From sad puppy to happy teen!

[Sandi16]

We've had Louie for almost six months. What a six months it has been. I credit him for keeping me sane while husband has been on deployment with his ship. He gave me focus and was my project. He's given me a million puppy kisses, and tons of puppy snuggles. He's made me mad, he's made me laugh, but most of all he's made me happy.

As most of you all know. I did a bad thing and got Louie from a pet shop. Before getting him, I was VERY against pet shops, preached the evilness of them, and had a talk with my daughter about how shelter dogs needed a home over a pet shop dog. I had always wanted a Cairn but was against paying a lot of money for a dog. I did kind of research them, and couldn't really find any breeders in my immediate area, came up with nothing My looks around the shelters weren't coming up with anything other than pit bulls or old dogs. I was going to do a rescue cairn, but most won't give a Cairn to someone with young children.

One day, at the mall, we went in. We've done it thousands of times before. I mean, you know the situation, but you can't resisit watching a puppy romp. I've fallen in love with many a puppy in the window, but never, ever, EVER asked a price until I saw Louie. He was in the first window. No one was looking at him, and he was facing away from the window. I told my husband "OMG that's a Cairn!" and he said "What's a Cairn?" I tapped the window trying to get his attention. I looked at the big JUST REDUCED AGAIN! sign on his window. I stood there forever, just to get a glimpse of his face. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. I had to see his face. I have never seen a Cairn in real life, and I wanted to see him. For the first time EVER I asked to see the puppy in the window. My kids were SHOCKED as they have asked a million times.

We got him in one of those rooms, and he turned his personality on, although he didn't stand out. Just a jumpy little puppy. We found out why he had been reduced twice so far. He was four months old, and had lost his puppy cuteness. I think thats common with terrier breeds. They have the puppy cute for such a short time, then they look like mini versions of the adults. People passed him up to look at the Yorkies and Jack Russels and Shih Tzus and Maltese. The little bundles of energy and fluff that makes even the hardest of hearts melt. They had me. I was holding the "reject" puppy. The one no one wanted. I knew that feeling. Going against everything I knew was right, we left that night to think it over, but we knew we'd be back.

We got there the next day before the store opened. Swallowing my pride, I bought my pet store dog. I even made up elaborate lies to my family as not to seem like a hypocrit. For weeks I thought of reselling him to appease my guilt. On top of that.. he was a boring dog.

Yeah I said it. He was boring. He never wagged his tail, he was scared of loud noises, he was lacking all that puppy happiness he exhibited in the cubicle, which I now realize was from just the overwhelming happiness to be OUT OF HIS CAGE!! He didn't know how to play, he didn't want to be held, or petted. A few weeks go by, and he starts to adjust, but he's still pretty surly. I was amazed that he never wagged his tail. I read about dogs and their "happy smile" in a dog training book, and realized in the time we've had him, I've never once seen that face. I would see pics on here of grinning Cairns and be sad. I had begun to regret my decision, thinking Karma was punishing me. Oh yeah, I got a Cairn, but a surly, snarly, boring one. One who refused to let you touch him or who looked at you blankly when you threw a ball.

Over time, he learned to walk on a leash, he learned who he could hit up for food, he became more family oriented. I remember the first time he wagged his tail at a time other than upon our return home. We were out playing in the yard. He was wagging his tail and PLAYING. He learned fetch, he learned NO bite, and NO bark. He kinda got better at pottying outside. Then came our first trip to the dog park. I saw his first smile. Although happy, I was heartbroken that he would never do that at home. That was almost 2 months after getting him.

I loved him anyway. He is my heart. He slowly became my velcro dog. He started sleeping wtih me, comforting me while husband was away. He is surprisingly obedient, amazingly laid back for a Cairn and he had never chewed on anything of signifigance. He loves to do his tricks, he's pretty tolerable of the kids, he loves the cat, and after awhile, his tail never stops wagging. Recently, he's been running to me with a huge smile on his face, just happy to be with us. Six months. But, I know that at least once a day, I'll see that smile. Right now, he's playing tug a war with my son, and it's just perfect.

It just goes to show how horrible the puppy mill business is (although I have contributed to it). I had a dog that didn't know how to be a dog! Even at 4 months old. He got skittish around metal noises which I assume comes from being in a cage most his life. If we even so much as touch the fireplace screen, he would bark and freak. He does that still, but it has since turn to a game. It's the best way to guarantee and panting happy pup.

I don't know. I just felt the need to get it out. He had come over to me to play "fiesty" which is just rough housing and hand biting. It's amazing because he knows when he does it too hard, and if he forgets I just say "easy" or put my face down for a lick and he goes back to being gentle. I was just struck with the difference between the 4 month old who was stand offish to the dog who jumps up on the couch, plants his fat paws on my chest and gives me licks.

[pkcrossley]

great story! congratulations to both you and louie. we have had many thoughtful discussions here about pet shops and so on. my dog is from a petshop and has a history very much like louie's. i had no intention of buying a second dog, and did not approve of pet shop sales of puppies and kittens, but i saw this poor dog lingering in this store for months, he had become depressed and just lay on the bottom of his cage, there was virtually no hope he would be bought. i ransomed him. there was no other humane way out of it. he went through some difficult early years with us, but has grown up to a real gentleman with a heart of gold. i have been lucky with his health, too, he is now nine and has never had any other than the most minor problems. his health has been perfect for years.

puppy mills are very terrible, terrible places. i am very sympathetic to the sentiment behind the argument that just ignoring puppies for sale in the shops will force puppy mills to close (this argument is pushed very heavily by the humane society and by many breed clubs), but it doesn't have too much grounding in fact. i have several acquaintances, public prosecutors, who have specialized in shutting puppy mills down, using local animal treatment and sanitation codes (most recent one just about three weeks ago, in pennsylvania). it is the only thing that really shuts them down. lowered demand from pet shops does not close puppy mills (at least not enough to make much difference), it just gets more puppies sent into the dog fighting industry or into the foreign restaurant industry. the effect is small. leaving four-month-old dogs to rot in pet shops will not cut it. that said, the shop where i got my dog has since given up selling puppies and kittens, mostly due to community pressure. so now we have a nice no-live-sales environment, and congratulate ourselves on it, while miserable puppy mill puppies get sent to shops all around us and the level of suffering for puppy mill puppies in general is about the same. puppy mills have to be closed at the source, by the local authorities. unless the puppy mill is a paradise of sanitation and puppy care, local laws are always sufficient to do the job, if somebody will just enforce them.

well, wherever and however people want to work against puppy mills, it's fine. but a dog in a pet shop is a dog in trouble. i cannot blame anybody who ransoms a dog that is facing a future of euthanization, abuse, or a human shelter. save the dog, kill the mill. these don't have to be contradictory actions. you did a good thing with louie.

[sheila and Misty]

what an interesting story glad you were able to vent here, Alot of things arent right in this world but I too would save a sad face in a pet shop or shelter stc.(my first cairn was bought at the mall) someone has to recue them too! and Im sooo sure Louis is ever so gratefull! I know my scruffy was. and for the problems he had with noises not many would have tolorated him-I feel we did the right thing at that time too. and I agree! it should go back to shutting down puppy mills!

[Idaho Cairns]

I would not feel guilty about obtaining a dog I wanted, no matter what the source. At least THOSE lives have been saved, been made better, are filled with appreciation and love. Our only local pet store obtains their dogs from hobby breeders and mixed breed sources, I am not sure one litter comes from a puppy mill and I'm not sure that there is any way to determine exactly where any particular dog in a pet store comes from--could be any place.

Over and over, I am impressed with this breed simply because of their flexibility, their willingness to change, to adapt to a family--no matter what their conditions were prior. I have had rescues that were pillar to posted for years before coming into my home and they adjusted very well, became wonderful pets--once they became accustomed to our environment.

I think you both have done a wonderful thing by taking these dogs into your hearts and if you have "confessions" to make, confess that you have been successful in making a little dog's life much better than the alternative.

There are many reasons for the existence of puppy mills and, frankly, some of the blame can be laid at the feet of "professional" breeders that make the acquisition of dogs by the general public nigh on impossible due to small output, unreasonable owner restrictions, meddling, and extremely high prices for their puppies. Often this same overly protective behavior infects rescue organizations to the degree that obtaining a rescue can be very difficult for willing applicants. Puppy mills, bad as some are, fulfill a demand created, in part, by breeding and sales practices by professional breeders that are far too restrictive.

