Getting a New Baby
 

We are getting a new baby tomorrow-- except she isn't a baby and I know nothing about her. Basically, someone knew I wanted another Yorkie and word got out to contact this lady. She's had this Yorkie and wanted to get rid of it and if I pick her up tomorrow she's mine FREE. I've tried asking questions about the pup and she kind of defrays from answering them.

The email I got today makes her sound like a breeder, a non-reputable at that. She told me I could come at 11 tomorrow to get her because she has another pup to show. But that she has work at 12, so she won't have much time. I know nothing about this pup, but she said she's packing on the weight because she's been in a pen eating free choice puppy food. I'm beginning to think I really just need to get this pup out of this situation and hope/see if it works between my guy.

I know I shouldn't be picky-- because she's free, right? WRONG, I am scared she will be full of fleas, have rabies, mange, or some other problem and give it to my pup. I can't afford to go to the vet since Avery just had a full dental and am waiting on my teaching position to open back up. I know most of you are thinking, at this moment, if you can't afford her, don't get her! But, if she was UTD on shots and a good bill of health, I could definitely afford her; this month is just pinching pennies.

Anyone have thoughts on this issue, because I'm kind of more scared than excited?

I know you want to rescue her but if can not afforded her I do not think its a good idea. A dog or puppy when first gotten should go to the vet for a full check ASAP. Accidents happen and emergencys happen and if you cannot afford to take her to the vet for a check up them how would u afford them?

Although I totally agree with you wanting to save her remember you will be exposing your HEALTHY puppy to what ever she may have, something as simple as kennel cough can add up with vet visits x2 and medications..IF you do decide to take her , I would not even THINK about bringing her in your house near your pup incase there is something wrong.. If you can somehow
get her to the vet and take care of her needs then I say go for it..! Another possiblity is Care Credit.. you know right after you apply if your accepted.. Good luck and crossing my fingers you can work something out.

Just be very careful. If she is avoiding the concerns you have there might be something wrong with her health wise. If you can afford it please get her out of that situation. I would grab her in a heartbeat but that is because I run to dogs like that all the time. That's how I ended up with Ellie. It has been a rough ride with her health but the repayment in love has beyond value.

Just be careful like the other post said about exposing an unhealthy pup to the one you already have. Good luck to ya

Could I just get away with a checkup? And avoid heartworm tests, etc. for now?

No. I wouldn't I would have blood work and a fecal done and if she doesn't have any shots she will need some of those. I know my vet will not give me heart worm preventives unless she has had a recent heart worm test and she will need to be on a preventive. A second dog is twice the cost for everything try to remember that. I know its hard when you want to rescue one but she will need care maybe even more then you think if she is free from a breeder and the women wont tell you anything about her.

How well are you known at the vets? Will they treat her and defer payment or could you use a credit card and pay it back a little a month ?

in a certain way i can relate to what you're saying. i so badly want a second puppy right now, but i think it happens when its supposed to. right now i am busy with my new company and still living at home. so i am going to wait till december to get her, my life will be more stable and i will be moving out into my own place. just me Ziigy and the new Zoe (yes, i've even named her and found a great breeder). When I got ziggy it was an impulse buy and I ended up spending 5000bucks in vet bills in the first 3 days of his life. I wouldnt like anyone to go through what i did.

But whatever decision you make though i really hope it works out for you and this puppy.

Good luck doll :)

She really has a great point. When I got Max and Ellie 2 months ago, I have spent at least $4000 in vet bills so far and I am not even close to being done with Ellie. She still has a lot of problems.
We always have an impulse to get a new pup it's like baby fever for women. Puppy Fever :) got to love it. Just be careful and weigh all your options. I want another one so bad right now but I want to make sure Ellie is ok before I do.

OOOOOHHHHH....red flags flapping everywhere!!! Please be very careful here....I know how tempting this is...but she is avoiding answering questions you are asking, FOR A REASON! I do NOT think for one minute, this lady is giving away a free Yorkie, out of the goodness of her heart. I am fearful there are large vet bills immenent with this little dog, bills this lady does not want to face. If you DO go ahead and take this dog, isolate it from your baby you already have at home until you can have it totally checked out by your vet....and do not let your baby you already have, walk where this other dog goes, anywhere in your house or yard.

Well ladies, I picked her up just to get her out of the environment. I ended up finding her a good home with another Yorkie and she could afford vet bills (if it came to that). I just couldn't fathom spending more than $200 at this moment. People think that just getting a dog means I've got to spend $1,000s and I just don't feel like that is necessary.

We had a situation where someone found a little one and brought it to us knowing we have yorkies until the owner could be located. I didn't think anything about it until that night and it had seizures :(. It scared the daylights out of me thinking, what have I done to my babies bringing a sick little one in here. We rushed her to the vet and it was nothing contagious and the owner claimed her the next day but it can be a very serious thing to do to your little ones. I hate to think I couldn't help a baby in need but if it ever happens again I will know to keep it isolated from mine until it has seen a vet.

No people aren't saying that you have to spend that money. They are saying they had problems and cost that money for them to be properly taken care of. Even a new pup that you have gotten from a wonderful breeder should also go to the vet asap to have a check up. Not talking about a dog that is free and you know nothing about is gonna need more then that a check up, blood work, fecal and possibly shots not to mention if something is wrong with her like she has worms or something else it will cost more. Then the dogs has to have a collar, harness, leash, food, flea and tick preventive, heart worm meds, shampoo, brush, tooth brush, bowls, and so on. It costs a lot of money to own a dog if you want to properly take care of it. To many people get a dog and think ok that was the big coast but that's not true and not to mention what happens if there is an accident or emergency?

That's a risk you take. But you don't save up thousands "in the event it does happen." I'm well aware she would need new puppy items, we actually have an extra set of things bc I had found a dog and took him in until his owners were found. Everyones opinions are different as to how much you should spend.