Ahhh...where to begin. About 3 months ago, my husband and I decided to buy another puppy. Juneaux was already 6 months or so, and with a baby on the way, we thought she should have a friend. We contemplated adopting a dog, but could never find anything the right size--face it, corgis are the best! So I signed up on puppyfind.com, and thought I'd look there. We had a hard time finding one we liked that didn't have a $300 shipping fee attached, and even the ones in Texas were just too far for us to go. I communicated back and forth with several breeders, asking "important" questions here and there, but in the end, just couldn't decide on a pup. After a couple of months, we decided NOT to get another puppy yet. We figured it wasn't meant to be, and anyway Juneaux was fine with being the only doggie.

Not long after, I stumbled upon MyCorgi while searching for corgi names--obviously I hadn't stopped looking, lol, and was estatic! I had never seen SOOO many corgi lovers anywhere, and felt so fortunate to have found it. While on the site, I found someone local who was selling corgi puppies, and I immediately told my husband. Even though it was gonna cost us just as much as Juneaux, we didn't have to worry about shipping, and unlike with Juneaux, we thought we'd get the chance to "watch" him grow.

Finding Juneaux was such an awesome experience! I found Luann Shipman while browsing corgi sites, and was put on a waiting list for the upcoming litter. I remember the anticipation, and the excitement the day Luann informed me the puppies had arrived. She was quick to answer any questions or concerns we had. We were unable to see her since she was in Eldorado, but she posted weekly pics, and extra pics upon request. She came with a "puppy pack" that included a record of vaccinations and wormings, their AKC registration packet, a small bag of the food they had been on and a toy with the scent of their mama and littermates in order to make the move a little less stressful--she would be ready to go between 6-8 weeks. She also came with a one-year health guarantee. Every breeder is different of course, but she was one of the best, to us:) She was also very understanding when we made a switch from another pup to Juneaux, and was just over all a pleasant breeder to deal with--Thanks Luann:)

That afternoon, I spoke with the local breeders, and was told that for the $500, he would have his first round of vaccines, which of course tells me he would be ready after 6 weeks, and would be registered with AKC--perfect!
So a few days later we went by to see them and to pick one out--we were really set on buying another baby:) We chatted with them for a bit, mostly about the dogs and about how they worked for a vet...sounded great, until he mentioned that the pup would probably be ready at 5 weeks. I asked if they could hold on to him till he was 6 weeks, and they said that the previous litter was sold at 5 weeks. Hmm...ok. We also asked about the registration, and they said that they had already sent out for his papers. Sounded like a good deal, so we told them to hold the red pup we'd picked, and we left. He was 2 weeks at the time.

2 days after he had turned 4 weeks, I got a call from the breeder that they would be ready in 2 days for pick up--that would make him ONLY 4 1/2 WEEKS! I was positive my husband was going to be VERY unhappy about that, so I told him we could pick him up that Thursday, which would have been his 5 week birthday. I wasn't sure what my husband was going to think. I knew that we didn't want to bring home an unvaccinated puppy, with Juneaux around, which is why we had originally asked about them keeping him till 6 weeks. So I asked when he would be vaccinated, and he said since they can only get vaccinated at 6 weeks, that he wouldn't be vaccinated. More bad news, his registration had been lost in the mail, so he offered to mail them to me when they came in. I told him that we could pick up the papers when he got them, and he insisted he could just mail them.

At that very moment, I knew I needed to talk with my husband. I was a little disappointed with how everything was turning out, not to mention that after a couple of requests, they never sent me updated pics, or agreed to let us go see him. I wasn't going to barge in on them, but really would have appreciated at least one visit. Anyway, I called my husband, and just like I thought, he was NOT happy. He told me how there was no way we were bringing the puppy home to be around Juneaux without having been vaccinated. That was the main issue. We didn't want to risk anything happening to Juneaux, because we were being irresponsible--and thats what it would have been.

We pride ourselves in the care we provide for her. She's UTD on all her vaccines, is on Interceptor and K9 Advantix. We feed her the best we can, and would have her at the vet's office in a heart beat, if ANYTHING was wrong. So as responsible pet owners, we decided not to buy the puppy. It was a hard decision, because we'd already planned on buying him. Since we weren't asked for a deposit, it was just a matter of calling and explaining the situation.

I was nervous, but had to call. It was in Juneaux's best interest. I mustered up the courage and made the call. No one answered, so I left a message explaining what my husband and I had discussed. I apologized for the inconvenience. He later called me back and said that they had 2 other people lined up, so I felt relieved! I in no way wanted problems, but we still didn't want to buy him. TODAY I received this message:

**My Husband and I are very happy with your decision. We had two people interested ( that don’t mind waiting for papers, vacc., and love the idea of taking the puppy early) They unlike others understand or research about puppies winging early. I mean, it’s not like we don’t know what we are doing. Jesus!!!, how could we, my husband has only worked in an animal hospital for 13 yrs. and I for 5. How stupid of us to even suggest such a thing. I’m glad we got to know how flaky you all could be before selling the dog to you. Lucky for Chester he found a new home with owners that aren’t that flaky and are going to have a lot of time and attention and care to give him.
-Thanks for backing.
P.S. - By the way, sorry I didn’t answer your mycorgi mail. I’m not in the net much that often. I’m very busy with school and work so I hope that you didn’t take that personal. Thanks again. I’m sure you understand.**

I can't begin to express how glad we are that we didn't buy this puppy. No matter how rude anyone would have been to us, it wouldn't have made us put our dog in danger. This Monday, we bought our Maximus! He was everything we hoped he would be, and so was the breeder! She was helpful in every aspect, patient and kind. We were happy to have worked with her, and are very grateful--Thanks a TON Ada:)

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Comment by Juneaux and Maximus on February 27, 2009 at 6:09pm
well they're definitely not "reputable" breeders, which was MY mistake! i looked only at the convenience of them living nearby, and it wasn't until they called that he would be ready for pick up, that i realized they DID NOT know what they were doing!! my husband actually recalls what vet her husband worked at, but we're not sure if they work at the same one, but on top of all this, we're not even sure the pups had ever seen a vet:( poor things. i did try to do some research on tx vaccination laws, but only found info on rabies shots. i am concerned about all those little babies--hopefully whoever took them home early, will do the smart thing and take them straight to the vet!
Comment by Wendt Worth Corgi's on February 27, 2009 at 11:51am
Just by their response you know all too well they didn't have another buyer for that puppy. They are in it to make a quick buck..produce and ship them out before they are ready. There is noway a puppy should be released unvaccinated and let go at 41/2 weeks of age. You made the right decision hands down. These are not reputable people and anyone working in the animal field would know this. Transporting companies can't even ship a puppy unless they have health certificates, utd on vaccinations and are atleast 8 weeks of age. There is no reason they couldn't hold onto that puppy for you alittle longer. I've held onto puppies for an additional month so the timing was more appropriate for the new owners. They don't have the best interest of the pup. I would of liked to see what vet clinic they worked at and called for a reference. You did the right thing and don't feel bad about because you just saved yourself from being scammed.
Comment by Aj on February 25, 2009 at 4:10pm
Well, that's no way to treat their potential buyers! They don't sound reputable at all.
You made the right decision!
Comment by Natalie, Lance &Tucker on February 25, 2009 at 11:42am
Seems to me the breeder was only looking out for themselves, very selfish of them! You absoloutely made the rigt decision and I am so happy for you that you found a responsibile breeder.
The comments they made to you is just because once again they were looking out for themselves and were mad that you found another puppy instead of theirs! Some people are only in it for themselves and no matter what you say to them, wont make a difference. : (
Comment by Jenni & Dave Fields on February 25, 2009 at 11:09am
You made the right decision. Congratulations on your new pup.
Comment by Matt & Hilliary on February 25, 2009 at 9:38am
Wow...we didn't bring Optimus home until 9 weeks (breeder said he was ready at 8 but was able to work around us needing to wait another week). I'd reply in a very snobbish and rude way to them reiterating the vaccination issue and Juneaux.

This kinda reminds me of when a job recruiter called me a about a job, I said I'd look at the job posting, then his account manager calls me and I say I'm not interested. The recruiter I had talked to called me back right away and in a very rude manner asked why I made him look bad. Anyways, the point I'm making is that it's amazing when professionals act so unprofessionally.
Comment by Marion and Vern on February 25, 2009 at 9:02am
We understand about checking out breeders. I did a lot of research, city, county, state, calling their vet before I felt comfortable with the one we found. I would really check into the state laws on the selling of puppies so early. As everyone else and yourselfs I am worried about the puppies. If this is the way they act and do when you have done something they don't like imagine what they might do to a puppy. Glad you did not get stuck with those people (for lack of a better name). Don't give up though, I just know there is another Corgi out there just waiting for you to bring to such a loving and caring home.
Comment by DR, Nala & Simon on February 25, 2009 at 9:00am
Their loss. Too sad those puppies are separated so early from the mom. Thank goodness you found a much more responsible breeder. Thanks to let us know about your experience, it will help a lot of us for what to watch out for.
Comment by Nicola Porter on February 25, 2009 at 8:10am
What a nasty person, I wouldn't be able to hold my tongue after reading that.
Comment by Susan Stanton on February 25, 2009 at 6:59am
I think you dodged a bullet by not dealing with those....people. But I worry about their puppies, I wish there was a way to stop them altogether. I found my breeder through the PWCCA, and like yours, she could not have been nicer. I loved that she asked me all kinds of questions about me, encouraged visits, follows up regularly (sends us all birthday cards), and would take any of her dogs back in a heartbeat if we ran into a problems. She wouldn't let her puppies go until at least 9 weeks, and even then, really evaluates the litter as to whether they're ready (and if they aren't -- you wait!). Those poor little puppies.

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