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.

There is somethings there really is not choice about spending on vet care is one of them and vet care can be expensive and if you don't have the money then getting another dog is a very bad idea. There are people who do have money saved for emergency's or have pet insurance.

Well that's definitely your opinion, but I couldn't imagine spending over $700 ion any one visit. However, I'm not going to justify anything. I simply posted this to find out what people thought about not knowing anything and what vetting was NECESSARY immediately. You really shouldn't judge a yorkie owner by the amount of money they have. Thanks and have a wonderful day. I appreciate everyones imput.

So if the dog had worms and something else if it went over a certain amount you would not get the problem taken care of? I am not judging by how much someone has I am judging about not realizing vet care can be expensive and necessary. I am sure many people have taken a sick dog to the vet an it has cost over $700 not because they wanted to spend that money but because they wanted to get the pet healthy and do what was best for him. A check up, blood work and fecal are all necessary for a new pet when you know nothing about them and they are coming from a bad place and when you have another dog at home that could be made sick if this dog has something wrong and then if the dog does have worms or anything it will cost money to take care or what is wrong with it then the cost of heart worm meds which all dogs should be on it adds up but sorry that is what a good dog owner does.

Callie HAD to have LP surgery and her ACL fixed and in one day that cost 2,600 bucks and it was NECESSARY! I would not have said no way that goes over 700 bucks I wont do that.

Opinions are different... Let's leave it at that. Nothing was intended to start a dispute.

[QUOTE=LAL3961;3907977]Well that's definitely your opinion, but I couldn't imagine spending over $700 ion any one visit. However, I'm not going to justify anything./QUOTE]
Well then WOW I would be in a world of hurt. I have spent thousands on one visit. I have done that many times and will keep on doing it if needed.
I do have a savings account that is only for the dog's and I a Care Credit account if need be.

My first impulse is to get the animal out of the situation and deal with issues later. It is true that you cannot expose your dog to the issues this dog may have. You have not even seen a picture of this dog?
Do you have a way to isolate your dog from the new one? First thing in order is a bath using medicated shampoo that will kill fleas and other topical skin problems. Watch for bare places on the skin that could indicate mange. You sure would not want that to spread.
Are you ready to take on the care of a dog that has been kept caged and possibly used as a breeder all it's life. It is not like taking the care of a socialized animal. It requires patience and special TLC. Maybe if you cannot handle this poor prisoner you can find someone who is experienced in dealing with such babies. At least you will get her out of there and into a much better environment. I'm sure there are people here on YT that could help you get her to a place where she can be properly cared for. Best wishes to both of you.

Thank you so much for this. Other people just can't see that. She's found a wonderful home. It goes without saying, she was in a bad situation, and because of comments, I decided I wouldn't keep her, but find a better home.

[quote=TxVicki;3908092]Me too TxVicki sorry had to call you that Vicki;) We spent 6k on Georgie's AAI surgery and just paid that off and now our Boxer may have Cushings and we will spend what's necessary to diagnose and treat that.

To the OP you may take people's posts as being opinionated or nasty but it's really all because we love our furbabies and would do anything to keep them healthy and happy. My husband and I have decided that we won't get another dog for awhile because we understand the expense and have a 4 year old skin child as well. It's something we all should think about before we decide to get another furbaby. I am glad that you asked for opinions and decided you shouldn't take her right now. I read on another post that you found a good home for her and I am glad for that.

she already rescued it and found it a home

So you got the dog and she is now living with someone else? If that is the case then you did the right thing. At least she is out of there. Was she used as a breeder? Is she now being spayed and getting the vet care she needs?
I think paying $1200.00 for a Yorkie seems like a lot to many people but when you consider that buying from a breeder that has mostly healthy happy puppies and dogs you are really saving yourself hundreds and even thousands of dollars by not having the huge vet bills incurred because of health problems. So many people in my area have had to have their pets put down because of health issues that could have been fixed with a surgery or other treatment and yet they could not afford to do it. That is so tragic. Putting out the money for a healthy puppy or dog can certainly help you avoid some heartbreaking problems.
Taking that little dog from that horrible situation was a kindness especially since you were not even able to keep the baby.

[quote=GeorgiesMomma;3908108]
Yes, I did... but people are STILL upset with me. I just am sick of this 'bullying' that adults are doing. I really shouldn't feel bad for taking this babe out of a bad situation and finding her a great home! Thanks for your post-- everyone's monetary decision on the amount to spend on a pup is different. ;)

Thanks so much for that! She's in a lovely home and seemed healthy. She was a BREEDER and I'm thinking she was just past her prime. She is beautiful and will love her new family.

[quote=LAL3961;3908123]I wouldn't worry about feeling bullied. We all come from different places and reading something can be taken so many different ways. People are passionate and sometimes that translates differently.

Trust me my husband and I almost fell out when the specialist said 6k for Georgie's surgery but when faced with the decision and knowing how much it could help him we did what we had to do. He is 100% better and just as feisty as ever:D

Don't feel bad she is in a good home and now can get the love she deserves;)

[quote=LAL3961;3908123]Seriously? No one is mad u took the dog out of a bad situation if anything I was worried about you brushing off and not understanding the vet costs. Hun if you think I was bullying then truly you have never been bullied. You can't just say I'm taking this dog to the vet and only gonna spend 200 bucks because things come up the dog maybe sick or something and you can't just ignore it because it will go over 200 bucks.