"breeder" selling at 3 weeks - HELP!

[Shirley Jo]

A friend of mine had a litter of 9 puppies. The moms milk has something wrong with it and 8 of the puppies died. She has to bottle feed the last puppy until it was 9 weeks old and ended up giving it to a friend so he would always be close. He is the cutest little fawn puppy you ever seen. When she took the puppies to the vet she also made arangements to have her dog spayed. She said she would never go through this again. I know how you feel. I can say I don't know what I would do. I think turning her in is a very good idea but I think I would get the puppy first. Maybe not the right thing to do but you would know that one of them is safe.

 

[gmacleod]

Maybe not the right thing to do but you would know that one of them is safe.

Mmmm. Is he? A three week old baby that doesn't even have the ability to regulate his own body temperature properly... "Safe" away from his mother is a dubious concept.

 

[Mushy]

It amazes me how many times throughout the day, I have the urge to go and b**** slap someone. In this case, I'm referring to the BYB being discussed here. I wonder if I could find a job as a professional b**** slapper - and all the idiots of the world could be brought before me for justice :D

Absolutely classic. Love, love your post and my feelings exactly. In fact, I've always wanted the title of Head b**** slapper of my company!! My perfect job description is: B****slapper extrodinare, plays great with puppies and kittens, will eat pasta any time, any where and hours limited depending upon how much fun is being had throughout the day.

That's my dream job.

 

[Xander's Mom]

Oh, my what a tough spot. Bailey was 5 weeks when her mom stopped feeding and we knew we needed to get her. Our breeder is reputible and just had a tough time w/ this certian bitch, it was her first and her LAST (she's now fixed )BUT 3 weeks thats toooooo young, and a breeder of moral would at least keep them as long as possible. So to make sure it lives and is healthy. Bai's breeder paid for EVERYTHING! From Vet visits to soft food to her meds and things she needed. I really hope you talk to your friend. Not only is a 3 week old baby NOT heathly enough to bring home, but if this lady will do this IMAGINE the 'quality' of dogs she is selling!

 

[teddysmom]

It it were me I'd be tempted to rescue all of them if I had the money, maybe even pretend I'm a low-life like the breader and ask for a deal if I buy all of them. Then once I got them, I'd call animal control. Atleast that's what I'd be thinking of doing but in reality that would make me look questionable to animal control too. I guess I'd just be selfishly worried if I called animal control that I wouldn't get my puppy.

I'm not sure I'd tell the lady that I'm calling animal control, for fear she'd do something stupid to cover up her tracks.

I'm so sorry you're in this situation, it's a sticky one.

Do what you feel is right & let us know what happens.

Jeannine

 

[CarolynRuth]

Actually, probably yes. It's normal for bitches to reduce feeding pups at around the 3-4 week mark. It's called weaning LOL It is also a gradual process.

What is an incredible shame for these babies is that the BYB seems to think that being the milk bar is all a mother is needed for. It isn't.

However, while not buying a puppy leaves the risk that they'll be removed from their mother anyway - buying one guarantees it.

Does Amanda want to contribute to that? Does she want to contribute to the financial support of someone who treats pups like that? Thing is, you have to look at the wider picture and not just think of pups as a commodity that you want "right now".

I didn't mean I think it is a good idea for Amanda to get one early - I am TOTALLY against it. My comment was meant to come across as, not only do I not want this woman selling her pups this young, I don't want her to have these pups at all! It's good to know that animal control will take all the dogs, so the pups don't have to leave their mom.

Yes, it has definitely crossed my mind to go buy all of them just to rescue them! But, I would much rather leave that up to the pros (animal control). Now, I hope she does show up at Petsmart, because just knowing that she is thinking this, I want there to be a reason for her to lose her "breeding rights." I am going to call Cassie tonight and see what the latest is (she's the middle man for me in all of this).

 

[LilygirlCO]

Keep us posted! Are you going to call animal control soon?

 

[CarolynRuth]

Ok, here is the latest...grrrr.....I talked to Cassie, and she said lightly "well aren't you just obsessed with these dogs." I tried to explain to her the seriousness of the situation, not to mention it is illegal. She said that Amanda talked to the BYB today and was told that the mother was not feeding them so she has been bottle feeding them for awhile and feeding them solid food now. She also said the mother has been "sitting" on them and "squashing" them so she wants to get them out to good owners ASAP. Funny thing, she met Amanda on the side of the street and Amanda said, "oh, I love boxers" and the byb responded with "she's pregnant, you want one?" Amanda is getting it for free! (which tells us there are no vet visits involved). So, now I'm just steamed at Cassie and Amanda for thinking this is no big deal, and consider themselves doing the right thing for Amanda getting this pup. I went to Petsmart tonight and informed the trainer (who my pups have befriended through our numerous trips there) what may be going on. I also told her I would be contacting animal control.

So, now I'm stuck again. I have no way of finding out where this lady lives (or even her name) because I'm now sure Cassie and/or Amanda won't tell me for fear of not getting the pup. (Cassie was the one that convinced Amanda to get a boxer in the first place). I'm pretty sure that if this is her mindset, Amanda won't be a very good mommy to the pup (especially at 3 weeks old). I can call Animal Control and tell them that this woman may be coming to Petsmart sometime on Saturday, but I don't know when exactly, or even if she for sure will.

How do I save these little guys?!

 

[Alex C.]

Geeezus!! This is getting worse. Well, the good thing is you notified the trainer @ petsmart. So in that aspect, he should let the employees know to keep an eye out for her. If she shows up, then they can call animal control. Its a good idea to give animal control a heads up also of the phone call that may happen. You are doing great by helping with what you can, even though at this point it may not seem like much, but I'm sure things will work out for the best.

 

[cap032]

If your friend does end up with one of these pups she really needs to be informed of how to take care of it. As Gmac stated at 3 wks they really can't regulate their body temp yet. It is basically like caring for a human baby for about 4 or 5 wks. As I mentioned earlier I took Syxx at 3 wks and had no problems at all but I took very good care of him and I was home with him all day for about 3 wks. A pup of that age should be bottle fed for a few weeks and needs to be fed about every 4hrs. Also the pup should have some nice warm blankets around it when it's resting. Regular and frequent check ups by the vet aren't a bad idea either.