Dear readers,
A recent Dog of the Day post here on The Daily Corgi has generated some heated exchanges on the facebook page, and I’d like to address the reader community as a whole about the controversy.
This particular dog’s story involved his adoption from a chain pet store. The fact of how he came into his family’s life is part and parcel of his story, it’s simply fact.
As a general rule, I seldom assume an overt editorial stance against a dog’s origins within these individual profiles. The reality is that puppies come into our lives in many different ways. There have been other dogs on the blog who have come from pet stores, many from excellent rescue groups, and a good many of them from reputable breeders.
Some readers were disappointed — even angry — that I didn’t choose to use the post as a cautionary tale against buying in pet stores. One reader’s ire led her to accuse me of “advertising for pet stores.” I know her heart is in the right place, but I genuinely disagree with her opinion.
So why didn’t I speak out against pet stores in that post?
The simple answer is this: I am telling a real story about a dog and his people, period. As with every other Corgi, my aim on the blog — and the facebook page — is to celebrate that dog and share it’s story with the world (or the minute fraction of a fraction who actually read The Daily Corgi ;-).
What impressed me most about this Corgi’s family was how committed they are to doing whatever it takes to keep him healthy, happy and loved. This couple took their Corgi home and gave him the kind of life every dog deserves. In return, he enriches their lives immeasurably, every day. I say good for them, all of them.
Their story honestly moved me: it was a good outcome, a happy ending. A Corgi and his family. Just like any other Dog of the Day post.
The Daily Corgi is — and I hope will remain — a place for Corgi loving folks to come and enjoy themselves, if only for a minute during a stressful workday. If I can educate, if I can raise funds for CorgiAid (I have and will continue to do so), if I can spread the word about fantastic and hard-working rescue groups (again, already have and will do so going forward), that’s all terrific too, and necessary.
There are plenty of other places on the web to go and be far more fully informed about things we’d all like to see changed, as dog lovers. Research the issues that trouble you, educate yourself, and advocate in whatever way you are moved to. There are many, many ways to get involved, to put your passion to a purpose!
Feedback from readers is important, and although it does shape the blog, ultimately I have to decide what runs and what doesn’t. The Daily Corgi can’t be all things to all people, but I believe it has a purpose to serve. Spreading some happiness in a world that needs it is no small thing.
Thanks for reading, and Corgi ON!
Laurie Eno
Founder & Editor
The Daily Corgi
Very very well said!
Some people who are passionate about this also forget that some of the dogs they rescue are past puppy-mill/pet store dogs.
Just as you said – we can work hard to fight against this issue but we shouldn't boycott the most important thing in this heated battle and that's the pups that are affected in all this.
All we can do is take them home and show them the life they deserve. My charlie-bear was a puppy mill pup that I got through a rescue group but you would have never known that unless I told you and that's the way it should be.
I agree. Well said. I was dismayed that the dog came from a store, but I looked at his darling picture and his smile, and read the story about how the new family broke a lease to be able to keep the dog. What a lucky dog he is, and what a loving family!
I thought it was a fabulous story–they rescued a deserving dog who had spent too much time in a pet store and transformed their lives to make that Corgi's life better!
I've had people "preach" to me about getting a purebred Corgi from a breeder vs. getting a dog from a shelter. Every animal I've ever had was saved from somewhere…but this time I chose to buy one. We all have choices—and I can't see how this story demonstrated anything but a right one.
Very well said. And 14 years ago I was uneducated about puppy mills. My dear Chester was a pet store Corgi. Since his passing I have discovered that he, indeed, was a puppy mill puppy. Of course I'm not a proponent of mills or pet stores. Chester chose me. He looked at me and I felt his soul penetrate my soul. He was with me a few weeks short of 13 years. He was the most amazing Corgi any person could have had in their life. Ultimately, yes, we need to stop mills, but until that happens, those dogs need our love and care as much as any other dog out there. We need to love the dog no matter where he comes from. Thank you for the joy you bring me………Since Chester passed in January, you have filled my world with so many wonderful stories and, best of all, CORGIS!!!!!!!!!
"Spreading some happiness in a world that needs it is no small thing."
I totally agree with that, and what brings a smile faster than a corgi? I'm thankful for the corgi parents that chose to take home the 'clearance' puppy. Sounds to me like both humans and dog got a great deal!
Very well said. Three years ago we had planned on getting a puppy and my daughter was restless so we stopped in the pet store to calm her down. As we were walking towards the store, she said I hope we find a dog that is black, brown and a little bit white. Assured we would not find a small dog within my cost of the adoption fee at the local animal shelter,that was black, brown and a little bit white, I walked in confidently. At the end of the kennels was her dog and within the fee I had planned to use for the adoption center.
I truly and sincerely believe my daughter and our Oliver were meant to be together that day. Our poor boy had been in that pet shop waiting for her since the beginning of October – and we bought him on December 15th. He lived in a small kennel at that pet store for 2-1/2 months. I can't help but wonder what would have happened to him if we didn't 'rescue' him. Oliver is wonderful dog and my daughter absolutely cherishes her baby. Although a shelter dog was my orignal plan, I feel we rescued our Oliver from that pet store.
Very well said! We got our Corgi from a reputable breeder and I've had people 'reprimand' me for not getting a rescue dog. There are always people who will judge and second guess someone else. I think the important part is that they brought him home and have given him a wonderful life and in return he has enriched their lives immensely!
That sweet doggie was languishing in the pet store and needed a loving home. He got one. Then end. 🙂 I love it when an owner and a dog who are so obviously meant for one another find one another like that. No matter what the circumstances. Thanks for sharing their story.
