I am so upset!!

[LoveMyGirlz]

You can please tell me that I'm wrong if you think I am....But I am angry and hurt!
You all know by now that we put our Lexxi down last Saturday...after struggling for 3 years with hydrocephalus (water on the brain), seizures, she became blind...etc.
I had called the breeder when we first had her diagnosed, via MRI and told her what was going on. She said to me that she'd never heard of hydrocephalus and of course none of her dogs ever had this. She continued to say she could not help us with any of the medical bills but when the time came for us to have to "put her down" she would "replace" her. In the 2.5 years Lexxi fought after that diagnoses, never once did the breeder call or email me to check on her.
After we put Lexxi to rest last weekend, I emailed the breeder and told her what we just went through and told her even though she had offered us another, we just weren't sure if we'd ever be ready. I NEVER GOT A REPLY! Then I emailed again from another email and she wrote this:

You bought your puppy over 3 years ago. I guarantee the puppy for 2 years. That's 2 years after the purchase not any time in the future. No breeder would do that. That is totally unreasonable. I did offer to replace this puppy ( may be a year or more) after you purchased her. You how ever elected to keep her instead of me replacing her.
I feel I have met my responsibility in this case.
Steve and Charlotte Ampelas


I may as well add my original email so you can see that I did not beg her for a dog or for $$ or anything. Yet money was all she addressed in this email. Not once an "I'm sorry for your loss" or whatever!

here is my first email to her:

Hi Charlotte,

This is Trina, I bought one of your babies in 2004 – she is my Lexxi. We spoke some time ago regarding her being diagnosed with hydrocephalus. Lexxi has lost her fight today. She put up a fight for as long as she could and we know that we did everything possible to make her life comfortable. She was a sweet little angel that was robbed a long healthy life. We are so sad today. I can’t even think of a day that has been harder than this one. I am devastated, and my husband too. Its been the hardest thing we’ve ever had to go through.

I know you had told me you’d be willing to replace her when the time came for Lexxi to go, but I can’t say that I am ready for another at this time. We are just in too much pain to think that far ahead, as this only happened today. But I did want you to know what happened and I did want to ask for your prayers for our baby who has reached the rainbow bridge.

I hope you, your family and your babies and doing well,

Sincerely,

Trina

Does she look to be after the almighty dollar and not care about her dogs?? I can't believe how cold she is!!!
What do you think? Did I say something I shouldn't have? Did I expect too much?
I'm angry!

[xBUTTERCUPx]

I think you said all the rights things and all she cared about was making money off of the dogs. She is really cold-hearted.

[Sallyvine]

Dear Trina,

My heart breaks for you. I lost my boy very suddenly in April. I now have a little girl.

God bless you for seeing Lexxi through her illness, You could have returned her, but you didn't. A pox upon that breeder! She should at least give you another dog at a reasonable price. What goes around comes around.

You could write to the AKC and see if they have any suggestions. Unfortunately without a written contract you don't have any redress. I think you should post your story in the regional forum for California. Give the breeder's address and website if there is one. This is not libel, it is simply telling your story.

I always try to believe when the Lord closes one door, He opens another.

Sallyvine

[Hokule'a]

I'm so sorry your breeder is being so insensitive. Certainly does sound like she just doesn't want to deal with all of it right now even though she did initially say she'd replace her. I'm not quite sure of her rights vs. yours but I do know she is being cold and callous

When I got Hokule'a she was diagnosed with a severe heart murmur and even though none of my breeder's pups had ever had that problem she said she would replace her. I however was already attached and said that I wanted to give her the best life I could, no matter how short it turned out to be. A few weeks later the breeder emailed to see how she was doing and I reported that at her last vet visit for shots they said the murmur sounded just as bad if not worse and that I didn't know how I was going to handle her passing. When the breeder heard that she offered me Hoku's half-brother and even drove part way to meet me since it's over a 3 hour drive from my place to hers. She said she wanted Hoku to have a playmate and that hopefully when she passed Kalani would help ease the pain of losing her.

I hope that your breeder comes around and at least expresses some sympathy and options. Perhaps she was just caught off guard.

[LoveMyGirlz]

Thank you. The thing is, I wasn't asking her for another dog...even though SHE said that, not me! In all honesty, just based on how she was AFTER she received my money for Lexxi and how she's been MIA even after she knew Lexxi was sick, I wouldn't get another dog through her anyway. And especially now!
And I did have a contract as well. I paid $2000 for her - she lives in Texas. I think I was really seeking empathy
She dares to quote the bible on her website too....
http://www.myheartsdesiremaltese.com/

Originally Posted by Sallyvine

Dear Trina,

My heart breaks for you. I lost my boy very suddenly in April. I now have a little girl.

God bless you for seeing Lexxi through her illness, You could have returned her, but you didn't. A pox upon that breeder! She should at least give you another dog at a reasonable price. What goes around comes around.

You could write to the AKC and see if they have any suggestions. Unfortunately without a written contract you don't have any redress. I think you should post your story in the regional forum for California. Give the breeder's address and website if there is one. This is not libel, it is simply telling your story.

I always try to believe when the Lord closes one door, He opens another.

Sallyvine

[ironside888]

Originally Posted by xBUTTERCUPx

I think you said all the rights things and all she cared about was making money off of the dogs. She is really cold-hearted.

I agree...it is not acceptable that the breeder did not communicate with you for all that time after you informed her of the health findings on Lexxi. Whether she knew of the illness or the illness came after beside the point. I would expect a responsible breeder to be open in communicating with the buyers of their pups, after all, these pups are living creatures that become members of our family. So I agree... she is cold-hearted.... and unprofessional. A professional would keep communication lines open, especially during sensitive situations as this, and will strive to come to aa resolution to both your satisfaction. Did she even express empathy for your pain of having to put down Lexxi whim you've loved and cared for for all these 3 years! AArGH.... makes me very upset too!

