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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