[humphreymom23]

Allow me to tell you all my story and experience with Pam Brummitt and my two puppies I bought from her. As well as my own set of tips to keep your puppy happy and healthy!

I bought two male puppies from Pam two years ago, purchasing my second male puppy 7 months after the first. Though they are not Yorkies, they are Brussels Griffons, which Pam also breeds. Both my males are 6lbs. Both of my pups are extremely healthy! I've NEVER had any real issues with my boys where I thought Pam was selling unhealthy dogs. They are both healthy, gorgeous dogs with genetic integrity. I strongly disagree with the opinion that Pam is not a reputable breeder and believe your tea cup Yorkies may have been sick due to your part! Puppies are not machines, they are living, reacting creatures that respond to stress just like we do! It is vital to treat your new puppy just like a newborn baby upon this important transition to his or her new home.......

Let me preface by saying, tea cup size dogs shouldn't be treated like other breeds that are medium-large size. Tea cup size dogs (especially puppies) should be treated like babies!

Something VERY important: We must realize that veterinarians and most of all, the 24 hour vet emergency clinics are out to take your money!!! Being a first time dog owner, I learned the hard way, NOT because Pam breeds genetically unhealthy dogs, but because I freaked out, like many at the smallest symptoms. I understand and sympathize with you. We love our little fur babies and we would never want something to happen to them, so we empty our pockets and savings and end up with bills in the several hundreds and often times, thousands. The 24 hr clinics are the worst! Although the have specialists and highly trained professionals on staff, they always want to run every possible test and give you outrageous estimates of what JUST the tests will cost! They are great for the real and serious problems. Not the ones that can be prevented and treated with proper, diligent care at home.

ONE OF MY OWN EXPERIENCES:
I couldn't be more attached to my dogs than any other dog owner. Naturally, when my oldest little boy, Humphrey, was sick-having diarrhea, was a bit lethargic and couldn't keep down his food, I panicked. I know these little guys have small reserves. I rushed him to my regular vet who suggested an xray. I agreed. After $400 spent there and the xray showing some small 'mineralized opacities' in his stomach, my vet suggested I immediately go to the emergency clinic because my vet believed Humphrey couldve had some foreign bodies in his stomach that were obstructing his stomach and causing these symptoms. I did just that. They wanted to do another set of xrays, tons of medications to soothe his symptoms (which really can aggravate a tiny dogs digestive tract/body-tea cup size dogs don't handle tons of medicine like bigger dogs do!), and routine tests every 6-8hrs. The second day they said he still wasn't eating or keeping food down. Total cost: $1400, and two days without my Humphrey. ***THING WAS... I took him home against the doctor's orders (signed consent forms and all), as when the second day I went to visit him and brought him some plain chicken and rice from Mommy's kitchen and VUALA! He ate like there was no tomorrow (although I didn't feed him too much, Mommy knows best, small portions at a time) and he kept the food I made him, down. He was happy and playful and energetic during my visiting time with him and it was clear the doctors were trying to keep him longer to make more money off of me. It was clear he just needed Mommy! Later that evening I did take him home. I learned an important lesson from that...the doctors put just the right amount of fear and uncertainty in you so they can get more money!!! They are a money making business!!!!!***

BRINGING HOME YOUR NEW PUPPY:
You must understand that when you bring puppies home, they are naturally under an immense amount of stress. Stress will do many things to your new puppy and shouldn't be blamed on the breeder!

May I mention here that upon purchasing a puppy from Pam, you are suppose to READ and sign a contract. I received all of that, as well as both my boys AKC papers, the vet records that Pam provides showing her vet check-up, their first booster vaccines, all of that! Within 48 hours (I believe) of taking your puppy home, you are to see YOUR personal vet to VERIFY the dog is healthy and to VALIDATE your contract.

