We agreed our ‘forever’ dog would be one that Pat picked out because he was so damn picky about the rescue dogs I was bringing home to foster. I wanted all of them. He wanted none of them.
I have a special love for the Greyhounds, and rescue dogs Harry and Victory (pre-biting), and I miss beautiful Rudy. Pat, however, had decided none of these dogs were his ‘type’. It was difficult to have a dog in the house that he wasn’t attached to.
So he hand-picked HIS dog. “His” dog is small, black and white, and a girl…but he came home with a small, black and white Jack.
Jack melted our hearts. The kids instantly fell in love. He was a tiny ball of adorableness and let’s be honest…I’ll love on anything four legged and friendly that doesn’t threaten to bite or pee on me.
But our puppy needed a haircut. And it was at this point that something heart wrenching happened (and by ‘heart wrenching’ I just mean ‘rude’).
Pat waited for me in the car as I ran our new puppy in to the groomers.
Groomer: Have you been in here before?
Me: (smiling at my puppy) No! This is a brand new little guy!!
Groomer: (looking suspicious) Where did you get him?
Me: My husband brought him home! We just got him yesterday!
Groomer: Did your husband get him from a breeder?
Me: I think so…he did all the research on this one and I guess picked him up 30 minutes from here, from a woman on Craigslist I’m guessing.
Groomer: (clearly irritated) Congratulations. You’ve got yourself a puppy mill puppy.
I thanked her for the appointment and slowly walked back to the car as the weight of what she said sunk in.
Quietly, I settled him into my lap.
Pat: What’s wrong?
Me: Well I have some news. The groomer in there seems to think Jack is from a puppy mill.
Pat: Really? I wonder where she got that idea…
Me: Do you KNOW what this means??
Me: WE SAVED HIS LIFE!!
WE’RE RESCUERS!
And just like that, my dream of adopting a rescue was realized. I’m a savior. My place in heaven has been secured. Amen.
Karen and Gerard says
You sure made a difference in that dog’s life! Please take good care of Jack–he’s adorable!
Angel says
First of all it was rather rude of the groomer to assume that the dog came from a puppy mill. Not everyone who sells them are puppy mill owners . But Jack is adorable.. and of course you rescued him.
Momma says
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww………Jack is adorable.
But I would have told that bitch off.
Angie says
Jack is too cute and sweet to go to a groomer who doesn’t appreciate him for the great dog he is. And a groomer with an attitude like that doesn’t deserve your business. Yes, puppy mills are a problem, but that groomer isn’t going to solve the problem by interrogating and insulting his or her clients.
Marie says
I love this story…a happy ending for all. I hope the groomer re-thinks her attitude. Jack is precious!
-MM
Barbara says
Awww, that dog is too cute. Love his expressions!
Susan in the Boonies says
Well, I’m with you: I celebrate the life that is Jack, in all his wonderful dogginess.
I’m, of course, against puppy mills. But, hey, you are a huge blessing to Jack. He got really, really lucky.
Jennifer says
She was wrong for that. Really wrong. But I’m glad you saw the positive out of it.
Brittany says
Shame on you!
All these dogs to adopt and you get one from a clairvoyantly confirmed puppy mill where he would have spent his life in a cramped space under horrible conditions and been made to hump like Jim Bob Duggar until he was cast aside and left to die?
Really, Kat. How dare you take in THAT dog. It clearly didn’t need rescued.
(This is me high fiving you. Haters gonna hate. This is why God gave us middle fingers.)
Arnebya @whatnowandwhy says
The theme song from The Rescuers just popped in my head. R-e-s-c-u-e, rescue aid society, helds held high, touch the sky, you mean everything to me. Damn you.
Jenn @ Coolest Family on the Block says
You did rescue him! That’s how I feel about our Muppet. We had planned on getting a rescue dog (far in the future) but one day we went to the pet store in the mall to see the puppies and we absolutely fell in love and brought one home. That store used to only get puppies from local breeders but had changed management and it had went downhill. Anyway, our little Muppet was sick from the day we brought him home and he eventually got over it. Then in 2008 he was diagnosed with IMHA and needed two blood transfusions! It cost us thousands of dollars, but he meant the world to us. Now our little guy is healthy and he’s been with us for 7 years. I shudder to think what would’ve happened to him if we’d left him in that pet store.
Kim @ The Family Practice says
That happened to us too – we got our dog and were telling some of our friends about him. One of our friends’ girlfriend starting freaking out that we had gotten a puppy mill puppy. Ummm.. I didn’t know? I don’t think so? It was super awkward and rude – that she was judging us for this dog. Meanwhile, we were just so happy to have the little guy welcomed into our fam.
Susanna@Susanna Leonard Hill says
Oh, Jack is so cute! And how wonderful that you rescued him. I have two rescued dogs and they are the best ever!
Forever says
I really cond’ult ask for more from this article.
Jen says
You are a great person, Mama Kat. Great, great, great!
Gayletrini says
He is super. I don’t get her irritation though… well whatever!
love how you swung it around and thought woohoo we did great!
Deb says
He is simple adorable! Congrats on your new addition.
Jen {at} take2mommy says
Such a cute pup! We got a kitten and a puppy from a local shelter recently. Love those furry little balls of crazy.
Cindee says
We searched for a puppy hi and low shelters everywhere. I needed my Jack. Little and fluffy to fill my heart. I too found my puppy on Craigs List. my Bff did too. The family could not afford the puppy. Let’s face it it costs bucks to have a pet. Both are dogs are awesome and yes we saved them and they do have a forever home. P s get a new Groomer i did my dogs loved her.
Heather Johnson says
This story is so sweet! And your dog is adorable. My dog wants to be friends :)