A Real NO NO
 

I know what you people are going to say before I even post this, but when I got Zach I did a real YT NO NO. I went into a pet store to get some things for my Shorkie (NO NO). There was this cute little Yorkie. It was love at first sight. I really wasn't in this forum yet and I didn't know too much about puppy mills and things like that.
Well to get back to my story, when I saw Zach I fell in love. He was so warm and when I went near him he jumped up and down like a jumping bean. The store owner said I could pick him up and when I did, he licked my whole face up. I couldn't put him down. I wasn't ready to get another dog, when I tried to put him down he cried so hard I just couldn't leave him. That was almost two months ago. I know what you are going to say about getting a dog from a pet store, and I really hadn't researched it because I wasn't thinking about buying a Yorkie. I have the name of the breeder and his phone number and I've spoken to him several times. So far so good KNOCK ON WOOD. I took him to the vet and he checked out fine, he was just a little underweight 3 1/2 pounds he was about 14 weeks old. He was also a little behind on his shots. Oh yea he had a slight kennel cough. Two weeks later I brought him back for his shots and he had gained almost 3/4 of a pound. We bought him to the vet for his rabie shot and he is now almost 5 lbs. Next month he is getting neutered. I guess I was lucky so far with Zach. Now I know better but I will never be sorry I got Zach no matter what happens.

Hi Lexi -- I too am not proud of how I got my Monkey. He is from a backyard breeder but neither would I give him up for all the money in the world. I am pretty sure Maddie is from a puppy mill. We "rescued" her from a family who was trying to rehome her. We say she was rescued because I am not sure anyone would have taken her. She plastered herself to a wall in this "families" home and just shook something fierce. her hair was so matted that we had to cut her down to nothing. We are worked and worked with her and am proud to say now that she is coming out of her shell. Still needs lots of socializing and some days with outsiders are better than others. So now I am trying to learn everything I can to try to take up the fight against puppy mills in my furbabies honor!

Anyway, sorry I tend to ramble, congrats on Zach. I am glad he found you.

Peggy, Monkey & Maddie :daisy:

You know better now. That's all that matters. So many have gotten very sick puppies from pet stores, too.

I hope you and your little one will be very happy together. It sounds like he fell in love at first sight, too.:p

What a sad but lovely story. Yes its always a no no to buy from a petstore but you did what you had to do not really knowing and thankfully zach has turned out great. I am so glad to hear that everything is ok. :) xxxx

Well I have to say other than him being a little underweight, although I don't think he was really underweight judging from some the Yorkies I've read about on YT, but the vet says he was a little skinny. As far as socialized, he loves everybody. He is always up for some loving and he doesn't care how he gets it or from whom. I just have to add that my Shorkie Zoe was also from a pet store and she's the sweetest, cutest, friendliest, smartest dog I have ever seen. I guess I lucked out twice. I better not push it.

The thing is that most people are not aware of the connection with puppy stores and puppy mills. They go into this cute shop with adorable little guys wanting some attention and, of course, fall in love. How could you not take one home if you are shopping for a puppy - its really very hard. I remember there used to be a puppy store in our local mall (about 20 yrs. ago) and my kids (and I) loved going in there and watching the puppies jump around and play and even ask to hold them. I really wish there was something that can be done to make the general public aware that they should NOT buy a puppy from a puppy store.

If you haven't signed the Puppy Mill Bill - please do so. We have to shut these places down. With everyone's help we may be able to make a difference.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...mill-bill.html

I think we all know what you mean about not being able to leave Zach. When I got Baxter he was from a back yard breeder. I knew immediately when I got there that I didn't approve of her breeding practices. But Baxter was getting up in age, like 3 months or so and he needed me. I consider him a rescue.

Then there's Bella, there was this young girl in Jacksonville Florida that had advertised her. She got Bella in a pet store. This girl couldn't take care of Bella. She kept coming down on the price daily, and then I went to Jacksonville to see her. I knew right then I had to get Bella out of her hands to give her a chance in life. I bought her. I consider her a rescue.

Neither of these poor babies would have had a chance without me. Yes, it is like condoning their breeding practices, but on the other hand there was these poor little animals not being cared for properly.

We all live and learn about pet shops, puppymills and BYBers. Of course we love out little ones~it is not their fault where they came from. All puppies are cute and adorable~they tug at our hearts when we see them in the pet shop and want to bring them home. Yes, many care sick with things like kennel cough and parasites but it is the ones that are left in the puppymills cranking out litter after litter of puppies to lines the pockets of the millers. They are bred to death and then disguarded when no longer useful. We need to never forget about all the ones left in the mills unloved and abused for profit. Just be sure to spread the word and make a difference in their lives to shut down the mills.

