read and decide for yourselves

[107barney]

Originally Posted by Woogie Man

Wow ..... what a thread.

Legally, I don't have a clue where this thing will go.

What is provable and what is being 'just said'?

The puppy being dropped.

Diane requesting the puppy back.

Answers to the above would have an impact, IMO.

Also, what is 'consistent with liver shunt'? It seems to be an indefinite statement when I would think a liver shunt would be visibly apparent at autopsy. Am I missing something?

This is what jumps out at me at first glance.

The necropsy report said: “The gross and histologic findings are consistent with a portosystemic shunt. There was no evidence of a concurrent or infectious disease process within the tissues examined. Such a portosystemic shunt at this early age, combined with poor appetite and insufficient weight gain over weeks as reported in the history, suggests that this is most likely a congenital lesion.”


The medical examiner saw the shunt. It's a big vein jutting out where there should be none.

[Woogie Man]

Originally Posted by 107barney

The necropsy report said: “The gross and histologic findings are consistent with a portosystemic shunt. There was no evidence of a concurrent or infectious disease process within the tissues examined. Such a portosystemic shunt at this early age, combined with poor appetite and insufficient weight gain over weeks as reported in the history, suggests that this is most likely a congenital lesion.”


The medical examiner saw the shunt. It's a big vein jutting out where there should be none.

Thanks for the translation.

[Zook4mud]

I dont know how to copy and past all of what Diane said but I want to address the information " withheld" or not shared to her during his life. I am reading the vet report right this second and when she said I "dropped" the dog, I did. It was an accident. I had him in my arms trying to open a wipe container to wipe him. That was October 18th. 10 days after he was admitted to the hospital originally and 13 days before he passed. It is not related to his sickness. The vet diagnosis yes was trauma with an injection to help ease any discomfort. I think the key word here is "vet". I obviously took him to be looked at after the incident because yes he was traumatized from falling. If there was any serious injury he would have been kept. Or if I didnt care I wouldnt have taken him right? Say what you want about me dropping the dog but I am the one that has to deal with the fact that i did. to quote the vet " currently he appears fine, looks like the shock is gone. he got the wind knocked out of him apparently. offered him a/d and he ate really well in the room. will give him a metacam injection to pre-empt any achiness." If there was any relation it would be in the autopsy results and its not. If I was trying to hide anything I would have omitted the information when i sent it to her.
Also diane, you offered to take him back yes and jason and i both discussed that with you in great depth HOWEVER due to his illness I was not getting him cleared to fly so there for we had no choice but to take this on which we wanted to do because he was ours to care for.
I dont want this to turn into a battle btwn diane and I. I came here to share my story and reach her. We did. She messaged us privately last night and we are to be having a conference call tonight. I look forward to talking to her and being able to come on here and tell you all we have come to an agreement.

[Buster Brown]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Thank you for coming here and being willing to share your side of the story. I hope that things btwn you and the buyer can be resolved amicably.

I hope the conference call goes well for both parties. Both sides have been dealing with a lot of emotional stress.

[Graneet]

You obviously delt with the accident promptly and things happen it does not change the fact the puppy had heriditery issues. It was disturbing but you did rush the baby to the vet. What more could you do. But sounds like she is ready to work things out. Glad for that. Hope it can all be settled and you can get another baby. Im sure your ready to move on.

[margaritaville]

I hope this is resolved soon. You have suffered enough losing your puppy. I hope the parents of this pup are taken out of the breeding line, spayed and neutered so others do not have to experience this.

[smelcerk]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Thank you for coming here and being willing to share your side of the story. I hope that things btwn you and the buyer can be resolved amicably.

I also would like to thank her for coming onto share her side of the story. Such a tragic event and it really sounds like both parties are now in touch and hopefully can resolve this matter. I have learned a lot from this thread about communication and how things can really get out of hand when the communication has been blocked or when we let others (friends or not) communicate for us.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Diane Schelach

Hello everyone,

I am deeply sorry for the loss of Zook4mud’s puppy, a life lost so early is not easy on anyone. Regrettably, I did not address this concern sooner as I was in the midst of receiving news of my own personal medical diagnosis. My biggest mistake was failing to let the buyer know how severe my diagnosis was and as a result putting their situation on the back burner. I finally had a chance to sit down and thoroughly go through the package the buyer sent me. What hurts me the most is that pertinent information was withheld from their public testimony. I was made to look like I was the only party at fault resulting in permanently damaging remarks from those who responded. Despite all of this, the greatest satisfaction I get out of my business is making people happy. Of course, I want to meet Zook4mud eye-to-eye and reconcile this situation as peacefully as possible.

