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Originally Posted by Baroness  I understand that people have strong feelings about getting a dog from the right breeders, adoption being a good avenue etc., but we should be more welcoming and less lecturing when someone new comes a knocking with news of a new addition coming to their home. People look for a site like this to learn how to care for their pet, or what to do if their pet has an issue, and they want to be in an environment where others have the same breed of pet and it feels like a community of friends. This doesn't feel like a very welcoming thread, and I would caution people to understand that your personal views are your own. There won't be many people coming here if instead of a welcome and happy thoughts they get a lecture and a dissertation on what some view as proper ettiquette on pet purchasing. Nor will you get many new members if people feel they are put under a microscope and their furbaby and them are less than adequate for so many within the group. Pets are pets and they ALL deserve love and care, there is no litmus test when it comes to owning and loving an animal. Please show kindness and patience with those who first come here looking for support...in time they will learn from the many threads here that spell out bad vs good breeders and the inherent problems associated with it all. There doesn't need to be a bad time or an argument...just support and a good ear. |
As a person who has spent nearly tens of thousands of dollars on health issues on my poorly bred yorkie, I will state my opinion.
There is a litmus test, and it starts with the breeder. What does the breeder do in his/her breeding program to reduce the incidence of poor health? What are her starting mating dogs? What does the breeder feed, what does the breeder do to socialize the dogs, where do they live? These important factors shape the entire rest of a dog's life and some things cannot be corrected. There is also a litmus test when it comes to caring and loving an animal. What will the owner do when the dog is sick? Will the owner seek out and pay for veterinary care or will the owner cast the dog aside to rescue to become someone else's problem?
One of the greatest things about yorkietalk is the sharing of information and the support. Much kindness and support is shown to new members here and to old members alike. No one is putting anyone under a microscope -- there is a giving of information that occurs. At the end of the day, people are free to make their own choices. No one judges them for it and almost everyone here will wish them well AND be there again if the house of cards comes crashing down. There is no "I told you so" that happens here - just support.