I found Timberline Kennel on the web and contacted Maggie Bullock, the owner, on December 31st about purchasing a female puppy she had listed. During that first conversation Maggie described to me a 350 acre ranch that she owned where her Australian Shepherds were used as working dogs. She described an ideal situation in the countryside of Missouri where Australian Shepherds run free and make beautiful puppies. I arranged with her that evening to pick up a female Blue Merle Australian Shepherd in the morning. She quoted me $550 for the puppy and asked me to call her in the morning when I was headed towards El Dorado Springs, MO. She then stated that she would give me better directions when I got closer.
I left Arkansas on December 31st at 9:00pm, stayed overnight in Fayetteville, Arkansas and called Maggie as I was leaving Fayetteville to arrange an exact pick-up time for the puppy. She told me to call her when I reached the US54 turnoff as that was only 20 minutes from her and that she would meet me at a nearby gas station. I immediately voiced my concern to Maggie because she had made it seem the night before that I would be able to see the property where she raised her dogs. She then informed me that nobody was allowed on her property and that I would never be able to see where her dogs lived. Due to the fact that I had already driven 200 miles I continued with her new plan to call her at US54 and meet her at the gas station.
When I reached the US54 turnoff I called Maggie. She then informed me that she would not be able to meet me at the gas station. She informed me that a man named Mike would meet me there. Due to the fact that I was now only 20 minutes from my destination and had traveled 330 total miles I agreed to meet Mike at the gas station. When I arrived at the gas station there were 3 Australian Shepherd puppies in a travel carrier in the back of Mikes vehicle. The puppies looked healthy but appeared to be quite shy and hid behind the carrier when released. Another family was at the gas station picking up their puppy as well. I choose between the 2 female dogs that had been brought for me to look at. I asked about the well puppy check and if, due to the holiday weekend, I could take the puppy in on Monday January, 4th. Mike said that would not be a problem. When the paper work was handed to me Mike asked for $592.49. I asked to speak with Maggie on the phone as she had quoted me $550 the night before. She was rude with me and acted as if I should have known that the $550 wasnt the final price and that taxes are paid on all puppies she sells. I paid the $592.49 and left with the puppy of my choice and the paperwork.
Approximately 15 miles down the road towards home the puppy began to cough. The cough started suddenly and was full of phlegm. I immediately called Maggie. I called her business phone, cell phone, and Mikes cell phone. She did not answer my calls. I continued to call her about every 30 minutes on those phones. She did not answer my calls. It wasnt until 3 hours later that she returned my calls.By this time the puppy was vomiting and obviously sick. The coughing had only got worse and she vomited until she had nothing left to vomit and then she dry heaved. Maggie informed me that the puppy was only carsick and would be fine.
The puppy was not carsick and was not fine. On January 4th, Monday the puppy was diagnosed with viral tracheobronchitis. The puppy continued to get sicker. On January 6th, Wednesday the puppy was diagnosed with Parvo. The puppy was treated for 2 days at The Pet Clinic and then sent home on January 7th, Thursday with IV fluids, antibiotics, and antiemetic. The puppy was given a poor prognosis for survival by the doctor. The puppy died on January 8th, Fridayexactly one week from the date I purchased her.
Maggie at Timberline Kennels was updated on the condition of the puppy during the entire 7 day process. Although she rarely answered her phone, the few times we did speak she was rude, uncooperative, angry, confrontational, and blamed us for the situation. She agreed on January 8th, to refund the price of the puppy if I faxed a letter from the vet stating the situation and that the puppy had not been put down but had died. The vet faxed Maggie the letter stating the situation and I faxed her copies of all the vet bills that had accrued over the week. Maggie at Timberline Kennel refused to refund the price of the puppy even though her written contract states the puppy to be free of Major Diseases, with Parvo listed as one of the conditions covered.
To document each interaction with Maggie would only serve to fill pages with her completely unprofessional conduct. My mother cried every time she spoke with Maggie and there was not one second that Maggie stated her regret or sadness over what my mother was going through. The awfulness of watching such a sweet creature die such a horrible death is sharp in my mind. The absolute callousness of Maggie at Timberline Kennel is unprecedented. Ive never dealt with such a woman as Maggie from Timberline Kennel and I hope to never deal with one again.
0 comments