Kinda OT - need voice of reason on puppies!

[adventure_woman]

So, we're getting our new pug puppy on Mother's Day. She is coming from a reputable show breeder and we already have our deposit down on her. She will be 12 weeks.

On the news yesterday, they showed a home in our area that was seized with 353 puppies (mostly shi*zu and a couple other small dogs)! Poor little things! They are now all in the shelter and will need a home to go to.

My heart just goes out to these puppies! I think it would be totally crazy to get 2 puppies at once - right? I just have such a soft spot for those puppies in need. Someone please with a voice of reason give me thoughts!!

(yes - I did look into rescuing a puppy vs. getting our puppy from a reputable breeder - we decided that we wanted to go with the breeder. But this is such an extreme case I just feel like *doing* something! I am going to go try to volunteer at the shelter this week. (Today they didn't need any more volunteers)).

(not that it makes much of a difference, but I am a stay at home mom - so I am home during the day).

 

[Elleshoodat]

Voice of reason: I feel your compassion, but yes, it would be a bit much to take on two puppies at once.

Voice of dissent: Personally we use rescues/shelters when adopting a pet. I know there are reputable breeders out there, but there are also many, many rescue animals that need a loving home.

 

[fakereadhed]

How many puppies have you raised? If it's your first I would not try two different breeds at once. They can be completely different temperaments.

I doubt the rescue would even let you have a puppy in that situation anyway. They will have plenty of takers for those puppies that won't be trying to raise two at once. It's their goal to place that puppy in a successful home.

 

[pklein09]

Voice of Reason:

One puppy at a time. You want to be able to train them to do what you want and not have another puppy distract them. Check with the breeder...they may required in your contract that you only have one puppy at a time. Our breeder specified that we could get another puppy after our first one was 18 months old.

After having a "psycho" dog, I will always get my dogs from AKC breeders. Period. I fully understand that there are lots of pets that need to be rescued and I'm supportive of those who take animals that way, but I am not that person. Please, no flames.

If you want to do something to help and they don't need volunteer hours, you could consider donating food or money for vet care for those puppies so when a home is found, they have their first set of shots/recent vet visit, etc.

I know it's not an easy decision, and I hope you take time to think it through so you can make the right decision for you, your family, and your pet(s).

 

[bumbershoot]

I doubt the rescue would even let you have a puppy in that situation anyway. They will have plenty of takers for those puppies that won't be trying to raise two at once. It's their goal to place that puppy in a successful home.

I doubt the breeder would allow it either, if they found out.


You would also want to think of the health of the rescue puppy, and if it might impact the other one.

 

[luvmy3]

If you were standing in front of me I'd slap some sense into you

 

[kacaju]

You would also want to think of the health of the rescue puppy, and if it might impact the other one.

I just going to say the same.

 

[bedogged]

So, we're getting our new pug puppy on Mother's Day. She is coming from a reputable show breeder and we already have our deposit down on her. She will be 12 weeks.

On the news yesterday, they showed a home in our area that was seized with 353 puppies (mostly shi*zu and a couple other small dogs)! Poor little things! They are now all in the shelter and will need a home to go to.

My heart just goes out to these puppies! I think it would be totally crazy to get 2 puppies at once - right? I just have such a soft spot for those puppies in need. Someone please with a voice of reason give me thoughts!!

(yes - I did look into rescuing a puppy vs. getting our puppy from a reputable breeder - we decided that we wanted to go with the breeder. But this is such an extreme case I just feel like *doing* something! I am going to go try to volunteer at the shelter this week. (Today they didn't need any more volunteers)).

(not that it makes much of a difference, but I am a stay at home mom - so I am home during the day).

I know how you feel! The confiscated puppies are probably not up for adoption at this time. Usually the court has to determine ownership before they can be placed. I wouldn't worry too much about them. Small dogs, especially purebred small puppies and dogs, are in great demand and are usually very easy to place. If there is a problem placing them locally, other shelters and rescue groups will be willing to take and place them as well.

 

[adventure_woman]

This is just what I needed! Even after writing this post, I realized how crazy that sounded!

 

[ceecee]

The breeder and the rescue should not allow it. I have always used rescue groups and I have full bred dogs. My one "psycho" dog came from a reputable breeder and her mother was a grand champion.

 

[Judique]

So, we're getting our new pug puppy on Mother's Day. She is coming from a reputable show breeder and we already have our deposit down on her. She will be 12 weeks.

On the news yesterday, they showed a home in our area that was seized with 353 puppies (mostly shi*zu and a couple other small dogs)! Poor little things! They are now all in the shelter and will need a home to go to.

My heart just goes out to these puppies! I think it would be totally crazy to get 2 puppies at once - right? I just have such a soft spot for those puppies in need. Someone please with a voice of reason give me thoughts!!

(yes - I did look into rescuing a puppy vs. getting our puppy from a reputable breeder - we decided that we wanted to go with the breeder. But this is such an extreme case I just feel like *doing* something! I am going to go try to volunteer at the shelter this week. (Today they didn't need any more volunteers)).

(not that it makes much of a difference, but I am a stay at home mom - so I am home during the day).

I just googled and read a couple of the stories on this. Quite amazing! One thing that struck me was that although the 'owner' couldn't care for them all properly, they all appeared to be generally in good condition and of good temperament, loving attention and people.

I rescued a Yorkie and it's been interesting to say the least, but my dog is gradually improving. He was a mess when I got him and was extremely fearful with agressive tendencies as well. He's calmed down, but not suitable to be around little kids.

