I remember when I was a kid, every year at Christmas it was the same. All I wanted for Christmas was a puppy. Year after year, I didn't get it. Well, now that I'm wiser (okay, older too), I realize exactly why my parents (umm.. I mean Santa) were reluctant to buy bring me a puppy for Christmas.
It is an enormous responsibility to own a dog, or any pet for that matter. Of course, as parents we all want to teach our children about responsibility, I can certainly understand that. At twenty and eighteen years old, I am still trying to teach my sons about responsibility. But, to bring a puppy home for Christmas can be a huge mistake. To buy a puppy from a puppy mill or pet store is an even bigger mistake. 
Those cute puppies in pet stores, even those with an AKC price tag, all come from puppy mills - trust me on this. No reputable breeder will place their puppies through a pet shop. I have done a huge amount of research when a sick puppy mill puppy came into my life two years ago. I didn't know the difference then, between what a puppy mill is or isn't. I thought there was nothing wrong with purchasing a puppy from a farmer who raised dogs or from a pet shop. What I didn't know at the time, and have educated myself about it all by default, was that this particular farmer had over 500 dogs on his property at the time. Yes, he was a puppy miller and he was selling Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, among many other breeds.
We only went "to look" at the Cavalier puppies to see what the farmer had. My husband didn't even want a dog! I thought a puppy would be good therapy for us, since my oldest son had just moved out and we were all (even my younger son) hearing the echos through our emptied hallways called "empty nest syndrome". I thought a puppy would help cheer up my younger son, and perhaps replace the void of not having his brother around. I sure would have appreciated the extra distraction, as well. What a trap we fell into! The smallest puppy just stole our hearts. We were told they were "on sale" because it was now one week after Christmas and their rush of sales were over. Hubby ran to the ATM to take out cash to pay the farmer $800 (on sale!) for the little 2.5 pound bundle of love.
That little (expensive) bundle became very ill in less than 24 hours. He had a seizure the next morning in our family room. We ran to the P.E.T.S emergency hospital -- this happened to be New Years Day -- and paid hundreds more to have him stabilized. He only stayed there for the day, but we were at our wits end. He had already stolen our hearts, and we were willing to pay whatever it took to save his life. When we told the vet's office where we had gotten our new puppy, a worried look came over their faces. We were told that he was the worst puppy miller in the county.
I won't go into the huge controversial topics here about puppy mills and who or who isn't a miller. What I want to point out, though, is that there are thousands of dogs who are in need, waiting for homes in shelters. Wonderful dogs, Dogs that need a home and will love you tenfold for bringing them to your home and showing them the love they crave. Training your dog is very important, and the rewards are tenfold as well. If you must have a puppy, there are rescue organizations who sometimes have puppies available as well. Many times they are up to a year old, and have been returned because people do not have the time or the patience to train them. They bring home a puppy for Christmas, and then realize that there is real work involved in raising a dog. So, rescue organizations step in, and wait for good people like you to step forward and adopt.
This puppy that we purchased on sale for $800 ended up costing us over $1500 in vet fees over the next two weeks!!! Because I learned about my rights regarding The Puppy Lemon Law, I complained to the PA State Attorney General's office, and the miller refunded my intial $800. Since then, I have spent thousands of dollars on additional vet fees, surgery to repair his faulty knees and holistic vet fees to prevent it from happening on his other knees.
He has issues - but he is our little neurotic, happy, lovable puppy who just turned 2 years old. We brought a brother (from a reputable breeder) to join our home as well, and the difference between the two dogs is -- one from a puppy mill and the other not -- is enormous. I have never had a vet bill higher than a cough and an upset tummy from something he ate, from our breeder-obtained dog, and they are only 2 months apart.
What I have learned in the tons of research I have done, along with my efforts to help with dog rescue organizations, is that these local farmers who sell puppies know that local people are on to them. So what do they do? They advertise in the newspapers of neighboring counties and states. If you see an ad in Maryland or New Jersey for puppies in Pennsylvania, please be aware. Do your research on the Kennel or Breeder.
Please realize that I am not saying that every puppy seller is a miller - just ask the right questions. Ask to see the parents of the dogs. Ask how many breeds of dogs they sell. Ask what sort of health guarantee they give and what sort of health testing they do on the parents. You have no idea how important this is, until you bring a puppy home that has genetic problems from poor breeding, genetically unhealthy parents, and inbreeding, etc.
