I explained most of Lolli's story at my initial introduction post but I will say it here, too.
Lolli is technically a rehome, but she was also semi-rescued at the same time. I'm sure dogs are safe to breed into their adult maybe even senior age, but to me after a few years of breeding I personally feel they should have a chance to relax and enjoy doggie life without constantly worrying about heat, pregnancy and puppies/weening.
I know that is nature, but it's just how I feel. I'm not opposed to breeding when appropriate but sometimes these poor little ones just don't get much of a life (or attention!) other than that.
I live in a townhouse community where there are no back yards so when my mother and I finally decided on adopting a dog, we had to specifically find some sort of small breed that would be ok to have here. We called and looked at the local shelters and almost literally had no small breeds, or the ones that were small were not a good fit (Jack Russels for example are a small breed but do need a lot of running around space as they are hyper energetic little cuties and our home probably wouldn't be suitable for that particular breed).
So we went to craigslist as I am an avid craigslister for other things (garage sale ads mostly!) and I knew they had a pet rehoming section where people who either have a dog they need to rehome personally, or those foster type personally owned shelters are allowed to post their adoptions but craigslist specifically restricts against dog and puppy SALES, so I thought it might be a good route.
So, though hesitantly, I posted an ad saying about my living situation and that I was looking for a smaller breed dog that would be alright in a townhouse with no yard but a lot of safe area for walking and even a nearby dog park, and I got a crapload of people trying to sell me their puppies. I was so frustrated!! I didn't want to purchase someones $500 purebred yorkie or dachshund, if I did I would have looked in the newspaper! I was out to save/rehome/rescue instead of promote over abundance.
So after a little while of frustration and confusion why people weren't following the rules, I finally got a email from someone saying that they know someone rehoming a little yorkie. I was so glad to hear this, I always did favor the breed for a number of reasons (besides their extreme cuteness!). So I contacted the person who was rehoming the little yorkie and she told me all about her.
She told me she was 7 years old and 7 lbs, and her name was Lollipop and she was a breeder dog! I was actually a bit scared to hear about this, you never know what the people who breed dogs are doing to the dogs (neglectful, are they taking care of the dogs health, etc) and whatever else. She told me she was a Veterinary Tech, and I was a little relieved. She was up to date on her vaccines but didn't actually know any commands or how to play with toys or even how to walk with a lead! She even referred to her other dogs as HER dogs, as if this yorkie was nothing but a way for her to make money and wasn't even "hers". It was a safe situation, but it broke my heart that someone can just use a dog for breeding and then give it away when they "retire" it. I'm sure this is normal for breeders to do, but for me personally I don't think I could just give away my dogs even if I only had them for a sole purpose. They just become a part of your life!
Anyway, so this poor girl is 7 years old and never seen a toy in her life, she never was worked with to learn any commands (sit, come, stay, etc). But the thing is, beyond that she is so well behaved! It's such a lucky find that I couldn't believe it. I thought I would be having to do some serious training and obedience with her that I was extremely intimidated as this is my first dog that was actually "mine" and not someone elses that I was living with.
The previous owner said she had only actually had her a little over a year she had adopted her from someone else and had no idea about her past at all. So we're not sure if she was a breeder dog her whole life (but she believed she was at least most of it), if she was ever abused or neglected but you know what? I can honestly say that I think she's happy now. Every morning I wake up to a happy dog with a crazy wagging tail with her font paws against the bed waiting for an ear scritch!
I don't think I could have made a better choice on not only the dog I ended up giving a home to, but the way I went about it. Because if I hadn't? I wouldn't have the love of my life today!
P.S. We've had her for exactly 1 week today!! |