I purchased a New puppy for my girlfriend Lisa as a present for Christmas because she needed a new male for her breeding program. I had a friend drive 300 miles out of his way to pick him up at cost for me to get him here in time and paid cash. After having Coleman here for a short time we noticed him only putting weight on three legs to the point of stumbling over on the ground constantly. We discussed the issue with a well known vet in the area and then spoke with Julie about his dilemma. She then instructed Lisa how to put his knee back into place if this was the problem. I held him while Lisa did as instructed and could not believe the noise it made and how she almost fainted when she did it. It was definitely the issue.
Several days later we noticed that he was lifting his left paw and would not put any weight on it whatsoever. We then told Julie about this development and she insisted it was just a simple case of Pano. This issue shifted form paw to paw in the front and I knew something was definitely wrong. I felt terrible because I bought him as a present for her that she had picked out specifically and really wanted. I knew this would help her breeding program and make her happy.
I, myself next took him to the vet to have him x-rayed and checked out. Lisa wouldn't even go with me in fear that we would have to put him down. Dr. Manubay took the x-rays with much difficulty due to him being very stiff and went over the films with me in detail siting some problems along with bone density issues. He then advised me to send the films to a certified radiologist because he had a difficult time reading them and if there were any issues with the breeder I purchased him from that it would be required from his past experience.
At first Julie sent Lisa e-mails stating that it figures this would happen to a fellow breeder and also stated that she hesitated on selling her a puppy because she was afraid there would be problems. I saved every e-mail that Lisa received from Julie (being that I am the co-owner) and in one of them (I quote) maybe I should just quit breeding.in another e-mail form Julie, she stated she was dealing with another problematic litter out of Mary Mary and Dozer. She told me she felt confident on Coleman's litter but apparently was incorrect. She wanted me to send the x-rays but I mailed them to OFA myself to get an expert report due to the fact that they are highest authority on radiology. This is when all the nasty remarks and unprofessional comments began. The stories changed every time we discussed the issue even after giving permission to talk to Dr. Manubay. Her rendering given to Lisa was totally different than what Dr. Manubay told me face to face inciting that some kind of trauma and or mauling was involved due to our negligence. This is totally false.
I intervened after Lisa was getting nowhere and very upset as we had both become very attached to him. I then called her myself to try to get the issue settled in a professional manner so everyone was satisfied. I was hung up on different occasions before finishing my sentences. The tone of settling the issue changed daily with her along with the changing of the answers she gave me regarding the return of the puppy and a refund. The issued of the return went from I can't take him back to I never said that. This was told to both of us. At this point I was getting very frustrated and tried one last time to calmly resolve the issue only to find that it would ultimately become a legal matter due to her response. I offered to drive from Ohio to MO to return him and get a refund, but I was told she didn't have the money and she expected me to leave him there. I was hung up on that phone call. It was obvious that we were going around in circles with her and that his and our pain wasn't a priority. After talking with OFA we were advised he should not be put in another home, his condition would worsen and breeding was out of the question for her champion lines.
We then put him tramadol for his pain at the dosage of 8 tabs per day. This made him a bit more comfortable but I could see this was still not a cure by any means or a condition that he could stay in.
Just this past Saturday night Lisa called me in hysterics to tell me she found our puppy dead in the kennel. I drove over there in my own terror knowing I had to dig a grave and bury him. There was no way I could handle taking this dog to the vet and have an autopsy done knowing what he had been through already and having Lisa and I endure any more pain. Maybe it was due to the fact of the multiple doses of vaccines (4 before being 8 weeks old) as in his records or a heart issue of some kind. Unfortunately we will never know.
Julie, I paid for this dog along with all the costs including vet bills, feeding and care and now hear more lies and threats of law suits against Lisa. This is not tolerable nor will I stand for it. Now poor Doug will have to put an end to this story by proceeding with litigation himself. This is by far one of the worst dealings I have ever had to settle with someone in any type of business. I went to the OFA web site to see the other dysplastic dogs that you have produced and was astonished that you are still breeding. We warned you up front that if you didn't take the dog back and settle the situation we would also post this report, but you continued to drag this out only making us suffer more. You brought this upon yourself. If you settle the balance of the issue in a very timely manner I will refrain from filing a suit, However if I hear of any other type of threat or insinuations towards Lisa or myself, I will proceed to file a civil suit and call for all costs involved in the damages from the day I got him.
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