Friend bought a puppy

[Soynut]

My friend BOUGHT a puppy even though I've mention numerous times that rescue is the way to go regardless. I've informed about backyard breeders and puppy mills, but she still bought one. Anyhow, it's done, and the problem is that she now starts taliking about what to do if "if doesn't work out".

[Bowwowmeow]

:(
What a hard position to be in, for you and for the poor puppy. I used to be able to take in animals from friends or family who made such "mistakes", so I just did. Now I can't. I don't know what advice to give, except to suggest that she return the puppy to the breeder as soon as possible, if that option is still available. The breeder will hopefully be more responsible toward the puppy than a shelter, though they should never have let someone like your friend have the puppy in the first place.

[Bowwowmeow]

It also really irritates me that she probably did it impulsively because she was sure I would step in if problems occured.
That's just the position I was in when I lived in my old family home with a large yard. People knew that if it didn't work out, I would take the animal. I had bunnies, birds, fish, cats, and dogs all dumped on me quite often, which was okay, since I had the room and I loved them. But it made me angry that people I knew, and some I loved, treated animals this way. Its a mystery to me why people who aren't really animal-people decide to acquire "pets" in the first place. If that breeder was a decent person they would have made sure your friend was making the right decision. But I guess if breeders were decent people they wouldn't breed animals for money, especially when the shelters are so full. :mad: :(

[Soynut]

I HATE the pet trading business!:(

[Gliondrach]

How long has she had the puppy? If it's only for a day or two it would probably be better if she returns her to the shop. Your friend sounds like the type of person who should never be given any responsibility for any animal.

[Soynut]

This is her second day. In a way I don't want her to return the pup to the breeder because who knows where she will end up. If the dog got sold that easy with no questions asked to such an inexperienced person, then I have no trust in that breeder.

[Phoenix]

How is the puppy? And your friend for that matter?

[Soynut]

I haven't heard anything from her lately. I give her the benefits of a doubt that she now is bonding with the dog and is taking full responsibility. Hopefully, she only needed to learn a lesson about commitment.

[Bowwowmeow]

I think that's probably the best for the puppy too, Soynut. Your friend doesn't seem like she knows just what having a dog really means.

[Phoenix]

Soynut, why won't your friend admit that she is not a dog person? :confused:

If she isn't - she isn't. :( I don't understand how anyone cannot be a dog person, but there is no shame in it. :shakehead:

Hopefully the puppy is happier :) and your friend is wiser?

[paul]

Im more of a cat person than dog person.

[Gliondrach]

I hope the puppy didn't get too attached to this person. It might be a good idea to occasionally remind her how difficult it can be to have a dog. Exaggerate it so she doesn't feel tempted to get another one.

[Bowwowmeow]

I'm an everyone person! One of my favorite companions was a baby toad my brother found in the garden department of the hardware store where he was working. He must have gotten shipped with some plants or something. There was no place nearby where a toad could live naturally, so my brother took him home. I made him a nice habitat in a fish tank, and he got nice and big and fat. He was a favorite of my Pa's, too, and my Pa used to go around telling everyone he knew that I had a toad. I guess he thought I was an unusual person for wanting to take care of a toad, and he liked anything and everything that was out of the ordinary.
:toad: