[Snowshoe]

The following story was written by a Keeshond owner but could be anyone's story. Permission to crosspost was granted by her. If you print or crosspost, be certain to include the author's name and copyright information. The Other Victims of Puppy Mills Puppies are not the only victims of puppy mills, my story.
G. Kerry

I fell in love with a beautiful little teddy bear of a puppy the instant I set eyes on her and she let me know that the feelings were mutual. I knew nothing about puppies, the Keeshond breed or puppy mills. I only knew I had to have this adorable little bundle. She became the joy of my life and a delight to my soul and somehow we both survived her puppy hood. We were inseparable and the bond between us deepened each day. I soon learned that a Keeshond is a thinking being with a keen sense of humor and fair play.

The first time I tossed a ball for her to chase she ran after it and brought it back to me, also the second time. But the third time she didn't give me the ball, she just looked me in the eye, gave her head a toss throwing the ball across the yard then looked at me expectantly. I understood the message and dutifully ran, laughing all the way across the yard to retrieve the ball. I guess that was my first "obedience lesson" in taking turns and fair play. I must have passed the test because I got a great big laughing Keesie grin and some tender licks as my reward. I would play little jokes on her and she would play little jokes on me, often amazing me with the uniqueness of the things she would think up. She never ceased to amaze me and I could never look at her without thinking, how beautiful and intelligent she was. The very sight of her lifted my spirits and inspired me. We ate together and slept together, when I showered she would come nosing in through the curtain and join me, when I soaked in a tub full of bubbles she couldn't resist jumping in. When we hiked through the woods and streams together she would never let me out of her sight. At the ocean we would chase seagulls and splash in the water together. She was always happy to help me dig holes in the garden and I would help her chase lizards and other critters and dig in the gopher holes. We had such wonderfully happy times together and I loved her with all my heart and soul.


Little did I know she was a ticking time bomb of sorrow, pain and anguish for the both of us, through no fault of her own or mine. She had been born to suffer andbring grief by an insensitive, greedy puppy miller whose only concern was mass producing puppies for profit. These degenerates don't care if they reproduce puppies with genetic disorders, heart and immune system disorders, allergy and skin problems or any other inherited defect. They don't care about the future health of the puppies or the devastation they will cause in the lives of the people who love them. They over breed indiscriminately, as often as they can with as little cash output as possible for food and housing, in unimaginable filthy conditions and without veterinary care or loving attention.

My little partner began with allergies, then skin problems, heart problems followed. I sold my antique bellows organ to pay the vet bill and buy her prescriptions. There were times she would seem to get better, then she would get worse and I would have to lift her up and carry her outside to go for a ride or make a puddle. Her liver and kidneys began to function poorly, she retained water and couldn't make a puddle. Back to the vet, more tests, more medication. I sold my piano to pay for it all, to buy her a little more time. I called university research centers and talked to some very kindly researchers who shared any new information they had with me on her problems and I tried it all. It was hell, she was suffering and I was doing all that I could find out to do and it wasn't enough. I sold my wedding rings to pay the vet and prescriptions and buy a special concentrated diet that I had to put down her throat with a syringe when she stopped eating. After three years of nursing and caring for her, of hoping and praying for a miracle I finally realized it was time, time to make "that terrible decision". She couldn't eat or drink, she couldn't walk, run or play. She couldn't do any of the fun things she so dearly loved to do, she was suffering and she had lost her wonderful laughing Keesie grin. I was physically, emotionally and financially exhausted. With my heart breaking, sobbing uncontrollably, I called the vet and made the appointment for three days later in the afternoon just before closing. For the next three days I would carry her out to the truck and lay her on a cushion where she could see out of the window. I would drive up the dirt roads through the woods at 5 miles per hour all day, to all the places where we had shared so many happy hours together. She rested her chin on the open window sill and watched intently as we drove. She had always enjoyed riding along like this, woofing at deer and squirrels when we saw them. She seemed to enjoy the scenery now but only pricked up her ears at the sight of a squirrel with no woofing request to stop and let her chase it up a tree. On the last day, my face streaming with tears, I told her about my own near death experience, how beautiful and wonderful it was on the other side where she would be a puppy again without any pain or suffering. When we arrived at the veterinary office I apologized for my selfishness in not letting her go sooner asked her to forgive me and wait for me on the other side. She looked at me with the most intense look of understanding, gave me a tender lick and laid her face in my hand.

