Quote:
Originally Posted by MyLovelyNiko  I mean how do you begin to explain the pain and violation you feel when someone you trust with a life...your puppy's life begins to act so bizarre?
Her Champion stud was gorgeous and she seemed well informed, caring, and everything else you would like to find in a breeder.
... I mean I have spent hours on the phone with her. Shared tons of email, almost on a daily basis. ... (Please keep in mind that I am not outlining our entire "courtship" just giving a synopsis.).... In the beginning I would spend much time with her on the phone, talked to other references, shared grooming and showing tips, along with a plethora of photos of the pups progress. Well, now she has done a complete 180 degree flip on me.
...She made the comment that the reason she does not call is because she is trying to keep her phone bill low and she prefers email anyway. But when I email her in b/w calls she is very short with me. Almost in a rude kind of way. Like her responding back is a waste of time.
]4. Upon me asking for the contract to be sent to me ahead of the puppy she tells me that she has a funeral to attend and will email me later. --> exact response from her. "so very sorry I haven’t gotten back to you—my husbands brother died and his funeral is today---I’ll write more this evening after the funeral." But she has not written back.
]5. I asked if she will send a blanket or toy with him when he flies to me and she says that she will see what she can do.
6. I asked her for a list a while back of suggested supplies and she says that as the time nears she will send all of the new owners a list of things she uses on her show dogs...still have not received it and he comes this Friday. I really do not know what to do or how to begin...I mean am I just being too needy and in your face, and perhaps that is the reason for her personality shift? Do you think I am panicking because the time is nearing? What would you recommend I do? Please, don't chew me up and spit me out...I don't want to known as the dumb newbie, or feel outcasted... |
I am going to be devil's advocate here -- Reading through your post it really seems like this lady has bent over backwards accomodating your need for excessive contact. In your own words she has spent
hours on the phone with you,
daily emails,
plethora of photos documenting the pups progress, shared
grooming & show tips, and she has not refused to do anything you asked. You even say that this is only a synopsis of your "courtship." So who knows how much communication has actually gone back and forth?
She had a death in the family and was a little later than you wanted on getting some MORE information sent to you and for that you are going to create doubt about a breeder on a public forum? I know you didn't name her here, but you've already shared by PM and it will get out eventually. I would ask yourself if maybe, just maybe, you have gone a little beyond the normal buyer to breeder contact? I certainly never had that much communication with anyone before buying their puppies. I would never have presumed to take that much of their life.
The only things I can see this person did wrong was to allow a puppy to leave her momma before 12 weeks and not make her contract/health guarantee part of her public website. Some people are still old school and not with the modern recommendations of keeping puppies a MINIMUM of 12 weeks. I also do not personally agree with shipping puppies unless in the cabin WITH a courier. (She can tell you the pup is not going to be in the cargo hold, but how many times have you seen a dog in the cabin of an aircraft unless they are travelling WITH someone and kept under the seat WITH them. The pup is going in cargo -- just a separate corner of the cargo hold.) For those questions, sure -- ask away and get opinions here. But when you have had THIS MUCH interaction with a breeder prior to getting your puppy, I sure would not panic because she wanted to attend a funeral before sending your paperwork.
Concentrate on the things that are priorities -- like the age of the pup being shipped solo! That is the thing that is the most critical component of this whole thread IMO. I can live with a couple less phone calls than I wanted but not with taking a risk of removing the pup too early from the mother and shipping without escort -- but it seems these things don't bother you at all. It seems like misplaced priorities to me.
Hoping not to alienate you with my honesty but I thought it would be good for you to read "the other side" of the coin and think about your priorities as you begin this wonderful challenge of puppy ownership. It is a huge responsibility and one that is well-rewarded.
Today is the day your little one is supposed to arrive, so I guess there will be no changing that factor now. I do hope all goes well. You sound like a person that will devote yourself to your little one as it deserves. Just try hard to set priorities of what is most important to your PUP'S health and welfare. That is what is important! Be sure to bring some Nutrical with you to the airport! Good luck to you both and I hope he becomes a special member of your family!