This does not mean that I approve of the practices of many of these mills, I don't. Some of environments that exist are simply barbaric and need to be stopped, but we can't expect a public, hungry for the output, to prevent the abuse--the prevention has to come from legislation that adequately identifies these "mills", monitors their practices, and provides for proper punishment of clearly stated and understood illegal activities and conditions.

[DawnandTuk-tuk]

Tuk-tuk is a pet store dog too. We looked in shelters too, but at the time our son was 3 and none would adopt to us. I tried breeders but no one had litters and every one said there was a problem breeding cairns so there wouldn't be any for awhile. The closest I got were show cairns in CA that cost over $1500 (I don't remember exactly how much now, but I do remember it was way more than I ever imagined). I too share your feelings on pet stores/puppy mills. I was looking through the local paper one day and saw an add for a cairn at a hole-in-the-wall pet store so we went to see. I was set against buying the puppy in my head, but I wanted one so badly in my heart.

When I was a child my parents would buy me puppies only to say we couldn't afford them after 6 or 7 months and then give them away. When I was 12 they offered to buy me another dog and I refused because I knew what would happen. I loooove dogs and that was so hard for me to do. They begged and pleaded with me to get a pet and finally convinced me to get a cat, which we ended up giving away. Right before my daughter was born we got a great dane and she was the sweetest thing. I miss her tons, but she was my DH's dog. I told my DH, this time I want a dog for me.

As soon as I met Tuk he stole my heart. I tried to be logical and look for things that might have been wrong with him, but he was cute and funny and did everything right. I went home to think about it just like you, but went back the next day. He was 3 1/2 months and I'm grateful we didn't have any problems, we do have the allergy thing now but its pretty common I guess. He plays great with the kids, loves all our family/friends, has the best personality and is the best behaved dog ever even though I didn't really train him to do alot of commands/tricks. I'm so happy you have Louie in your life and that I'm lucky enough to have Tuk-tuk in mine. I'm so sappy about him when I post stuff like this I get all misty eyed, if not cry outright. When I read how Louie makes you feel I knew just what you meant, Tuk-tuk is the best comfort for me too.

[Xonk]

Thank you for posting - it was a heart-touching story. It certainly gave many things to ponder!

You can't put the toothpaste back in the tube. You can't alter the circumstances that brought Louie into this world, but you were kind enough to know in your heart when the situation was right to intervene and change his life for the better. You are knowlegeable about the the puppy-mill industry, and this was not a desision made on a whim since you had already tried Rescue groups. In fact - that it went against your grain shows that it was a choice not made lightly! A good owner and a beloved dog is a good combo regardless of the fates that brought them together.

You will never have to apologize to me for showing compassion to an animal.

[boats85]

Many years ago I had entertained the idea of getting a puppy, I looked around at the various pet stores, but was drawn back to this pet store that had a very tiny, laid back Yorkshire Terrier. The day when I made my decision was when a family of four came in, The two youngsters in the family were running all over, grabbing at things and were unruly, the parents showed no concern, They soon focused on this tiny Yorkshire Terrier and wanted to see it and maybe buy it. All I could think of was that this little Yorkie will go through all kinds of hell with these two unruly kids. I grabbed the closest store employee and said I will buy that Yorkie right now. 30 minuts later I walked out of the store with that tiny Yorkie in a box. Soon as I got to my car, I discarded that stupid box and held this tiny little dog on my lap on the drive home, promising him that no harm would ever come to him, always a place to sleep and plenty of love and good food. I feel that I rescued him from that family and saved him from a life of misery.

I named this Yorkie "Pooche" and true to my promise to him, Pooche was my constant companion for 15 years, I lost him to the Rainbow Bridge two years ago and never a day goes by that I don't think of him. I feel that I rescued Pooche that day at petstore and never regretted it, not for one minute, Its damn if you do and damn if you don't.

Of course now there is Skipper, and you all know he is well loved as well

[oscar's mom]

Oscar was also purchased from a pet store. I waited one week before going back to get him. I couldn't let him live in that cage, and it was DH's brithday the next day (good excuse). I love you little guy, wouldn't give him up ever. Everone needs love and caring, you did the right thing.

