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SnowWa · 10-27-2006, 10:31 PM

A bunch of us were discussing pet store puppies the other night at my house, and the end result was that we all admitted that over the years - all of our families have had many wonderful pets that were purchased at pet stores. And - almost none of us ever ended up with a pet that was sick or didn't thrive. In fact, none of us have.

I hate puppymills as much or more than most people - and I think that every last one of them should be shut down. And, I think there should be serious fines and even jail time for most of the people who operate these facilities.

But, I don't think that not buying puppies from pet stores is going to solve this problem or even put a dent in it. We need to go directly to the source and shut down the puppy mills themselves. This is the only way they will every be stopped.

Puppies at pet stores are darling and cute and as loveable as any other puppy in the world, and they deserve a loving home as much as any other puppy does. For this reason - I have no qualms at all about buying a puppy from a pet store. I think during my lifetime I have owned four or five dogs and a couple cats that were purchased at pet stores. And, every one of them was a wonderful pet - and most of them lived a long and healthy life and died from old age.....or close to it.

I have also purchased three birds from pet stores - and have loved and enjoyed every one of them. (I still have two of them.)

I got my Yorkie from a long-time, family-owned pet store here where I live. I was given the breeder's name and have corresponded with her and have gotten pictures and have learned a lot about my Yorkie's parents. I know this doesn't always happen - it's just the way it worked out with the Yorkie pup I got.

I got my Bichon, that I also have now, on line and he was flown from California to me in here in Washington. I went shopping on the internet because there weren't any Bichons in my area. And - he is a wonderful cute little guy that I am very fortunate to have.

I was given a kitten for my birthday - bought another at a pet store - found one in a parking lot - and another was just a stray that showed up at my door. Two others were from a litter that one of my cats had. (Of course, I didn't have all these cats at the same time).

When I was a child - one little puppy I got came from the dog pound - what a joy he was for nearly 11 years of my life.

My point is that a lot of the most wonderful pets we will ever have will come from a variety of different places. And, all of them are loveable and deserve a loving home.

*** I always feel bad when I hear people say, "I saw the cutest puppy in the pet store and I felt so sorry for him. I don't believe in buying puppies from pet stores, so I left - but I've cried for days -- I still cry every time I think about him."

I wouldn't buy a puppy from a pet store if I didn't want a puppy, but if I did want a puppy, and I saw one in a pet store that touched my heart - he would be on his way home with me. And, he would be going to a loving home and have a good life. And he (like all my pets have been) would be worth a million dollars to me.

***** I'm sure if you are looking for a purebred and especially looking for certain traits, or if you're interested in breeding and showing, you are better off dealing with a reputable breeder. But, if your main goal is just getting a wonderful little pet -- why does it matter where it comes from? Especially, when we remember that we can't find a little puppy anywhere that doesn't need a loving home - and that won't love us back a hundredfold - if we give it a family to call it's own.

Carol Jean

10-27-2006, 10:31 PM	#1
SnowWa YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA Posts: 2,992	My view on pet store puppies..... A bunch of us were discussing pet store puppies the other night at my house, and the end result was that we all admitted that over the years - all of our families have had many wonderful pets that were purchased at pet stores. And - almost none of us ever ended up with a pet that was sick or didn't thrive. In fact, none of us have. I hate puppymills as much or more than most people - and I think that every last one of them should be shut down. And, I think there should be serious fines and even jail time for most of the people who operate these facilities. But, I don't think that not buying puppies from pet stores is going to solve this problem or even put a dent in it. We need to go directly to the source and shut down the puppy mills themselves. This is the only way they will every be stopped. Puppies at pet stores are darling and cute and as loveable as any other puppy in the world, and they deserve a loving home as much as any other puppy does. For this reason - I have no qualms at all about buying a puppy from a pet store. I think during my lifetime I have owned four or five dogs and a couple cats that were purchased at pet stores. And, every one of them was a wonderful pet - and most of them lived a long and healthy life and died from old age.....or close to it. I have also purchased three birds from pet stores - and have loved and enjoyed every one of them. (I still have two of them.) I got my Yorkie from a long-time, family-owned pet store here where I live. I was given the breeder's name and have corresponded with her and have gotten pictures and have learned a lot about my Yorkie's parents. I know this doesn't always happen - it's just the way it worked out with the Yorkie pup I got. I got my Bichon, that I also have now, on line and he was flown from California to me in here in Washington. I went shopping on the internet because there weren't any Bichons in my area. And - he is a wonderful cute little guy that I am very fortunate to have. I was given a kitten for my birthday - bought another at a pet store - found one in a parking lot - and another was just a stray that showed up at my door. Two others were from a litter that one of my cats had. (Of course, I didn't have all these cats at the same time). When I was a child - one little puppy I got came from the dog pound - what a joy he was for nearly 11 years of my life. My point is that a lot of the most wonderful pets we will ever have will come from a variety of different places. And, all of them are loveable and deserve a loving home. * I always feel bad when I hear people say, "I saw the cutest puppy in the pet store and I felt so sorry for him. I don't believe in buying puppies from pet stores, so I left - but I've cried for days -- I still cry every time I think about him." I wouldn't buy a puppy from a pet store if I didn't want a puppy, but if I did want a puppy, and I saw one in a pet store that touched my heart - he would be on his way home with me. And, he would be going to a loving home and have a good life. And he (like all my pets have been) would be worth a million dollars to me. *** I'm sure if you are looking for a purebred and especially looking for certain traits, or if you're interested in breeding and showing, you are better off dealing with a reputable breeder. But, if your main goal is just getting a wonderful little pet -- why does it matter where it comes from? Especially, when we remember that we can't find a little puppy anywhere that doesn't need a loving home - and that won't love us back a hundredfold - if we give it a family to call it's own. Carol Jean __________________ http://tinypic.com/ipxhmb.jpg A Yorkie is worth a thousand words.