And please realize that bringing a puppy home for Christmas can be a very stressful event in this young life. This will be the first time they are separated from their surroundings, the activities and excitement of Christmas can be overwhelming. Stress can sicken a puppy, can make him frightful, and it may not be a great experience for all involved, including the family.
It is heartbreaking to bring home a puppy, only to later find out that his is a very sick puppy, and feeling helpless while cradling him while he is near death. It is also a very expensive experience. I wouldn't trade my little furry bundle of joy for the world, but considering the amount of money we spent on medical bills because we tried to save a buck and not purchase from a reputable breeder, I realize that we could have purchased a "show" dog for the same amount.
Instead of bringing home a puppy during the hustle and bustle of Christmas, here are some other gift ideas for your children that you can try:
In the meantime, you will have plenty of time to research quality breeders and rescue organizations, meet them in person, and make sure that the puppy you bring home is the best one suited to your family's needs. After all, this is a lifelong decision. And it is a life you are agreeing to take care of - one that will depend on you for all of it's needs.
Happy holidays to everyone, including your furry household members -- and remember, Don't Shop. Adopt. 
and Dugan and Domino... or .... Puppy Ying-Yang 
Looking for a home in Lancaster County that can accomodate your special family pets and animals? Visit Homes in Lancaster PA - Real Estate in Lancaster County for assistance with your Lancaster Real Estate needs.
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Edited to add ---- I though I would post a photo of my mother's rescue puppy. She is a Luckystar rescue dog (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Rescue) -- or at least her mother was. Her mother was rescued from a puppy mill - while pregnant. Lucky for everyone, the miller did not know at the time and this puppy was born in the foster family's home. She is the highlight of my mom and dad's life, and as senior citizens she brings them joy every day. She is also the best friend of my two little pups. If you are interested in a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, please contact rescue organizations first! You can get advice from the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club or the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club
The point is, with research and patience, a puppy can come into your life through a rescue organization, as opposed to a pet shop if you prefer a puppy to an older dog for your family (although older dogs need homes and can be wonderful, greatful pets!).
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Absolutely adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniels! I am so sorry you had such a horrible time getting started with your pet. As a breeder and absolute lover of the CKCS I did not breed puppies for Christmas. My puppies are bred and raised in my home in my arms! I prefer to have people waiting for my little bundles with months to prepare while they wait. Those that really want a puppy will be willing to wait for a carefully bred, healthy, happy pup. There are a lot of horrible people out there but there are also good breeders too. A good breeder will accept responsibility to whom they sell a puppy to. They must be careful to make sure the puppy will live a long healthy and safe life filled with love. No one should ever buy from a puppy mill or a pet store. Yet even I fell for that a few time in the past. When choosing a puppy you should carefully select a breeder that they trust and feel comfortable with. Choose a breed that fits your lifestyle. Train your puppy so everyone who meets him or her will love him so he will be happy. Train them so they will sit quietly in their seat while you taxi those buyers around! Train them to be good little boys and girls at the office. Our office welcomes our four-legged friends!
Tammy - You expressed exactly what I wanted to say! I thought my post was getting long enough as it was, though. Yes, a quality breeder will raise their puppies in their home, and yes, a buyer will need to wait months for a carefully bred, healthy puppy. It is very much worth the wait! There are definitely great breeders out there -- one needs to learn how to discern the good from the bad. Meeting them in person is a must!
You said it all - thank you for sharing! And thank you for recognizing my special pup's breed - they are cuties, aren't they? Dugan and Domino say 'woof'. I added you as an associate -- any lover of CKCS is a friend of mine!
I can't tell you how many years it has been since I heard the song " How much Is that Doggie in the....."
Trey -- It's a catchy tune, that's for sure! Thanks for stopping by.
Great blog. The world needs more education on puppy mills..the people that run them think of dogs as no more than chickens being bred for meat or eggs, suffering their entire lives. It's so sad. No one should EVER buy a puppy from a pet store.
Great blog. The world needs more education on puppy mills..the people that run them think of dogs as no more than chickens being bred for meat or eggs, suffering their entire lives. It's so sad. No one should EVER buy a puppy from a pet store.
