I also had a heartbreaking experience with a shi-zhu pup I received free from a neighbor of my mother. I believe Sparky was a badly bred, probably puppy mill pup. He was my 4 year old son's dog. We had to put him down at age 2.5 due to his vicious tendencies. I was so heartbroken. We spent several months, purchased a german shepherd for my son, gave Sparky to his dad (in our house), trying to ease the separation for my son. Sparky was blind and deaf, had allergies, but became more and more jumpy and would turn and attack unexpectedly. With much research, I wanted to make sure when he was put down, it would not be because he had maimed a child.
The reason I say this, is cute dogs (Yorkies now in the top 5 wanted breeds two years running-according to my husband) are always going to be top dogs in mills due to large demand. Many people cannot afford this type of dog, but they want them.
When we got ours, Sparky was heavy in my thoughts - I just wanted the dog I wanted and to be careful of where they came from and how they had been raised prior to my arrival.
I talk to much, but as out of control as this became, everyone here does have a kind heart and loves their dogs and others. |