I only have sympathy for you. I know it's next to impossible to say no to a cute puppy once it's in your arms because that's how I got my mix puppy. I knew she came from bad people but I told myself I'd make her better. That's what you have to do now. Get that poor sweet puppy healthy and love him. It's not your fault that your emotions were taken advantage of. Regarding their promises that you can AKC register them and that they're purebred, did you get any of that in writing? If you did I would want to speak to a lawyer and get all your money back, or at least what you could. Not just because $2,000 for an unregisterable golden is ridiculous but also to make them think twice about trying to screw someone over with their lies.

If you want to see if he's pure golden you could always do a DNA test, but that won't make the situation much better.

 

Hey, it's not ideal but it's not your fault! He was already born, and who knows what would have happened to him if you hadn't taken him on. I'm not judging you at all, you're only human and may have saved him from a bad life. Just gotta look to the future now, as you say you're in love with him already and I hope you have a happy and healthy life with him.

 

Maybe you can file a report at the Better Business Bureau or post a review on Yelp to make people aware that they are deceitful and selling sick/possibly not purebred puppies. Not sure if much else can be done once you have the pup and they have your money. Pet stores that sell live animals other than pocket pets are just bad news. I can't believe they told you that the puppies are from reputable breeders though- such an outrageous lie since no reputable breeder will ever sell to a broker or pet store!

 

I won't tell you how bad the pet store puppies are since you're already going through so much but in trying to shut down a puppy mill I have learned a lot about them.
Are you saying you paid $4000.?
I really don't think you have any recourse at this point. These pits are pretty savvy when it comes to getting away with terrible things.
If it is kennel cough they should be able to get a handle on that pretty quickly. One of my dogs (Ky) had it and we spent over $500. but she was cured.

It is possible that Scout will turn out to be healthy and live a long life, you just never know. Bentley is from a puppy mill and I'm hoping for the best.
I'm sure the reason they can't give you info about the parents is because they don't know the parents.
I'm sorry you're going through this. I get so mad I could spit that this goes on every day and nothing is done to stop it. I have been in those stores and it's really hard not to buy those beautiful puppies but I know what goes on to get them to the store and it's not a pretty story.

Good luck, Scout is a real beauty. Maybe someone will come along with advice to help you out, I hope so. ♥

 

Your post kind of ran together when I was reading it. If I am correct, your 12 week old puppy has kennel cough, is slowly gaining weight, and may not be AKC register-able?

If I was in your shoes, I would focus on getting your puppy healthy. Kennel cough is a virus, so your puppy should have NO contact with any other dogs in your household as it is EXTREMELY CONTAGIOUS! No contact outside either. It is a virus, so if they want to do breathing treatments, unless there is some sort of magical medicine (i.e. decongestant, do they make those for dogs?) I would say no. If he is having trouble breathing, treat him like you would if you had a virus. Lots of fluids. Lots of rest. Sit in the bathroom and run the hot water to get a good steam going and let him breath that in. If he gets worse, for sure, see your vet. B/c at such a young age, things can escalate quickly.

Regarding his weight gain - since he is sick, I wouldn't worry about it as long as he is gaining weight. He will eventually gain all he needs, it might just take him a longer time.

Regarding AKC registration - the pet store should have provided you with AKC paperwork to register him, if he was sold as an AKC golden retriever. If they did not provide that, and it was advertised as such, for sure go back and get that straightened out. If you plan on doing stuff with your pup, you can still register it under the AKC PAL option (purebred alternative listing)

 

Sometimes our hearts speak louder than our heads. It's good that you shared your story here for others to learn. It's a shame that people are so heartless. I would bash them endlessly on forums, yelp, wherever you can. That vet needs his/her license taken away. Makes me sick!

