be curious especially since they also said they would have no problem "signing" a spay/neuter contract if required.  Well, to me signing and doing are two different things and the track record was such that I didn't feel it would be in the best interest of my sweet puppy to be placed in a home with an intact male dog who had been king of his castle for 7 years.  I expressed this and the hate mail ensued.

 

Just a reminder to you folks out there looking for a puppy from me - these are MY puppies.  I don't have to place them or SELL them to anyone!  This person went on about how I had missed out on such a great home and that I really didn't care about my puppies at all.  How dare I make decisions about neutering a dog when I have no idea how the dog feels?  And after all - this is a SALE not an adoption. 

 

Amazing.  I don't care about my puppies at all???  Who in the hell do YOU think you are?  You have no idea of which you speak or, in this case, type.  What about the health of the dog in the long run?  Statics show a neutered dog will have a lesser chance of cancers.  Surf the web - get a clue.  Really!  And to infer I do this for money??  WTF??  I wish the bleeding in my bank account would stop!  This is not a business folks - this is a labor of love.  If you think I'm getting rich off of breeding dogs you are seriously mistaken.  This single puppy I have right now - I'm into this puppy for nearly $2,000.  Placing him in a pet home will net me a four figure net LOSS.  So get over yourselves when you THINK I'm getting rich breeding dogs.

 

Well the next day brought this to my inbox and it was such a pleasure to read:

 

"Hi Nancy,

 

Just a note to let you know MyLee is still our wonderful little boy and is doing fine. He rules our house with an iron paw. Lol.

When we got him from you I wanted a pet to love and to be company for my husband and me. As you know I was worried about having our first male puppy. Well you were so right. After having had 2 females before him, I have to say he is the most loving dog we have ever had. Our females tolerated my loving. He demands it. The day is not complete for him unless he has his playtime and his loving time sitting on my lap.

He is such a smart little guy too. He knows when I let him out at bedtime that when he comes back in, it is time for bed and goes straight to his room and in his kennel without me saying a word. And when our grandaughter stayed with us a few months, he learned to open the bedroom door to let himself in to go to bed. We have door handles like a lever and he jumps up and pulls the lever down to open the door. I come to check on him and he is in his kennel and looks at me as if to say what took you so long.

As you can tell, he is the light of our lives. We enjoy him so very much. He doesn't know he is a dog you know. He thinks he is actually our little boy. He is very protective of both of us.

I think of you often and am so sorry to hear you are having some health issues. I am happy however to read on your website that you still have the wonderful values that you have for your puppies. I still visit your website to see how things are going with your dogs and with yourself.

Oh by the way, the last visit to the vet for his yearly checkup, the vet said he was in perfect health and he weighed in at 15 pounds.

Lots of love and hugs and a Happy New Year from your friends in Kingman, AZ

Bob and Jean and a very spoiled and happy MyLee"

 

What a difference a day makes in the world of email!  Oh - and MyLee is a neutered little boy.  One of those puppies I didn't or don't care about.  HA!

 

Thank you Bob and Jean for giving my lovely boy a perfect home forever.  I know he is healthy and loved and for that I am grateful and blessed!  And thank you for reminding me that I'm doing it right.  Sometimes I need to hear it to believe it!  My best to you and our precious MyLee!

Three Weeks Old

Today's weight is nearly two pounds!  Got his first manicure today!

 

Placing Adult Dogs

One of the hardest parts about being a breeder is the heartbreak.  It occurs in many forms, and sometimes you know that you must feel the hurt in order to make a dog's life the best life possible.  This is the case in placing adult dogs.  Young or old, it hurts, but as a breeder I have to remember to do what is best for the dog and do what is best to move forward to continue the quest to improve on what I have.  Sometimes the older adults just stay.  And really I wish I could keep them all, but it is not reasonable to assume that keeping every dog gives that dog what he or she needs to have the best life possible.

I recently placed an older girl that I knew in my heart needed a home where she was queen of the castle.  She was always second fiddle to my alpha girl here and she longed to be number one.  So as hard as it was, I put her out there to see if there was any interest.  And surprisingly enough there was, even though she was about 7 years old.  I interviewed a couple of people that I totally found unsuitable.  And then the call came from a gentleman looking for a good dog for his mom who had recently lost her Shih Tzu to old age.  We talked for a great while and decided to meet.  When they arrived his mother seemed skeptical because of how attached my girl was to me.  That is to be expected, I said.  She's only known me.  But once she discovers I'm not there, she is going to latch on to the woman that is there.

It ripped my heart out to watch them leave with my girl.  But I knew it was the right thing to do.  We called it a test drive but I knew in my heart that this girl had found her next, and last forever home.  She would be loved and doted upon in a way I never could give. 

After a day I called and asked how things were going.  It was a positive report.  After a week, my girl's new momma called me to tell me there was no way she would ever give up her new found love.  A couple more weeks went by and I sent the paperwork for the transfer and I received the following  note in return:

Hi Nancy!

Thank you for my precious baby.

God has been so good to me.  She is a gift from heaven.

She is doing great.  No problems at all!

I know you must miss her.

Hope all is well with you.

PS:  I now call her Molly.  I kept calling her Maggie.  Molly was as close to that so we call her Molly.  No matter what she is called, all you have to say is "treat" and she comes running.

Love -
Anna

Now that warmed my heart.  And while the ache is still there because my girl is not here, I know that I did the right thing.  Molly is now totally the queen of her own castle!