[Misti1]

Whitney Hurdle unknowingly adopted a seven week old puppy, Tootsie, from the Barretos. Hurdle said she found the couple through a classified ad.

"Only one close," she said. "I could get it the next day. Didn't look into it. Now I wish I had."

Rather than get the puppy at the breeder's house, the breeder had Hurdle meet her in a parking lot. That's where Hurdle handed over $500 in cash- the only method of payment Barreto accepted.

"Had a child with her, a little girl," Hurdle said. "Nine or ten. Little girl carrying the puppy. She seemed alright. Gave me papers."

When Hurdle took Tootsie to the vet for her boosters, the vet was concerned about the teacup yorkie's size.

"He said he'd never seen one that small," she said.

A day after the booster shots, Tootsie died. Hurdle said she hoped her experience would encourage others always go the breeder's home before buying a dog.