I am glad your story has a happy ending. I unfortunately fell into the trap of purchasing an irresistible puppy form a pet store a couple of years ago. A miniature schnauzer who was cleared-eyed and vibrant for about a month then all of a sudden WHAM! She became gravely ill and I immediately took her to my trusted vet (I have several other dogs). After expensive tests and even feeding her with a tube inserted directly into her stomach my vet informed me that she had a congenital birth defect and she was losing all muscle control, including the ability to swallow food. I was also told she would not get better! It was HORRIBLE! I was told by the pet store that I had to take her to their recommended vet. I asked my vet about their recommended vet and he did say that their vet was reputable; at least that was something! I took this poor creature to their vet who concluded the same thing as my vet. Sadly, I left that vet's office without my darling puppy. It was HORRIBLE! To add insult to injury the pet store offered to REPLACE her! I told them I wasn't having it! In the end, they refunded what I paid for her but I was still out hundreds of dollars and had a broken heart. I think many people trust pet stores when they should not! I must say the positive experience I have had with companions I have got from pet stores in the past is clouded by this negative experience. I would recommend either rescue organizations, shelters or reputable breeders (if you don't know a reputable breeder ask friends, neighbors, or stop in a local vet's office). The pet store might seem shiney and bright, but all that glare is blinding. Many of us have been raised to think pet stores are where you get pets, this needs to change.
Tammy - they are adorable! Thanks for sharing your link.
Rebecca - Unfortunately many people do not associate pet store puppies as coming from puppy mills. Education is the key. Thank you for stopping by.
Rich - I have heard that pet shops and many kennels inject antibiotics into their puppies in order to make them appear "clear eyed and vibrant" for just long enough for their "guarantee" period to expire. A month later, a buyer is stuck with a sick puppy. I'm sorry you had to endure that, it really is heartbreaking. We got very, very lucky that Dugan pulled through the way he did. We had to feed him with a syringe around the clock for about two weeks in order to force feed him. I also had to take him in for daily blood tests to check his glucose levels. Every day for two weeks! The vet had decided that he really needed to be home with us rather than locked up at the vets office, so we had to agree to abide by these medical instructions. My husband stayed up from midnight until 6 am feeding him every two hours, and then I woke up and took over. It saved his life, though. Unfortanately, many people cannot take time off from work to deal with such a medical emergency, and end up returning the puppy. Thanks for sharing your sad story. Hopefully other will learn from what you and I have been through.
I have 2 rescue dpgs with me at this time. I too used to think that pet shops were o.k. I still wonder how to impact the fate of those who are in the pet shop and deserve a good home also.
Jonathan - thank you for stopping by. A rescue dog certainly does need special considerations, bless you for taking in three of them! They do know when they are loved though. I'm sure yours bring you much joy, too.
Gayle - I'm sure your rescues are greatful, bless you for taking in two of them! Yes, I too wonder about the fate of the dogs in a pet shop. It's unfortunate that pet shops sort of feed into that thought and many feel like they are rescuing dogs from being in a pet shop by buying them. It just feeds the cycle.
I don't want to make this a controversial post, but I want people to become aware and do their own research as to where those dogs come from, and how buying them helps to support the industry. Dogs (and any pets) should not be a wholesale commodity.
Jeannie, We have been hearing these stories for a long time. Why isn't this against the law/ How is someone like this miller farmer allowed to operate??
I am happy that you litle doggie lived, wow, what an ordeal! I have featured this on It's Raining Dogs
Ginger
Ginger - Thank you for the feature! Hopefully that will help to educate people on how to go about obtaining a new family pet. Many millers are against the law and operate without a license, but many of them are within the law. It's up to each State to regulate them. Unfortunately, mass breeders who supply pet shops are governed by the USDA -- yes, the United States Department of Agriculture. They are considered a crop! Pennsylvania is currently clamping down on a lot of them and in the midst of re-writing their laws. Hopefully it will help to shut many of these places down, and many other states follow suit.
If anyone feels they have purchased an unknowingly sick puppy, they should contact their State Attorney General's office for guidance on filing a complaint. If enough of these complaints are filed against a particular kennel, they can do something about it.
Jeannie, there just never seems to be enough homes for all the cats and dogs out there, so when I hear of any animal rescue of any kind, any time or place, I am all for it. Thanks for your wonderfully written article.
