[sunnydays]

I might be getting a maltese tomorrow. Someone I know is giving hers up because she found out she got accepted to an internship this summer.

I'm a bit iffy about it though because the puppy is REALLY young. She's barely 8 weeks old. I think she got her from a BYB from the newspaper. Anyway, she had her first vet visit over the weekend and was given a clean bill of health, got dewormed, and her first set of shots.

I have to discuss it with my boyfriend first because we weren't really expecting a puppy until September or so, but this just fell on my lap this morning when I found out. She is a real cutie and a sweetheart! I played with her for a bit earlier. I wanted to take her home right then and there. I wish I had pictures to post.

So I'm in need of advice. Maybe a pro / con list or something. So far here is my list:

PROS: i get to have a puppy earlier than expected, she comes with all her belongings (crate, bed, food, toys, etc)
CONS: young puppy (7-8 wks), don't know much about her breeder

so what do you all think? I am at a fork in the road here. My friend is leaving in about 3 weeks.

 

[LexiAndNikkisMom]

A puppy that young is going to have to be watched really closely. Do you know how much it weighs? I've never had a puppy that young but I know there are a lot of people on here that can help you. If you do get her make sure you keep some Nutrical on hand. The puppy will also need to be let out to go potty every 2-3 hours. You should not allow other dogs and cats around it since it will not have all of its shots.

Please don't think I'm trying to talk you out of getting the puppy. I just want you to realize that a puppy that young will need a lot of attention.

 

[Sisses Momma]

This is one of the big problems with getting an animal of any kind. You need to be ready to take this little bit of a thing into your home and heart for the rest of THEIR lives. Getting a puppy and then "moving on" is a huge reason so many puppies end up in rescues. Please be sure that you are well aware of all the issues involved with taking this puppy.

A pup from a BYB may come with a laundry list of health issues, are you ready and able to take these issues on?? I am talking big money if they are not well and coming from a BYB may mean they are well right now, but may not be later.

Is YOUR life settled, do you know you will have this little angel for maybe 13 years or more?? Are you ready to be there for this puppy for it's whole life? Everything you'll do, vacations, moving, getting married, school, having children will revolve around this puppy. They are people pups, they need LOTS of attention and love, all the time, not just when someone is able to be there for them. This puppy will need lots of love and attention at this young age. Please think about it clearly, looking ahead to your OWN future. How will this affect you and your boyfriend in the future. Would this puppy be better off with someone that has a more settled life?

I hope you take these things into consideration before making a committment to this puppy, because if somewhere down your road you want to move on and give the puppy up is it fair to her to be passed on to someone else? She has a right to be with a stable family and bond with someone that will love and keep her forever.....

 

[sunnydays]

Thanks Lexi's Mom! I was hoping someone would quickly respond.

YES exactly what I was feeling. I am very concerned about the puppy being so young. Not only are their the health concerns but also social concerns because I know that staying with its mom is very vital in it's early life. It's mother has to teach it so much more like socialization.

Her weight right now is 2lbs. I'm worrying about hypoglycemia and all that.

I am not concerned about the puppy getting my time and attention as of yet. I have a lot of free time right now. I am working from home right now as a webdesigner and finals has just ended. I don't have anything big coming up until late August and even then, I am walking distance to school and don't stay there for more than 2 hrs at a time.

The age and the puppy's family history and upbringing are the two most important concerns I have (and those are really BIG concerns).

PLEASE more advice... keep it comin

 

[sunnydays]

oh and i forgot to add that I don't have any other pets. never had any pets in this apartment aside from my rabbit that passed away a year ago.

 

[Brinkley & Neyland's Mom]

How long has your friend had it if it is only 7-8 weeks?

 

[LexiAndNikkisMom]

Here is a good article on Why is there a 12 weeks rule

 

[sunnydays]

you gave me a lot to think about sisses momma. :new_Eyecrazy:

honestly, i don't know where i will be in 5, 10, 20 years, but does any of us know? all i know is that i will give all my love and attention to whatever furry companion that comes into my life. here is my story:

i had a rabbit named kobe. i loved kobe with all my heart. he was my angel. i got him when i started college here in california (3 years ago). my cousin gave him to me after the "easter bunny" phase wore off. my aunt bought him at a pet store. like dogs, rabbits from petstores come from "rabbit mills".

anyway, after about 2 months with me, kobe stopped eating. so i brought him to the vet and the vet diagnosed him with malocclusion. it's a genetic disease where the rabbit's bottom teeth grow into the gums of the upper part of their mouth. the only choice was to get a very expensive surgery to remove his teeth altogether. so i took a freelance webdesign job and paid for it. even though i was a poor college student. i was NOT going to let my baby go.

so we got the surgery done and he was a happy bunny for the rest of his life until the end when his liver suddenly shut down. i have never loved any pet like kobe. That was a year ago and i didn't think i could love any other the same until one day i saw my very first maltese pup. and now i am ready again to devote myself and my heart. it was very difficult for me to come this far.

i was ready to reserve a malt from martha thomas for her sept. litter, but this came up today and i just really need some point of views.

thanks for reading my story if you got this far. it felt really great to let that out.

