Did I do something wrong?

[Lea's Mom]

Ok, I am probably putting myself out there to be scolded but that's ok. I will admit that my little one was purchased in a pet store and yes, it was the traditional, "I just went to look and then I couldn't put her back" story. I had researched yorkies for several months and planned on finding one from a breeder in the Spring, but my little one came about a little sooner then I had planned. I am so grateful that she is healthy and growing well and that she is able to get the attention she deserves. My question is this: does anyone out there have a story of a puppy they got from a pet store that is happy or did I commit a terrible puppy crime? I guess from reading how wonderful you all are with your pups, I'm feeling guilty that my doggy didn't come directly from a reputable breeder. Should I be prepared for awful things to come?

[JUDY's2yorkies]

First of all you did get a baby to love,next,you saved a puppy,now it is true that puppy mills are the ones that sell to stores,yet,there are always 2 sides to every thing..I don't like,actually hate puppy mills,but to say you did wrong, no I can't,your loved yorkie will be a joy to you,even if he is not top of the show standard.so does it really matter at this point,no,good luck with the baby and welcome to yorkietalk,but this is only my opinion

[chachi]

You are right it is not good to purchase from a pet store and petstore yorkies can be sickly. But if he is happy and healthy he is the same as a yorkie bought from a breeder. The only thing I think a puppy from the pet store is lacking is socialization so you will have to do that with him. Maybe put him in a class that you two do together. Good luck and enjoy your puppy.

[orinskye]

burn her at the stake!!!!!!............... okok, just kidding........ i personally dont support pet stores and like other people said above abotu puppy mills ... i second their statements...... but just be thankful that she is healthy, there are plenty of pups that come out of those stores only to have major health issues days after they are taken home... consider yourself blessed that you have a healthy happy puppy....and just remember, the term "breeder" doesnt necessarily mean that their quality is all that excellent, there are people out there that are not good "breeders" and sell sick puppies just the same as pet stores do......... it all comes down to the right healthy pup picking out its owner

[red98vett]

You're one of the lucky ones... and no scolding cause I can see you already know that probably wasn't the best way to get your new puppy - you were probably way overcharged but that's beside the point ...I've heard people do get healthy puppies.... but there are many people who go thru heartache because pet stores buy from puppy mills & many sick puppies are shipped into pet stores. THAT in itself is something to always think about.

I hope you have a healthy and happy puppy and what's done is done - don't beat yourself up about it and enjoy your puppy. Congratulations and I hope you share some pictures soon.

[Lea's Mom]

thank you all for your support and refraining from carrying me off to Animal Cruelty Supporters Here's a few pics of my girl to show she is relatively normal (although she's quite a nutcase at times).

[cajungal]

Well, my yorkie Lacey was purchased at a pet store. My parents did not think they were doing wrong. It was 1992. I am sure they did not know that pet stores sell puppy mill puppies. And I was only 15. My parents surprized me with her after school. Lacey was healthy and happy. She did not have any health problems. We took her to the vet for her routine shots and checkups. And the vets always certified her healthy. She only got sick maybe a couple of times, but every dog is going to get sick at one point. And when she got sick, it was an upset tummy, and we brought her to the vet right away. Because we know how quickly these little dogs can dehydrate. Lacey got diagnosed with kidney failure shortly after her 13th birthday. But, that had nothing to do with the fact she was from a pet store. It was her age working against her. That was almost 14 years ago now and we are smarter about what to look for with a yorkie. And we do plan on getting another puppy, but we are NOT getting one from a pet store. We have found a breeder near our home (only 5 miles). She had 2 litters due on Dec 6th and one on the 9th. She has yet to call us back. My mom spoke to her on Saturday December 10th. The lady said the puppies were running late. And my mom said she was going to call us when the puppies were born. Because we were going to go check out the dogs and leave a deposit for one. This lady almost promised my mom a female out of the litter. But, she STILL has not called us back. My mom said she will wait until after Christmas and make one last attempt to call her to see what is up. We just don't want her to get irritated at us for keep calling her and not want to sell us a puppy. We still have 1 other lady just in case (also within a 10 minute drive) She only owns 1 female yorkie and she is due around New Years Eve. We are second on her list for a female. One female is already promised to someone else. So, she would have to produce 2 females in order for us to have one. I am worried that I won't be able to get a puppy with neither one of these people. The only pet store near here is getting a shipment of yorkies in February, but I am not buying from a pet store. If neither one of these 2 ladies work out, I will just have to wait even longer for my baby. It is always one step forward and two steps back with me.