[Jetti]

Hi,

I too have a bad conscience about getting my dog where I got him from. Not from a shop but from an

"almost" puppymill facility. I had been looking for a Cairn for a very long time but could not find a

breeder, respectable breeders only showed up after I had purchased Paco. Anyway, I saw this add

on the Internet, called the guy and went to see the puppy he had for me and it was just adorable, as

a puppy should be BUT it was not yet 6 weeks old and it is absolutely against my strongest feeling to get a pup that young. sO, I asked the man it he could keep it till he was 3 months old. It was ok.

To tell the truth, I didn

[Kramersmom]

Please, no one ever feel that way. My first Cairn Missy was from a pet store. I know, I know, bad bad me, right? Well, I always wanted a Cairn when I was little. Every Sunday I watched the Wizard of Oz.

I told my parents, when I got older and move out or married, I'm going to get my dream dog.

Well, 2 weeks before hubby and I were getting married, he went to get his hair cut, next door was a pet store. I walked in there and here she is sitting in a cage looking so sad, a beautiful black Cairn terrier. I said oh my TOTO!! I want her. I ran back to tell hubby to be, after his hair cut he came in. He said well lets talk it over at lunch. I told the girl I will be back after lunch. She took (Missy is what I named her) from me and put her back in the cage. I swear it looked like she was crying, I saw tears fill in her eyes. I said to the girl, wash her up, I'm taking her! So we went to lunch and came back and off we went. She was my girl for 17 years. Yes, she was a bad breed of puppy mill, many health issues, many other issues in terms of personality, but, she was my girl. If anyone else bought her they would of taken her to a shelter. Missy taught me a lot and I gave her a great life and a chance in life. She enjoyed 17 years as a well loved spoiled little girl even though she was a pet store dog she was my baby and my pride and joy. I gave her a chance in life, I don't think anyone else would of kept her with her issues. Don't feel guilty or however about what you did.

To me you saved a mill dog and gave it the best life. When we rescue they too are mostly mill dogs,

I know we should not support pet stores, I do not, but when a face captures you, it captures you.

You saved another dog in my eyes.

I now have my Kramer who is the most lovable dog in the world. He knows too he has the best life can offer. He is spoiled and loved. Missy brought me 17 years and now Kramer brings me so much joy and love galore. I hope I can have him and him have me for as long or longer as I did Missy.

These little Cairns bring so much joy and love into our lives. When I lost my dad many years ago Missy was the one to comfort me and lick my tears away. Kramer comforted me with Missys loss. I will always have a Cairn in my life for as long as I live.

[Idaho Cairns]

I'm not so sure we can assume that every pet store dog is from a "puppy mill"! Who collects these statistics and facts about pet store puppies?

It is always a good idea to question assumptions such as these and see if they are myth or fact. Certainly no one should apologize for making any dog's life better, no matter where the puppy was whelped.

[bradl]

Given that the code of ethics for most breed clubs prohibits providing dogs to resellers, once can at least extrapolate where the dogs probably *didn't* come from.

[pkcrossley]

there are people who religiously believe that all pet shop dogs are puppy mill products. in the big chains, i think that is absolutely true. but i know for a fact that there are boutique shops in my part of the country that will display puppies over twelve weeks old from local breeders, and at least once i have seen a young adult who was essentially surrendered by the breeder. it isn't the greatest arrangement for the puppies but it is effective at introducing the idea of breeders to shoppers who otherwise wouldn't have a clue how to contact a breeder, and it does move adult dogs who would otherwise be in shelters or rescue organizations. pet shops are pretty closely regulated here, buyers have to provide detailed identification, and so on. it is an unusual arrangement and it appears that some people in other areas of the country have never heard it. as a general thing, i think pet shops dogs do come from puppy mills, which doesn't make them less deserving of decent lives in loving homes.

[little feet zip]

Sounds to me that you did'nt buy a puppy in the window, but gave it great thought and rescued a dog from an uncertent future. All three of ours came from stores and now we have them from the previous owners. So feel good about your rescue and love him forever.

Rich