We are all upset at the loss of Cash, he was one of Firebrand’s own. He spent the first 12 weeks of his life at our home socializing with our family of Yorkies. We love all of our puppies and seek to find excellent homes for each of them. When Zook4mud returned to us in search of their second puppy a little less than a year after adopting their first Firebrand puppy we were more than happy to help them find them the right one. We remained in constant communication for the next several months exchanging emails, calls, and text messages in order to find the right puppy for them. Three months ago the decision was finalized and Cash was to be the newest member of their family.

At the time of Cash’s passing, things became heated over the phone and I wrongfully accused Zook4mud for being responsible for his death. I was very frustrated at how the veterinarian may have treated the puppy fearing that the prescribed treatment would cause more harm than good. My mistake was letting a personal health issue negatively impact the way I conducted business, and I resent letting my emotions get the better of me in an extremely difficult situation. My failure to respond to Zook4mud in a timely manner left them feeling abandoned and forced them to take matters into their own hands. For this, I am inexplicably sorry and I have learned from this unfortunate lesson.

I have read the 28 page packet that Zook4mud sent to me, letters, reports, and legalese included. Having remained in constant contact with the family over the first few weeks to aid in assisting with Cash’s transition into his new home, I was surprised to learn about pertinent information that had never been mentioned in our conversations. In two separate veterinary reports sent to me in the 28 page packet I learned that Cash had been dropped; once by a child and another time from a kitchen counter. In the more severe case the puppy’s neck was cocked for an extended period of time, and he had trouble moving. The veterinarian reported that the puppy suffered trauma and depression in the diagnoses from the falls.

There was one document that was provided for me during our communication; it was a blood work report that they had performed on Cash after he apparently vomited. I know now that the day of he went in for that test was also the same day he experienced his first fall. It was also admitted to me that the Zook4mud was not staying “religious” with my advised nutrition regimen. Caring very much for our puppies, I became seriously concerned for the Cash’s health and on October 13th, 2014 I suggested it would be best for the the family to send the the puppy back to me, all expenses paid. I offered to replace the puppy and strongly encouraged that they did not seek additional specialized care and incur any further expenses. They did not consider my offer and decided to continue seeking help from specialists. On November 2nd, 2014 I was informed that the puppy died. This was particularly frustrating for me because I tried my best to prevent this exact scenario.

As a small business owner, I believe in working with customers on a one-on-one basis, providing individual care for them before, during, and after their new puppy is adopted. I have built a trust between my buyers and myself and we both agree to honor all agreements, verbal or written. Nevertheless, I got into a habit of sending along the contract with the puppies asking that buyers send back a signed copy when the puppy is received because I trust them. I didn’t get a copy of the signed contract from Zook4mud until I got a copy of the puppy’s autopsy report; they were mailed in the same envelope. Despite all this, I take pride in always making a fair decision. In reading the Michigan autopsy final report, the lab states “The gross and histologic findings are consistent with a portosystemic shunt. There was no evidence of a concurrent or infectious disease process within the tissues examined. Such a portosystemic shunt at this early age, combined with poor appetite and insufficient weight gain over weeks as reported in the history, suggests that this is most likely a congenital lesion.” In light of this, I am prepared to resolve this issue with Zook4mud.

I am in this business because I love breeding quality Yorkies and I love sharing the joy they bring into people’s homes. Firebrand Yorkies has been in business for 35 years, the last 7 of which have been run by my husband and I with occasional help from my family members. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a customer of mine with a negative story to share. Our reputation is something we have earned and it’s the thing we are most proud of. I’ve met wonderful people through my business and maintain good relations with all of them. Many of my customers are repeat customers.

I fully admit that this situation could have been resolved more amicably and I hope my post has shed more light on the situation. I have reached out to Zook4mud to privately to resolve the matter.

This episode aside I still don't think your a reputable breeder. It didn't help that your "friend" came on here and let information slip. It sounds like your a broker. You also breed a 3 pound dog which is not what reputable breeders do. They also don't breed for tinies like you say you do that's as bad as saying you breed for teacups. Reputable breeders breed for health and the standard. There is also your prices are ridiculous unless your buying a show dog. If your so very sick and it's interfering with this why the heck are you still breeding?

[Wylie's Mom]

Jenskwan -- just fyi, we are able to track your IP Addresses and while it does indeed appear that Diane initially registered her account in Wisconsin -- it is clear that *you* are doing all the posting for her from Ontario, Canada.

Here I was commending Diane for her open response and willingness to come here when all along it's you posting for her. This is so dishonest.

