Hey there,

This is Sophie's Mom who had returned her to the breeder, breeder's request, who was going to work miracles and heal her from her bone infection in her tailbone (from the tail docking).

The choices were too go to a specialist for about $1000, keep her till she passes, euthanasia, or return her to the breeder, which as mentioned above is what happened.

In good faith, I took a post dated check from this breeder/kennel as she had to sell the next litter which is supposedly happening now. I am playing the waiting game. When I called her to check on the status of Sophie, and my money, I was told to by her that she had to sell the puppies and just started that, and if I wanted to, cash the check and take her to court. I am now waiting and this Monday (10/8) will be another 2 weeks of waiting (month total).

I was wondering if anyone has had a situation like this, as I never have. I put a lot of money into Sophie, such as spaying, dew claw removal and a chip, so this was not an easy situation of "oh sick dog, return her for a refund" thing. I had her for 4 months and had her trained quite well.

I am looking into the Better Business Bureau, Breeders.net (which she uses) and AKC. I know that they can't help get my money but I am disgusted, saddened, and shocked by her behavior. Being a nurse, I believe myself to be very conscientious and ethical. I really thought she was a reputable breeder.

Appreciate any information/guidance.
Michelle

hi michelle
i know it sounds awful but this is a typycal backyard breeder. these people don't care about their dogs but only see the money. i hope you get your money back but don't count on it. when fausto needed his operation i contacted my breeder to pay the bill together as the problem was a breeding fault. the breeder did pay a small amount for the operation. nothing compared to what it had cost but he did join in. had he not done this i would have seen to it that his name would see damage. bad advertising is something that you could thret with. if the breeder is only intrested in the money this would not be something they would want. i'd also go to court. i dont now if you have a contract when you bought her where the conditions are written where you both agreed to? this will make the case stronger. if you ever go to buy another pup do this with the advise of the boston club. these breeders have garanties when you buy your pup. success!

esther

Michelle,
I just wanted to post to say I'm so sorry. I can't imagine how you must be feeling as you got attached to your puppy and now this is happening. Is she definitely going to die? I never heard of Boston's getting their tails docked. I thought they were born with short tails already? Well , my Bo , has literally a stub. Anyway I'm so so sorry to hear about your little pup and I wish you the best and getting this situation resolved. I think calling those businesses is a good idea. This breeder obviously doesn't care very much about anything but the money she's getting from the sale of those puppies. That's sad.

Rachel

Hi!

Well, I emailed the breeder again this week to ask about Sophie as I haven't heard from her since 9/25 and I called her bank which stated the check was bad still. I have a micro chip in Sophie and the breeder has not updated her information, so I wanted to ask whether she was even still alive. Osteomyelitis is difficult to treat and cure, and can even come back just by having your immune system weakened, such as with a cold. It doesn't appear that the outcome would be great...

I am going to proceed with court later this month and will attempt for the refund of Sophie (I have all contracts, paperwork, etc.), the vet bill for the treatment, the court fees and loss of pay for the day. I will also put together and mail the necessary papework to AKC, etc. I am beginning to think she is a backyard breeder. A few people told me to write a letter to the editor of the newspaper, but I don't know.

Well, we'll keep you updated and yes, I will be so much more careful the next time!
Michelle

Hello!

Well, I wanted to updated y'all once again. I have received my money for Sophie. No, not out of the kindness of the breeder's heart, but the funds were available when I went to the bank! What a chance to take!

I have written a well put together letter of the situation and will follow up with my vet tomorrow to see if he will write a letter for me as well to put with this letter and mail it to the appropriate places. I am beginning to think there is a puppy mill going on there...

Anyways, it feels good to be able to close that awful chapter to my life!
Michelle

that's great! i hope that go's well! have you got any idea how sofie is doing? i kan imagine that you don't want to know anymore. i had a weimaraner that developed bone cancer. he was 3 years old and i had breeders agreement. this ment that we both were owners of the dog. i was the second owner. when i spent more than 3000 euros and it didn't help anymore i thought it was time to put him to sleep. he had so much pain. but the breeder wouldn't let me put him down and i had to return him to the breeder. this was in november and she put him down in february! i went to see him in december and it wasn't my dog anymore. he could barely walk and became very skinny. again i told her to put him to sleep but she would not do it. at that point i took distance from him and the breeder and this is 3 years ago and i still get a stomach ache when i think or talk about it. i will NEVER buy a pup with breeders agrement.