Tea cup size dogs are so much more sensitive. Have you done your research? Their digestive tracts are also extremely sensitive and tea cup size dogs have very little reserve; what I mean by that is that as soon the puppy is sick, most people don't notice signs of the puppy being sick until (in this case of tea cup size dogs) the puppy is fairly sick, and by this time recovery support is needed immediately, but its something you CAN do at home. They have small storage tanks, small reserves. Making sure your puppy is well hydrated, doesn't eat TOO MUCH (this will make a new puppy sick too!) and has a VERY calm environment. Diarrhea is natural when a puppy is under stress!!! This is nothing to freak out over unless your puppy is lethargic or more serious symptoms are present. You also need to learn the difference between a puppy being tired, needing rest and being lethargic. Puppies, as we all know, are curious and playful little creatures. A good indication of your puppy being lethargic is if the puppy has NO interest whatsoever for a little play, a toy, a piece of chicken (my two boys dance for chicken!), no energy at all. All puppies will get up to play with their favorite toy or for some chicken, unless they are truly that sick. It's important to monitor them closely and be PROACTIVE when bringing your new puppy home. Prepare for all the possibles hiccups before they happen.
I just can't believe that more people don't fully comprehend what it's like to bring a new puppy home! You should really know what to expect. You shouldn't expect it to be completely smooth transition. They are not machines, they are puppies, who feel stress just like we do! But a reputable breeder like Pam shouldn't be to blame for all the little things you could have prevented at home! Sorry, but just telling it like it is.

My personal list of important tips for new parents just bringing a puppy home and in general:

*Feed your new puppy the SAME food the breeder has fed him/her. In the case of Pam, she provides a bag of food that will last a few days until you buy supply for yourself. Feed small amounts and often when first bringing your new baby home. Don't overload his stomach just because he's enthusiastic about eating.
*If you wish to change the food, do so SLOWLY. Over the course of a few days to a week is best. Changing the food quickly will disrupt a puppy's stomach terribly! AND will without a doubt cause them to become sick! Especially tea cup puppies. Symptoms will usually include diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration from the vomiting and diarrhea.
*If your puppy is sick with diarrhea and or vomiting, its vital to keep them hydrated (remember these little critters have small reserve tanks), can give kyro syrup for extra nutrients, and feed PLAIN chicken and white rice. They love this! And just a bit (half a teaspoon or 1/4 teaspoon) of pumpkin will help to bind whats in their stomach and stop diarrhea over the course of 6-8-12 hours. Don't give too much-it will stop them up.
*When you bring your puppy home, take extra caution. If traveling, your puppy will get stressed from the travel. Stress alone can and will cause your puppy to become sick unless you take the right steps.
*Try to make sure you get toy or small blanket from the breeders home that your puppy knows or has played with. The familiar scent of their mom and the rest of the litter will be comforting to them and will make the transition/travel easier.
*It's inevitable that your puppy will have a hard time sleeping in its crate the first few nights and could be a few weeks. This also relates to crate training. What helps is to buy a small clock and wrap it up in a t-shirt of yours that you've worn (perhaps a sleeping shirt you've worn for a few nights to ensure your scent is on it. Your puppy loves your smell! It is comforting and quickly becomes familiar to them as their new caretaker) AND put the clock in your puppy's crate. The sound soothes them. It will remind your puppy of the sound of his mom's heartbeat. You can slowly take it away once your puppy is comfortable with their crate.
*Puppies tend to get stressed or aggravated by small children, as kids can be loud, have too much energy and excitement about the new puppy. Your puppy will probably not like this. Keep everything calm.


I hope this has helped fellow readers on this forum. My experience with Pam has been great. She has excellent communication, sent me pictures of my new boys every week before they came home, and most importantly she followed through every single step of the way with what she promised when I bought my boys from her. All the vet records, microchip record, AKC papers, and promises were there. My boys are absolutely healthy and absolutely beautiful dogs and under NO circumstances can I agree with posters here on this forum that Pam Brummitts is an unreputable breeder.