... Why?
So We Can Make Money...
Do you realize the expenses involved in such items as advertising, stud
fee, vet bills, food, etc., to raise a litter to eight weeks of age?
The majority of whelpings take place during the night. Will your kids be
so anxious to wake up at 3:00 am to witness this and make it to school
the next day? What if something goes wrong and Spot needs to be rushed
to the vet for a Caesarean section? What if puppies are born with
severe birth defects, or born dead? Are your children really ready to
witness that? The gory parts of whelping repulse most children (and the
occasional adult). Most kids are all too anxious to skip the miracle
you intended for them to see.
Our Children Would Have so Much Fun Playing with the Puppies as They Grow Up...
While the puppies may at first hold the child's fascination, keep in
mind how long they played with the toy they begged you to get them for
Christmas. Puppies are around for at least eight weeks and can't be
cast aside when no longer amusing. A litter of puppies can grow up too
rowdy for most small children, who are usually disinterested or
absolutely terrified of the leaping, sharp toenailed, pointed teethed
puppies.
Because We Love Spot and Want One Just Like Her...
With genetics and environment playing a big part in determining a
puppy's personality, the odds you will get one "just like her" aren't as
much of a sure thing as you may think.
* What if Spot has problems and needs a Cesarean or extensive vet
care ($$$$)?
* What if the puppies die?
* What if she isn't pregnant?
* What if you weren't as careful as you thought when Spot was in
season and your lovely red Irish Setter gives birth to black &
white spotted puppies? This is no time to find out little Johnny
let her out so she could play with the Dalmatian down the street.
* What are you going to do with 10 six-month-old puppies you can't
sell, give away or have the heart to put to sleep? Do you have
adequate facilities to keep them? What about your zoning laws?
Do you now have 11 dogs over the age of 6 months in an area zoned
for 3 dogs?
* What if Spot can't or won't nurse the puppies? Are you prepared
to tube-feed them every two hours for the next 3 weeks? Do you
even know how to tube-feed a puppy? Will your boss let you have
another 3 weeks of vacation?
* What if Spot dies while whelping, or soon after? Will it have
been worth it? Are you prepared to tell the kids what happened?