This is for the benefit of Patty (touvellep), who asked for our stories, but the post was awhile ago, so I figured I'd create a new post.
Our story with Kodi started when our Collie, named Kellie had been suffering with bad arthritis for a few years, and although we had the medicines, and a ramp built to the back yard, the time had come when she was unable to come up the ramp without major assistance. It was difficult deciding that she had come to a point where there wasn't much "quality" to her life, and had more pain than one should have to endure. But like so many others, we had to make that decision. It was heartbreaking, and I felt that I didn't want to get another dog. My husband and son were patient with me, and didn't approach the subject much for a few months, but then started introducing the idea to me gradually. My feelings were strong that I didn't want another dog yet, but when I was ready, I didn't want a big dog that I couldn't carry outside if it ended up with arthritis. (It had been so sad, looking down at Kellie and wishing I could just pick her up and take her outside when needed). But -- my "boys" didn't want a small dog, which in their mind, small dogs were little "yappy" dogs. So out they headed one day, without my knowledge, to see what they could find. Not really knowing much about "puppy mills" and their link with pet stores, that is where the boys headed, because we had gotten our other puppies from pet stores. So they found this Shiba puppy in a pet store that was so cute - We did some research on the internet and found that among other things, this breed didn't get very big, but had a "big dog" attitude. So it might be a perfect fit. They took me to the pet store the next day, just to see him (so we could think about it more -- yeah, right). It was love at first site - And they knew it would be. Naturally, my intellect kicked in and said we should go home and think about it, but we were back there a few hours later to get him. After finding this forum though, and learning more about puppy mills and pet stores, I am not happy that we helped to perpetuate this horrible problem. But I do try to focus on the fact that we did save this puppy from whatever sad future he may have had if nobody purchased him, and in doing that, Kodi brought us to this forum where we learned so much about how horrible puppy mills are. So I have resolved myself that there was a reason it happened the way it did. Kodi is 4 years old now (birthday on March 3rd), and he is a great dog -- He has his faults (leash pulling, milkbone guarding, and has a thing with the couch cushions), but we just love his personality, and he always keeping us laughing. And I know that if I ever had to, I could pick him up to take him outside.
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Tammy and Kodi 
