When we brought Chip home, I knew absolutely nothing about yorkies. I still thought that "teacups" were real and I had no idea that they changed colors... when I noticed Chippy's hair color changing, I thought there was something wrong with him! I thought 8 weeks was okay to bring him home and he actually turned out to be 7 weeks. I had no idea about good nutrition... I thought Purina was good enough. I thought collars were fine. I even considered studding Chip!!!
LOL and the last male puppy I had gotten, I was 11, so when I noticed these little mole like things on Chip's belly, I thought he had been bitten by ticks until my husband gently told me that male dogs have nipples too.
As you can see, I wasn't very smart in yorkieland!!! Thankfully I had a patient group of people on YT to help me... all I got to say is, Chip survived and is now 4 years old and we have Smokey who is also almost 4 and has survived with us for 3 whole years. I have learned so much from people more knowledgeable than me, there is so much still to learn and I certainly wasn't ready for a yorkie when we got Chip. Does that make me a bad owner? No because I was willing to learn, he was very much loved, and had his basic needs met, even if it wasn't the absolute best, and was taken care of to the best of my abilities. Would I understand if a reputable breeder turned me down back then? Back then, no, I would have been upset, but knowing what I know now and looking back, I definitely would understand. I'm glad there are good breeders that look for the best care for their puppies, but unfortunately, those same people will turn to other not so good places like puppy mills and pet stores, because those awful places don't ask questions and just hand over their pups to anyone who will pay the price. I think giving them resources to learn first, like YT, before even considering selling pups would be a good start, if those people are willing to learn. IF I were a breeder, willingness and ability to learn, would be a quality I would look for in potential dog owners.
Thank you to all the wonderful breeders out there, doing the best for your pups!!!
