[Pinehaven]

On and off over the past 14 months, I've been dealing with a very difficult, unsatisfied puppy buyer. No matter how hard I try to please her, nothing I say or do satisfies her. She says I've done nothing to resolve the problem, she's called me a bad breeder and an unethical breeder, she's threatened me, intimidated me, defamed me and says she'll continue to do so. In addition to her sending me intimidating emails, in Feb. 2010 she began sending unwanted and harassing emails to a friend of mine, about me. This woman says she's going to tell everyone about my dogs and about her dealings with me, as well as post video after video on the Internet.

Ironically, I was warned by another breeder who also had a similar, negative experience with the buyer. This warning came in Jan. 09, and pup didn't leave for her new home until late March 09 and that's when this all began.

I have saved all of our email correspondence to back up what was said and offered. I have our signed contract which shows she could have returned the pup for a full refund. I have tried to keep my email correspondence with her professional, without making defaming accusations and without threats, other than if her threats continue, I will be forced to publicly defend myself and/or take legal action. Her latest threats were received yesterday.

Quick synopsis:

Pup arrives at it’s new home at 14 weeks of age and 3 days later began displaying some sort of head twitching. Buyer said you really had to watch closely to see it, and sometimes it would take all day for it to happen. Vet found nothing abnormal; neuro exam normal and blood work normal with the exception of iron levels being at the low end of the normal scale. Pup outgrows the twitch/tremor/focal seizure.

Buyer could have received a full refund on the pup per our contract, buyer was also offered a replacement puppy numerous times. When buyer said she didn't want to return pup but was concerned about breeding her, I offered her a $1000.00 refund if she didn't breed the pup and had her spayed before she was 2 years old. None of my offers were accepted. I asked her many times, what did she want from me, and what did she want me to do to make things right? Finally almost a year later, she told me I should have refunded a portion of her money or paid for the vet tests - that would have made me a "reputable" breeder.

Buyer did go on to breed the pup (now adult dog) and at 12 weeks of age, she says 2 of the offspring have displayed a head tremor (though buyer refuses to provided any of the vet findings to me).

Sire of the pup has produced well over 100 pups between his 2 owners. I've owned 3 generations of this pups family, including the pups 7 full siblings. None of these directly related dogs nor their offspring, ever displayed any sort of tremor or twitching with the exception of this one pup. I'm not saying it isn't possible, only that I would like to also see proof to back up her accusations like vet reports and not base ending a breeding line solely on what a disgruntled buyer says - a buyer who, IMO, could possibly have other reasons to discredit me.

She choose none of my offers to resolve the problem, she later tried selling the pup for $1000.00 above the purchase price when the pup was 8 months old, she went ahead and bred the dog anyway, knowing that the problem may and according to her, has shown up in the pups. As a result, "I'm" the bad breeder.

I have worked hard to build up my reputation and credibility. I love my dogs and take great pride and joy in them, they are pretty much my life.

I really don't want to be here posting this but I'm not quite sure what to do next, since all reasoning with this woman have failed and her threats still continue .... and Yes, she is a YT member.