[Luckyone]

I'm amazed that some people only think of themselves. I'm a true believer in karma, what goes around, comes around.

I'm so sorry about Lexxie. There's nothing to describe the pain of losing something/one you love and people like that only seem to make it worse.

[LoveMyGirlz]

Maybe I did come across as if I was "wanting" something from her?? I didn't think that I did, but even a couple of you are responding with what recourse I might have or saying that it is awful she isn't offering to replace my dog. Did you get that impression with my email or is this just what you guys think she should be doing?
But honestly, I didn't want her to offer me a dog and after caring for Lexxi for 3 years, I certainly wasn't after any money...
I wrote her again and I was pretty nasty....but I am done with her in every way now.
Your breeder sounds wonderful on the other hand She was obviously concerned with her babies having a good home and knew she had found that with you!

Originally Posted by Hokule'a

I'm so sorry your breeder is being so insensitive. Certainly does sound like she just doesn't want to deal with all of it right now even though she did initially say she'd replace her. I'm not quite sure of her rights vs. yours but I do know she is being cold and callous

When I got Hokule'a she was diagnosed with a severe heart murmur and even though none of my breeder's pups had ever had that problem she said she would replace her. I however was already attached and said that I wanted to give her the best life I could, no matter how short it turned out to be. A few weeks later the breeder emailed to see how she was doing and I reported that at her last vet visit for shots they said the murmur sounded just as bad if not worse and that I didn't know how I was going to handle her passing. When the breeder heard that she offered me Hoku's half-brother and even drove part way to meet me since it's over a 3 hour drive from my place to hers. She said she wanted Hoku to have a playmate and that hopefully when she passed Kalani would help ease the pain of losing her.

I hope that your breeder comes around and at least expresses some sympathy and options. Perhaps she was just caught off guard.

[Sallyvine]

I went to her site and emailed her. Everybody should do that. Let her see what is being said. If she is in Texas, go to that regional forum and post. Maybe if she gets a flood of emails she will mend her ways.

I know it's not the about the money, but she sure is one ice princess!

[LoveMyGirlz]

Thank you...thats how I feel too!
I can't believe you emailed her! LOL!

Originally Posted by Sallyvine

I went to her site and emailed her. Everybody should do that. Let her see what is being said. If she is in Texas, go to that regional forum and post. Maybe if she gets a flood of emails she will mend her ways.

I know it's not the about the money, but she sure is one ice princess!

[Luckyone]

I was thinking about this some more. I've never bred dogs but if one of mine had puppies and one of them was sick, I could never just walk away or turn my back on it. It's like she just doesn't care about her dog's offspring. She was the one who helped bring this puppy into this world, she has an obligation (I think) to be responsible for it. Even if it is just offering her condolences and being sympathetic.

[LoveMyGirlz]

I feel the same! Thank you. And for whatever reason, I was really needing to hear sympathy and condolences from her! Not sure why....but I needed that.

Originally Posted by Luckyone

I was thinking about this some more. I've never bred dogs but if one of mine had puppies and one of them was sick, I could never just walk away or turn my back on it. It's like she just doesn't care about her dog's offspring. She was the one who helped bring this puppy into this world, she has an obligation (I think) to be responsible for it. Even if it is just offering her condolences and being sympathetic.

[red98vett]

Trina - you didn't sound at all like you were looking for anything and just by the fact that she OFFERED you a new puppy at the time you told her about Lexxie says to me she knows she sold you a dog with medical issues She may have said that out of guilt or to pacify you and probably never had any intention to help you. Ignoring you & Lexxie during the last few years says it all.

When it boils down - it's all about the money with some breeders. They can quote all the bible verse they want - but actions, ethics and reputation speak way louder...and it sounds like she just showed you how ethical she is....or should I say ISN'T.

Funny how some breeders can play so dumb and act like they've never heard of certain conditions (hydrocephalus). My Chanels breeder did the same thing when I told her Chanel had coccidia 4 days after bringing her home - she claimed she'd never heard of it too - yeah right

You can go 2 ways - never deal with her againm, do a review here and hope people see it ...or push her more and see if she makes an attempt to make it right - I don't see that happening though. I'm sorry she didn't care enough to help you thru the loss of your pretty girl - that really SUCKS!

(I'm sorry for your loss again) Rest in peace Lexxie.

[Hokule'a]

Originally Posted by LoveMyGirlz

I feel the same! Thank you. And for whatever reason, I was really needing to hear sympathy and condolences from her! Not sure why....but I needed that.

Of course you needed that, and any reputable and caring breeder would've given it to you. I'm sorry you not only had to lose your baby but have to go through this

[paulapoo]

I'm not a breeder, but aren't we the type of people you would WANT to have your pups. I probably could never breed because I know not everyone thinks of dogs as babies like I do. This woman has the nerve to be so unfeeling and uncaring when you just wanted to let her know what was going on. I guess she'd just be happier selling her pups to people who think "they're just dogs" and never hears from them again. I called the lady I got Otis from when he turned 1 just to let her know how much he was loved and how happy he made me. I would figure a breeder would love that. I called her a few weeks ago to ask about liver shunt because Otis was having issue's. Of course she says she's never had any trouble. She only has 1 breeding pair and she's probably in her late 70's or early 80's. She didn't really seem interested in hearing how he was doing or what he looked like. I even told her I'd like to send a picture because he's so handsome. I would think if I was a breeder I would want yearly updates on all my pups, but I guess that would be hard for very large breeders. I'm so sorry about all this, just know you have us here at YT. This lady doesn't know what she's in for, because the word will definately get around. You should always be nice to people. Hasn't she ever heard the word..... NETWORKING!!!!