I may end up going with one of the rescue organizations. APARN seems to have younger dogs every once in a while. I’d like as long as possible with my new friend. Also, the younger the animal is the more likely it is to get along with Spaz or at least get used to her.

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@Warner

You have no idea how much I hate those little crap machines.

The problem is, you run into an interesting predicament. If there are no breeders, the various animals will stop existing. How many people do you know that don’t spay or neuter their animals?

These are VERY different from people who are considered puppy mills. The breeders care very much about how the animal is treated and where it lives. My father got our scottie from a breeder and the experience was very good. The lady apparently only had litters every two to three years, and even then only when there were enough wanting, approved households. Her animals were very important to her.

I think the problem stems more from the irresponsible acquisition of pets. If that weren’t the case, then the places like the Humane society would only have strays. The families that lost the pets would be searching for them, as well. They’d be no more than a lost and found.

Personally I recommend shelter pets because they need love too. Pretty much all the pets I’ve ever had were either rescued (from shelters or bad situations). There were … 4 maybe, in the last 3 generations of Ipstenus, that were ‘bred’ pets (my gran used to have dachshunds, but I think that started as a rescue). We’ve had some crazy dogs, some lovely dogs, and some stupid dogs. But if you love them and treat them right, in the end it won’t matter where you got it from. They will love you back.

So yeah, shelters. Save a dog. A lot of the pet shop pups end up there in the end