by [email protected]
This past week has been emotionally devastating, as well
as eye opening for
Ann Marie and myself. We both want to share our story with you in hopes
you'll empathize and realize there are very inhumane and unethical
happenings
behind the scenes at some, if not most, pet stores, especially a popular
chain
pet store here in Knoxville. Unfortunately, there's not much one can do
to stop
the "milling" of animals for stores like these, but you can refuse to
support the
stores, as well as spread information to other people about where the
animals
in the pet shops come from and how most of the time are separated from
the
mother too early, shipped across the country before being properly
developed
to survive, and not properly vaccinated against deadly illnesses that
plague
young animals who haven't ingested enough natural immunity through the
mothers' milk.
Ann Marie and I grew up with pets, and just took for
granted that pets came
from pet shops. Until now, we would never leave the mall without going
in the
pet shop to see each and every puppy and some would even get the "could
you imagine that little guy running around at home...." fantasy. We've
visited
the shops from time to time for almost two years now waiting for the
right "little
guy" to look at us in just a way we couldn't resist. One day we would
give the
gift of a lifetime full of love, care and tons of fun and happiness.
Never once
did we suspect any of the horrors those "little guys" in the pet shop
had
suffered. The term "puppy mill" was foreign to us both.
Recently, we were at the mall on a rainy Saturday
afternoon and fell in love
with a little Yorkshire Terrier. We both woke up that day feeling the
need to go
see the puppies, so once we were in the pet shop holding a sleepy, 2
pound
Yorkie, that was it! That little guy won the lottery of love! We spent
some time
with him, curious as to how he would act outside the cage, but he seemed
rather tired and annoyed at being bothered. The clerk said the puppies
are
usually really tired and unresponsive on Saturday afternoons because of
all the
traffic and kids knocking on the windows, etc... That made sense, so we
were
excited about getting him home so he could get some peace and quiet.
However, before we bought the dog we inquired about the high price the
pet
shop had in comparison to local breeders of the same breed. The
difference
was about $400. He seemed surprised we would even say that, implying in
a
condescending manner that breeders can't be trusted and won't guarantee
the
dog to be healthy like the pet shop does. The clerk showed us all the
registra-
tion and shot records and hurriedly sped through the terms and
conditions of
a "lifetime guarantee" contract that covers medical expenses for 2 years
for
certain things and a full refund if the dog should die or become
crippled with
any of the popular dog diseases. The whole deal sounded legitimate as
Ann
Marie and I both read through the contract and examined the shot and
pedigree
records. The next four days would prove to be heartbreaking.
We named our nine week old baby "Ravi" and put him to
bed as soon as we
arrived home. He vomited initially, but we were told that was normal due
to
the stress of new people and a new place. The next day, Sunday, he still
seemed rather lethargic and depressed so we didn't bother him too much
except to talk to him and hold him against our warm bodies. He finally
decided
to eat, so we took that as a sign he was getting comfortable. Within an
hour
or so, he had vomited and had diarrhea all over himself and his bed. By
Sunday evening he couldn't even drink water without vomiting
immediately.
With heightened concern we searched the net and read in a book provided
by the pet store and began to realize these weren't just anxiety induced
symptoms. This pup was really sick, so we paid close attention to him
for a
couple of hours. By 11:30 Sunday night, he began to cry and his
breathing
became labored. His gums were white and his eyes were cloudy. We
rushed him to the pet emergency clinic and watched him go into
convulsions
on the exam table. The doctor stabilized him and gave him fluids and
vitamins
over night. At six AM Monday morning, we found out little Ravi had parvo,
a
potentially fatal intestinal disease. PARVO, a disease he had SUPPOSEDLY
had a series of three shots for vaccination prior to arriving at the pet
shop in
Knoxville. For the next two days we visited him at the vet and cheered
him on,
as his little 1.8 pound body was fighting a virus that is one of the
most deadly
and contagious known to domestic animals. He was separated from the rest
of the animals and seemed so depressed and lonely. We'll never forget
his
little eyes looking up at us, so confused about everything he'd been
through
in his nine weeks here in the world. Although his prognosis looked dim,
we
never had a doubt that little guy would survive. But, he lost his battle
early
Wednesday morning.