I didn't comment on the first post, though I agreed with the concerns. The issue I had was not with whether the dog had a good home; it was with the language used. The fact is that the pet store doesn't care whether the dog ended up in a good home and certainly doesn't care if the puppy succeeds in life. They made a sale. Because they made a sale, they will order another corgi, maybe a bunch more, from hunte or a similar broker. So one dog may be "saved," many more are put at risk, a bitch is bred again, a litter grows up in a cage. We have to leave them in the store, no matter how much it hurts, so the demand ends and the machine grinds to a halt.
By calling the people who didn't buy him "blind," you were making an editorial comment and it WAS in favor of bad breeding. That's what got people so mad, not the fact that he came from a pet store. If I saw him there I would have left him, and I am most definitely not blind–I would have said "See you in a couple years, buddy," knowing how many pet store dogs hit rescue and fall into good breeders' laps so we can pick up the pieces that no pet store knows or cares about.
I really don't think the anger was about this as an origin story. It was about perceiving his purchase as a triumph, which is the way it was written.
Joanna Kimball
rufflyspeaking.net
Bless you Laurie for providing the vehicle for so many of us to express our feelings about "man's best friend". I feel all of these comments are spot on and represent a majority of readers of The Daily Corgi. My Corgis are/have been a part of my very being and are special critters that deserve the very best I can give them.
Well said! Great job!!
It's all about the Corgis! Yes! There are many sweet animals in the world and they can't control where they were born or how they came in to our lives, but as their 'people' all we can do is give them the best life we can possibly give them that they deserve. We're all just here to love the Corgis, people, no matter how they cross our paths. Wherever they came from isn't anything they had a say in, so all we can do is love them from this moment on, because that's what they deserve. Especially when they haven't known that special love yet or 'lived the good life,' they deserve even more to find the loving, caring, selfless people with whom they belong. And in return, our animals give us the same selfless love and loyalty we've shown them.
Don't just Pay It Forward — Corgi It Forward!!
Keep giving us Corgi stories!
Our first corgi, Zoe, was bought through one of those middle men who went to the midwestern puppy mills and brought them back East for sale. We realized with time that this was not the best way to get a dog, but for ten years, until she died of cancer, she was a smart wonderful dog who had a good life with us. Our next corgi was a rescue sponsored by the lcoal corgi club. From what we can tell, Jack was a well-made corgi from a good breeder who ended up in a bad first home. He too is a wonderful dog, who is having a good life with us now. I would never buy another puppy mill dog again because we are now better educated. However, I don't regret our time with Zoe. We, like this other couple, gave a nice dog a good home. And now we are enjoying the pleasure of a little older rescue dog.
I think you about covered it! I donate to Lakeshore Pembroke Welsh Corgi Rescue, and so many dogs are puppy mill mamas and papas – they bring them in to foster homes, manner them, and adopt them out to loving homes. Corgis bring joy to everyone who has ever known or loved one. Thanks for sharing stories, no matter where the Corgis got their start! And thanks for the SMILES!
Very nicely written! Sometimes people aren't aware of pet shop puppies possibly coming from puppy mills. They just want a puppy to love!
Through groups like this one, people learn from others. You're doing an awesome job! Love our corgis and corgi friends!
I, too, was dismayed at first that this cutie was a pet store pup/most likely from a puppy mill. I fully believe in either rescue or purchase from a reputable breeder.
But I realized that at his age, he was truly rescued by Brianne and Erik. What would have happened to him if no one rescued that 'clearance' dog? Hopefully, by being at such a reduced price (& 3 mos worth of food & care), the pet store made no profit.
Have a wonderful life, Sammy – You are one handsome guy!
Mary K.
Gracie's mom
I agree, Laurie. Pet stores are here and its just fact. Not facing the reality of it can only do harm. I have a rescue dog as well as a dog that I consider a rescue from a pet store. These dogs often are neglected in the stores, but just like all dogs, deserve a wonderful forever home.
Corgi on 🙂
Amen Laurie, Amen. I SO agree that our dogs find US. I love your blog, and your honesty, and ALL you do for the Corgis and their humans! Corgi on indeed!!!
Kudos to you! Nothing more needs to be said. We can all only do as much as we can to prevent this kind of thing (puppy mills) and to educate and stimulate discussion is, indeed, doing something.
I want to thank everybody who's weighed in on this. The topic of pet shops will always be a controversial one among folks like us, because we share a common bond of love and attachment to the animals. We are also an undoubtedly diverse group, and where there are individuals there are differing reactions and viewpoints. All responses are welcome, when they're expressed in a respectful way.
I admire your collective passion and conviction and consider myself lucky to have such engaged, thoughtful readers!
Corgi ON!
Laurie Eno
Founder & Editor
The Daily Corgi
I hate that there are still stores that sell puppies and kittens and I won't even go inside one of them. I also think that it's one thing to educate a person before they acquire the dog but I also think that it's very rude and bad manners to criticize another's dog and where they got the dog. Sammy needed a loving home and he got one. Period.
Are these people saying that dogs in pet stores don't deserve a good life? I hate to see dogs in pet stores, but cheers for those rescuing them from the store. What I really hate are the dog pounds that only give dogs a week to be adopted, or they're euthanized.
Wow, what a lovefest. Meanwhile, you could at LEAST have inserted a short note of caution about buying dogs and cats from pet stores. You didn't do even that, though.
Oh well.
I don't think anyone is saying that dogs in pet stores don't deserve a great life- Quite the opposite. Every time anyone buys a puppy from a pet store, they are supporting an industry that makes millions on the suffering of dogs. Does it suck to leave a dog in the pet store when you know it deserves better? Yes. But by giving your money to that store you are encouraging the practice of puppy milling. Theres no grey line here.
It doesn't mean that the people that did so are bad people, only that they have something to learn.