Pet stores should be a place where you get yummy SNACKS, TREATS, SNACKS, FOOD, TREATS, TOYS, TREATS and other stuff for your pets, not a place that makes a bunch of money selling puppies that are born at puppy mills.  There are so many puppies looking for homes already, so it breaks my heart to think that thousands and thousands of dogs are being processed in factory farming facilities making even more pets, not to mention the horrid conditions they are born into.  Their mother and fathers are kept as “breeding” slaves their entire lives without ever leaving the cage they were born in, they don’t know what’s it’s like to be clean, have never been hugged, never snuggled next to a person who loves them, and don’t even know what a “walk” is.  I couldn’t believe it until I saw pictures of it.         

I’ve heard some people say,  “Well someone needs to adopt those puppies at the store – they need homes too!”   Now, no one knows better than me that every dog deserves a home, and they can’t help where they come from, just like I can’t help that I’m a Pit Bull and people don’t like me.   But what people don’t realize is that every time they buy one of those puppies or buy things at stores like Petland that sell puppy mill puppies, they are keeping the puppy mills in business.  Also, I don’t think most people realize that 99% of all puppies sold in pet stores come from puppy mills.  They are so cute and irresistible – even I would want one!  But along with getting a puppy mill puppy often comes high veterinarian costs and unforeseeable health problems down the line.  I mean, I know some people want certain breeds, or have their heart set on getting a puppy, but I don’t understand why they just don’t go to a reputable breeder or a pure breed rescue group. 

Reputable breeders take very good care of their puppies and kitties, and the moms and dads.  In addition, they are usually the same price as at the store or much, much less.  Of course, being a SUPER CUTE dog myself, I don’t understand why you wouldn’t just want to go to the shelter and see if you’re lucky enough to get a dog as cute, smart, and loving as me!  (I clear the room with my farts once in a while – but who doesn’t???)   

Every time one of the puppy mills are shut down, or go out of business, there are always many, many rescue groups and humane societies that offer to save these dogs, so I know that they will still get homes, even if people don’t support these stores. 

I’m just a dog, so I don’t know that best way to go about getting the word out.  I know Oprah did a show recently on Puppy Mills, so I’m happy about that, because she’s famous and all, and people listen to famous people a lot more than they listen to dogs.  I mean when I’m staring at my dog bowl, I think it’s pretty obvious what I’m trying to say, but my mom acts like she doesn’t understand me.  What’s up with that???? Anyways, if I could speak “people” I would tell all of them to please, please, please, stop supporting stores that sell puppy mill puppies, no one deserves to live like that – please help save their moms and dads and just say No to Puppy Mills….

Of course having a pet is serious business, just ask my mom – she has to make arrangements for me to be taken care of when she goes out of town (and she says it’s expensive - whatever that means), she can’t stay out all night unless I’ve been fed and taken out to use the lawn, and well of course there are vet visits (more of the green paper stuff), lots of hiking and bike riding (otherwise I get dog-house fever), squeaky toys, and well, food, food, and more food. 

But who’s to say that the family that wants to surprise their kids with a new furry family member, or the person that wants a new furry companion to snuggle with over the holidays isn’t just as serious about their decision to get a pet as the average Joe that shows up at an weekend adoption event?  (I don’t know anyone named Joe, but I heard that saying somewhere).

If it were me, I would set something up where Santa would deliver the new pet to the family on Christmas – imagine how much fun that would be!  They would still have to do the adoption questionnaire, complete a home check and all of the other things required to adopt a pet, but that would just be done in advance.   

Of course giving a pet to someone as surprise or picking out a pet for someone else isn’t always a good idea. For one, not everyone is really ready for a pet, and if they were, they would probably already have one.  I’ve heard about boyfriends and girlfriends that brake- up, or the mom that doesn’t really like the dog you picked out, and then we’re punished by being given up, or even worse, taken to the shelter.  I’m not sure how we’re the ones that get the short end of the stick (another thing I once heard – but I’m not really sure what sticks have to do with anything).  I’m just a dog, but it seems to me that you could have pet gift certificates that are refundable incase the adopter doesn’t pass all of the necessary adoption requirements – but I guess that could get a little sticky (yet another crazy expression – what gets sticky exactly???), but I’m sure a lot of those questions could be asked of the person buying the certificate prior to selling it, so that most of the time it would work out. 

I’m just trying to think of more ways to help my fellow ruffs and purrs that still need homes…meanwhile I’ll just get back to dreaming about opening my holiday presents - Happy Holidays!!!