epilogue.

what happened to milo is my worst nightmare come true. there are some important factors in my story (all of which is 100% the painful truth) which demonstrate how truly selfish some people can be in their dealings with animals- animals who are brought into this world without a chance....animals who are bred to make a dollar, not animals who are bred to make a healthy, lifelong companion. to better the breed. to raise the standard of the animals we love so much. to bring out even more of the best of who they are with each generation.

here are some points where things went terribly wrong in the case of my beloved milo:

*first of all, a reputable breeder will not allow you to give an animal as a gift. while the notion is romantic, it is not realistic. it is irresponsible. there are too many risk factors involved. a responsible breeder would want to know who is caring for- adopting- their dog and giving them love and attentive care for the next fifteen or so years. a responsible breeder would have wanted to meet me as much as i would have wanted to meet them.

*a reputable breeder usually has a waiting list for potential owners. at the very least, they are not required to bombard the internet with advertisements, as this kennel does.

*a reputable breeder does not try to offer you a "deal", as ours did. a purebred dog from a responsible breeder is expensive. in the case of french bulldogs, most of the dams have to be artificially inseminated and deliver by c-section. the genetic testing to assure that the parents are free from defects is expensive (OFA Hips, OFA Elbows, OFA Patellas, OFA Heart, CERF, vWD normal, Thyroid normal, spine free of hemi vertebrae and no Spondylosis). you will pay, as we did, for your "good deal" in the long run. in ways you may never want to imagine.

*a reputable breeder is knowledgable of the breed and of their litter. the fact that t at the kennel could not even remember whether milo was male or female is truly pathetic.

*a reputable breeder usually insists that you have your pet spayed or neutered, and that you provide them with documentation. not a requirement of our breeder.

*a reputable breeder will provide you with records from their veterinarian.

*our breeder is not even registered with the AKC (which still does not guarantee a healthy puppy). it is registered with the ACA (American Canine Association), which is not a recommended registry. it in no way guarantees that your dog is purebred or of good health. i can find no information on milo's parents.

*a good breeder could talk about their dogs all day. they are not short with you. they remember who purchased their dogs.

*a responsible breeder sells one breed of dog. not three or four.

*a responsible breeder belongs to their regional or local breed club. they should be well-regarded within the community.

*a healthy puppy should have no discharge from eyes or nose

*a healthy puppy should have plenty of energy when awake.


i came across this statement online (from katewerk.com), which very well summarizes a responsible breeder, and when a breeder crosses over to the dark side:

"It is the line that you cross when, instead of working to support your breed, you ask it to support you. There are many good reasons for breeding purebred dogs. Paying the mortgage isn't one of them."


i don't know where to go from here, exactly. i have received support from so many wonderful, caring people...people who truly love animals and who are as infuriated as i am with what is happening at this kennel. i have learned of two other french bulldog deaths within the first week of sale from may's kennel. i have learned of a french bulldog with blindness from may's kennel. i have learned from my vet that it is doubtful that milo was truly a french bulldog at all (not that this makes me love and miss him any less)....he did not fit the standard of the breed in his appearance, as he had folded ears.

i need to channel this anger, frustration and sadness into action. i don't want for this dog's life to be in vain. i don't want to be a walking cautionary tale. i want for the owner of this kennel to stop doing what he is doing to make a living. i want for him to find another vocation.

i want for my heart to stop hurting. i want to stop feeling sick every time i think about this. i want my dog back, snuggling my neck with his nose, sleeping on my lap. i want to smell milo's puppy smell, to hear him lap up his water, to explore the back patio.....to take a deep, clear breath.