Dear,"xxxx"

Hi..It's Chipper's Mom, Robin, again. You had said, in a post to the board, that your baby Bichon is 6 months old, and coming in season, and you were wanting to breed her. I softly discouraged it, because of her tender young age. I got a very sweet note from you asking, when I thought WAS the right time to breed her. Well, here goes, and I want you to know, that I am writing this with all of the love, that I have, in my heart, for both you and your precious baby Bichon, Matte.

I have a history of being a dog rescuer. I have rescued over 1000 in my lifetime, and either found them all homes, or returned them to their frantic owners. On a few occasions, I held them, in my arms, as they passed over to the Rainbow Bridge, too severely injured to recover. On another few occasions, I have kept them, and that may explain why I have 5 dogs now!

I have seen the despicable things, done in the puppy mills, to dogs, seen only as livestock, with not a name, but only a number. I have watched the vet, doing surgery, on little females, who had so many litters, that their uteruses were like jelly. I have seen females, who have had numerous c-sections, and by the looks of the scars, probably on a kitchen table. Some people in the puppy mill business don't spend money for vets, much less anesthesia. I have been in shelters, and have yet to have been in one, that wasn't over-crowded. I have looked into the eyes and soul, of a man, who daily, makes a choice WHO lives and WHO dies, at the shelter. It is usually decided, by how many days, a furbaby has been there, usually three. I have seen an incinerator...filled to the brink...with unloved, unwanted, bodies...of dogs, that I am sure, when they were young...were cute little puppies...that had owners.

Owner's that never dreamed, that THEIR puppy, would end up here. I am sure some of them must have thought..."But I have a pure-breed...and I just want her to have ONE litter." I'm sure that other's must have thought, "I only want my children to experience the miracle of birth". But here is the truth. The cold, hard, honest truth.

Everyday, hundreds of thousands of dogs, and cats, kittens, and puppies, are killed...for the simple fact, that no one wants them. I know that this may upset some of the folks on this board...but the truth is...there ARE Bichons, just like our sweet babies...that are put in with the rest of the unwanted dogs...and euthinized...because no one wants them.

This would be my plea, to you. Please, leave the breeding of the Bichons Frise, to reputable breeders, who know about things like backgrounds, and bloodlines. About genetics, and inheritable diseases. Please...I beg you, with a humble and loving heart...please have your sweet baby Matte, spayed...so that you will NOT be the one...to add any MORE unwanted babies, to that incinerator, I just told you about. I know in your mind, you may be thinking..."Oh I would NEVER sell, my puppies to anyone but GOOD people". The problem is...let's say, that you have 5 puppies...and find all of them homes. Six months pass...and we see on the AOL Bichon Board, someone asking for a male...to breed with their female, because she is 6 months old, and coming in season. Another 6 months goes by. In five years, we may have THOUSANDS of Bichons...because of the very first litter...Can you PROMISE me...that EACH and EVERY one of those...will have loving homes? I wonder...how many of those Bichons...may end up in the shelter...wagging their little tails, smiling up at the man...who has just told them..."Come on little one... it is day three." And the sweet little Bichon baby happily raises up, to be picked up...for the last time.

Love, Robin Pressnall

Your letter really got to me. I wasn't sure if I should mate her being there are so many dogs that get put to sleep. To let you know I talked it over with the family and have decided to get our Mattie fixed. Your letter just confirmed in my heart what I already knew was the right thing to do.

Thank you

Dearest Kelly,

Hi..My name is Robin Pressnall, and I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma. My dear friend, Susan, just told me of your difficult situation. I understand how much stress and strain; this must be causing you. I have a Bichon, too! His name is Chipper! Chipper's Home Page He is the light of my life! My heart just broke, when I learned that you may need to give up your babies. I feel sad for you..and I can't even begin, to imagine, the heartbreak of being in that situation. (((((((hugs)))))))

As sad as I feel for you, my heart is really breaking, thinking how those two boys, will be feeling. They don't understand why their mama..doesn't love them anymore..Now YOU and I know that you still do and always WILL love them..but the DOG mind doesn't understand this. All that they will understand..is that they have been taken..and put in a cage..and will never see their mama...or hear their mama, calling their name, again. They will wonder why..YOU aren't cuddling them, and stroking their forehead, with loving hands. They will never hear you saying,"Wanna go for a RIDE?!! GO?!! Wanna GO?!!" They will wonder..why you aren't coming home..the highlight of their day..and the reason for their existence.

Their little hearts will be breaking..and their spirits will be in such pain...that I would almost rather see them euthinized..than having to wonder, where their moma is.

Kelly, have you ever had a dog turn up missing..say even for a minute..? Remember that panic?! That "Oh my GOD!! Where are my Babies??!!" feeling?...Well..I believe, with all my heart, that our furbabies experience this same feeling...when we suddenly disappear from their lives. They would be so frantic. Probably they would have to be separated, IF they are able to be adopted. So, in addition to loosing you..the one they love the most..they would loose each other....They would loose EVERYTHING. Their world..would be gone.

I don't know you..but I have love and compassion for you, because you are a fellow Bichon mama. And I want you to know, that I am saying what I am going to say, with all of the love, I have, in my heart..for you..and your babies.

Please..please..think long and hard..about doing this to those innocent babies..who have done nothing but loved you..Loved you, probably more, than you will ever be loved again. I say that..because dogs love unconditionally..They will not "UNLOVE" you..if you decide to do this..They will just be wondering..what they did, to cause them to be away from you.

I know that your are either getting married..or have just gotten married. I am so concerned, for you..because surely, your new husband can see that you love these guys..and how LONG they have loved you. I imagine they have been there for you..at times...when there was no one else who was. I imagine that they have been there..for you..when you were all alone..and maybe not feeling to loveable. On nights..when you may have felt safer..because they were there..to alert you of any impending danger. Surely, he can see..the grief and sadness in your heart..at the thought..of seperating from them..Maybe if you explained..to him..that these ARE your kids..and that it will break your spirit to be away from them.

One more thought..and then I will close..Kelly..you know at the end of every dogs life..they will look up..and say goodbye to someone..I have been that "someone" for countless dogs..as I have rescued over 1000 in my lifetime. I am thinking about that day..when one of your babies..is destined to cross the Rainbow Bridge..Will you be there?..Will you be there..saying "Moma loves you baby",..with tears in your heart..and the difficult task..of saying goodbye..Will you thank GOD..for letting you have this time with him?..Or will he be on a cold steel table..filed with fear..with a person with a needle..saying..Ok..let's get THIS over with.

Kelly..you have LOVED these guys for 9 and 13 years..Please don't abandon them now.IF your new husband loves you..with all of his heart, as he should..if he has chosen to spend the rest of his life with you.....he will not allow you to be in this much pain. You are their only voice..YOU are the only one..who can spare them , and yourself..this agony.

If you want to talk..please e-mail me..I am praying for you..and your boys, who love their mama..more than you or I...will ever know.

Love, Robin Pressnall

 These moving and thought provoking letters were provided by Robin Pressnall. Please take a moment to visit her wonderful WebPages.

Robin's Canine Cancer Files

Canine Lymphoma Nicholas'Story

Chipper's Home Page

My St. Bernards..and gardens..

Small Paws Rescue

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