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adam_89 · Mar 18, 2009, 10:24 AM

Yes, I am bright eyed and bushy tailed now. Good to go

adam_89 · Mar 18, 2009, 12:31 PM

Well, I see nobody is around but Ijust have to complain about something. That being animal Shelters. If anyone wants to discuss, we can but until then I will wait.

starbuck8 · Mar 18, 2009, 12:35 PM

I'm in and out Adam. Complain away!

adam_89 · Mar 18, 2009, 12:48 PM

Well, it may just be because I am having another bad day. But anyway I love dogs and I really want one. Well, My fiancé doesn't want one but finally agreed to let me get one. I don't agree paying for an animal but I guess if you have to then so be it. I had a dog I hang out with at work and everybody here loves him and he just died yesterday because We think someone poisoned him. Well the owner bought him for $800 and now it is all gone away. Well, I thought you could at least buy a dog at the animal shelter for cheap but they charge 100 dollars for a dog. That just seems like a lot to me. I don't know you can tell me I am wrong but it just doesn't seem right. That is all for now!

starbuck8 · Mar 18, 2009, 12:56 PM

No Adam, that is actually a very fair price. You have to think that most shelters are not government funded, they are privately run. They need to charge in order to take these dogs in and feed and care for them, until they can try and find them a home so they don't have to kill them. Most shelter dogs will already be up to date on their shots, dewormed, and hopefully they will also be spayed or neutered. If you had to pay for all of this on your own, you are looking at several hundred dollars. They also have to pay staff to care for these sweet dogs, and give them baths, take them out for exercise, and even just to give them company and play with them. So $100 is a steal of a deal. Also, please don't even consider buying a dog from a backyard breeder or pet store. Please don't!

I'm so sorry about the dog that died. It's awful if someone actually poisoned him. That's crazy! Poor dog! I hope he wasn't in any pain.

adam_89 · Mar 18, 2009, 01:17 PM

I hope he wasn't in any pain either. Sorry, I just had to blow off some steam. I understand it all now. How come I shouldn't buy a dog from a pet store?

starbuck8 · Mar 18, 2009, 01:49 PM

Because most pet store puppies are "ordered" from puppymills. Have you ever seen the inside of a puppymill? They stack the puppies 20 or 30 high on top of each other, in tiny cages. Many of them are from mothers who have been bred over and over and over. They also breed mother dogs with defects. Some of the puppies are even born with their brains outside of their skulls. It's a disgusting and abusive practise, and pet stores support this industry. Backyard breeders are not much better.

Dogs should only be bought from a breeder, if you want a show dog, or preserve a purebreed, from a licensed reputable breeder. These are the people that will normally only have one breed that they concentrate on, and believe me, they make NO money. The money they get from selling the pups, only reimburses their costs for doing genetic testing and also caring for the pups when they are born, as they will all be up to date on shots and healthcare. They will also have strict rules and contracts.

There are approx. 7000 children born a day in the US alone. But there are 10,000 dogs born every day to backyard breeders and puppymills.

adam_89 · Mar 18, 2009, 01:54 PM

OK, note well taken Starby. Thank You so much!

starbuck8 · Mar 18, 2009, 02:00 PM

Watch this video Adam. It's really sad, so I warning you now, that it's not fun to watch, but I think it's worth knowing about.

Then, I'll shut up! LOL!

Brightlion | In Hope - English

Edit: I was way off in my numbers too. Sorry. I liked my numbers better!

Alty · Mar 18, 2009, 05:44 PM

Are you lecturing again Starby? ;)

Adam, I have to agree, no backyard breeders, no pet stores. There are some pet stores that only "sell" shelter dogs, so not all are bad, but, if you're getting a puppy from a pet store that has many different puppies then it's a guarantee that they are getting them from puppy mills.

Shelter dogs are a steal of a deal if you think of the costs associated with the shelter keeping them, feeding them, spaying or neutering them, giving them their shots and many other factors. Also, shelter dogs make great companions. If you're looking for a puppy, most shelters get puppy's on a regular basis. If you're looking for a certain breed, chances are you'll find one if you wait long enough.

If you decide to go with a breeder, do your research. Most ads in the paper are not from breeders, but backyard breeders. What's the difference? A breeder does genetic testing on both the male and female dog, they only breed the best of the best, they will usually make you sign a contract promising that you will spay or neuter the puppy at 6 months of age, that you won't breed the puppy and, should you change your mind, they want the puppy brought back to them. Backyard breeders are people like you and me who just want to have a litter of puppy's without actually knowing what they are doing. They won't test the dogs, they usually don't even know when to breed the dogs or what to do when the dam goes into labor. They are just a step above puppy mills, a small step.

Okay, darnit, now I'm lecturing.

FYI guys, I forgot to log off again. :(

JoeCanada76 · Mar 18, 2009, 07:23 PM

I am glad Adam is getting all the lectures. Lol.

Not in the spot light this time. Can see the relief in my typing.

Joe

starbuck8 · Mar 18, 2009, 07:28 PM

Did I sound like a big meanie? I wasn't trying to be! I only wanted Adam to know, because so many people don't. :)

You guys, I have a big ugly horse pill of a vitamin stuck in my throat! Someone give me the heimlich please... YUCK... It won't go all the way down!

starbuck8 · Mar 18, 2009, 07:55 PM

What... no one offered to save me? You just left me here all alone to choke to death? RED ALERT...RED ALERT... DUCKY CHOKING! Someone let me out of my cell!!

Alty · Mar 18, 2009, 07:56 PM

Starby, if you can type, you're not choking. Me thinks you okay, okay?

I'm not giving you mouth to mouth, you're not my type.

M, do you need mouth to mouth.