This is my first post on YT since I've found my way back, but I was one of Denise's customers seven years ago. Back then I couldn't find anyone locally who had yorkie pups available. Came across her name and number through an internet search and voila! She had puppies!
We were so excited, made an appointment to meet with her, and thought it was so cute when all those yorkies (all shapes and sizes) came out to meet us in the driveway - loose! All happy, friendly dogs. And her front door was wide open! She was very nice (of course), had a bunch of older pups in an x-pen right there in the kitchen supposedly awaiting their new families to come bring them home. "Our" puppy she brought up from the basement in a basket - 3 teeny, tiny puppies, all boys. They fit in the palm of my hand. I was hooked.
We got a big flowery story about how fantastic this litter was. She showed us a picture of the dog on the cover of The Book of the Yorkshire Terrier by Brearley, saying that was his grandfather!!!!! (OMG, we were sooooo stupid!
) We put a deposit (check) on our boy but she told us since we were the first to call, we had "pick of the litter."
Almost every weekend, we tried to get down to MA to visit our boy, Riley. We brought him a little receiving blanket and toys so he would be able to remember our scent. One weekend, she only brought 2 boys up for us. Strange.....where was the 3rd little guy (the smallest one)? I am not sure and could be wrong, but I know I saw her husband on the back porch with company, holding a tiny york that appeared to be one of Riley's littermates. It's my belief, that boy was the tiniest of the litter that she wasn't showing us for a specific reason....planning on asking more money for him (possibly since she'd already locked in on the price for us $1250 with AKC registration papers), possibly he was sick.
Long story short, she let us take our Riley home (balance of payment cash only, please
) at 9 weeks of age (way to young!!!), he was dirty and didn't appear to have had the "spa day" she had promised. His blanket and toys were filthy dirty and covered in dead spiders and webs!!!! This grossed me out. My poor little guy living the whole time in her crummy cellar!
I saw the warning signs, darn it. I should have listened to my head and not my heart. But we were overanxious and did not do our homework.
I have now learned so much about what a good breeder is and does for her/his puppies. Denise is not it! Yes, she bred my boy which Stephen confirmed for me (I showed him my boy's pedigree to look over for me) years ago when I first came across his website and saw his warning about Denise.
Don't get me wrong, I love my yorkie boy
- he's very, very sweet, but he has issues. He has fear aggression around other dogs. He should have stayed with his mom and littermates until at least 12 weeks. It cost me a small fortune for private "safe dog" training so I could be able to bring him comfortably and calmly around other dogs. He has a grade 3 luxating patella in his back right leg. The left ACL tore when his left patella went out, it was that bad. Again, $2500 in orthopedic bills and lengthy recuperation. We are now hoping and praying the other leg won't require surgery.
Oh, and he came home to us with a nasty case of coccidia.
He is also about 11 pounds. But he is beautiful and very sweet. Gives the best kisses.
I wouldn't trade him for the world. But I would never, ever buy another dog from this lady. We just need to do our research. And we also need to keep spreading the word so that hopefully other people won't get burned by a pretty facade.
We also have another yorkie boy, Oliver who is 4 but he came from a reputable showbreeder in Michigan. And we flew to pick him up and bring him home. He is well adjusted and very healthy, thank goodness. He is Riley's best buddy. Someday soon we hope to add a little yorkie sister but we're being very picky!
