[Ashley V]

About puppy mills -

Both of my boys came from puppy mills. One I bought directly from the mill, the other one was rescued when he was 6 months. My first one was really sick when we brought him home and almost died from a hypoglycemia fit due to the fact that the "breeders" told us that he was able to eat dry food, when it was obvious he couldn't. He would pick the kibble up, try to chew it, and drop it. He also has bad vaccine reactions and some minor food allergies. I also believe he is starting up with a luxating patella, which is not uncommon to the breed and it can be treated. Any of those things I mentioned could come with ANY dog, not just a mill dog, but it was more likely to happen in a dog that is not taken care of or was not bred properly. Our main problem with him is socialization. His first real interactions with humans were bad - the millers had two SCREAMING (not normal loud, like overly obnoxious loud) kids that petrified him and I doubt he had any human touch before then. We were the first love he was shown so he is VERY attached to his family and is very shy about meeting new people and especially children.

Smokey is an entirely different situation. We have not had one problem with his health at all. He is in tip top shape and is extremely friendly... probably too friendly. The biggest problem we've had with him is separation anxiety and training problems due to the issues he dealt with in his first 6 months of life.

Both of my dogs are now two years old and doing great.