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Post by Kerit on Sept 9, 2010 20:03:35 GMT -5
Mojito has been with us for almost nine months already! I had a long list of all Mo's health and emotional issues in my first post about him. Most of them are life-long problems, but we have had a lot of success minimizing them! A raw diet and obedience classes have turned him into a new dog. One of the most important lessons I've learned from all this is GET A DOG FROM A REPUTABLE BREEDER! Do your research and buy a "quality" dog if you're not going to rescue! I am so in love with Mo that all of his completely avoidable problems break my heart. (I now have a long, angry "backyard breeder" rant to go along with my "kibble=poison" screed. ) AND... when I brought Mo home, my husband was not thrilled with him, and Mo was no fan of his either. I had about two months of war on my hands there. NOW... my husband is working from home, so the two of them spend all day together, and have become the most ridiculous snuggle buddies. I get texts at work like "where are Mo's jammies? He and I going to run into town and it's a little chilly out." At least Mo still sleeps on my side of the bed! Enough of all that! On to the pictures. Rain... Snow... and sand! Jammies Cuddling Down by the river On fire And finally...
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Post by bluemoose on Sept 9, 2010 20:15:28 GMT -5
Lol I love the lolcats picture And that hairdo is adorable Glad to hear he's doing better and I'm totally with you on the evils of backyard breeders
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Post by Heather on Sept 9, 2010 22:02:09 GMT -5
I'm glad that things are working out for both you and Mojito. Health and psychological issues with this breed are common so don't beat yourself up. I know a couple of people who deal with this breed and they're not an easy breed. I spoke with them at length as I was curious about the breed. I couldn't agree with you more regarding BYB's and doing your research. Unfortunately, price often becomes an issue and people lean toward the cheaper versions.....the people I know sell their pups for over $5000 and they breed rarely, doing so only to improve their lines. My understanding is that this breed doesn't create huge litters either. I'm sorry that you had to learn about BYB's in lessons that were at the price of your little one. I hope that through your continued love and care that your little one continues to improve. ciao
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Post by Kerit on Sept 9, 2010 22:41:28 GMT -5
Thanks, you two! People ask me all the time what I paid for him. He was "free to a good home," in fact. The woman I got him from said he had been a gift... I have no idea how that worked out, if somebody bought him or the "breeder" gave him away or what. I actually have the breeder's name on those fake "papers" they use to claim he's registered (registered with whom, exactly?), and I hope I never run in to her. It would be a scene. Heather, I have looked at so many crested puppies lately... There's such a range of quality out there, it's worrisome. Once I convince the husband he needs a powderpuff of his very own, we'll be going on a waiting list. And I decided a long time ago that if we add another ferret to the business it will only be a privately bred one.
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Post by Heather on Sept 10, 2010 15:05:39 GMT -5
I find that I spend a lot of time researching breeders. We not only have to agree on quality there are a lot of other attributes that I expect to see. Working with a breeder is a long term arrangement not just the buy and sell of a furkid. It can and often does becomes a friendship. I'm actually taking my dog up to visit with the breeder this weekend. We keep in touch with regular updates as to siblings, parents, grandparents and other information that would possibly pertain to keeping my guy healthy, happy and allows me to look for possible problems that I might come against in the future. No amount of good breeding ever covers all the bases but it sure helps ciao
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Post by sherrylynne on Sept 12, 2010 17:46:29 GMT -5
It certainly DOES help! All three of our dogs were BYB/puppy mill pups(read pet stores) that we just couldn't resist , with all the pertinent health/behaviour problems along with the dogs. I'll never go that route again!
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