I don't get any attention from rescuing dogs. Except, from the very dogs I have rescued, and that means the world to me.

I wouldn't think the puppy would get abused. Thrown in a shelter, maybe. But if abuse should come up, it is purely that breeder's fault and I would hope charges would come up.

There are plenty of dogs out there already that need loving homes. And no doubt, that Maltese puppy will get a loving home. But, if that byb gets anything positive out of that breeding, any money, anything which makes her want to breed again, then I would say don't get the puppy. If a shelter shows up in that puppy's life, but the breeder doesn't breed again, then that is okay.

I know we both believe the same thing, working towards the same goal. I don't believe I was being sarcastic or rude at all. If i was, it was not my intention. But I was hardly going to answer the question and let it be. That's just not what I do. The whole situation was a bit like pushing someone out of the way of a speeding train. The intentions are good, even if it isn't the politest of rescues.

Congrads on your new maltese you won't regret choosing this wonderful breed. I have 4 at this time. After struggling with all the different brands I have settled on Dick Van Patton Natural Balance and we are very happy with it they have just recently came out with a small bites and my 4 furkids really like them. Good Luck, Belinda

Even though those puppies from BYBs need homes, one should still wait until they are pulled out of the home by the proper authorities.

Why?

If the BYB gets any compensation at all, you are supporting their aweful habit. They will just breed again. And again. And again.

Talltail,
Yes we do believe in the same thing, and working toward the same goal, we both just had a different approach to it. And...yes...I know you do not rescue for attention. Anyone that works with or does rescue, does it with a big heart, and I know that! That comment in my last post was just a jab back to make a point at how easily words have been misconscrewed in our comments. I know what kind of person it takes to do rescue.

I agree, I hope the breeder stays true to her intentions and has her dog spayed after the pups are gone. I wonder if the vet even told her of the dangers and cancer risk of allowing her dog to have pups..wow..that's a whole other topic!!

It was also, not my intention to get into an arguement with anyone, and I appologize for also being rude to you. I felt offended and shot back. I am usually not so confrontational, but you really pushed my buttons, and I obviously pushed yours!! Hopefully we are done pushing buttons.

Wow, this is a crazy thread. After reading the whole thing in amazement, I can't help but comment.

Some of you have great passion, but it is totally misdirected. Most of this content would be appropriate for a thread about dog breeding ethics. You think unloading your judgement and pessimism about these issues on an unsuspecting person, who is merely looking for food advice, is going to win their heart and cause them to join your cause? Especially when joining your cause would mean abandoning a puppy they've already fallen in love with and have begun to responsibly care for?

It sounds like some of you need to spend some time caring for people instead of JUST animals, and you might learn better inter-personal skills, as challenging as they may be on a forum.

And another thing: some of you should work to regain perspective with regards to people and animals, lest you go nuts. It is fine to have an interest or concern for other animals besides your own, and it is fine to devote your energy to this; however, it is not okay to forget the animal's place in life and the point of their existence. This should balance your emotions out so that you don't become a weird nut-job who can't have normal conversation.

To the original poster of this thread--if you're still reading--I have a rather picky Maltese who has been in my care for 7 months now, and I am still learning what he does and doesn't like to eat. My suggestion would be to buy some of what he's been eating, and blend that with what you want him to eat. Decrease the blend over time until he's eating the food you've picked, but be aware that many Maltese dogs will not ever acclimate to some foods. So far mine refuses to touch Iams or Eukanuba kibble, and he will pick through any kibble that is a mixture of different kinds of pebbles, eating only certain ones of a particular flavor and size. He does better with kibble that is lighter in color, high in corn content and low on protein (which is the opposite of what I would have thought). He also does better when I mix something warm and moist (that has an aroma) with the dry kibble, but I'm trying to avoid doing this.

Bottom line, every Maltese is different, and you'll have to play it by ear I think. But I applaud you're zealous efforts to take the best possible care of your puppy. It sounds like you're so excited, and I am very happy for you.

The breed is wonderful; they're just dolls. Very bright. They love people. Obedience training is easy; the challenge is getting them to focus when there's lots of people around. Take obedience classes if you can; they're fun and helpful.

~Just my thoughts,
Chris

yes i'm sorry we'll not point out what we find to be an absolutely ridiculous practice because it's not a thread about the subject.