And they are so lucky that they found you! But on the other hand, we all have to admit that we will all give in when faced with a tiny little life needing care. No sane person will turn their back on a defenseless little animal who needs help. We all want to help. We all wish we can help all the animals needing homes - but obviously we can't, but there are so many. And these horrible puppy mills count on their cuteness and our vulnerability - and in the end they win. That is why something has to be done by the legal system. I live on Long Island - so there are no puppy mills here. I have not seen them first hand - but then again - I don't want to. I can only pray.

Puppy Mills should be shut down. Neither of mine came from back yard breeders but I would have done the same as you did. I can't stand seeing a dog in such conditions. they need love, attention and a good master who will take good care of them.

Thank you everybody, now I don't feel so dumb. I still feel blessed to have my Zoe and my Zach

I have to admit to not realizing what a puppy mill was until I came to Yorkietalk too. I was fortunate that I did not ever buy from a pet shop. I knew vaguely that it was not good because my mom owned a pet shop for years and she never sold dogs or cats. I always thought it was because of having to cage them. Little did I realize there were really people so cruel and mean-hearted that they would allow the conditions I have seen in videos posted on this site. We live and learn. Now you know and of course you will love your little Zach no matter where he came from.

you would think in this day and age everyone would know about puppy mills. Well, I for one did not. Hot Rod is from a petstore. Hubby and I started talking about getting a dog as we'd lost one of our 2 cats. We decided to wait until our 2nd cat was gone but lo and behold, 2 weeks before Christmas, who comes into our lives but my little prince.

As we all know now, yes it's a vicious circle. All we can do is learn and take it from there. Glad that Zach is healthy and in a great home. Congrats!

We are relatively lucky with Hot Rod although he has had lp surgery and we are watching his other leg.

A lot of us have been there. After my Yorkie, Gracie passed away at 6 1/2 from CT, my husband and dtr saw a pom puppy at a pet store (claimed they only bought from local breeders, sure!) I was not ready for another dog yet, much less a pom, but my Dh talked me into going to just look at her. Well we took her out and til the very end I was saying no no no. Then I went to put her back and she climbed up my shoulder and had a death grip on me. I just gave in. She was relatively healthy until she got older, but she was aggressive in spite of puppy class and proper socialization. I still think so many people are not aware of the puppy mill connection but we have to keep educating.

Sophie Kate is also a Puppy Mill Yorkie, just like the rest of you I didn't know anything about Puppy Mills other than the word(s). Sophie Kate was given to me one week after her original purchaser bought her from a service called Kijiji? (sp) and decided she was "untrainable". I was suppose to babysit her for one week because the owner was stressed over "the puppy situation" and was afraid her husbands aggressive treatment towards Sophie Kate would turn physical.

After a week I left her at my Vet for boarding while we went out of town, it was suppose to be a day boarding and her owners were suppose to pick her up. I got a call the following Monday from my Vet stating that Sophie Kate was still there and if I didn't want her the Vet Tech would gladly take her home. I told my Vet "No need, Sophie Kate is now my dog" and I promptly went and brought her home.

Two years later I have a wonderful little dog who I consider one of the great loves of my life (seriously). I only have to deal with a sassy Vet Tech who threatens to kidnap Sophie Kate everytime we are in there.

I guess my point is there are a lot of us who have puppy mill dogs, most the time it is because we didn't know better and fall in love. As wrong as it is to support a puppy mill I know next time I will go a different route, as I am sure most of us will.

All we can do is educate ourselves and others and be thankful for the little four legged loves that we have.

Well actually Zach is not a puppy mill dog. The breeder was an older man and his wife and their dog had only one litter. When his wife suddenly died, he gave the puppys to the pet store to sell for whatever he could get. He has the mom and dad and they are both spayed and neutered now. He even invited me to his home so I can see he is not a byb or has anything to do with puppy mills. I guess I was lucky, I could have run into real problems.

I got Roxie from a backyard breeder, I feel like she is a "rescue" as well. Though I don't think she was treated horribly, she was very well socialized, I dont feel like she got the best care either. Her teeth are horrible, (we have an appt. for a cleaning), her coat was not in the best shape, was fed horrible food, and she had a litter of puppies just shy of her being a year old. She wasnt able to have the puppies normally, as they were too big, so she had to have an emergency c-section, and the vet pretty much forced them to get her spayed. Then they didnt have use for her anymore, and I got lucky and now have my bestest buddy..lol..She was posted on classifieds online, and I kept looking at her and they kept lowering the price as well, she wasnt a teeny tiny yorkie, so she wasnt selling fast. Luckily I got her, and when I met her she REEKED of urine, I met these people at a gas station, they didnt want me to go to their home, gave me her rabies info, but blacked out their name on the certificate..Stupid me, I didnt know better then, but they were running a puppy mill or being backyard breeders or whatever. But do I regret Roxie, nope, but if I do get another yorkie, I will do my research to get a reputable breeder or I will rescue. Sorry so long....lol..I love my Roxie!