**Please like this post if you see me** Whew! Thats it for Sharing Sunday this week. I hope you take a second to share some (ALL!) of the urgent pups in need of a hero. Since so many people have asked recently, and there are so many newcomers in the group, I will share a little about Tank tonight. My little man, my best friend, my sidekick, my lifeline...... is the first (and the last) breeder pup I will ever call mine. Here is his story. All my life I have wanted a French Bulldog. Im in love with their bat ears, their goofy personalities, their little wiggle butts. In 2008, I wrote to 2 Frenchie rescues (both of which have fosters across the US) in hope of adopting one in need. I was financially stable, had great references, and had the time/love/energy to adopt. They both told me NO. I was a renter, without a fenced in yard. I put aside my yearning for a Frenchie, and went on with life. In July 2009, the itch came back. While visiting my then-boyfriend (now soon to be ex-husband) in TN, I was googling Frenchie breeders in the area. I stumbled upon a webpage for a small breeder in Georgia. She had two females and one male, and had bred her females twice each before retiring them (as her family pets). Tank was one of her last puppies from her final litter. He was the runt, 6lbs and 8 weeks old. He had this little Mickey Mouse head tattoo (he is white with a black markings) on his back. I loved him the moment I saw him. A few days later, we were off to Tybee Island, GA to pick up my boy. He looked like the perfect little bunny rabbit. His ears were still flopped over. He was the sweetest thing I had ever seen. True to her word, her webpage was shut down and her days of breeding were over. She had planned her breeding and had adopters lined up for all of the puppies in the 4 litters, except Tank. I dont believe in fate or chance. I think that everything happens in your life for a reason. Things Tank has taught me: Not all breeders are evil. Some breed responsibly for the love of the breed, keep the lines healthy, raise amazing pups, and have strict policies about people breeding puppies from them. Not all rescues are easy to work with. Some make it literally impossible. I had no problem paying a $600 adoption fee for a Frenchie with medical problems. I also had no problem paying vet bills that absolutely would have come with those dogs. But my ability to fund, love and care for a dog didnt matter to those rescues who turned me down. Dogs are a lifetime (theirs) commitment. Tank will be 6 this May 23rd. I have moved 5 times since he came home with me. Not once have I ever considered giving him up because a rental wouldnt take him. Tank has run up a few expensive vet bills (corneal abrasions, stress gastritis... and that awesome time he ate the staples out of my couch.....). He has had insurance since the day he came home. Thankfully, most of my out of pocket is reimbursed to me. But even i it wasnt, theres nothing in my apartment that I wouldnt sell if I had to for him. I have driven from TN to NJ easily 20 times in the 3 years I have lived here. Tank has come with me every single time. I refuse to allow him to be shoved in cargo on a plane. So I drive the 950 miles. Hes never alone more than 4 hours. And my policy is If he cant go, I wont go. I have passed up some once-in-a-life time opportunities (career AND travel) because I refuse to give him up. So there you have it. This rescue girl bought a breeder puppy. Im not ashamed. I dont feel guilty. Will I do it again? No. Tank is my one and only Frenchie. My next fur kids will be a pair of old bonded seniors who want to live out their days sleeping on my couch. But this guy............. this little muppet who makes me laugh every single day........ he was meant to be in my life. Anywho. This has turned into a very long post. I hope that clears up all the questions about my little guy. Hes the love of my life, and Im so blessed to have him stinking me out every night in bed with his bulldog gas. Im going to end this with one last plea for $5 Friday. We are $650 short. Next week, the funds will be donated to Burts Brigade for their bone fund..... so this balance, and anything new that comes in, will weigh on me until the first $5 Friday in February. Please take a second to donate if you can. Every single dollar helps our fosters. They need you. And I need you. The link is in the first comment below. I truly appreciate your love, generosity, compassion and support of the 15 medically needy dogs in our crew. Goodnight, my Puppy Lovers. xoxo ~ Felicia ~
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 03:54:48 +0000