[hnybun128]

Originally Posted by 107barney

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.

This is a great post! I agree completely.