Thank you for making my point. You found out about these problems "a few years ago" & how people can not be aware of the problems these days is incomprehensible. For whatever reason, reading a lot or something, fortunately I didn't need the Internet to introduce me to the problem but now that it's "out there" there's really no excuse for it to continue.

Sorry Lucky lady. Hubby and i are both disabled, so we do not get out much and are not "worldly". Unlike you, i must rely on the internet or tv for information. And i dont see much information on millers, ,etc, etc on television.

LL,
But you've just helped to make my point...you say things like; "if you HAD a VISA" and "if a family member HAD a [TIA]" you'd do the research....which means that the research would be done AFTER the fact....which is what the problem is.
I'm not saying that neither you or Windy have a valid point. What I'm trying to say, is that it's not so cut and dry. There are people out there that *think* they're doing a good thing by "rescuing" a puppy from a pet store, and they don't see the repercussions of their actions (take one puppy out of the situation, two more take it's place).
A way needs to be found to educate the mass public about the way pet stores and puppy mills are connected, and once that's done, the same about BYBs. Sadly though, I think the only way that'll happen is if the government becomes involved (short of all of us standing in front of pet stores with picket signs!)
And as for saying that you'll never order a designer coffee....I'm sure there are hundreds of people out there that have said they'd never own a dog, but just happened to be in a pet store one day and saw the cutest little puppy sitting behind that glass...

DoggyDaddy,

I definitly see your point. Above all, most people don't even research about dog breeds etc until AFTER they have that dog. Most people think, "my child's been asking for a dog", let's go to the local SPCA, Humane Society, whatever and if they don't find anything there they go directly to a pet store. AND that's if they even think about going to "adopt" a dog. Most people around here, think I want a dog, therefore, they go to the PET store. Because w/out being educated about it, they don't know any better. THEN they find out about what's going on in the real world..............

After posting last night I tried to determine when I did first make a conscious decision not to breed the dogs in my life. Searching through the cobwebs of my brain I realized that it was when Lucky & Tiasa had a litter (first, last, & only litter) in 1954, 4 pups, I was 4 years old - & it absolutely broke my heart to send them away. Now one of them went to my dad's first cousin, one pup went to my grandparents, one pup went to my grandparents' best friends, & we kept pup #4, so it wasn't as though they were "lost" to me for all time, but, man, that was a very painful experience that made a lasting impression on me.

Trust me, being "worldly" had nothing to do with how I feel but came about because of the "damage" done to my 4 year old emotional psyche. In fact I think my entire family (my "growing up" family [brothers, sisters, etc.], not my "growed up" family [hubby, son, etc.]) thinks I'm borderline agoraphobic when truthfully I'm just not a real people-person &, unlike them, I hate to travel so I don't do it.

Doggydaddy, well, actually my hubby (of over 38 years) & I have never had credit cards because we did figure out the game beFORE taking the plunge; why pay extra for something & deal with end of month billing statements, the danger of identity theft, etc.? And I have researched TIAs, admittedly only casually, because I guess "inquiring minds want to know" & I am a voracious reader. As for the analogy of ordering designer coffee to dog ownership (?), I guess the answer then is to try to educate the public about impulse buying when it comes to acquiring a living, breathing, loving addition to their families. Truly, though, I know no one in my (admittedly small) "immediate circle" who isn't painfully aware of the pet over-population/backyard breeder/puppy mill/pet shop/"designer mix" problems so maybe I'm just very, very fortunate in that regard.

***Edited By: Lucky Lady on 11/2/2007 8:46:59 PM***
Reason: *

LL,
If all you say is true, then yes, you are very fortunate to have a very educated, well educated circle of friends.

NB: The comparison of coffee to dogs was used to illustrates that there are people out there that look at animals (including dogs) as marchandise, a thing that can be made-to-order,something that is disposable when you're tired of it.

In response to the pekingese/shih tzu. I bought one in December of 2006, the lady I purchased him from called him a pek-e-shih, (pronounced -pek-e-shoo. He is CKC registered. In order to register a puppy you just have to have signatures of two people stating that the puppy fits the description of each breed of dog. For example a vet and a dog groomer can actually sign. My baby is the smartest most loving dog I have ever had. He is such a sweetie. He can dance, speak, pray, and many other tricks that he learned very quickly. He looks more like the shih tzu but his eyes are clearly like the pekingese. He is the most wonderful dog I have ever had and everyone that meets him loves him too!

Although this is an old post thats been revived for the second time, you bubbysmom, bring up a good point about why the CKC ( continental) is not worth the paper its written on.

" He is CKC registered. In order to register a puppy you just have to have signatures of two people stating that the puppy fits the description of each breed of dog. For example a vet and a dog groomer can actually sign."

Wow, your dog groomer? No medical license, no college degree. Just, what? A 6 week training course in grooming, and now this person is qualified to just look at a dog and say what MIXED breed it is?!!! Amazing.

And I think what amazes me the most is, I bought both of my PUREBRED dogs from excellent breeders, got health guarantees for each, and paid a lot LESS money than people who are buying mutts from the petstores and BYB's.

Don't get me wrong-there's nothing wrong with mutts. I've owned some in the past. But I certainly wouldn't pay any more than the fee for the rescue where I adopted it...