I have a secret I’ve been keeping since January. It’s not something I’m proud of. And, I’ve lied to many people to cover it up. But I think my new blog is the perfect forum to come clean. So here it is.
I bought my dog at a pet store.
He didn’t come from a reputable breeder. Sorry neighbors. I didn’t get him from a shelter. Sorry friends. I didn’t take him off the hands of another family who couldn’t take care of him. Sorry random people I met at the dog park. I bought him – for a LOT of money – at a pet store. And, I’m pretty sure that means he came from a puppy mill. Now, this is coming from someone who knows better. I support the ASPCA – every month. I adopted the most beautiful cat from Buddy Dog Animal Shelter. Heck, I even have an anti-puppy mills magnet on my car! Then how did this happen?
Well, I’m one of those weirdos who goes to animal shelters and sometimes to pet stores just to visit the animals. I feel like the hugs, kisses and treats I give them make their days in captivity just a little bit better. And, while I’m there I always say a little prayer for each one of them that they’ll soon find their forever homes. On one random Sunday after Christmas, I convinced Lorenzo to pop in to a local pet store with me. Once we got in, I started my routine. I cuddled a dachsund. I kissed a beagle (and I liked it). I was working my way down the line and looked up to find Lorenzo was doing the same thing. Except he was stuck on one pup – a 3 lb pomapoo (50% pomeranian/50% poodle 100% CAYOOOOOT).
“Mon, look at this guy. ”
“OMG, I want to eat him.”
“You wanna take him home?”
“YES!”
And so we did. Just like that I dropped my convictions about making pet adoption my ONLY option. And, I’ve been rationalizing it ever since. Here’s what I came up with:
Puppies in pet stores need homes too.
If I didn’t buy him, someone else would have.
He may have ended up in a shelter eventually if he didn’t get bought.
I’ve given him an amazing life filled with people and other animals who love him.
But still, I feel bad. Because when I bought Sonny, I helped further an industry that has been mistreating dogs for decades. What do you think? Does falling in love in a pet store make me a bad person?
The New Mrs. Carbone 