My mommy just read about Payton and cannot stop crying. When mommy is upset so am I. She just has a few words to say...
To all my fellow boxer owners and any breed really. Please, please do not buy a pup from back yard breeders, breeders that do not do medical testing and absolutly DO NOT BUY THAT DOGGY IN THE WINDOW (meaning from a pet store!) Pet stores perpetuate puppy mills and if you have ever seen the conditions it would break your heart - if you have one.
A responsible breeder cares about there puppies, they want to know what kind of family they're going to and that they will be taken care of. A breeder that breeds just to make money is not the kind of person you want to buy a dog from. Also, do not be fooled by the dog having "Papers", if you pay the fee and send in the paperwork then you can have papers too. All that means is you can track the lineage - it does not mean all those dogs were responsibly breed and are free of defects!
Buying a dog is a huge responsiblity and something you should research. Know what kind of problems the breed you want could have, ask questions, get health guarantees. Yes, good breeders charge high prices, but what kind of price did Payton and her mommy pay?
Please, if you don't have the money to purchase from a good, responsible breeder, then consider adopting from the Humane Society or your local breed rescue.
RIP Payton Lilly, you'll be greatly missed.