We met a very sad puppy last night.

I brought Brinkley to the vet for his 3 week followup visit and to complete his shots. Although he could only find dead ear mites in his ears, he gave him another treatment just to be sure. Otherwise, he's got a clean bill of health.

Anyway, while we were in the waiting room, a couple came in with an adorable chocolate Lab puppy. We talked for a while, Brinkley whining his head off because he wanted to meet the pup.

I asked if he could just sniff him while they hold him in his lap, to get Brinkley calmed down a little. They looked at each other and declined because their puppy was sick. Only then did I notice that the puppy was thinner than normal and that it had a runny nose.

The pup started sneezing and the phlegm came pouring out of his nose. Then he started coughing. And I'm guessing that I heard Kennel Cough for the first time.

I kept Brinkley away but we continued talking and they got the pup from Puppy Depot. Before I caught myself, I said "Ohhhhh." in like a "I'm sorry" voice. She said, "Yeah. I know." as if they are aware of their mistake that they're now paying for. The only thing was, they got their first dog from Puppy Depot. So they are return customers.

Out of politeness, I did not continue the conversation. I thought of all of you though, and considered bringing it up again. To see if they understood the squalor that the dogs of Puppy Depot come from. I got called in after that and they were gone by the time I got out.

I know we all talk about it here, on the internet, semi-anonymously. But if you were in my situation, would you have "schooled" them? In the name of healthy, happy dogs everywhere? HAVE you ever said anything to people in person?

On one hand - it's not my place to judge people's decisions. Especially strangers who obviously see nothing wrong with it if they've done it twice. What difference will a few words from me make in that situation?

On the other hand - these pups can't speak for themselves. I could have lent that poor, sad, sick puppy a voice. Maybe I could have found a nice, non confrontational way to say it that might have resonated some? I don't know.

Re: We met a very sad puppy last night.

I wouldn't. They are dealing with enough and don't need a lecture.

They will probably never buy from a pet store again.

Re: We met a very sad puppy last night.

Re: We met a very sad puppy last night.

Re: We met a very sad puppy last night.

I'm sure 'schooling' them wouldn't have been very nice at that moment. Not the time or place.They've got a sick pup on their hands and I'm sure they will not be getting another puppy from there again.

Not everyone agrees on where to get thier furry friends. Some people make mistakes and some it takes something like this for them to change their mind. It's not our job to judge.

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Ya i guess at that time it wasn't your place. I hope that the Vet said something to them. i think it's more of their duty to educate. And at this point I am sure they know of their mistake. I really hope that now that it's such a big issue on the news and all over that people stop buying dogs from those places...

Re: We met a very sad puppy last night.

Re: We met a very sad puppy last night.

Thanks all, I hear ya. No need to add insult to injury in an already bad situation.

Part of me was thinking about them already getting a sick dog the first time from Puppy Depot and went back for more. But mostly, I just felt so bad for the little guy. He reminded me of my own dog, they look so much alike. I wanted to help him, somehow. But the only one who could help him now is the doctor, anything I would have said would have made it that much worse.

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We know you had nothing but good intensions

Re: We met a very sad puppy last night.

Re: We met a very sad puppy last night.

I actually would have said something very laid back just to let them know their options. Believe it or not I have met people that don't know there are other options than buying at a pet store.

Re: We met a very sad puppy last night.

I wouldn't have said anything.

Chances are, their first puppy was perfectly healthy which is why they went back. I'm sure now, they are fully aware that there is some sort of problem and won't be going back there again.

That's so sad

Re: We met a very sad puppy last night.

BTW - If that puppy had Kennel Cough he should have been put into an examining room immediately - it is highly contagious. Our vet made us use a seperate entrance and go right into the "infections: exam room. We also had to leave by the other door. The receptionist came into the room to get paid.

Re: We met a very sad puppy last night.

Message edited 10/16/2008 9:24:21 PM.

Re: We met a very sad puppy last night.

Re: We met a very sad puppy last night.

I'd like to address two things in this thread.
First and Foremost -whatever your vet said...get the Bordella vaccine. You are taking Brinkley out and about with you and he should be vaccinated for everything. You can't be too safe. You should also make sure he is vaccinated for Lepto also, since the area where you live is loaded with raccoon and possum which are both carriers of the disease and it is extremely easy for dogs to pick up. It can be very dangerous, even deadly. I have a friend whose Cocker died from Lepto and it never left their yard.
You might want to consider changing vets, just based on the fact that they let that poor puppy sit there with a runny nose and possibly Kennel Cough.

Secondly - telling those people the negatives of a pet store would have done no good at that point, if ever.
Some people just don't get it.
A co-worker of my DH's has been asking on and off for the last six months about Boxers and Boxer Breeders. I have spent time on the computer looking for breeders and sent my DH to work with the info. Along with all kinds of PM info. Yesterday, DH asked me if ShakeAPaw was a good breeder....apparently the co-worker got a boxer there "because he didn't have time to research breeders" After I did it for him.
As I said to DH....today's society is a society of instant gratification. This man and his GF must have decided they wanted the dog asap all of a sudden, so they went to the nearest pet store.

Sometimes, you just can't help a situation.

Re: We met a very sad puppy last night.

i think biting your tongue was the best bet. like another poster said, not everyone agrees where to get their pets... and i don't think shoving one's own opinion down someone's throat, especially at an inopportune time like that, is the way to go.
regardless of whether i agree or disagree, i can't stand people who lecture; its snobby... and being that you don't even know these people, i think that's exactly how it would have come off. JMHO