 

[Ladysmom]

I applaud you for thinking this decision through so carefully.

You are right to worry about socialization and other issues since the puppy was taken from her mother and litter mates so young. From what I have read some very important lessons are learned in the 6-10 week age period, including bite inhibition and socialization with other dogs.

You are also right to worry about this puppy's background. As Sisse's Mom said, a puppy from a backyard breeder or puppy mill can be carrying "genetic time bombs" that won't go off for many years. So getting a clean bill of health from the vet now is no guarentee this puppy will stay healthy. You might want to read the thread on Loca's Vet visit to see what kind of tests should be done to be reasonably sure a puppy is healthy, including blood work, and ultrasound of heart and lungs, knees checked for luxating patellas and a liver bile acids test. No matter where you live, these tests will be quite expensive. Another thing to consider is that if your friend got any sort of health guarentee, it may become void if the puppy is transferred to you.

As Sisse's Mom pointed out, the puppy you choose will hopefully be with you for many, many years. These years can be happy and carefree or they can be heartbreaking and financially devestating. Liver shunt surgery runs about $2000 and knee surgery $1500 and up. (Maltese are genetically prone to both conditions). From one who has a poorly bred Maltese, my advice would be to wait and save up for a puppy from the best breeder you can find/afford, even if it takes longer to save more money. It has been my sad experience that it's "pay me now or pay me later". My Lady is both diabetic and epileptic, has a heart murmur, severe inflamatory arthritis and allergies. I spend about $150 a month on medications and diabetic supplies alone. I have spent enough at my vet's office that they should name an examining room after Lady! I am older and an empty nester so I can (sort of!) afford this, but expenses like that could be crippling to a student or someone who wanted to have a family later on.

Worst of all, though, is the heartbreak loving a chronically ill dog can bring. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

 

[sunnydays]

okay, i have to post again.

i re-read all the replies and i am leaning towards NOT getting the puppy. purely based on the young age and the unknown background.

now i need advice on what i need to do to help my friend find her pup a proper home. i hate to think that the pup is going to show unhealthy signs later on or behavorial problems and have her passed from home to home.

 

[sunnydays]

Originally posted by LadysMom@May 3 2005, 11:59 AM
Worst of all, though, is the heartbreak loving a chronically ill dog can bring. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
<div align="right">index.php?act=findpost&pid=59303

[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't wish that on anyone either. Especially when you could've tried to avoid it by going to a reputable breeder

 

[k/c mom]

I would contact Northcentral Maltese rescue and let them help. They can foster the puppy and then find a home. They are extremely particular about placement (have you seen their application... a zillion pages!)... so she would get a great home.....
Northcentral Maltese Rescue

I think you are wise to wait for the right puppy that has all the best chances at good health, proper temperament, etc.

 

[sunnydays]

Originally posted by Kallie/Catcher's Mom@May 3 2005, 12:07 PM
I would contact Northcentral Maltese rescue and let them help. They can foster the puppy and then find a home. They are extremely particular about placement (have you seen their application... a zillion pages!)... so she would get a great home.....
Northcentral Maltese Rescue

I think you are wise to wait for the right puppy that has all the best chances at good health, proper temperament, etc.
<div align="right">index.php?act=findpost&pid=59309

[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the link!

I feel better already

I was getting nowhere googling "maltese rescue" i kept getting nyc rescues. do you know of any maltese rescues in california?

 

[Toby's Mom]

 

[gigimom]

I agree with the others. You want to enjoy your new addition, not regret it. It's not impossible that everything could turn out for the best but as you've pointed out, there are a lot of questions surrounding this little one.

Good luck in your decision making process and keep us all posted.

 

[LexiAndNikkisMom]

Originally posted by sunnydays+May 3 2005, 02:11 PM-->

<!--QuoteBegin-Kallie/Catcher's Mom

@May 3 2005, 12:07 PM
I would contact Northcentral Maltese rescue and let them help. They can foster the puppy and then find a home. They are extremely particular about placement (have you seen their application... a zillion pages!)... so she would get a great home.....
Northcentral Maltese Rescue

I think you are wise to wait for the right puppy that has all the best chances at good health, proper temperament, etc.
<div align="right">index.php?act=findpost&pid=59309

Thanks for the link!

I feel better already

I was getting nowhere googling "maltese rescue" i kept getting nyc rescues. do you know of any maltese rescues in california?
<div align="right">index.php?act=findpost&pid=59310
[/B][/QUOTE]
The Northcentral Maltese rescue is actually a national organization.