Gary - Thank you for stopping by! Unfortunately there are far too many animals in rescue. If we can decrease the amount of poorly bred animals who are sure to have issues - health, behavioural, etc - there may be far less animals entering shelters in the future. Thanks for your comment.
What a hard and expensive lesson to learn - our dogs and cats now are mainly rescues & some of our horses as well. That doesn't mean they never have health issues but for the most part have done well. Your pups look adorable as well as your parents' dog.
When I first moved to Sacramento and was reactivating my real estate license, I tried to work at the Sacramento SPCA as a marketing director, but I couldn't do it. One of the first direct mail pieces I wrote was about puppy mills and the awful living conditions for these poor puppies, shoved into crate after crate and piled on top of each other so the droppings and urine fell into each crate below. Many were sick and dying from Parvo. It was deplorable, and although the word really needs to reach those who support puppy mills by buying at pet stores, I came to the realization that I was not the one to do it.
It was emotionally too difficult. When I read the direct mail piece, I sobbed. Well, I guess it pulled in a lot of contributions to the SSPCA, but it wasn't something I wanted to continue doing. Way too sad.
Someday I hope the 'retail dog sales' in pet stores will be illegal. If no one ever buys a pup in a shop they will eventually get the message. Thanks for spreading the word!
There is a sd, sad story related to this that I blogged about last night but the blog never posted. I will write it again for all to read.
Kathleen - thank you for stopping by! What a big heart you have to not only have rescue dogs and cats, but horses as well! I've been thinking lately what it might be like to have a horse. We've got plenty of horse properties around here, that's for sure, but I have never owned one. It might be something I'd enjoy some time in the future.
Elizabeth -- it's not an easy job, is it! At least you tried, and it opened your eyes to the conditions. Many people don't know what a mill is really like. I sure didn't. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Jennifer -- Thank you for stopping by. Help me spread the word!
Gayle -- I'll be sure to check it out - thank you for the heads up and for stopping by!
Jeannie, years ago when I was doing dog adoptions for a humane society, I would councel prospective adoptors, that if they went the pet shop route they could be guaranteed to spend hundreds of dollars to buy a puppy and twice that at the vet to make it well. This has been going on for so many years and there seems to be no solution. The USDA is supposed to inspect those abysmal breeding facilities, obviously they do not! And now we have all the "designer" dogs hitting the market, mixed breed mutts, born from mating two purebreds together, and resulting in "labradoodles" or whatever the hell this gluttoness consumer driven country will bite for. Many people who buy from pet shops are well aware of the origins of the pups, they just plain don't care. And when the animal gets too expensive to keep, off to the animal shelter where they will ignore all the wonderful dogs that need homes, and go back to the pet shop for another "purebred" or "designer" dog. I fault the AKC 100% for this travesty. They will register anything and everything that meets "breed" specifications. They will even register a dog based on looks, rather than lineage. The AKC stamp of approval is, for me, a guarantee you will most likely get a defective dog. And large breeding facilities are not the only culprits here. Backyard, so-called reputable breeders are guilty of the same lack of care given the dogs, and the same resulting offspring. Thanks for posting this. I hope those out there reading this will think next time they are ready for a new dog.
Terry -- I agree completely with your statements above. All of them, even regarding the AKC. I didn't go into details because I don't want to get political or controversial here, but the USDA, the AKC, etc., really get under my skin and get me fired up. I'm hoping to open people's eyes and minds so that they can start questioning and researching on their own, and with all of the passionate responses I'm getting, including yours, I hope I am doing just that. The majority of the mills that I know have AKC status, yet the AKC never comes to check on the breeding facilities. The farmer that I got my dog from advertises that he is AKC, and I thought at the time that must be a good thing. Once we were completing the paperwork, I was told "Oh no, we changed to .... because they have better service, etc." Only later did I find out that he was actually banned for 10 years from the AKC for inbreeding, etc., -- so imagine how bad he must have really been! With 500+ dogs, how in the world can he possibly keep track, anyway!
Thank you for commenting and sharing your experiences and views.
