Looking for a Puppy? You're Not Going to Get One.

A recent Facebook comment on a friend's post:

I have a gal that is looking for a pup. She just called today. Male/female.

It's a completely harmless post, but the "looking for a pup" line that we hear so often is always a small irritation with me.

You see, people are NOT going to get a pup.

They are going to get a DOG, and that dog will live for 10 to 15 years during which time it will bark, dig, shit, pee, eat, ruin a few things, maybe cost a lot of money, and be pretty damn inconvenient at times.

If folks who are looking for a pet will not even consider a dog in rescue, perhaps we need to explain to them that they really do not deserve a pup from us.

Seriously, let's make this a test to see if a prospective client really deserves one of our special dogs.

Because if they do, then a dog in rescue probably deserves them too.

I am not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but too many dogs are screaming for homes and dying when they cannot find them.

Let's talk about that a little more, and let's make sure we all have a link to rescue on our web sites and blogs as well. After all, no one wants to be seen as a "hump and dump" dog breeder do they?

Let's also post an occasional "dog available at local shelter" note on Faceboook while we are at it.

Let's stand for the dogs and not just for the puppies.

And let's explain to all that NO ONE is ever going to get a puppy from us; they are going to get a DOG that will bark, dig, shit, pee, eat, ruin a few things, maybe cost a lot of money over the next 10 to 15 years.

Are they ready for that?  Are they sure? 
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