U-CD Edgar Allan Po Bear CDX ASCA CD CGC TDI Po is my cat...well that is, he is a dog who thinks he is a cat. Po came to me in August of 1995, and came with a serious attitude problem...so bad, I thought I was going to have to put him to sleep. Po originally came from a puppy mill and the only thing sheltie about this dog is the color of his hair, otherwise he is oversized, his tail is curled like a husky, he is cow-hocked, and has an overbite, not to mention the attitude. Po came from a family that allowed him to run the house, so when he came to me he didn't like the idea of me being the boss and rules. Po drew blood on me at least 4-8 times a week, and the vet didn't think I could help him...but I never gave up. Today Po is a great little dog, my three year old brother loves him to death and I completely trust Po. Po finished his AKC CDX in April of 1999, and started working on Utility in November of 1999, he got his first UD leg in April of 2000. He since has decided to play games in the utility ring and has a whopping 19 NQ's under his belt, soooo, he's taking some time off until he can calm down and try it again! Although Po is turning into a great dog, there is still a lot to be said. Yes, he did come from a puppy mill. You might be going, "well if you know puppy mill dogs are bad, why did you get one?" Good question...we didn't know. This person who sells these shelties (and other small breeds) advertises, like a normal breeder in the paper, and that is how Po's former owners got him. When my family got them (against my consent), nothing looked like he came from a mill. Heck, he had papers and all, but that is one of the biggest catches right there. So what if he has papers, in the real dog world, papers mean nothing if the dog has no pedigree, and he didn't. I still didn't think too much of this (for I didn't know, but suspected), until about a year after we got him. My breeder, saw his add in the paper, and her mom was looking for an older dog, (of which he had), plus my friend knew the dog I had, so it was a great excuse to go out there (she never went with the intentions of buying, that was a cover). She came back with horrific stories. She said the place reaked of dog and feces. The puppies they looked at where sickly and malnurished. The older dog they looked at was some what cleaned up, but it was cheap cover, there were still matts, and one could tell this poor thing had never had a decent day in it's life. I can't believe people would buy a dog from someone like that. I look at Po and I can hardly imagine how he was born that fateful day in April. Did anyone hold him? Did anyone welcome him into this world? Could his mother properly care for him, or was she too malnurished as well? What about his sibblings. I also look at Po's papers, and I see his parent's names; no titles, I wonder if they are still alive. The stud dog stands a good chance, because they make money forever, but what about the bitch? I doubt it. Po will be four in April...meaning his mom has to be at least 4 now, if that was her first liter. Puppy mill bitches don't make it much longer then that. All I can say to people out there, is don't buy a dog from a pet shop (since they also are puppy mill dogs, shipped in), and never, not under any circumstances buy a dog that doesn't look healthy. If you want a dog, go to the humane socitey, or consider a rescue dog. These dogs need your help as well, and in the end they will probably make a much better dog. If you want a pure bred dog, contact the American Kennel Club, or if you're in Minnesota, you can contact the Minnesota Pure Bred Association (I'm sure other states have such organizations as well). They will help you find the right dog. I love Po dearly, but I look at him...he is cow hocked...will he end up with Canine Hip dysplasia...he has a build, so he is a heavey dog...will he have a heart attack, playing so rough with the other dogs?...he is hard of hearing...he is only 3...what will he be like when he is 9? Come on...do you really want to sit here and have to ask yourself questions like this? Po Links Po Pictures!
• Protect the Pets For more info on puppy mills
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