It's Thursday morning now and I'm still crying. Why did
this happen? We
fell in love with a little doggie, just to bring him home and watch him
die.
But, the hardest thing to understand is why he had to have such a
painful and
tragic experience here. Had he ever wagged his tail? Did he realize how
much we loved him and wanted him to make it? We knew him less than a
week, but the attachment was instant. We embraced all he was and
represented. We embraced Ravi as well as every other living creature.
This wasn't just about losing a puppy, it was about experiencing pain
through
another life. And learning and realizing how man's negligence and greed
sucked the life right from an innocent 1.8 pound puppy who should've
still
been laying with his mother.
We don't really know how Ravi contracted parvo, but the
fact is he was too
young and not strong enough to be separated from his mom at six weeks of
age, shipped from MO and thrown in a cage in Knoxville, TN with another
pup
with the same story. I'm sure the other pup has been put to sleep by
now, and
it's hard to speculate about the fate of the other 15 dogs who were
potentially
exposed to the parvovirus. This whole ordeal has taken an emotional toll
on the
both of us, and we've found no solace or remorse in the people who
imported
and sold us Ravi. We have, however, been made aware by our vet, vet
students at UT, other pet owners, breeders and people who've been
through a
similar experience that all the shot records, registration papers, and
the "bill of
health" guarantee presented to us by this pet store chain is
meaningless.
We've learned of a thing called a "puppy mill" where people breed pet
dogs in
mass numbers and ship them off as soon as possible, with no respect for
natural development. Many times the shot records are vague and there's
no
way to really know where the dog came from or what vaccines it's had,
because all the presale examinations and vaccines are done and
documented
by the breeder and sellers of the dog. This whole case is becoming more
complex by the day as we investigate.
Our intent here isn't to pass judgment on people in the
business of breeding
and selling animals, but it's to make you all question the ethics of
these people
and businesses. Ann Marie and I both feel as if our hearts have been
ripped
out, and we wish this pain on no other person or animal. Take the time
to
educate yourself and pay attention to the rights of animals, especially
those
exploited for the entertainment of humans. Don't take for granted the
honesty
of a pet shop that houses many adorable pets just because you're taken
in by
puppy eyes and smooth talking salespersons. Remember, this company is in
the business of selling, they see you as the caretaker.
We've spoken with the main office in MO of this
particular pet store. It's taken
everything short of threatening a law suit to convince them to consider
fully
compensating us for the dog, supplies and vet bills. Ravi was in our
possession just over 24 hours when he became too sick to lift his little
head.
We feel as if the pet store chain is 100% responsible for everything,
because
the pup was obviously infected with this virus before we took him into
our
care. This position is shared by both the emergency vet, primary care
vet,
as well as all who've heard this tragic story. Not once has anyone from
the
local pet store or the national headquarters offered any condolence or
remorse. They have the attitude that the dog is our responsibility and
seem
outraged that we would even ask to be refunded all the money invested in
Ravi.
We've insisted that this is not really about the money, but it's about
ETHICS.
And, we're abhorred at the position of defense they've taken in this
situation.
We might understand had it been a couple weeks or month after the
purchase,
but it was the very next day when Ravi demanded emergency care. The
company acts as if we should've let him die instead of allowing three
days of
life support. I wonder if they would feel differently if they had held
Ravi as he
cried and moaned just before slipping into violent convulsions? Or if
they had
visited him at the vet while he was alone, fighting for his life and
devoid of all
the things little puppies need to be happy?
Please, share your love with animals and respect them.
When you're ready
for a pet, visit the animal shelter, ask a vet or other people with pets
about
good breeders to call. We've learned a lot of lessons through this, and
hope
no one ever shares this heartbreaking experience. And please beware,
there
are pet shops out there that are nothing more than facades for an
unethical
underworld of animal cruelty and exploitation.
Send a vibe of love out for Ravi today and hold him in
your heart as a victim
of an unfortunate fate. A fate that could've been different if his right
to live
wasn't taken by human greed.
Karman & Ann Marie
[Editor's note: Our heart goes out to Ravi, as well as
all the shelter dogs who
are victims of people's greed. Adopt one until there are no more needing
homes in the shelters and pounds of our nation.]
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