Tell me puppy millers, was your $25 profit worth it?

G Kerry (c) 9/19/2000

I guess what really got me on the story is that Orchid does the same thing...with the ball, I mean. I throw the ball for her, then she'll grab the ball in her mouth and fling her head, and "toss" the ball for me.

And when we have hiked in safe places, letting her off lead, she stays close even though she's free to roam.

It just really made me sad. No breed is safe.

[Snowshoe]

Barbara of Chillicothe OH (11/14/06)
I wanted to update on my complaint that was put on the web site regarding my purchase of a Keeshond puppie and the subsequent headache of getting a refund. I am part way there. After complaining to everybody who would listen and alot who wouldn't, I received a check todayfor the majority of the money Petland owes me. I will be in the store tomorrow and I intend to leave with the rest. I think the finally straw that got things moving is the fact I have filed a complaint with the Attorney Generals Office. If nothing else people hate paperwork and I am sure this complaint will bury them for a little while. So, two days after telling them what I did, I have $535.00 of the 594.01 they owe me.



Barbara of Chillicothe OH (11/10/06)
I purchased, in cash, a keeshond puppy. I saw him one day in Sept. and he was too high priced so I told the salesperson if it ever got down to $400. give me a call. Oct. 18th 2006 I got the call. I told them I would get him that night. He wasn't ready so I waited while they bathed him, paying for him & purchasing all the other things they say you have to buy while they finished him up. I carried him to my car and drove a 1/2 mile to show him off to my sister. He fell over as soon as I placed him in the grass. Righted himself and proceeded to walk oddly. I had a feeling it was not good and I should have gone back right then, but I was so happy to have a dog I convinced myself it was ok. I thoguht maybe he was stiff from living in the pen at the store. Well it did not get better , so I made an appointment the next day with Petland's vet.

The xrays of the pup's hip were unbelievable to even my untrained eyes. At 4 months old he had hip dysplasia in both hips. The one was so bad the leg bone was no where near the hip socket. I called the store from the vet's office and told them I was bring the pup back. The assistant manager tried to get me to keep him till the store manager returned in 8 days but I said no. I took the pup directly back to the store and handed the pup over to another store assistant manager. Gave them a copy of the vet's report and told him I wanted my money back. He said I would be called the next day. In the meanntime I looked the breeder up on the internet as they say they all come from reputable breeders. This one has a history aand certainly falls into the puppy mill ranks. I gave them a copy of that when I returned on Friday when no one contacted me.

They said they couldn't give me a refund in that amount of money, it had to come from corporate. They supposedly do not have that much cash in the store. I was told I was not the normal customer as I paid cash. I was told at that time it would be the followiing Friday, , Oct 27, when the manager would get back and that she would call me. I did not contact the store that whole week as I figured nothing was going to happen till the manager got back. Ms. redman never called so I called her. The short version of the rest of the story is, I was told I would get a refund, it is now November 10th and I do not hear from Petlnd and I have not received a refund.

Found on http://www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/petland.htm

I think this is sad on so many levels. Heartless people and terrible petstores. I hope that someone rescued this little guy.

[MagicToller]

Those bastards.. they'll stop at nothing for some questionable dollars.

[iwantmypup]

Originally Posted by MagicToller

Those bastards.. they'll stop at nothing for some questionable dollars.

Thats exactly what I wanted to say .

So horrible.. I was definatly teary eyed.. Ugh.. their a bunch of A$$es...!(the puppy mill people...the suppliers. and BYB) I .. I would punch them all in the face... at least like 10 each.. I mean ..how could someone "supposedly" care for animals...but then treat them like..like..a piece of wood. ? its horrible

[Snowshoe]

Yeah, it's truly heartless on that last post.

A good breeder would A) Never let one of their beloved puppies go to that kind of he!! hole and B) Never have sold a puppy to that heartless woman who ONLY cared about her refund, and nothing about the poor puppy and C) Never bred a dog that would have produced such a poor quality puppy to begin with, who is now probably dead in some dumpster because no one wanted him

It's the petstores that need to be regulated, and the puppy mills that need to be shut down.

