Puppy Mills
The Story About A Puppymill Puppy - From a Puppy's Point of View I don't remember much from the place I was born. It was cramped and dark and we were never played with by 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 my sister and I made. So we were crated up and taken to a strange place. Just the two of us. We huddled together and were scared, still no human hands came to pet us or to 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 whine. I see humans looking at me, I like the "little humans", they look like they'd be fun, like they would play with me! All day we are kept in the small cage, sometimes mean people will hit the glass and frighten us, every once in a while we are 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 fur and felt the life leave her small thin body. I had heard them say she was sick, and that I should be sold at a "discount price" so that I would quickly leave the store. I softly whined to mourn for her as they took her body out of the cage in the morning, I wondered where they put her? Today, a family came and bought me! Oh happy day!! They are a nice family, they really, really wanted me! They had bought a dish and food and the little girl held me so tenderly in her arms. I love her so much! The mom and dad say 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 gently teach me right from 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, back yard breeders and my parents not being tested. I didn't know what any of this meant, just that it hurt me to see my family so sad. But they still loved me, and I still loved them very much!!! I am now 6 months old. Where most of the 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 to see the little girl so sad, and to hear her mom and dad talk about, it might now be the time. Several times I have gone to the Veterinarians place. I just wanted to feel the warm sunshine and run, and play and nuzzle with my family. Last night was the worst. Pain has been my constant companion 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 have to stop because of the pain. The Veterinarian's table is so cold. I am so frightened. My humans hug and love me, they cry into my soft fur. I can feel their love and sadness. I manage to lick their hands softly. Even the vet doesn't seem so scary today. He is gentle and I sense some kind of relief for my pain. The little girl holds 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 beginning to feel a peace descend upon me. I can now softly lick her hand. My vision is becoming dream like now, and I see my Mother, 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, good-bye in the only way I know how, a soft wag of my tail and nuzzle of my nose. I had hoped to spend many, many happy years with them, but it was not meant to be. The pain ends now and, I know it will be many years until I see my beloved family again. If only things could have been different. "I am sorry," said the Vet. "Pet shop puppies do not come from ethical breeders. I am so tired of putting so many of these kind of puppies to sleep." This story may be published or reprinted in the hopes that it will stop unethical breeders and those who breed only for money and not for the betterment of the breed.
-Jim Ellis
About Us
We started breeding Dachshunds over 10 years ago. We chose to start breeding because we love the breed so much. We only deal with AKC, and all our babies must meet AKC standards to breed. We do breed our Lab, but only on occasion. We provide our dogs with the best life possible. They spend their days playing outside in our large fenced in backyard, or lounging
around in the house. We welcome anybody to come, and meet our babies. We want you to see our dogs living environment for yourself. We can spend all day telling you how good we care for our animals, and how well they live, but That don't make it true. If you come see for yourself you can make your own opinion. We both work for a living, and don't breed for the profit. We breed because we love it so much. We have a variety of colors in both long, and short hair. We try to keep our prices as low as we can, without giving up the care needed to keep our babies healthy. Our prices start at $300.00 and goes up depending on color, and coat type. We don't feel you need to spend $1000.00 on a puppy, to get a healthy puppy. I have bought from breeders that charge big bucks for their puppies, and I have bought from breeders that charge a lot less. The conditions of the breeders homes were the same, but the expensive breeder would not let me see all their dogs, only allowed me in 1 room of the house, and kept their dogs in crates. Even though they claimed on their website that they had several acres of land for the dogs, and had pictures of the dogs laying on the furniture, and playing outside. The puppy I bought from the expensive breeder had a lot of issues. The puppy was not friendly to other people, and had a lot of attitude. I also found out later that her Pedigree was not accurate. The cheaper puppy was the sweetest dog I had. She loved everybody, was very smart, and had a great temperament. I am only saying this, because I am tired of these expensive breeders claiming that you have to charge high prices to be a good breeder. Or that if you are cheaper then they are, you are a puppy mill, or backyard breeder. I am NOT a puppy mill. I guess you could call me a backyard breeder, because I have a special, private place in my backyard for my dogs to breed. I am not saying that the more expensive breeders are not good breeders. I am saying that the cheaper breeders can be just as good. I feel you should go with your instinct. Buy from a breeder who you feel comfortable with. If you don't like, or trust the breeder. Don't buy from them. Don't think just because you pay the higher price, you are getting the better puppy. Don't buy from a breeder that does not allow you to see all their dogs, or their dogs environment. I also ask that you don't buy from Pet stores, or Puppy mills. If you go to a breeders house, and see dogs, and puppies that are caged up, and dirty, and just sad. Don't buy from them. I know you feel bad for the dogs, and just want to get them out of there, but if you buy a puppy from that person you are keeping them in business. When I sell a puppy. That sell is for life. I am here to answer any, and all questions. for as long as you need me. Even if you don't buy a puppy from me. I don't care. I am here to help. All I care about are the Dachshunds. Please read the story below....