Wouldn't that be hiding our heads in the sand? Fairly STUPID imho. Oh hey there's a byb oh i won't say anything let's just whine about it in a separate area teehee

Ah yes... an activist misses my point.

So let me get this straight. It is okay to be outrageously inappropriate and mean to another human being, who is totally innocent, simply because you feel strongly about an issue regarding dog breeding that has nothing to do with the person you're insulting? Your answer is probably yes because back yard breeding is something you see as THAT horrific, and that everyone (regardless of whether or not they will ever abandon an animal) should be educated about these atrocities, right?

I suppose there lies a fundamental difference underneath all of this. Some believe that human beings are a rather bad stain on the fabric of existence and that everything would be better off without us and our consumption... of air, water, and in this case animals. Those who think like this have no second thoughts about treating another human being horribly for using a 7-gallon-flush toilet, driving an SUV, or getting a puppy from a friend (I didn't even know one could be ex-communicated for this).

That is not my world view, needless to say. I accept the difference. My point is not to slice and dice words or to say that people should avoid tough issues. I only wanted to point out that people were mean in this thread and unrightly so. What happens to some dogs is not justification for personally judging someone and accusing them of abuse, neglect, and abandonment when they were simply asking a question about proper nutrition (1 month in advance of bringing their dog home, I might add).

The soap box might be something valid to stand on, but doesn't one need an audience to preach to first? There never was one here, especially since the one person was run off. No one wants to listen to a person who preaches a love for animals but doesn't seem to love people also. It is a contradiction, sort of like those in the 60's who bombed and rioted--who created danger--in the name of peace and safety. They were emotional instead of being rational.

Alright. I digress.

Ah an activist am I? I love when people like you who have no solid foundation in an argument fling out accusations like "activist" as if I am a member of PeTA and their ridiculous propaganda.

If you do not like the message we push on these boards on a thread that is quite OLD perhaps you are on the wrong forums? Paying for an animal that is an ACCIDENT is supporting a BYB clean and simple. It's like saying purchasing a puppy from a pet store is "saving it" it is supporting BYB and puppy mills.

If the woman had been placing the puppies in good homes for free this would be a moot point. Because the person was dumb enough to let her dog get pregnant we should pay fr the puppy shots? That is their responsibility not the new owners. People PAYING for puppies out of an OOPS litter is irresponsible and shows the person that "accidents" are okay because other people will clean up their mess.

Well, I think the person who came here for help with their new puppy was indeed in the wrong place, and this surprised me is all.

And if dog over-population and abandonment are the issues, then I don't see how money changes anything. You should be consistently outraged with new puppy births altogether, even from reputable breeders. The AKC's research shows that puppy mills are responsible for only a tiny portion of new registrations. The majority come from these "reputable" breeders you all seem to be fine with, as well as, the backyard breeders you loathe. So I guess I just don't understand the inconsistency and treating unsuspecting people like they are criminals.

I disagree no ethical breeder would have their dogs in a shelter and I would like to see a link where you got that statistic from. Responsible breeders follow their puppies lives till death.

I STILL get e-mails from vomdrakkenfels about my rottweiler Nova andthey are all chipped with the kennel's address this way any dog in a shelter the breeder gets contacted when the chip[ is scanned.

If a breeder does not doe this then they are NOT responsible.

Holy cow!!!! Now I remember why I stopped coming to this site. The original poster asked a simple question about food for a dog, and as usual on this site, got jumped all over for not adopting from a shelter. I agree it is noble and good and heroic to adopt an animal from a shelter, but it is not neccessarily the best thing for everybody to do since shelter animals often do have problems from their previous owners. Not everyone is equipped to deal with behavior problems, and often the animals wind up right back at the shelter as a result. If you know enough about dogs to turn around behavioral issues, then great, save a life. For some people it is easier to start off with a clean slate, and there's nothing wrong with that either. My dogs have come from friends and family's "oops, my dog got pregnant, want a puppy?", and the most recent addition was a free pup from the flea market. I take great care of my animals, and I don't feel the least bit of guilt at the way I acquired them. Y'all can jump back up on your soapboxes and rant and rave about my decisions all you want. I don't care, because I won't be back at this site to hear them. I'm far to disgusted by what I have just read. Tell it to PETA.