 

I'm sorry. No matter where he came from he deserves a good home and humans to love him. Good for you that you took him in instead of somebody who might not. Thor comes from a line of bad breeders breeding for his cream color. I didn't find this out until awesome people here researched his past. Had I known before I got him, I would have still taken him I was already in love!! Glad I did. He's my baby. I don't blame you for being deceived. I was too. It will fade and you will forget all about it and just be happy you have him I hope he gets well soon. Good luck.


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He is cute little guy and like someone already said concentrate on getting him healthy. I just feel so bad that you paid so much for him but that's neither here nor there. I would file a complaint regarding the AKC that appears to be untrue. the Better Business Bureau might be a start or do you have a State Department of Consumer Protection, if so they might be able to investigate the purchase.

 

Poor puppy and poor you. How is the baby doing with eating? Is he drinking plenty? His immune system is under attack, so feeding him a high quality food even with some nutrical puppy on his tongue before he eats is important. If the vet says it's okay, maybe a scoop of yogurt or benibac to balance the antibiotics with probiotics might help. If it is kennel cough, antibiotics won't help at all, except in warding off secondary infection because it is a virus. Try to see what the pups temp is on a regular basis, and keep an eye on his gums to make sure they are pink and wet. Keep him hydrated, and if you feel he isnt drinking enough, we can give you tricks for that. He has been extremely stressed in going from a litter to a pet store and to a new home, and he is lucky he has you! Keep him warm, keep a routine, everything to ease strain on him while he recuperates.

 

I'm sorry about your Scout. Thank goodness he has you to help him and love him. I hope with your love and help and some good veterinary care he becomes a happy and healthy boy.

 

First I'd say this, you can look on the cosmic side and say that he was meant to be yours, however it came to pass, YOU were the one that would love him and care for him. Maybe it was just meant to be.
Second I'd say.... Let's have the names of the organizations involved so someone searching the interweb may use your story as a cautionary tale. If you aren't comfortable posting it, please PM me and I'll do it, I haven't ever been sued and it might be entertaining while I tweet, Facebook, YouTube and blog them into a public relations nightmare.

 

On the plus side I can see why you fell in love with him right away as he's certainly adorable. Personally, if he's going to be a pet I don't see any need for the AKC registration unless it's something you just want to do for other reasons. If the store charged more because of this and didn't provide the paperwork then I'd go back to them for some sort of a refund. You might also be able to get your CC company involved if they won't budge on that aspect.

As others have said, the first order of business is to get him healthy. Once that's done all the rest won't really seem to matter.

In my case, my first Golden came from a local pet store when I heard an ad on the radio on my way home from work. They were selling the supposedly purebred puppies w/no papers for a local neighbor and my wife was very surprised when I walked in the door with Cassie. They had 2 or 3 as I recall (it was 20+ years ago) and I picked out the most active of the bunch. They were probably 12-16 weeks old at the time and we had a wonderful 11 years together before she passed away from cancer. I forgot to mention - I paid $20 for her and she was simply beautiful. To this day I miss her.

 

I had a friend who bought an adorable long haired dachshund from pet land and had a similar experience - the puppy was not healthy and continues to have health issues (nothing major, though!)

My first guy was from a backyard breeder - I didn't know any better. I love my guy all the same.

Your little puppy is adorable. Focus on getting him well and putting pet land to shame.

 

My first two goldens were from backyard breeders and I wouldn't trade the time I had with them for anything. They both had health issues, but they were worth every penny. As so many have mentioned already, get your little guy healthy and start bonding with him. You'll give him a great home which he may not have had otherwise. TLC is the best medicine for your puppy. You can do it!

 

Nott

Nott

Now that he is yours, love him and take care of him.
My very first puppy, Mimi, a Bichon Frise, came from a pet shop and I loved her and she loved me!

 

I am so sorry to hear this! :no:

 

Thank you for your support. I really appreciate it. He is doing a lot better. No more coughing and no more snot nose. He honestly seemed like a very healthy puppy the day I got him but he rapidly got worse. He is doing 10000% better now. He follows me everywhere. He sits outside the bathroom door and "talks to me". He is eating well and he is gaining weight. I am soooooo happy to have him. He is an amazing pup and I can tell he will be an even better dog.

