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It
has been a very long FOUR years since I first contacted Chimes
breeder Diane Fitzpatrick of Alfenloch
Collies and Shelties, with regard to purchasing a puppy. It
was a struggle to actually get Chimes once I paid for her, and
even more of a struggle to obtain her registration papers. I
am writing Chimes story to try to protect someone else from going
through the same issues I did, with this unreputable breeder. In
December of 2001, I contacted Ms. Diane Fitzpatrick to inquire about an upcoming
litter, that was to be out of the lovely Alfenloch Windchimes (Bubba). I was told
the price would be $2000.00 U.S. dollars, and that a deposit of $500.00
U.S. dollars would hold a puppy from this litter and that I would be
assured a "top-quality show puppy". I was also
told the sire at this time was
still undetermined and that "At the present time, you
will be one of the first to send a deposit before she is bred, which
will ensure that you get a really nice puppy" . I readily
agreed, and on January 18, 2002, I sent the deposit of $500.00 U.S. dollars. In
April of 2002, Ms. Fitzpatrick SOLD Alfenloch Windchimes (Bubba) to Taiwan for a very large
sum of money,( $10,000.00 U.S. dollars) and told me that I would
get a puppy from a bitch that she had recently leased from a fellow
breeder in Canada. (as Alfenloch Windchimes (Bubba) was the ONLY sheltie bitch she had in her
kennel, and she was now gone to Taiwan she had no choice, but to lease a
bitch if she was going to
supply puppies) I informed Ms.
Fitzpatrick that I did not want a puppy from this leased bitch, and that
she could return my deposit of $500.00 U.S. dollars. Ms. Fitzpatrick then
told me that she did not return deposits, BUT that Alfenloch Windchimes
(Bubba) would be
returning from Taiwan on lease after she whelp her litter there, for a
litter at Alfenloch. Ms.
Fitzpatrick and I kept in close contact over the next few months, and
when Alfenloch Windchimes (Bubba) returned back to Alfenloch and was bred to the handsome
Am/Can/ Ch. Sanddollar Sonic Boom (a Nighthawk son) I was
thrilled. When pregnancy was confirmed Diane asked that I sent the
remainder of the money ($1500.00 U.S. dollars) which I did. On
October 11, 2003, a beautiful single tri bitch was born! FINALLY
my puppy was here, or so I thought. It was NOW that the rules
of this game were about to change. Ms.
Fitzpatrick was in a panic. She had sold Alfenloch Windchimes
(Bubba) to
Taiwan, got her back for a litter, and NOW only one puppy in the
litter. I
was told by Ms. Fitzpatrick that this puppy that I had already paid
$2000.00 U.S. dollars for, would now be on a co-ownership,
with Ms.
Fitzpatrick getting
her back for TWO litters. In
March of 2004, I finally flew up to Canada to pick up
Chimes, and as luck would have it, because of the hectic schedule there was no time to
talk about, or sign a co-ownership agreement. I was ecstatic to
finally have my puppy, who was now five months old, and to be able to
bring her home. Over
the next few months Ms. Fitzpatrick and I kept in contact via e-mail and
telephone, and I kept her informed as to Chimes progress. I
also inquired often as to when my puppy would be REGISTERED with the
Canadian Kennel Club, so I could start the process of Registering
her in the United States. Ms. Fitzpatrick
told me there was a problem in Registering Chimes, because the
LEASE was not Registered as yet. She implied that the owner
of Alfenloch Windchimes (Bubba) was not co-operating in this
matter, Ms. Fitzpatrick
also told me that she could not afford to send the Canadian Kennel Club the
funds to take care of the Registration, and would I kindly send her
$100.00 U.S. dollars to cover the cost, which I did. This is an absolute
violation of the Canadian Kennel Club Rules. (who are governed by Agriculture
Canada, making this a legal offence) We are hopeful that the
Canadian Kennel Club will take disciplinary action for this violation. In
January of 2005 I finally contacted the Canadian Kennel Club in Regard
to the Registration of my puppy, and began the slow process of
having the Canadian Kennel Club try to have this done in a more timely fashion.
I am please to report that the Canadian Kennel Club has informed me that
Chimes is finally registered, and that I am the sole owner, and I
should expect receipt of the Certificate shortly. Chimes
is almost two years old. We look forward to showing and
breeding her in the future, and sincerely hope that when you read
the story of Chimes, you will NEVER have dealing with Ms. Fitzpatrick
of Alfenloch Collies and Shelties. I learned too late! PLEASE
LEARN FROM MY MISTAKE! To
see TWO other examples of Diane’s unconscionable breeding/selling
practices, CLICK
HERE and
HERE |
