I hate lying.
but I find myself lying to my extended family about future puppy..
Look some back story, I am from the kind of family where we believe that one person is the AMBASSADOR for a certain thing. Could be their job, career, hobby, interest.. they just know a lot and everyone in the family listens to them.
and when I say everyone.. I mean like..my big fat greek wedding. We are HUGE, and over-bearing, and loud, and loving, and well meaning.. but huge. Aunts, uncles, great aunts, grand parents, cousins, cousins, cousins, cousins..
Example: One of my cousins is the "car guy". Hes into cars/engineering and is called EVERY TIME ANYONE in our family is looking to get a new car.
Last year, he declared volvo and audis were great choices..
lo and behold..every one in my VERY LARGE family now has a volvo or an audi. Voila. Didn't have to explain why.. we all love him and trust him..soo.. audis and volvos.
I'm basically the dog person.. I get calls from family about dog health issues, food, breeds, collars, behavior..just about EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING.
I feed better food, talk to them, all the family dogs are now on grain free dog foods.
I do limited vaccines..so do they.
RMBs occasionally to help teeth.
No question. They assume I know best lol and they do LOVE their dogs so they just..do.
The thing is, we are all from Haiti. And well, let me say when it comes to dogs, it's a different mindset. My family has come FAR..dogs are loved parts of the family, walked (instead of just let out into yards), trained positively, etc.. but the ideas of dogs as a WHOLE (as in, where to get them..) there is a lot more to go.
but the idea of responsible breeders goes right over their heads. Explaining finding a breeder, going through an interview, home check, waiting list, puppy price etc..etc..etc.. for a puppy. DOES. NOT. COMPUTE. The whole idea of it seems ridiculous/intrusive to them..it's like hitting a brick wall.
So for years, I have pushed the simple mantra of "Adopt." and it has worked VERY well. I give them a few breeds I think would work..puppy tips..good shelters to visit.. what to look for/avoid.. told them the truth on shelter dog myths (that they aren't broken, damaged, unhealthy etc..) ..and voila. Happy households. Dogs are saved. Happy families. EVERYONE in my family has started pushing adopting dogs instead of supporting BYBs to their friends. Talking about how great their shelter dogs are, how low adoption fees are and how much their dogs are worth it, how beautiful/healthy their mix is etc.. and it's so nice to see.
20 years ago. It was the NORM in this family to get your puppy at a pet-shop or from a BYB in the newspaper. Now it's the norm to go to a shelter.
The thing is.. it's kind of a "lead by example" kind of thing.
So this afternoon one of my aunts called and was like "Oh we heard you are buying a dog from a breeder! Are dogs from breeders better? Because my daughter found this great place online to get them!"
..so I lied.
I told her I was getting my puppy from a shelter.
and she and her daughter both were just like "Oh! That's what I thought! You did say shelter puppies were better! We will go to the shelter!"
and now they are rescuing this sweet lab mix. Which will work GREAT for them.. instead of this awful "click now to order" gsd breeder they found online.
and I feel like venting because it is lying.
but I'm also like..what is the harm? You know?
They are just looking for good family pets which are more then fulfilled by shelter dogs.. and if I can't go all the way and get them to go to responsible breeders (which I know FOR A FACT THEY WILL NOT) ..then why not just lead them towards the most responsible option?
My mom basically is like "Lie. You know that if you tell them you are buying a dog..they will all buy a dog for their next dog and they won't find good places to do so"
They all already think Romeo is from a shelter anyway. But that was more of a lie of omission. I got him as an adult so they just..assumed.
They were all.. "Oh Romeo is so beautiful and well trained and sweet! It's not true what they say about shelter dogs, look at him! he is lovely!"
so I smile and said nothing.
PROS? More people adopting. Needy dogs get homes. Happy families. No supporting bad breeders.
CONS? Fran is a liar liar pants on fire and this was your vent.
