Evah Arrives at Golden Pines

Its been an unusually busy and hectic week for us, that shows no signs of slowing down even though the weekend is in sight.  Some appointments that were made weeks ago were rescheduled to make time for other more pressing ones.

The week also took a turn when I received a call from my vets office on Tuesday.  A retired lady in her 70's had come in with a Golden Retriever that she'd recently bought from a kennel named Evah.  Her new addition has several medical issues. Medical issues that her limited budget does not allow her to pay for. Retired lady was overwhelmed and not knowing where to turn, a vet-technician contacted me in hopes the rescue I volunteer with could help.  I called Retired Lady and chatted with her. The bottom line was her concern about the money she had already spent and the funds that are needed to provide the care for Evah.  She'd decided to return her to the kennel for a refund.  Fast forward through a couple of phone conversations, and I felt like I had to do something. Rescues (understandably) never buy dogs from people.  Normally, I would never, ever have considered doing it either. But given the circumstances to which Evah would be returned has totally outweighed everything some would say was sensible.  So, I made an offer to Retired Lady to buy Evah from her, and she accepted my offer.

Evah has been used solely for breeding.  Every single season for this nearly 7 year old girl has produced a litter of puppies. According to her papers, Evah was born at this kennel, and her parents were also born there.  The website and facebook page for this kennel show her puppies off, as well as the litters of several other dogs just like her.  Her last litter of 13 puppies born only 6 weeks ago via c-section, is probably why Evah was sold -- Her "job" as a puppy-machine are finally over.  ***I will add here that I am absolutely no way whatsoever against those who responsibly breed dogs because they are devoted to a particular breed, and do it with the health, soundness and welfare of all dogs being first and foremost. What I am against are dogs that are bred solely and purely for profit, which is how this girl has been used.***   

Retired Lady and I met this evening, and I became Evah's legal owner.  Retired Lady could not have been more kind and grateful that she will be cared for. Tomorrow I'll drop her off at the vets office to have blood work and tests done while I'm at work.  I don't know what the future holds for Evah.  But she now has options.  I spoke to a coordinator with the rescue a couple of days ago, and I may sign my ownership of Evah over to the Golden Retriever Rescue. However, I'll admit that I've not really thought that far because my goal was just to get Evah from Retired Lady before she changed her mind about taking her back to the kennel.

Thankfully, tonight and right now in this moment, there are no decisions to be made.  Evah now has a bright future, free of a kennel and that to me is worth more than any amount of money that has changed hands.