Jeannie, I forgot to tell you how cute your dogs are and I absolutely love their t-shirts. If those were my dogs I would parade them around every Petsmart and pet shop in town, wearing their political t-shirts of course! As for the AKC, they rarely take action on any cases. When I was a humane investigator in VA we busted a Sheltie breeder. We took 100 dogs from her, all of which were such poor quality representations of the breed. Many of them actually looked more like possums than Shelties. The AKC of course kept registering her dogs, afterall its a money maker for them. When we notified them of the case, they sent an investigator down to check out our "allegations". The woman was found guilty of animal cruelty in court, the AKC saw all the evidence including the dogs and did NOTHING! The judge forbade her from owning a dog for 2 years, so when that time was up she was right back at it, and registering with the AKC. If they had any balls they would ban people like that for life!
Hi Terry - Thanks for complimenting the t-shirts! I have a matching "Puppymills Suck" t-shirt as well. I bought us all matching shirts when we attended a Puppymill Awareness Day march last year. They sure do get people's attention, that's for sure!
GREAT! Now, we have to get people to understand just what a puppy mill is!
Jeannie,
Thanks for the post. I think the major problem is that some pet stores look "posh" like they would NEVER get their puppies from a puppy mill. I think I saw a news show on this recently where a major LA pet store where celebrities purchase their pets, were found to have purchased from a major puppy mill in the midwest.
I think the consumer should really do their research and all dogs should come with a paper trail of where the dogs came from. I am not sure if this is done, but reputable breeders should have to be licensed.
Jennifer - I agree that looks can be deceiving! I heard about the LA pet store too. People have to understand that just about every single dog in a pet store has come from a mill or wholesale breeder. Thank you for stopping by -- hopefully people reading have learned something this holiday season about where NOT to get a puppy from!
Jeannie, It is so sad to think about the pet mills. You would think the government would crack down on them. What about the animal cruelty activists? Aren't they aware of the H-E double hockysticks those animals are living in? What good is the SPCA trying to get the homeless off the streets when breeding in such despicable environments are being allowed. Your puppies are darling and I wish you the best of health and love with them. I'm just venting. I love my animals. Happy New Year. Deb
Hi Jeannie, I featured this post in my Active Rain Dog Lovers Year in Review blog. Happy New Year!
Ginger
I'm totally and completely with you, Jeannie.
So far I have only committed my heart to 2 puppies. The first I purchased from a home breeder who simply liked the breed and wanted to produce puppies from her little "Sugar". In addition to mom, the grandmother was in the house, and I thought I was doing it the smart way. Well, Sienna was the love of my life, but she came with 2 bad patellas (knees), one of which required reconstructive surgery. Otherwise she was a healthy little mite and went at the ripe old age of 16 1/2.
I vowed the next time I would purchase from a serious breeder. And now, after almost 2 years of waiting, I've made a commitment for poodle #2. Here she is--Gypsy Rose--a 7-week red toy poodle who will weight all of 7 or 8 pounds fully grown. Her parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents have been tested for genetic problems known for the breed. The breeder has been in the business for 27 years. She's super particular about who gets her puppies. She's not in it for the money but for the love. (The breeder is the one holding her in a "show" stance. - Gypsy already understands the command "Stand"!)
Of course, an animal is an animal, and there's no guarantee Gypsy won't have medical problems. But at least I know she came from a loving home and from a healthy mom and dad, has been screened and given plenty of TLC, early training, and socialization. You should see her play with her aunts and uncles!
Is she as precious as she looks? Oh girl, more! I take her home in about 10 days, and I can't wait.
Judy! Thank you for sharing a photo of your adorable little Gypsy! You absolutely went about the right way in obtaining a new little family member. Thanks so much for commenting and for sharing your story. When I am ready for dog #3 -- and who knows when that will be! -- i'm going to do as much research as possible, or adopt through rescue. I think I would love the idea of getting into showing - but one major learning curve at a time for me!
By the way, my son goes to school in the Winter Park area -- small world!
That was a great post and fantastic ideas for presents until a puppy comes home. I have always believed that shelter animals make the best pets and do not condone purchasing an animal from a store. Our CEO (Cat Executive Officer) Snowball chose us and came from the SPCA. Here he is at HIS desk posing for the corporate photo
Cris -- Snowball looks very comfortable in that commanding pose! He really is very
beautifuldistinguished looking! (I'm sure a CEO does not want to be called 'beautiful'!).Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Jeannie --
Rollins by any chance? If so, a lovely campus. I've gone there for the Bach Festival concerts.
<<By the way, my son goes to school in the Winter Park area -- small world!>>