I had just lost my Boston Terrier of 14 years when I contacted Carrie Houston in OK about a puppy she had advertised on www.livedeal.com. Her ad reported the puppy was "family raise" which peaked my interest. I contacted Ms. Houston and asked her if she was raising the puppies. She said she was doing the Internet entries for her uncle who was not computer savvy. I asked about the poundage of the Sire and Dam and was told Male was 12-lbs and female 10-lbs.
The ad also promised a 1 yr health guarantee, health certificate, microchip, current vaccinations and worming.
I drove from Virginia to Oklahoma to pick up the puppy. She suggested I meet her at a local gas station. When I picked up the puppy she was healthy and active. I asked Ms. Houston how many puppies in the litter. She reported 5. I signed the contact she placed before me (without reading it, I might add) and headed back to VA.
On the way back to VA while reading the contract and materials given to me by Ms. Houston I discovered she was a "Puppy Broker".
I arrived in VA on Saturday evening and on Monday morning I took her for her first vet checkup at which time I was told my puppy had the parvovirus. I was faced with the decision to attempt to save the puppy or let her die. I wanted to save the puppy and was sent to an Emergency Vet Hospital for 24 hours care. She died 2-1/2 days later. My Veterinarian reported in his professional opinion the puppy had contracted the Parvovirus before I took possession of her on Thursday morning.
On Monday when I found out she was Parvo infected I contacted Ms. Houston and advised her of the puppy condition.initially, she was very defensive, stating she had given me a healthy puppy, then agreed to replace the puppy if it died.
According to the contract I had to provide her with proof the puppy had been examined by 2 veterinarians not affiliated with one another, an autopsy report or x-rays or all reports used to diagnose the puppy. All at owners expense. Then she would give me a new puppy.
This is the information I discovered after my puppy got ill.
1. Ms. Houston is a "puppy broker". She travels around OK and Kansas buying puppies then reselling them on the website.
2. The actual breeder told me, he was not related to Ms. Houston but has sold her several puppies from time to time. He also sells to dog stores.
3. The Sire was actually 12-lbs and Dam 13-14-lbs. (Larger than I had been told)
4. The puppy was 1 of 4 in the litter and the only one to survive. The breeder said the mother had killed the other 3 puppies shortly after birth in her hyperactivity.
5. The veterinarian, Olen Stauffer, DVM licensed in KS on 6-8-57, was hard of hearing and very difficult to understand. He reported he never tested the puppy for Parvo but only looked at the puppy's eyes, checked for fever, and to see if it was anemic. I asked about shots and he reported the breeder, Steve Slater, Yates Center, KS gives his puppies all their shots.
I write this article as a warning to all prospective puppy purchasers. I would highly recommend purchasing your puppy in state or within several hours driving distance. Visit the location where the puppy is being raised. Ask the seller directly if they are a broker or breeder. Then check them out. (There is no proof of where the puppy is housed when a broker picks up your puppy for delivery to you). Ask about the veterinarian and how thorough is his examination and who's giving the shots and de-worming the puppy. Most importantly, familiarize yourself with the contract before signing. Make sure the seller is willing to refund your money and not just replace the puppy. If your puppy is diagnosed with the Parvovirus you should not have another puppy in your house for 6-12 months. Therefore replacing the puppy is out of the question.
This has been a heart wrenching experience. I just lost my dog of 14 years, a puppy of 6 days, and now cannot responsibly consider getting another puppy for 6-12 months. The expense: besides my heart was $500 for the puppy, approximately $4,000 for the emergency medical care, $250 to shampoo the carpets, many hours of sanitizing the house and yard and puppyless for 6-12 months.
Please don't let this happen to you. Know your breeder before you buy.
All comments welcome.
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