[pyrnet] Pet Store Loved One

[Bien70@aol.com]

I know this is a little late, but............. in reference to PET STORE PUPS:

When I was 18, my boyfriend went off to college, and we bought a puppy at the 
local pet store so I wouldn't be so lonely without him, we didn't know any 
better.  A Cocker Spaniel, black, female.  Cassandra..... we named her.  My 
boyfriend and I broke up and my life moved on.  That was 13 years ago.  I'm 
32 and Cassandra still lightens up my life everyday.  Of course she has had 
her problems.  She's blind with one dead eye and almost deaf, has an enlarged 
heart, etc......  Whenever I run into any friends from that time, they're 
always so shocked that I still have her, and that she lives her life so 
wonderfully.  Today, she looks great and gets around like a 7 year old.

I know what everyone says about "pet store" puppies.  The puppy mills and bad 
people running the pet stores and all that.  But what of the puppies there.  
They are there.  I have one and I wouldn't change that for the world.  She 
was VERY difficult through the years, but I never gave her up.

Today she is so attached to Bear, our Pyr, we couldn't imagine life without 
her.  When Bear came into our home as a rescue.......  Cassa, as a very 
independent and moody, down right nasty dog, slept right up against Bear as 
to comfort him while he adjusted to his new home.  We were shocked.  This 
lasted for about a month, now Cassa is extremely dependent upon Bear.  
Follows him everywhere he goes.  Will even brave new territory (because she's 
blind) as long as she has him to go first.

I doubt I'll ever buy a puppy from a pet store again, I believe in rescue.  
But where will they go?  If not to caring people like us and others who will 
give them loving homes?  I love my Cassa and wouldn't do a thing differently.

A part of me feels so angry at people who voice their opinions about "never 
buying pet store puppies," but the other part of me feels very angry at the 
people who feed into the "mall shopping" for the same, because that creates 
the demand and it will never stop.

........... I just wanted to be the voice of the person who bought the puppy 
from the pet store to let all of you know that they are loved too.

Best Regards,
Dawn Michalkiewicz