Only one of our beagles came from a pet store.
We knew she was puppy mill goods.
She had been in that shop so long and her condition was so deteriorated, no one would buy her.
So when she was put on "Special" my brother got her out.
(He had been "visiting" Susie every day and became attached.)
All that time in the shop she had been caged with another dog that had chewed all the hair off her face and head,
her legs had become bowllegged and paws splayed out as a result of walking on a wire grill, no solid ground.
She was weak, fearfull and very unhappy.
But we took her home and layed her out on the fresh grass, she rolled and rolled in it.
Susie got along well with our other Beag and overcame her insecurities around us, very sweet and loving.
But she was still fearfull of strangers, and had a phobia of tinplates or anything that resembled a cage and loud noises.
Although she turned out to be relatively healthy and strong for her size (Pocket*),
the bowlleggedness never really went away.
Certainly not show dog or field champion material, but the bestest friend I ever had.
No regrets about rescuing her, but there is no way I could ever get one from a pet shop.
I don't even go there anymore, or much less buy anything.
It is too heartbreaking to see all those pups in cages,
knowing where they came from and what their true purpose is: Profit.
My advice is: Do not even set foot in those pet shops.
Getting a pet that way only makes room for one more and encourages puppy mill system.
There are plenty of beagles to be had elsewhere.
Even Rescue beagles can be "field champion quality".
I found Barney in a ditch, abandoned by his owners and chewed alive by a rotweiller.
I saved him and from the first day his nose hit the ground, he was off and hunting. Aroooo!
~
* Learn more about Pocket Beagles