Why are you posting as if you are Diane? Shouldn't Diane speak for her own breeding program?

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Jenskwan -- just fyi, we are able to track your IP Addresses and while it does indeed appear that Diane initially registered her account in Wisconsin -- it is clear that *you* are doing all the posting for her from Ontario, Canada.

Here I was commending Diane for her open response and willingness to come here when all along it's you posting for her. This is so dishonest.

Why are you posting as if you are Diane? Shouldn't Diane speak for her own breeding program?

Wow... but then, why does it surprise me?

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by 107barney

If you're in the business of breeding dogs and selling the dogs for a fee, then the buyer is not an "adopter" and is not "adopting" the dog. The buyer is buying the dog. That's why you have a contract with the buyer.


I think it does little to your side of the story to say things like the buyer "adopted" the puppy. It also doesn't do much for your side to say that you felt a licensed veterinarian may have hurt the puppy... Unless you're a vet, your opinion about their vet is really quite irrelevant. Why is it that breeders (i.e. people who SELL dogs and not adopt them) try to bully the buyers by making statements against their vets. It's getting old.


You aren't qualified to give the BUYER advice on NUTRITION for the puppy they BOUGHT from you. So what if they didn't "obey" your rules? Was it a contract term that they agreed to?


Sorry, but I too would have continued to seek help for my puppy with specialists over sending it back to you especially while it was sick. Who would ship a sick puppy back in that situation? Certainly no caring owner of the kind you say you seek out when "adopting" out your puppies.


Anyway, none of the above really matters -- your contract apparently guaranteed against genetic defects. There's a necropsy report that the dog died of a PSS. No self-respecting yorkie breeder on the planet would try to argue that a PSS is not a genetic issue or that there was any fault on the part of the owner. It's your job to breed a healthy puppy and to sell a product free from defects to your buyers. It's your responsibility to stand behind your contractual guarantees and to avoid blaming the victim.


As you have said you are ready to resolve the issue w/ your buyer, then you should do so. I think you should spend a little time offering your condolences and provide them with some emotional support that you failed to give when they first reached out to you. I also hope you s/n the breeding pair and take a long look at your breeding practices so as to avoid the suffering of buyers and puppies in the future.


Good luck to all.

Originally Posted by margaritaville

I hope this is resolved soon. You have suffered enough losing your puppy. I hope the parents of this pup are taken out of the breeding line, spayed and neutered so others do not have to experience this.

for both of the above

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Wow... but then, why does it surprise me?

I have to admit, I was totally surprised! I guess I just always assume first that people are being honest and authentic - I always hope for the good side of things. Then someone PMd me and suggested I check this, and sure enough...

I wish Diane would've just posted her experience as herself. Really disappointing and disheartening...

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I have to admit, I was totally surprised! I guess I just always assume first that people are being honest and authentic - I always hope for the good side of things. Then someone PMd me and suggested I check this, and sure enough...

I wish Diane would've just posted her experience as herself. Really disappointing and disheartening...

Well, it is a good trait to expect good from people. Dealing with what I deal with on a daily basis tends to make me more suspicious. I had not been around so I didn't see all of this until now. Clearly someone immediately picked up on something.

I just hope she does the right thing by the OP. Her post honestly made me sick to my stomach. Clearly the OP took good care of this puppy. To even mention the dropping of the puppy when he died from PSS is horrible. It's like someone is still trying to blame the purchaser (not adopter ) for what happened.

It also is very disturbing to me that this happened some time ago....and while she can say she was sick .. if she can continue to breed to meet the "demand" , then she can take care of things properly! Just excuses up the backside...none of which I buy.

I won't hold my breath, but I am hopeful she does the right thing.

[MauiGirl]

The additional dishonest practices of Firebrand Yorkies and their friends and associates is really disgusting.

Why is it so hard to just be truthful? Give me a break. Stop the deceipt and lying and do the right thing NOW. Refund the price of the sick pup.

Interesting, looking back at the posts of Jen and "Diane", writing style is so similar, it should have been more obvious it was one person. I too assume the best, and am surprised when people are dishonest.

[smelcerk]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I have to admit, I was totally surprised! I guess I just always assume first that people are being honest and authentic - I always hope for the good side of things. Then someone PMd me and suggested I check this, and sure enough...

I wish Diane would've just posted her experience as herself. Really disappointing and disheartening...

I am just like you. I am a believer. An optimist. I just trust people until it is proven otherwise but I have to admit that this whole thing just keeps getting crazier and crazier. To the OP. Pursue this to the fullest extent of the law. To all others even thinking of doing business with this company, run. Run very very fast.