There is (or was) a puppy mill near Cleveland that was recently shut down. It sold primarily keeshond puppies. I bet that's where that poor pup came from.

[DogAdvocat]

Such a heartbreaking story from the OP. At least that keeshond had some happiness. Think of it's mama. Think of all the puppymill mamas. They are the ones that aren't remembered, and aren't loved, and have no comfort.

[Snowshoe]

I know. I wish that people realized more what they were doing when they bought that "doggy in the window."

It's heart breaking.

My point was kind of that my breed isn't one of the top 10, or probably even the top 50 in popularity.

Yet, they still are used in puppymills.

For people who go to petstores and are told that the puppy they like is "rare" in color, coat, or size, please don't buy it.

Chances are it's not "rare" its just malformed in some way.

Don't be misguided about where your pet store dog comes from- if my breed is somwhat rare and still ends up in petstores and puppymills, imagine for those of you who buy more common crosses, like labs, cocker spaniels, and toy dogs.

[Laurelin]

Yep, it's sad. The other day, I saw two little papillons in the window of The Puppy Store in the mall. They're still not that popular, but they're up and comng. Toys are the first to go it seems. Registrations have basically doubled in the past years. Kirby winning BIS at Westminster in 99 started this whole trend, though I hardly blame him. I know several mill bred papillons from that era. Luckily most are healthy. It's only a matter of time, though.

Now paps are one of the normal breeds used for designers (less known designers)- Papipoo, Cavalon, Papichon, etc...

It's horrible to see your breed being abused like that simply for money. I mean, it hurts to see any dogs being treated like that, but with your breed, it really hits home.

[iwantmypup]

Its hard...because I am sure there are alot of people that think they are helping them..by taking em out of missery..but than the money goes to the bad peoples....ugh...its hard to help!

[Snowshoe]

Originally Posted by Laurelin

It's horrible to see your breed being abused like that simply for money. I mean, it hurts to see any dogs being treated like that, but with your breed, it really hits home.

I know...

We saw a little keesie cub in a PetLand close to us...sad faced little bear that he was- sat stoically alone in that clear glass prison..

He didn't smile, or try to wagg his little piggy tale, or bark...he sort of just stared and watched like, "What could possibly happen next to me?"

I got sick because I KNEW we couldn't take him home because A) we still live in an apartment and aren't getting a house until September and B) buying that sad little puppy bear would have supported the puppy mill where his mom was starving and pumping out more puppies...

I had to leave.

So, I've been thinking about keeshonden and puppy mills all day...

[Dorygirl]

Why haven't pet stores been eliminated by now? Ever since I was a kid (looong time ago) the word has been "Don't buy from pet stores". I'm hearing all the same reasons as 30 years ago. Yet people are buying from pet stores as much as ever.

Maybe the puppies aren't in such bad shape as we all think? This story was heartbreaking, of course. But could there be 10 happy stories to every 1 sad one?
If enough people are dissatisfied with a product, the business usually doesn't last very long.

[Snowshoe]

Dory, I appreciate your honest questioning.

Regardless of the quality of the dogs that come from puppy mills, think of the life that puppy mill moms lead:

1) Never ever being let out of their cages
2) being forced to have multiple litters a year
3) no one pays for their dental care
4) they often have major health problems themselves, even apart from the breeding
5) no one cleans up after them- they live in fecal matter

Why would anyone want to support that? It's a horrid life for any thing or any body.

Here are some pictures. They are very graphic:








And, if you're really in the mood to cry, check out this link. It's how they treat pregnant bitches at puppy mill dog auctions.

http://www.awawatchdog.com/movies/females.wmv

[Curbside Prophet]

Originally Posted by Dorygirl

Why haven't pet stores been eliminated by now?

It's called sales tax if you're the state, and it's called profit if you're an owner. What I'm saying is, it's perpetuated because there is a fair amount of money involved.

Maybe the puppies aren't in such bad shape as we all think? This story was heartbreaking, of course. But could there be 10 happy stories to every 1 sad one?
If enough people are dissatisfied with a product, the business usually doesn't last very long.

