phew!

WHOA! The snow storm yesterday threw EVERYBODY for a loop, and trying to get to work today was a lot harder than I thought it would be! But, I made it safely and am now here with about 50% of my co-workers. Poor Mr. Pit just shoveled and shoveled and shoveled and it was still a mess this morning, but we got both cars out and are good to go.

In awesome NEWS news, a pet store in Rocklin, CA have agreed to stop selling pure bred puppies in their store, along with about 15 other stores in the area. The full article can be found HERE .

This is a HUGE step forward for dogs and the hopeful elimination of puppy mills.

No one, myself included is saying that you shouldn't buy a pure bred dog. What I and a lot of other people feel, is that you should only buy a pure bred dog from a licensed, proper, knowledgeable breeder. Puppy mills breed dogs for quantity, not quality, and that's why SO many of those dogs end up in shelters, at rescues or at facilities that just can't handle the shear number of dogs.

The other thing that rescues are trying to do, is to make rescuing dogs more appealing all around. If you have no plans to show your dog, or breed your dog (which you SHOULDN'T unless you know what you're doing!)there is really no reason to get a pure bred. Sure, you know the name and you probably know somewhat of the temperament, but that isn't to say that there aren't tons of dogs out there with that EXACT temperament, an probably that exact breed of dog IN a shelter already!

I know I am probably preaching to the choir on this point, but there is NO reason to spend money purchasing a dog, ESPECIALLY from a pet store. If you must must must have a pure bred, do your homework, research the breeder and know exactly what you're spending your money on. Believe me, you'll spend that money on the animal in the first few weeks buying food, paying for veterinary services and all the accessories (leash, cage, bed, etc) so you don't have to pay any extra! Most rescue dogs are free to a good home (believe me, the good ones will do their homework on you before you walk out with a dog, we were interviewed 3 times before we left with Lil' Pup!)and they know you're money is better suited to go towards the dogs care! We give money every year to Main Line Animal Rescue as we really believe in what they try to do and how they do it, so it's really more of a 'pay it forward' thing rather than paying for Lil' Pup himself.

AND, that's my diatribe for the day. Read the article, be impressed with this store for doing the right thing, and have a great Thursday!!