[Dailydrool] What does a reputable breeder do when....

[Sandi Wittenberg]

We got a phone call from the owners of two of our puppies on Sunday.  There
were lots of tears but the bottom line was .. "we can't handle the girls and
we can't keep them any longer . we want to bring them back."  
We were more than a little surprised because these people had a basset
before, although he was from a backyard breeder and was sickly from the
beginning.  They invested mucho money into the previous dog with visits to
specialist, veterinary schools, multiple surgeries and are still paying off
the debt from his illnesses.  This was a good home . brand new fence
installed for the dogs, a special room designated for them to have during
the daytime . but it wasn't working.  The puppies were home 10 hours a day
by themselves, although the woman came home at lunchtime to let them out,
but the puppies were bored and had begun being destructive, despite lots of
toys and each other.  But puppies do that sometimes . and they couldn't
handle it.  The puppies were well cared for, receiving quality food, regular
vet visits, and loved . but.  
We counseled them at length . we had seen them in August and no mention of
these issues . talked to them monthly.  They were sure.  The puppies are now
back with us. 
Now . what to do?  This is a bonded pair . a bit harder to place and they
obviously need more people time and training in proper manners.  We have a
long "waiting list" for puppies, so we could start going through that.
Should we resell them . NO!  We would REHOME them . this isn't about money
but about what is best for the dogs.  We could separate them and they would
eventually adjust since they are only 10 months old.  So we searched our
memory banks (as unreliable as they sometimes are) and called some people
who had expressed interest in our dogs, who are knowledgeable, able to
devote the needed time to training and disciplining and maybe might be able
to take both of them.    One person who has had two of our dogs and
currently has one of ours, but she had JUST picked up two bassets from a
local shelter and adopted them, so despite her HIGH desire to take these two
she couldn't.  She was heartsick.  So we called another well-respected
member of the basset and Drool community.  Would she be interested???  YES
.. The puppies will be moving to their new homes on Saturday.  And I will
let her make the big announcement when she is ready.   
Sandi

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