When my classmates or friends know I like dogs, some of them will - TopicsExpress

When my classmates or friends know I like dogs, some of them will ask me Friend/classmate: Valerie, do you know where I can get a (insert pedigree dog breed)? or Do you know how much a (insert pedigree dog breed) costs? Me: *stare at them straight* Huh, why do you want to buy a dog? Friend: Cos they are so cute and adorable Me: *silence* Friend: (Goes on about the various features of the pedigree dog that appeals to them etc) Me: Actually, I volunteer at an awg, we have many dogs that are available for adoption, got HDB-approved ones too. Friend: Oh, but (pedigree dog breed) is so cute and ... Our conversations usually end when I got nothing else to say, and walk away feeling defeated. Honestly, I do not feel offended if you are thinking of buying a dog or bought a dog from a breeder or pet store. I am not going to unfriend you (and hope you dont as well) or treat you differently. It is your personal choice and money after all. But I just feel that whenever I know that someone is planning to buy a dog or bought a dog, it just mean 1 more WIN for the dog breeders and puppy mills, and 1 LOST for the AWGs, and 1 less chance of securing a home for a street dog or dog at the shelter :( If I had such conversations 2 or 3 years back, I would be very excited and enthusiastic about someone getting a dog, no matter from where, no matter what breed. But after learning about puppy mills, and being part of an AWG, I am not only appalled by where and how the cute puppies we see at the pet stores and puppy farms, but also shocked when I know how many pedigree dogs get abandoned-Golden retrievers, jack russell terriers, Poodles, shitzus, and so many more. To be honest, I visited puppy farms, pet stores, and even searched online for puppies before and had intentions of getting one too. It is human nature that we are all drawn to the more attractive and pretty things. But I am just so thankful that my parents didnt get one for me no matter how much I bugged and begged them. I finally got my own dog when I was in J2. Yes, Oreos the one. I didnt pick him, I didnt know about him, I didnt see him before, I didnt pick his name too. He was abandoned at the pet salon when he was only 5 months old. From what I know, people there all tried to bring him home to keep him, but most of them gave up. Why? Because he was barky and hyper. Well, that is very common for puppies and especially true for small pedigree breeds like him. I am like his 3rd or 4th owner. My dads friend called to ask if he wanted a schnauzer, and I still remember vividly that it was during my march holidays and I was preparing to attend an econs seminar at SMU,which id obviously skipped cos 5 mins after i said YES I WANT THE DOG, my dad called and said that he will be bringing him home in like 30 mins!!! At times, I cant help but think about Oreos family- what happened to his other siblings, his mother, his father? I can only keep trying harder to convince people to ADOPT and not buy, and try to help them make a more informed choice. Heres a little into where those cute puppies came from. If you choose not to see it, youre just playing the ignorance card. youtube/watch?v=DzZok3NCtDs