Since you've already committed yourself to a new pug puppy, I would stay with just that one for a while.

From the news stories, it sounds like your community has really rallied to help these dogs. So nice to hear of people out there wanting to help! Good luck with your pup!

 

[christineann]

I guess I'm nuts but I adopted my dogs at the same time 8 years ago from two different litters at a no-kill shelter. They were about 9-10 weeks old at the time and were such comfort to each other then. They have very different personalities but are still very close to each other and to us.

 

[Disneefun]

I agree with the not taking two at once.

However, if you want to *do* something constructive, why not donate some money, food, treats, leashes, or any other useful items to the shelter that has the pups? All those pups will stretch their resources to the limit and beyond, so any help would likely be appreciated. Even if you just take some old towels or newspaper in it would be a help, I'm sure.

 

[tinan]

I say go with your gut and just get your pug puppy. I second seeing what help the shelter may need with them and perhaps be supportive in that means.

While it is not impossible to have two puppies close in age, it is a lot of work. Not to mention all of the medical, behavior or any other problems that you may face with those rescues. We have both purebreds and a pound puppy. While we love our pound puppy and she is the sweetest thing you ever want to meet with the typical help me eyes, she was our most expensive dog ever!!! She was flea infested and sick as could be when we got her. While it was nothing deadly that we could not handle, she did manage to get all of our others sick as well. So not only did we have to take care of the normal vaccinations, worming, spaying, etc. we also had her sick vet bills which then became multiplied by 4 because she managed to get all of the others sick.

Just another thought and it's not meant to scare you but since this was obviously a backyard breeder, prior to helping in the shelter you will want to make sure that none of those puppies or dogs have parvo. Parvo is a deadly disease that can be carried on clothes, shoes, tires, etc. and it takes quite some time to get rid of it. I personally, knowing that you will be getting a puppy, wouldn't risk the possiblity of coming in contact with it. Which is also another reason, as a new puppy owner, that you will want to limit your new baby in the public until he/she is older (usually 16 weeks old). If you haven't heard of it before, look it up to see what I'm talking about.

 

[jrmasm]

Stick with one puppy and make a donation to the shelter to support the other puppies.

 

[kacaju]

Just another thought and it's not meant to scare you but since this was obviously a backyard breeder, prior to helping in the shelter you will want to make sure that none of those puppies or dogs have parvo. Parvo is a deadly disease that can be carried on clothes, shoes, tires, etc. and it takes quite some time to get rid of it. I personally, knowing that you will be getting a puppy, wouldn't risk the possiblity of coming in contact with it. Which is also another reason, as a new puppy owner, that you will want to limit your new baby in the public until he/she is older (usually 16 weeks old). If you haven't heard of it before, look it up to see what I'm talking about.

My dd16 just told me about a girl in school who got a rescue pup over spring break. Pup ended up getting parvo and they had to put it down because it was so sick.

 

[MichiganKris]

You put a lot of thought and research into getting your pug puppy. Put the same thought and research into the rescue situation. I would suggest getting your pug, and then if things are going well with training the puppy and it is fitting into your home well, see if there are any of the dogs left in the rescue situation. They probably won't have any problems placing the puppies, it will be the older dogs that they have the problems with. My parents live in Plainwell, and were telling me about this situation last night. I can't imagine someone having 350 dogs in a small house like that. It does seem that while the dogs need grooming badly, they were all basically healthy, I don't know how they kept that many dogs healthy, and that none of them needed to be put down when they confiscated them.

 

[midwestdee]

I commend the poster for her kind heart. I volunteer at at a local shelter. People have NO idea how common backyard puppy mill operations are. It is pathetic what these people get away with. Never buy a puppy or kitten from a pet store - ANY pet store. If you can't go meet the mom and the pups and see what home environment they are in and look around the house/property - you are dealing with a puppy mill. I have fostered puppies (one at a time!) and it is exhauting - of the four rescue dogs we have had - only one was a puppy and I was young then. I don't know why people want puppies. I just don't get it. Finally, senior citizens, unless they routinely jog a mile a day have NO business with a puppy!!!!! One of our volunteers is a dog trainer that has routinely been called out for clients in their 70's and 80's whose families thought it was a great idea to get mom a puppy. Yikes! Frequently our shelter has ended up with these puppies because the senior citizen just couldn't take it any more. If you are super active, get around great and love getting up at all hours to let a puppy out - wonderful - if not, adopt an older mutt that will be greatful to sit at your feet, or on your lap and keep you company.

 

[kwhite1022]

Your post caught my eye cuz Im from the area and saw the story as well. We purchased two Shih tzu's last year from a breeder and love them, so the fact these are mostly that breed is breaking my heart!! My hubby and I will make some kind of a donation to help out, but we already have two who are siblings and bringing another into the mix would probably not be the best for our current dogs. One word of caution about the pug, Im assuming youve done the research on the costs associated with that breed....if not do your homework. My sil got a pug puppy last year and has racked up some major bills due to the sensitivity of the dogs. She loves him madly and wouldnt trade him for anything, but has admitted they wish they had know about the possible issues for them.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

My mom was there at the shelter volunteering yesterday. She mostly held the poor filth covered dogs while they cleaned out the cages, and then the dogs themselves. It was so sad. The woman did give up her rights to the dogs already, so I would imagine they will put them up for adoption very soon. My mom said all the dogs were really friendly and wanted to be held and loved.

I think taking on 2 new dogs at the same time would be too much. I think with all the news stories these dogs will find homes. Although there are a lot of them!