Hi, Susan,
Yes, I understand that it is hard to tell about anyone online; my
thought was to convey to anyone on this list that it is the
*presentation* of such a message that would turn me off. I don't mean
to say that the little girl may not have a wonderful heart and be a good
home; but she came across as being thoughtless, impulsive and more than
a little spoiled. Her parents probably thought that her bubbly
enthusiasm was delightful; they might have no idea of how it registered
with me.
There is NO inquiry that I don't answer in some way and almost
invariably politely and kindly. However, I wanted to let pet inquirers
know that this sort of thing just isn't as charming to the breeder as it
may seem to the parent watching the child's enthusiasm. My red flags
went up immediately and it felt like the "puppy for Christmas" syndrome.
This is the letter I sent back to her:
Dear "little girl name deleted",
Thanks very much for your inquiry. I well remember how badly I
wanted a
dog at your age. Unfortunately, I had to wait to get the right dog; and
believe me it was worth it. My dog and I were best friends for many
years, and I still miss her to this day. At the moment I have no
puppies available. We do expect to be breeding two more times this year,
but there is no way of telling what we will have and when. So, I would
tell you that you and your dad should keep in touch. Also, if you have
not yet tried breeder referral at these sources, you may find some help
here:
In the U.S.:
http://www.ackcsc.org/
http://www.ckcsc.org
http://www.cne-ckcsc.org/
Http://www.akc.org
In Canada:
http://www.candog.com/cavaliers/
>From the links on these sites you will find much advice and many
breeders. But, if you are interested in our breed, please stay patient
as most breeders will do whatever they can to find the best homes for
their puppies even if you do have to wait.
I would suggest that you buy this book:
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels : Everything About
Purchasing, Care, Nutrition, Behavior, and Training
(Barron's Complete Pet Owner's Manuals)
by D. Caroline Coile
It is available inexpensively through Amazon.com. While waiting for my
first Cavalier I read every book on Cavaliers that I could find.
May I add a personal plea that you refrain from an impulse buy at a pet
store? If you want any proof of the damage done both to individual dogs
by puppymills selling to pet stores, or to the breed itself, I would
refer you to NBC Dateline magazine; ask for their article and follow-up
on puppy mills. Wondering about pet shops that tell you that they only
buy from reputable breeders? NO reputable breeder would sell to a pet
shop and never know where their puppies were going. If you rescue that
puppy in the window, another will certainly take its place. More
importantly, from your perspective, you are more likely to purchase a
puppy with myriad medical problems from a puppy mill/pet store than from
a breeder.
If I can be of further help or answer any questions, please feel free
to email me. Please understand that I get up to twenty puppy inquiry
emails per week to answer, so I'm not ignoring you if I don't write back
immediately. Best of luck in finding your new family member!
Suze at Llawen Cavaliers
Best,
Suze
Susan Cochran wrote:
>
> You never know about these things. When my mother in law was on her deathbed
> and we were in a turmoil here with all her needs and care (she died at home
> with us), a little girl would IM me constantly. That was when I still had
> AOL service. I finally had to block her messages and emails. Judy Gates will
> remember this one as she worked with and instructed the family so they could
> buy a puppy from me. The mother called and arranged for the purchase without
> ever mentioning the little girl.
>
> It turned out to be a great home. It was just that the child was so excited
> about a puppy and didn't understand my situation. She had me on her buddy
> list and would bombard me with IMs every time I got online. I was limited to
> my online time as I was under a heavy load with the family situation.
>
> She turned out to be a delightful little girl in person. I never regretted
> selling to them although I only found out who it was accidentally and asked
> Judy about it afterward. I have found that the way people sound online is
> seldom how they appear in person.
> All the best,
> Susan Cochran
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Susan A. Schlenger" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2002 5:48 PM
> Subject: [CKCS-L] Advice to Parents seeking pups for their children
>
> > Hi, List,
> > I just got this email and while I'm quite sure that this little
> girl
> > MIGHT love and protect a puppy with her life, it is very off-putting to
> > me. It is NOT charming to get an email from a small child who seems to
> > want her puppy in the same way as she wants the latest and greatest game
> > boy advance game........NOW!!!! I don't blame this little girl, but
> > rather suggest that if she is using her father's computer then he could
> > edit such an email to help her present herself as a patient and caring
> > child. Alternatively, if she is not so caring and patient, the parent
> > could help the child work on attaining that goal.
> >
> > If you want to present your family and children in their best and
> > kindest lights, please don't allow your children to sound like part of
> > the "throwaway" economy......because breeders like me won't sell you a
> > puppy that isn't the most important part of your life.
> >
> > Best,
> >
> > Suze
> >
> >
> >
> > > I WANT A CAVALIER KING CHARLES PUPPY NOW!!!
> > > Date:
> > > Tue, 16 Jul 2002 17:27:43 EDT
> > > From:
> > >
> > > To:
> > > [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Hello,
> > > My name is "little girl name deleted". I want a puppy soooooooo
> bad!! My family and I
> > > are interested in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy.We live in "town
> deleted"
> > > We live in a single family home with a huge 2 acre backyard.
> > > Please e-mail information to my dad @ addydeleted. And dont worry...
> > > my parents know about this!!! I NEED A DOGGY NOW!!!
> > >
> > > Sincerely,
> > > "little girl name deleted" p.s. WRITE
> BACK ASAP!!!
> > > PLEASE!!!!!! bye
> >
> > --
> > Suze at Llawen Cavaliers
> > "...I have seen that in any great undertaking it is not enough for a man
> > to depend simply upon himself." -Isna Ia-wica
> > "Thought comes before speech" Luther Standing Bear
> >
> > =========================================================
> > "Magic Commands":
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> >
> > E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance.
> > Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html
> >
> > All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 2002 by its original author.
>
> =========================================================
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--
Suze at Llawen Cavaliers
"...I have seen that in any great undertaking it is not enough for a man
to depend simply upon himself." -Isna Ia-wica
"Thought comes before speech" Luther Standing Bear
=========================================================
"Magic Commands":
to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email:
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E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance.
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All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 2002 by its original author.