[livingdustmops]

One of the things most people do not understand when they purchase a puppy from a petstore or a backyard breeder (someone just in it for the $$$) is that many of the problems do not surface until the dog is older. Just because the vet gave her/him a clean bill of health at its first checkup doesn't mean the dog is free forever from some of these issues.

You will need to become knowledgeable about the future and always watch your little one for some of the signs that could come up like LP. You are doing the right thing by coming on YT and once you follow threads you will read about the different problems as they appear in many of the members dogs.

Good Luck with your little one and yes, I too bought my first dog (Irish Setter) from a petstore (paid way to much $$) and yes my dog died at 5 years of age because of cancer. Many of us have learned the hard way because we didn't have the internet 20/30 years ago. You are lucky and have a great place to go to learn as much as you can about your little one.

[tmatherly]

I think alot of people just don't know about pet stores and puppy mills. I didn't until I joined YT. All of us who got our pups from unknown circumstances deal with a little guilt (my Pippa probably came from a puppy mill....she was a christmas gift to my daughter from her boyfriend last year of all things....Pippa is just very lucky she came to our home!). I did things right with Scout and researched and interviewed breeders before getting him. Another way I help my guilt feelings (even though it wasn't me who bought Pippa) is to tell as many other people as I can about pet stores and puppy mills. I have educated quite a few people on the subject-some who listen and some who don't. Thank heaven your baby is so loved and well cared for.

[sabrinasmom]

No, you did not do a terrible puppy crime! You saved her! I've been there and done that - not once - but 2 times. And I don't care. They were adorable, sweet dogs that lived with me for many years and passed over happily leaving me with many happy memories. I wouldn't have traded them for anything.

[Mydogkelsey]

I personally wouldn't get a puppy from a puppy mill/store. I have many reasons that I prefer not to share...

It's a very small, caged enviornment and think it'd be really hard to potty train. They let their dogs sit in their urine/poop and that is disgusting. And they put more than one animal per cage which is wrong. But I think you also rescued the poor puppy and if you can give it a better home/living environment than more power to you. I hope you and your puppy live happily ever after hehe..

[teri88]

After looking at your pictures it doesn't surprise me that you "couldn't put her back", she is beautiful! We too got our puppy from a pet store because we didn't know any better at the time. He died a month later. Our second Yorkie doesn't look lik the first, he's 9 pounds, has floppy ears, and lots of other differences, but he is healthy as a horse! I do know people that have gotten dogs from pet stores who have gone on to live long, happy lives. True they are the lucky ones! Lets' hope you are one of those lucky ones too. At any rate, your baby is adorable, and she is lucky to have you come along and rescue her!

[toninm]

here is my opinion....you saved a puppy....I do not really know exactly where Dollar came from (really). I have a feeling it was not a good place...and while I supported the man I bought him from by giving him money, I also got a puppy away from where ever he was which in my opinion is good. In my defense I didnt research anything before I bought him so I was very naive about it all.

So I am glad that you saved a pup, but now you should work to put them out of business...J/J.

[livingdustmops]

Originally Posted by toninm

So I am glad that you saved a pup, but now you should work to put them out of business...J/J.

They will never go out of business as long as people pay them $$$$$ or the laws are changed on who can sell a puppy and I don't see that changing...sorry to say...

[Lea's Mom]

Wow, thank you all for sharing your stories. I tried to look up the name of the breeder who sold my pup to the pet store, and when I couldn't find any info on her, I called the store and they assured me that my puppy is ok (apparently the breeder lives on a farm and socializes the puppies) I just hope that I am being told the truth! Does anyone know why the government hasn't stepped in on puppymills? It seems like the most inhumane practice!