 

My Allie was from a bad breeder, but I had a wonderful almost 13 years with her and I wouldn't change it for anything. I am sorry your going through this but it sounds like this cutie pie needs you and couldn't be in better hands. God Bless

 

Goodness he is cute! Get him well, and turn the page. Lesson learned now...Make sure he has every chance of becoming a healthy happy dog. I too would document your experience with the BBB and any Ohio agency involved with the sale of livestock.

 

My first golden also came from a pet shop. He was the most beautiful calm loving boy and lived a full life until he passed away in his sleep at the age of 12. You have a good heart, and that's what's going to give this little pup the life he deserves. Don't worry about the money now, it's done. Just concentrate on getting him well. You have him for a reason.


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Did they give you a registration form for AKC? If so, his parents info will be on it, and you can check clearances at offa.org. Are you sure they said he was AKC registrable, and not APR, CKC (Continental KC) or one of the other less than stellar registries?

Given his small size, you might want to have the vet check him for coccidia and giardia. These are fairly common in young puppies and I have personally found coccidia to make small puppies, who rapidly catch up once treated. The kennel cough also would have contributed to his small size. It is very good that he is gaining weight steadily

Yeah, you made a mistake, probably paid almost twice as much as you should have (for a puppy with a solid clearance history), but you have him and just need to go forward with the situation. He is adorable and certainly looks all Golden to me at this point.

I would strongly suggest getting pet insurance for him ASAP, just in case. This is something I suggest to all of my puppy people, because things happen.

And I love his name. The boy in my avatar is my Scout, who lived to be 14 years old and was a happy, healthy boy. I hope your Scout will be too.

 

Dear Scout's mom,

Quit beating yourself up over where and how you fell in love with Scout! He's adorable and as 1stGold13 wrote "he was meant to be yours". Just keep your positive focus on getting Scout healthy and giving him all the love he deserves. I don't mean to disregard what you have been through or discovered regarding Scout, but thinking negatively and remaining upset over what happened isn't going to help Scout or you. Take a moment to document what has happened. After Scout recovers you will be able to pursue the matter, if you still wish. (I'm thinking you will be way too busy training a certain little fluffy dude.). What a lucky puppy that you found him!

Many of us have walked the same path at one time or another. In my case it was a puppy who came down with parvovirus in 1972 despite our having made certain he had his vaccinations on time. We had taken him to the veterinary college on the campus we were attending for his shots and they had given him ineffective vaccine twice. They called it a "break through" in the vaccine. Naiche made it through that scare and lived to be ten years old.

That's wonderful news that he is doing better!

Sending positive thoughts your way for a rapid and complete recovery for Scout and a long and healthy life together for him and your family.

 

You are mad at the wrong person. You should be mad at yourself for buying a pup with issues from a sketchy place..

 

I also think UNFORTUNATELY this is what you get from pet stores, and buyers should beware. I doubt you have any recourse against the store because they will say you bought the puppy knowing he was sick, and their vet gave him a clean bill of health other than that.

You have the puppy now, you took him to a qualified vet and he is getting better. That's good, you did the right thing for the health of the puppy.

 

Yikes, I am clearly in the minority... On how I feel..

 

I don't think so at all... I totally agree with you. The OP got exactly what she deserved. I was so frustrated after reading her post, angry might be a better word. This forum and it's members go out of their way to warn people about this and to try and put a stop to this type of practice as time goes on. I think what gets me the most is the OP clearly, I mean clearly, knew better but did it anyways. Ugh... Not to mention trying to blame it on being a young woman instead of taking responsibility, it's such a cop out.

Sorry if that was over the line but I just couldn't help myself...

Jeff

 

You know what Nott? I would have done the same thing as you did if I walked in that pet store.
Focus on moving forward with the lil guy. He won't disappoint you.