Originally Posted by autumn star (Post 2104004)

Originally Posted by pollyanna (Post 2667190)

I purchased a one year old Squaw Creek Kennels bred Maltese from Sportsman's Kennels on May 18, 2008 for a service dog. She came with 3 vet health certificates. In March 2009, I took her to be spayed. Blood work for anesthesia revealed 3 elevated liver enzymes. Bile acid tests were elevated and revealed her liver function is abnormal. These indicate either a portosystemic liver shunt or microvascular shunts, both Congenital Conditions that are undiscoverable until symptomatic, without blood tests for anesthesia, or genetic screening.

Several parties suggested that Pollyanna was sold and returned, partly because the kennel only produced 4 months of vet records for a year of residence, ending in September 2007.

I went out to Sportsmans Kennels on Friday with Pollyanna to ask them to pay the $1800 diagnostic fees and $3000 surgery necessary to save her life if she has a true portosystemic shunt. Helen, the owner, told me I was legally entitled to nothing because of the lemon law that protects the Kennel after 2 weeks. Finally, after 2 hours of discussion, Helen, said she would pay for the portogram and necessary surgery. She reiterated this over and over. She even ran out to my car as I was leaving and assured me that she would "take care of my baby".

On Monday, I called my vet and told him that Sportsmans had repeatedly assured me she would pay for the necessary medical care. He called Helen and she shouted him down and told him that she had reconsidered and would not honor her verbal commitment.

She called me the next night and yelled for 30 minutes. She said her vets said it was "overkill" to treat this dog. She said the dog is too small and will die in surgery. She said she would give me $1300 (She was on sale for half price when I bought her.) for the dog and I could keep her but don't treat her; and a puppy because Pollyanna would have a short life and I could train another dog to be a service dog and then when Pollyanna dies I would not feel bad. I politely asked her if she was insane, that my service dog could be saved if I had the money. She said I was entitled to nothing under the lemon law and that she had made her verbal commitment to me to pay the medical bills without talking to her vets. She said her vets said it was probably just an infection. I told her that her web site claims a 2 year Genetic guarantee and she said that is only the price of the dog. My vet sent all the blood work to her vets by Friday.

On Saturday she called me and told me she had no legal obligation. I reminded her repeatedly that she had made a verbal contract with me to pay the portagram and the surgery if necessary. She said she never said she would do the right thing. "I don't talk like that." She was furious. She said her vets said it could be 100 things and was most likely a bacterial infection. She said I lied when I said the dog was going to die with a shunt and that I committed slander against her. I explained that this is what I am being told. She said, "This all changed because of the accusation you made." I asked her what she meant and she said I accused her of reselling the dog and of knowing the dog was sick when she sold it to me. I told her I did not say that to her. She said, "Well your vet wrote it in the letter."

After insisting that she would not pay, she said she wanted the dog on antibiotics for one week and then wanted the blood work (which was done twice) redone by her vets after antibiotics. She said she wanted the sonogram and portogram done by her vets. I said, by somebody impartial, and she said her vets. I said that was not impartial, and she said I did not trust her. She hung up on me after shouting me down for a long time, but called back almost immediately to say that she did not say she would not pay for the surgery. She was supposed to call on Monday. Today is Friday.

Since my dog is getting worse and since my vet and blood work say she does not have an infection, I decided to borrow the money and have a sonogram done. She accused me of lying and having no proof. Unfortunately, the sonogram (which is only 25% reliable to reveal a shunt but necessary to see if the other organs are normal. The portogram is 100% reliable and more expensive.) showed that Pollyanna has an "extra vessel" which could be a true shunt or a vessel caused by microshunts. A portagram will specify. Her liver is normal size on the right and extra small on the left. :cry: My heart is breaking.

Originally Posted by rebeccag (Post 2667712)

#1 Red flag: when a breeder has more than one breed.
#2 Red flag: KENNEL-can't stand the word...wouldn't want to be associated with it...

Originally Posted by Nancy1999 (Post 2667729)

I agree with you on #1, but I don't see anything wrong with the word "kennel." Respectable breeders including YTCA members often have a "kennel" name. It's listed with the American Kennel Club registry. It doesn't mean the dogs live outside.

Originally Posted by rebeccag (Post 2667754)

I know, but it makes me think of a large scale type puppy mill...I just can't stand the word...lol!

Originally Posted by jrsygal37 (Post 2096437)

Originally Posted by TLC (Post 2096455)

HOLY S**T

That place is about 20 minutes from me....I NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS thought there could be some sort of mill or mill importer/broker like that here on Long Island :eek: :eek: :eek:

PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE FROM THERE - As everyone has stated, that's just WAY TOO MANY BREEDS - Very Fishy :( :( :(

Originally Posted by samanthat (Post 3065079)

:animal36 after reading all of these posts i realize that you cannot believe all you read on the computer. i purchased two dogs from sportsmans kennels and never had a problem . when i went in is was a very nice place much better then other places i have visited. The staff was very helpful and informative , and the puppies were clean and happy. i know a few people who have bought dogs from them also and it was a very enjoyable experience. all i can trully say is the best way to know about them is to go in a see for yourself.

Originally Posted by BabyBrizzy (Post 3065127)

Gotta love it when there is a bad review... All these people SUDDENLY want to join YT and participate in this ONE thread! LOL... Makes me giggle!

Originally Posted by Skylar01 (Post 3453580)

No, I do not work for them ... I work in television. As stated I've had only wonderful experiences, as have numerous people that I know. The place has been in business for like 30 or 40 years. I checked out their BBB rating, and it is excellent. As with any business, I'm sure there are occasional dissatisfied customers. And that is who usually posts things. It's rare that people like me decide to post our experiences.

I'm not sure why the photo of my dog Carly has not appeared on my profile ... because you could see how beautiful my Sportsman's Kennel baby is.