A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters.
Please pass this on to other pet owners. We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!

- Please read this before considering buying a puppy from a Broker:
A Puppy Mill Reseller
Are you thinking of purchasing a dog and considering buying from a middleman instead of directly from the breeder? Buyer Beware! Here are some tips on how to educate yourself on determining if that person you are purchasing a dog from is reputable or really a puppy mill re-seller.
What is a Puppy Broker?
A puppy broker is someone who purchases bulk "lots" of animals to re-sell instead of breeding dogs within their own kennels. Since these dogs are not seen in pet stores, they can be passed off as quality dogs, or from champion lines, or whatever the puppy brokers wishes the buyer to believe. Someone selling an entire litter which they did not themselves breed is likely selling puppy mill animals. A reputable, contentious breeder would never sell puppies in bulk or in "lots".
Puppy brokers, also known as puppy mill representatives, know well how to market themselves to potential buyers and will prey upon an individual's lack of knowledge. They will pass themselves off as persons who care about the dogs and wish to protect the integrity of a given breed.
Import Brokers
A trend among puppy brokers is to present dogs as quality imports which come from "healthier, sturdier" European lines. Such claims of lines being healthier are often false and these may be dogs purchased from overseas puppy mills. The only way to safeguard against possible medical problems is screening for genetic defects within a breeder's program. Ask for health clearances and get them in writing.
The actual trip from Europe is very hard on the dogs. It is now being said that for every three dogs imported in this manner, two die. Many die either in flight or shortly after arrival. Stories of puppies dying shortly after being purchased are far to numerous. See my FAQ page for more on shipping a puppy and the danger to a young puppy, http://snowesti.com/faq/admins ).
How to Identify a Puppy Broker
There are two factors which allow a puppy broker to do business: your ignorance and your impatience to have a dog of a certain breed. Just think why will a breeder need a contact person to sell their puppies are they really that busy, they can't sell their own puppies, more likely they have abundance of puppies and just don't have the time to sell their puppies and of course they sure don't want you to come to their home. If you want a quality, healthy dog, do not allow these things to be used against you! Educate yourself and be patient! You could pay for your impatience for the next 15 years.
What to Look For:
Puppy brokers always have dogs available. How is this? If they don't have one in stock for you today, they will have one for you shortly. They just happen to know of a great litter from champion lines about to be ready for new homes! Use common sense! Breeding is not an overnight process! Quality breeders have waiting lists for their dogs and puppies are often sold prior to the actual birth. How has this broker found you such a great dog on such short notice?
Meet the Dam
Always meet the dam of a litter and pick the puppy up on location where the dogs are kenneled/live. If a seller will not allow you to go to the actual property where the dogs live, be very suspicious. If they hesitate to allow you to meet the dam, they either have not bred the dogs themselves or the dam is not who they claim. The sire is commonly not on property, but you always have the right to contact the sire's owners. Be warned: they will go out of their way to cover the fact they themselves are not the actual breeder of a litter and may outright lie about this.
Champion Dog Lines - Maybe Not
Is the seller claiming your potential puppy is of champion bloodlines? In the internet age, it has become common for puppy brokers to take photos of champion dogs from the sites of reputable kennels and claim that these are the parents of their puppies. Often the actual owners of the sire and dam have no idea that their dogs are being used in this way. Contact them. If a puppy broker will not give you contact information, search the internet and get in touch with them yourself. Good breeders will not hesitate to speak to you about their litters. We can not stress enough how often this happens.
Before You Buy:
Please do not support this growing industry of puppy mill re-sellers. There are many ways to determine if you are purchasing from someone wanting to make a quick profit. Do your research, ask breed/sport/show clubs, which often have online forums, and make an educated decision on where your puppy will be coming from.
About the Author: Layla D. is a animal lover and contributor to
georgia-dog-friendly.blogspot.com .
This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright Layla D.
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