"I do want another one close to the summertime so that Diezel can have a playmate but I am thinking this time I might go to a breeder."

I am disappointed to see the word "might" in your posting. I am hoping it was a mistake and that you have decided that you absolutely have to deal with reputable, responsible breeders where you can get correct info, see the parents, living conditions, interactions with others and so on and so on..
JMO!

I guess is what made it a bit harer was having my dughter with me. After we left she asked me why we couldn't get one there. I tried my best to explain but i dont think she could fully grasp the concept of a puppymill. Later that night she was sitting there crying and i asked why she said she felt so bad for that puppy and just want to bring her home. I felt terrible and told her not to worry that ours will be home soon and it is cuter and happier. She seemed to perk up but is still worried about that lil girl we saw in the store

Oh come on -- I got my wonderful little Sun Conure (a bird) from a pet store almost a year ago. He is just great and very friendly, healthy, playful, and affectionate. He couldn't be healthier. I love him to pieces.

I can't help but get tired of the constant trashing that a lot of pet stores get for selling pets. And - again - I can't count the many many pets that people have gotten from pet stores that have turned out to be great success stories. I have had two cats, three dogs, and one bird that have come from pet stores (over my lifetime) and they were all happy and healthy, and I wouldn't have traded one of them for a million dollars.

My daughter bought me my most wonderful cat from a pet store. And, they told her, "We are going to let you have this little guy for free - he has an eye problem and needs to see a vet." She brought him home. He did have one weepy eye. We took him to the vet, got it treated, and he never had a problem after that! I had him for 14 years.

I got my Yorkie from a Pet/grooming shop - (family owned for more than 20 years where I live). I got papers, was able to contact the breeder, and have
enjoyed corresponding with her for more than two months now. She lives in a remote area in Montana and was having a difficult time selling the last two of her pups. She drove more than 300 miles to bring them to her friend, the pet store owner, here in Spokane, and both pups have found wonderful homes. She was thrilled to hear from me and is delighted that I am happy with and love her little pup to death.

I always hate it when things ends up being a "puppymill issue." We all agree totally that we hate puppymills. They are bad bad bad!!!!! I know none of us want to support puppymills in any way, but often people buying these little puppies just want to give them a loving home.

We talk a lot about getting puppies from the pound, etc., and don't think for a minute that there aren't horror stories behind some of these little guys. Puppy mills are closed down or one way or another many of these little pup end up in a dog pound in the hope that someone will adopt them and care for them. And - we think that people who get a dog from the pound has done a wonderful thing!!!

I know exactly the types of arguments you will come back with. Believe me, don't waste your time. I am just trying to present another side to this complicated issue.

Nothing is totally black and white - especially where little children and little animals are concerned.

My hope for the puppy mills is that they will all be exposed - shut down - the people fined - and spend time in jail for what they are doing. I can't take my feelings out on the products (the little puppies) of these operations. These little guys still deserve going to a loving home where they will be well taken care of and loved.

AND - I know for a fact that all the little pets for sale in pet stores do not come from puppymills. Certainly some do - this is sad, indeed!

Carol Jean