When buying any puppy it is important to research the breed and the breeder
and to contact Canine Associations for information on reputable breeders
to avoid the "backyard" puppy factories
Please consider this poem
Unethical Breeders
I don't remember much from the place I was born. It was cramped and dark, and
we were never played with by the humans. I remember Mom and her soft fur, but she
was often sick, and very thin. She had hardly any milk for me and my brothers and
sisters. I remember many of them dying, and I missed them so. I do remember the
day I was taken from Mom. I was so sad and scared, my milk teeth had only just
come in, and I really should have been with Mom still, but she was so sick, and the
Humans kept saying that they wanted money and were sick of the "mess" that me and
my sister made. So we were crated up and taken to strange place.
Just the two of us. We huddled together and were scared, still no human hands
came to pet or love us. So many sights and sounds, and smells! We are in a store
where there are many different animals! Some that squawk! Some that meow! Some
that peep! My sister and I are jammed into a small cage. I hear other puppies here. I
see humans look at me. I like the 'little humans', the kids. They look so sweet, and
fun, like they would play with me! All day we stay in the small cage, sometimes
mean people will hit the glass and frighten us, every once in a while weare taken out
to be held or shown to humans. Some are gentle, some hurt us. We always hear
"Aw, they are so cute! I want one!" but we never get to go with any. My sister died
last night, when the store was dark. I lay my head on her soft furand felt the life
leave her small thin body. I had heard them say she was sick, and that I should be
sold as a "discount price" so that I would quickly leave the store. I think my soft
whine was the only one that mourned for her as her body was taken out ofthe cage in
the morning and dumped.
Today, a family came and bought me! Oh happy day! They are a nice family, they
really, really wanted me! They had brought a dish and food and thelittle girl held me
so tenderly in her arms. I love her so much! The mom and dadsay what a sweet and
good puppy I am! I am named Angel. I love to lick my new humans! The family
takes such good care of me, they are loving and tender and sweet. They gentle teach
me right and wrong, give me good food, and lots of love! I want only to please these
wonderful people! I love the little girl and I enjoy running and playing with her.
Today I went to the veterinarian. it was a strange place and I was frightened. I got
some shots, but my best friend the little girl held me softly and said it would be OK.
So I relaxed. The Vet must have said sad words to my beloved family, because they
looked awfully sad. I heard "Severe hip dysplasia," and something about my heart... I
heard the vet say something about backyard breeders and my parents not being tested.
I know not what any of that means, just that it hurts me to see my family so sad. But
they still love me, and I still love them very much!
I am six months old now. Where most other puppies are robust and rowdy, it hurts
me terribly just to move. The pain never lets up. It hurts to run and play with my
beloved little girl, and I find it hard to breathe. I keep trying my best to be the strong
pup I know I am supposed to be, but it is so hard. it breaks my heart tosee the little
girl so sad, and to hear the Mom and Dad talk about, "Now might be the time."
Several times I have gone to that veterinarianıs place, and the news is never good.
Always talk about Congenital Problems. I just want to feel the warm sunshine and run
and play, and nuzzle with my family. Last night was the worst. Pain has been
constant now, it hurts even to get up and get a drink. I try to get up but can only
whine in pain.
I am taken in the car one last time. Everyone is so sad, and I don't know why.
Have I been bad? I try to be good and loving - what have I done wrong? Oh if only
this pain would be gone! If only I could soothe the tears of the little girl. I reach out
my muzzle to lick her hand, but can only whine in pain. The veterinarianıs table is so
cold. I am so frightened. The humans all hug and love me, they cryinto my soft fur. I
can feel their love and sadness. I manage to lick softly their hands. Even the vet
doesn't seem so scary today. He is gentle and I sense some kind ofrelief for my pain.
The little girl hold me softly and I thank her, for giving me all her love. I feel a soft
pinch in my foreleg. The pain is beginning to lift, I am beginningto feel a peace
descend upon me. I can now softly lick her hand.
My vision is becoming dreamlike now, and I see my Mother and my brothers and
sisters, in a far off green place. They tell me there is no pain there, only peace and
happiness. I tell the family goodbye in the only way I know how - a soft wag of my
tail and a nuzzle of my nose. I had hoped to spend many, many moons withthem, but
it was not meant to be. "You see," said the veterinarian,"pet shoppuppies do not
come from ethical breeders." The pain ends now, and I know it willbe many years
until I see my beloved family again. If only things could have been different.
This story may be published or reprinted in thehopes that it will stop unethical
breeders and those who breed only for money and not for the betterment of the breed.
Copyright 1999 J. Ellis
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