 

[Teddyandme]

I hope I am not going to be a spoiler here but I must say this...Sometimes God puts things in our paths that are just supposed to be. I would have never picked my husband but I loved him after only 3 dates. All the questions you are asking are right but sometimes love has to take over...how did you feel about this little one.

This could be a wonderful rescue story...this is a little puppy who could still be trained as you want him...someone will be getting this little one...to love and care for. There are no absolute outcomes in any puppy you may be owned by...as there are no Guarantees...why not be thankful that this little one was put in your path early...you never know what might happen.

S

 

[Brinkley & Neyland's Mom]

I still wonder how long the friend has had the pup if it is only 7-8 weeks old...

? Did she not know the internship was a possibility? She couldn't have the pup for too long...why can't she ask the breeder to take it back? It is still young enough to find another home...

Maybe the breeder would even give her part of the money back if she told her the situation.

 

[Ladysmom]

Originally posted by sunnydays+May 3 2005, 02:05 PM-->

<!--QuoteBegin-LadysMom

@May 3 2005, 11:59 AM
Worst of all, though, is the heartbreak loving a chronically ill dog can bring. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
<div align="right">index.php?act=findpost&pid=59303

I wouldn't wish that on anyone either. Especially when you could've tried to avoid it by going to a reputable breeder

<div align="right">index.php?act=findpost&pid=59308
[/B][/QUOTE]

Lady is a rescue, so I didn't get her from the pet shop. She was abandoned by her first owner when she started having seizures. She was tied up outside with no food or water in 100 degree heat when her owner moved away without her. She was there for 3 days before my neighbor got an email from the woman and asked about Lady. Jen ran over there in the middle of a thunderstorm to rescue her even though she had just had chemo a few days earlier. She is Lady's rescue angel.

Lady's former mom is an example of a person who just couldn't cope with the results of what probably was not a well thought out decision to get her. She had two sons at home when she bought her, but both left home a few years later at 18. Lady was then crated most of the time. Jennifer said Lady was always dirty and matted. This woman apparently had financial problems trying to raise her sons on her own and just couldn't handle veterinary bills. So she just left her to die.

 

[Sunshine]

Originally posted by sunnydays@May 3 2005, 12:54 PM
I might be getting a maltese tomorrow.  Someone I know is giving hers up because she found out she got accepted to an internship this summer. 

I'm a bit iffy about it though because the puppy is REALLY young.  She's barely 8 weeks old.  I think she got her from a BYB from the newspaper.  Anyway, she had her first vet visit over the weekend and was given a clean bill of health, got dewormed, and her first set of shots.

I have to discuss it with my boyfriend first because we weren't really expecting a puppy until September or so, but this just fell on my lap this morning when I found out.  She is a real cutie and a sweetheart! I played with her for a bit earlier.  I wanted to take her home right then and there. I wish I had pictures to post. 

So I'm in need of advice.  Maybe a pro / con list or something.  So far here is my list:

PROS: i get to have a puppy earlier than expected, she comes with all her belongings (crate, bed, food, toys, etc)
CONS: young puppy (7-8 wks), don't know much about her breeder

so what do you all think? I am at a fork in the road here.  My friend is leaving in about 3 weeks. 

<div align="right">index.php?act=findpost&pid=59275

[/QUOTE]

Due to unforeseen circumstances, I got my little girl, Abby at about 7 weeks of age. I'm not going to lie - it's hard and it's stressful at that age. To be honest, as much as I loved her, I stressed like crazy until we hit the "safe" 12 week age.

If you are going to take this puppy on, it will take constant CLOSE supervision & lots of love and attention (remember that this pup would usually have Mum's & siblings' love & attention in this time). I stressed a lot - so much that I had Abby at the vet's very often getting her checked to make sure everything was ok - that she was gaining weight, that she was healthy, that I was feeding her properly, that she wasn't showing any signs of illness.... (Edit: Sorry, I should also add that Abby was my first puppy - so I had the added stress of not knowing if I was doing the right thing)

Please take her to work with you. If you can't do that, please arrange for someone who knows what they are doing to take care of her for you. Don't leave her on her own and go to work or anything - she needs to be watched. Make sure she's eating and be sure to take her on regular vet visits - they are well worth your while. My vet was a saviour to me - with his guidance I got through it just fine.

BUT despite the stress, I did love this time because it allowed me to truly understand what was involved in taking care of a puppy. And when she got a little older, it seemed easier... now I know the signs if she gets sick and can usually pick them up quickly, I know what I need to do - yes I panic if she gets sick but I don't completely psych out. I know what I need to do. This time was also a real bonding time for me & Abby.

Hope there was some help in here. I just wanted to say that no, it's not ideal - but it is possible.