Re: [PyrNet-L] Pyr puppy wanted

[BirdBugg <BirdBugg@aol.com>]

In a message dated 98-03-23 16:27:03 EST, you write:

<<  Feel that is an UNFAIR & UNKIND GENERALIZATION!!! Furthermore I'd like to
 give one possible answer to that question that has nothing to do with the
dark
 scenario she painted & the generalizations made.
    It is this: 
 That maybe they are NOT in it for the MONEY!  We got our pyr puppy from a
 wonderful family that merely wanted their 2 yr. old female to have one litter
 before they spayed her. They are also a 4-H family. The amount they charged
 was to cover first vet check & shots, worming, & neutering. That's it. (& the
 amount they asked for was quite a bit LESS than $200!) They made sure the
pups
 went to loving homes & many of us who have the pups keep in constant touch
 with both the sire, dam, owners of them, and puppy littermates & owners. Many
 of us have said that we want to know if ever there is a problem with one of
 them. At least three of us that I know of, from just talking today on net,
 have said we would take in a littermate of our pup, if need arose. (In fact I
 just heard one did just take in a rescue pyr the other day. Not one of our
 litter, though. It is a much older one.)
 
    Anyway don't feel we deserve the comments made.
  
    So PLEASE don't generalize like that! None of us or the owners of the
 parents deserve to be put in the same category with someone who would abandon
 or abuse any animal!!! Just because someone doesn't want to charge thousands
 of dollars for a pup, doesn't mean they are irresponsible, or deserving of
 put-downs and unkind generalizations. It may just mean they are in it for
love
 & not concerned with the money aspect of it. Every one of the pups got placed
 & they could have placed more, if they'd have had more. I'm very thankful
that
 I was able to get a sweet lovable pooch whether or not I had a thousand bucks
 to spend. I'm also very thankful for the support of the owners of the sire &
 dam & fellow owners of the littermates. Great group of people!
 Janice
  >>

Janice has a very valid point.  Speaking as a "non-breeder"  I am quite often
amazed at what comes across in some of these posts as brazen snobbishness.
This is not directed at any one person or individual - please keep in mind I
belong to 6 mail lists and I have seen examples of this in one form or another
on all of them. 

I support the point that Janice made about the cost of raising and keeping a
puppy/dog.  I would think the extra $500+ would be just as well spent to make
sure the dog has a good bed, quality food, gets vet care needed (including
neutering), leashes, collars, toys, books for the owners, etc.  

I personally have had a breeder sell me a quality (could be show quality) dog
for $200 (we actually worked out a sort of trade to compensate).  She trusted
that I would provide a good home for him  and knew my financial situation did
not allow for the initial $500 output.  She also understood my interest in
learning to show and did not require a spay/neuter contract or limited
registration.  

I do not know the situation of the litter mentioned that instigated this mess,
but it is true that it would be very difficult for a breeder to have all
testing, vet care and necessary expenses performed and sell the pups for $200
a piece and make a profit.  However, there are situations that it might occur.
Perhaps we should not be so hasty to judge others by our standards as there
can always be mitigating circumstances that may change the perceived
situation.

My own pyr was sold as "pet quality" to me for $250.  Granted that was 6 years
ago. By saying that any dog being sold under a certain amount is bad or
whatever, that is a totally unfair generalization.  

My mom let her Lhasa get pregnant years ago (knowing what I know now I would
have discouraged her but it was 20 years ago) She sold the puppies for
something like $200 a piece.  She could have sold them for more, but she would
have just given them away, except that she felt that people are going to treat
their dogs better the more they cost.  I personally have found this is not
necessarilly true, I do not think that I would have or could have treated my
dogs any better than I do even if I HAD paid $500-800 for them.

Just the view from the other side of the coin.
Sandy

Sandra Ringener
birdbugg@aol.com
http://members.aol.com/birdbugg/index.htm