As an educator I would think you'd know where the problem is, but I didn't grow up in a home where I was taught to stay away from pet store puppies. In fact, I didn't come to understand the problem until late into my 20's. I'd consider myself otherwise well educated. Where did I miss the boat?

[DogAdvocat]

Having bought a pet shop puppy when I was young and stupid(er), I can tell you why I did it. I grew up (dating myself now) hearing the song "How much is that doggie in the window?" which went on to say "the one with the waggily tail." That was probably one of the best pet shop ads there ever was, and it wasn't even an ad. That was a song that seeps into your consciousness, much like "It's a small world afterall." Then, add the Disney influence. Lady & The Tramp was one of my favorite cartoon features. And I still like to go back and view it sometimes. Disney really captured the dog's personalities - far more than anything at the time. But what are the lessons we learn from it? First, giving dogs as gifts is a wonderful thing (bah humbug), and though I don't think the movie mentions pet shops, it does end with Lady giving birth to a litter of purebred cocker spaniels and one mutt that looked like his father. Think of the lessons in that. It also makes the dogcatcher a villain, but that's another issue.

So, when we decided, as a newly married couple, that we wanted to add a dog to our family, I sure didn't want to go to one of those evil pounds that were more often than not portrayed as dungeons, and I'd never heard of rescue, so where else do you get a dog? You look in the newspaper, or you go to a pet shop. The classified didn't show the breed I wanted (doxies), so I ended up at a pet shop. I had no clue about puppymills - I doubt anyone else did back then either, but bringing this story to present day, I don't think the available education is reaching the people who need it - the potential puppy buyers who do not read everything with the word dog in it, like we dog people do, and so find themselves at the pet store before they have a chance to be educated. Once there, the puppy is the best salesman there could be. He's sold himself. Add to that the spiel that the pet shop staff gives, and the little tricks like quickly changing bedding so that the buyer doesn't notice the diarrhea, and drugging puppies so that they seem nice and calm, and letting the buyer think that the dogs come from reputable breeders that the shop manager has personally checked out, and it's an impulse buy waiting to happen.

I bless Dateline for running periodic puppymill exposure stories, but how many people turn those off because they don't want to see sad stories, and by doing so, they don't learn the puppymill / pet shop connection?

I would love to see the banning of live animals in pet shops. Dogs should not be considered merchandise. They are living, sentient creatures, and it should be no more acceptable than having a store in the mall where you can buy children.

The misinformation the public has about dogs and every aspect of dogs is mind boggling - at least to me.

[Jen D]

Originally Posted by Snowshoe

Barbara of Chillicothe OH (11/14/06)
I wanted to update on my complaint that was put on the web site regarding my purchase of a Keeshond puppie and the subsequent headache of getting a refund. I am part way there. After complaining to everybody who would listen and alot who wouldn't, I received a check todayfor the majority of the money Petland owes me. I will be in the store tomorrow and I intend to leave with the rest. I think the finally straw that got things moving is the fact I have filed a complaint with the Attorney Generals Office. If nothing else people hate paperwork and I am sure this complaint will bury them for a little while. So, two days after telling them what I did, I have $535.00 of the 594.01 they owe me.



Barbara of Chillicothe OH (11/10/06)
I purchased, in cash, a keeshond puppy. I saw him one day in Sept. and he was too high priced so I told the salesperson if it ever got down to $400. give me a call. Oct. 18th 2006 I got the call. I told them I would get him that night. He wasn't ready so I waited while they bathed him, paying for him & purchasing all the other things they say you have to buy while they finished him up. I carried him to my car and drove a 1/2 mile to show him off to my sister. He fell over as soon as I placed him in the grass. Righted himself and proceeded to walk oddly. I had a feeling it was not good and I should have gone back right then, but I was so happy to have a dog I convinced myself it was ok. I thoguht maybe he was stiff from living in the pen at the store. Well it did not get better , so I made an appointment the next day with Petland's vet.

