From: saavik@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Marla Belzowski (K-9's))
Subject: Re: Pet Population Legislation
Organization: Purdue University
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 06:50:32 GMT

In article <1992Oct7.214853.1@ulkyvx.louisville.edu> hckrus01@ulkyvx.louisville.edu writes:
>In article <Bvs2KL.DFM@news.udel.edu>, angela@brahms.udel.edu (Angela Lakwete) writes:
>> show quality.  Breeders hardly have the resources to track all
>> of the dogs they breed and place.
>> -- 
>
>My point was not that breeders can track the dogs down - you're
>absolutely right about their resources.  Instead, I just wanted to point 
>out that most of the breeders I know would WANT you to contact him/her,
>tell him/her you can't keep the dog, and give him/her the opportunity
>to take the dog back.  If you buy from a pet shop, backyard breeder, or 
>........(some text deleted)
>I agree that I am talking about an ideal universe in which the breeder
>says, "if the dog doesn't work out, let me know," and the buyer actually
>does.  Plenty of breeders urge buyers to do this and never hear from
>them again.  I am merely trying to say, in my own very clumsy way, that
>if you must have a pedigreed, purebred dog, this is the route to go.
>
>I agree this will not solve the pet population problem, and I always urge
>people who want a companion animal to check the shelter first.
>
>Thanks for allowing me to clarify my initial vague thoughts.
>
>
>Holly


Good point, but let me tell you of success story.

I had a puppy returned to me from my second litter.
A younger couple who had no children called me when we had the second litter.
They wanted to get a collie puppy to be the protector and chum to their
expected child.  They also had two older cats and were not sure how the
cats would react to a new puppy.  They didn't ask many questions at first,
but I volenteered a lot of information, including a puppy hand-out,
feeding schedule, training tips, etc.. with my puppies.  I also made
it a point to stress that if after a few days, weeks, months, years,
they found that the new dog and their expected child didn't work out,
that I would take the puppy (dog) back and provide them a full refund.
They were sure that that wouldn't happen when they left.  
Three days later, they called and asked if they could return the puppy.
After reading all the information I provided and their cat's reactions,
they decided that a coliie was too big and a puppy was to much hassle.
I gladly said I would take the puppy back and they could have a full
refund (I hadn't even cashed the check yet).  They were very uncomfortable
about returning the pupp, but I tried to make them undstand that I was
very happy that they contacted me and didn't try to find the puppy
a home, or turn it into the pound.  That puppy has a great home now
and her owner and her just took 1st in Junior handling at the State 4-H
fair in Indy this summer.  She was first over 134 other handlers and
the youngest Champion Jr. Handler in the State Fair History!!!

Bravo for Wolfie's sister Dutches!
   
Sometimes the system really does work!!!
But then again that only applies to purebred dogs right now, but
there is no reason why mixed breed owners shouldn't extend the same
type of system with their puppies!

Well, that's my 2c. worth.

----------------------
Marla Belzowski   saavik@mentor.cc.purdue.edu
Mauii Nikki Belzowski CD CGC TDI CERF
Brittish Legend of Beowulf CD CGC TDI CERF  tri-color collies
Legend's Year of Jubilee   4 mo. sable and white collie



Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs