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Comment by Jennifer on July 28, 2012 at 4:45pm

I feel that I should mention that the pups wouldn't have been going to the pet store at 5 weeks, but to a local breeder who, at 8 weeks would have taken them there.  It feels like such a scam though, when I look at the pet shop page, they're having a "sale" and states that puppies (both mixed breed as mine are and full breed) start at $399 - wow! 

The breeder had asked what I was "looking for" and to be honest, I'd never thought about it - for me it's about finding good homes, not about making money.  Same applied 12 years ago (my last experience with a litter of puppies) when my lab got pregnant IN SPITE of the most vigilent monitored outdoor time I could muster.  I still don't know how she did it - had a border collie parked at my front door for nearly a week.  Nice enough dog - but I had to go out and put him on a leash and tie him to one side of the house while I put Shelby on her leash and took her to the other side of the house... still had puppies. 

@Jane - I do too, we have some absolute sweetheart young cats that are great mousers (molers and batters too)

@Nancy - boy, I wish I could find a way to get one to you too... I'd LOVE to have these pups go to folks that understand the breed and love them the way you all do.  I'd thought about keeping one as a playmate for Dexter, but from what I hear, they can be a handfull.  I start back to school on Sept 4th, work full time and am the main gardener/diy'er of the house and can easily see myself being overwhelmed by a second puppy.  Dexter is already 95% housebroken at 4 mos and crates beautifully. 

Comment by Nancy Bauer on July 28, 2012 at 1:30pm

I wished I lived closer as I would take a puppy!  I agree with what everyone has said, esp the NO to pet shops and a big YES to waiting til AT LEAST 8 weeks.  Your mom will have to (excuse the expression) suck it up for awhile.  SHe will survive, certainly if she likes cats she cannot be that cold hearted just to toss out a bunch of adorable puppies into the streets...In the past when I have gotten pups (of different breeds) I want them at least 10 weeks old, never had any problems.  And I agree with contacting the Corgi rescue as you know the folks that would go to the trouble of rescuing a corgi must love them alot and it wouldn't be a hasty decision...good luck and enjoy the little ones while you can!!

Comment by Jane Christensen on July 28, 2012 at 11:49am

I'm sure you will find them great homes:) I wish you lived a little closer as I need a couple inside/outside cats...darn!

Comment by Jennifer on July 28, 2012 at 11:37am

Thanks everyone for the input.  I've made the call and they won't be going anywhere for a few more weeks.  My border collie pup and the mother go in on Monday for spay/neuter and I'm going to ask then about getting the shots for the pups - hoping he'll allow me to buy them and administer. 

For anyone who doesn't know, this is an accidental litter.  Sally (the mom) was with me only a few days having been adopted from the local human society - she is a corgi-poodle mix.  And, I found out, going into heat at the time I adopted her (they didn't tell me this and I started finding "spots" just a couple days before "the rest of the story").  I only had her at the time and we were both in the front yard while I watered flowers - no male dogs (we don't have a problem of loose dogs in our tiny town, thank goodness) in sight.  I went to the back yard to get something and spent maybe 3-5 minutes there.  I'd done this before and if she didn't follow me, she was always in the yard when I got back.  Anyway, apparently a lady with a male corgi walked by, and (according to her) Sally commenced to follow them home- 8 blocks and across a busy highway no less.  I spent the next hour driving every street and alley in our little town of 350 and couldn't find her. 

The next morning, I called an ad placed on the radio for "found dog" with only a phone number.  It was her.  I picked her up after work and found her in a pen with the male that I was told "couldn't breed".  Sally and I found out differently. There are other details that, at this point are irrelevent including things I wish I'd done differently (like taking her in and paying extra to have her spayed even though she was in heat).  I had been told by the male dog's owners that they'd had him for 3 years and never got him fixed because they got him from a breeder who told them he couldn't breed... Now I'm thinking it may have been more of a "wouldn't breed" sort of thing.  Anyway... the pups are here, Sally will be fixed Monday and my heart and gut are all twisted up worried about how to find the best possible homes for these babies. 

I am not an irresponsible pet owner.  I have what some would call a small scale cat rescue of sorts working out of my home (completely self funded) with around 18-20 tame and feral cats calling our place "home" - or at least knowing that vet care and food/water and shelter are always available here. Last summer I made 5 hour drive with 2 adult cats, 6 kittens, my mom, and my old labrador to Colorado to have them all spayed/neutered (at a spay/neuter clinic that I could afford) before I tried to find them homes.  After weeks of ads, the only taker I got took one kitten and brought him back 4 days later when his wife's little dog decided he didn't like the kitten and visa versa (I think the kitten smacked the little dog).  They are all now about a year old and living healthy and happy lives in a house that tends to cater to them.  (Mom loves cats, doesn't care for dogs)

So, that is the rest of the story.  And, for the record, I feel VERY responsible for the situation that both the puppies and I are in.  And hope to do my best to find them the best possible forever homes.

Comment by Jane Christensen on July 28, 2012 at 11:18am

You could try puppy finder you might have to pay a little bit BUT you can control who gets the pups this way. Also adds at the vet office, farm supply store and then you can at least screen them. Don't let them go too easy...you are entitled to ask questions!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you have any questions on what to ask please let me know and I can help!

Comment by Zigward & Kimberly on July 28, 2012 at 11:02am

NEVER let puppies go to pet shops, it's terrible.. Crammed in cages all day:( A breeder that does is not a good breeder at all. That's awful that your vet of all people suggested that:/ I'm glad that you did your research and aren't going to go with it anymore.

Craigslist is a great way to advertise, IMO!:) IF you do it RIGHT... It is the people who use it to just toss their pet up for free or a minimal charge with no other interest in their sweet pets new person that have pets that wind up in bad situations..

Much, much, much more work since it's with a whole litter, but you'll know:)

1) Charge a rehoming fee. (I wouldn't suggest more than $100 a pup, no more than $50-still advertise as $100,-if you're not going to get their shots.)

2) Interview the owners, ask them what the pups lives will be like, ask them what their plans are if they have children, if they move, lose a job, etc.

3) HOME VISITS. Yeah, that is a pain in the butt, but it's important if you do decide to go with Craigslist-not willing? Rescue.

IF everything checks out,

4) Have the people who are going to get a pup from you call and set up appointments for them to be checked out at the vet the DAY that they pick up the puppy from you and then you call and confirm... Look up the vet's number yourself to make sure that they're not just giving you a number and having a friend cover for them.. Wouldn't hurt to ask the vet about previous experiences they've had with the adopter.

5) If you have any doubts about the person, even fleeting ones, go with your gut and move on to the next person.

Remember though, puppies are NOT ready to leave their mom until AT LEAST eight weeks.

If you're NOT willing to do all that, I would definitely go with rescue. If you have a facebook, join Corgi Rescues of America, and they can probably help out out a bit:) (But still, the eight weeks things stays haha.)

Comment by Ludi on July 28, 2012 at 10:26am

Sam I believe these puppies were born from a rescue that Jennifer had taken in, that turned out to be pregnant. Not at all intentional!

Comment by Crystal Whittenton on July 28, 2012 at 10:04am

Not to a pet store please!  And not at 5 weeks- way too early. 

http://corgi.rescueshelter.com/Nebraska

Contact any corgi rescue within a 5 state area and www.corgiaid.com. 

Comment by Donna and Lilly on July 28, 2012 at 9:30am

I would not give them to any sort of pet store.  Stores are in it to make a profit...not for the welfare of the animal. 

Comment by Sam Tsang on July 28, 2012 at 9:14am

Hi Jennifer, what was the purpose of this litter and was it intentional? Could you give us a little bit more background info?