The xrays of the pup's hip were unbelievable to even my untrained eyes. At 4 months old he had hip dysplasia in both hips. The one was so bad the leg bone was no where near the hip socket. I called the store from the vet's office and told them I was bring the pup back. The assistant manager tried to get me to keep him till the store manager returned in 8 days but I said no. I took the pup directly back to the store and handed the pup over to another store assistant manager. Gave them a copy of the vet's report and told him I wanted my money back. He said I would be called the next day. In the meanntime I looked the breeder up on the internet as they say they all come from reputable breeders. This one has a history aand certainly falls into the puppy mill ranks. I gave them a copy of that when I returned on Friday when no one contacted me.

They said they couldn't give me a refund in that amount of money, it had to come from corporate. They supposedly do not have that much cash in the store. I was told I was not the normal customer as I paid cash. I was told at that time it would be the followiing Friday, , Oct 27, when the manager would get back and that she would call me. I did not contact the store that whole week as I figured nothing was going to happen till the manager got back. Ms. redman never called so I called her. The short version of the rest of the story is, I was told I would get a refund, it is now November 10th and I do not hear from Petlnd and I have not received a refund.

Found on http://www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/petland.htm

I think this is sad on so many levels. Heartless people and terrible petstores. I hope that someone rescued this little guy.

I wen't into a pet store years ago and saw an Americna bulldog which is still concidered a rare breed. He had out grown his cage and I was a sucker bought him after talking them down in price because I knew what was going to happen if left another week. I will say I only went in there to get a toy and walked out with the dog. After going to the vet I also found the poor dog was loaded with medical problems. I went back to the store only to get a hard time from them so along with other places I told them I was also going to report them to the AKC they refunded me more money then. I still wanted it all back so I made a point of going there when they were busy and telling customers in the store about my experience. I would also tell them to look for a good breeder and get a good contract. This really upset the store so after some work I did get all my money back! Good luck

[Jen D]

Originally Posted by Dorygirl

Why haven't pet stores been eliminated by now? Ever since I was a kid (looong time ago) the word has been "Don't buy from pet stores". I'm hearing all the same reasons as 30 years ago. Yet people are buying from pet stores as much as ever.

Maybe the puppies aren't in such bad shape as we all think? This story was heartbreaking, of course. But could there be 10 happy stories to every 1 sad one?
If enough people are dissatisfied with a product, the business usually doesn't last very long.

From what I have read and people I have talked to I find it hard to beleive that there is only one in ten but even if there is only one in ten good breeders don't have that amount of pups with medical problems. There are alot of people that go into these stores like in malls and walk out with a pup people that are not even looking for a dog . Seeing them in these pet stores they feel they are doing them a favor because they feel bad for them and don't know what they are getting into. In my area there have been alot of these pet stores closed from bad reputations or lack of buisness. They still pop up in other places becuase people still purchase them feeling bad or just can't resist the cute little faces.

[saveourdogs]

Originally Posted by Jen D

From what I have read and people I have talked to I find it hard to beleive that there is only one in ten but even if there is only one in ten good breeders don't have that amount of pups with medical problems. There are alot of people that go into these stores like in malls and walk out with a pup people that are not even looking for a dog . Seeing them in these pet stores they feel they are doing them a favor because they feel bad for them and don't know what they are getting into. In my area there have been alot of these pet stores closed from bad reputations or lack of buisness. They still pop up in other places becuase people still purchase them feeling bad or just can't resist the cute little faces.

Its' more like the opposite. The majority of puppies bought from pet stores will have either kennel cough, some sort of worms, coccidia, giardia or all of them. They get these from being in crowded, dirty environments at the breeders or at the broker's facility and when they are shipped in crowded trucks.

The majority in my breed bought from pet stores have some sort of genetic issues such as allergies, autoimmune issues, epilepsy.

my old boss bought a dog from a pet store, a yorkie, spent $3000 for it because it was from Eastern Europe. Yup and Eastern European puppymill. It has bad allergies.

My hairdresser bought yorkies from pet stores and her male looks nothing like the breed. I saw a picture and almost said to her, well cute Cairn terrier. It was oversize, improper texture of coat, improper coloring (all tan). but her dogs are healthy. She is the only one I've talked to that has dogs from pet stores that are healthy. I used to do breeder referral for my breed club, i've talked to thousands of people who learned the hard way not to buy from pet stores.

[Jen D]

So right you are a hard lesson and an expensive one at that!