Something to think about BEFORE you tell someone what their puppies are worth. I AM A BREEDER...

Food receipts for my dogs food bills. I have more whelping supplies than I do medicine and first aid supplies. I have vaccines in my fridge, ringers on hand, my vet on speed dial and multiple puppy pens in my living room.

I am a breeder, who when bad weather strikes, save the dogs/puppies before taking cover myself. My feet find the way to the puppy pens before I have even eaten breakfast in the morning and the puppy pens are my last stop before bed. Personal plans revolve around delivering or hand feeding puppies. They are made around heat dates, whelp dates, puppies going to their new homes and vet dates.

I am a breeder, who has been covered in more bodily fluids from my dogs on more occasions than I care to admit. Most of the time my conversations with friends revolves around my dogs. When I get exhausted and feel like I can't do another sleepless night hand feeding a puppy around the clock every 2 hours I remind myself religiously that the hand feeding is only temporary and the reward is coming.

I am a breeder who sacrifices my own sanity and rest to wake up every hour to check on a dam in labor, or soon to be. Many people wouldn't understand how it feels to have invested hours upon hours into a weak puppy to ultimately lose it and how it can feel the same as losing a loved one or the joy I feel when all the invested hours have paid off in one that lives.

I am a breeder, who has bottle fed, syringe fed and even sponge fed a puppy, doing whatever it takes feeding every 2 hours and it taking 45 minutes to do it for weeks at a time to ensure it's survival. I have learned to be proficient at vaccinations, sub- q fluids, syringe feeding, , temperature taking and formulated and perfected my own puppy formula. Working out natural, well working, remedies to just about every puppy issue , like canned pumpkin for constipation or loose poop's. My Vet knows me by my first name, and has witnessed me cry countless times.

I am a breeder, to me that 63 days takes on new meaning still excited by every new life. It is I who delivers all my pups, towels and heating pads on ready, happiness and sadness sometimes intermingled. It is I who has breathed the first breath of life into a puppy who has refused to take that first breath. Even though it increases my work load, I look forward to the 14 day stage when eyes open, and puppies begin to emerge from the helplessness of newborns. Puppy breath, a first bark, and a heart of exploration. I am a conscientious lover of animals and I have found my niche.

I am a breeder, and I am not cruel, dumb, uncaring or criminal. I take great responsibility for every life I bring into this world and ensure it goes to a wonderful, loving and perfect home. An extension of the same love and care they received while in my own home. I am not raking in money while sitting on my butt. Every penny I make I earn through blood, sweat, hard work and tears. My greatest joy is a healthy puppy going to a wonderful home. The cards of thanks, gifts from clients and the pictures of my puppies with their new families are the fringe benefits of my efforts.

I am an animal lover, nurse, midwife, heavy laborer, customer service representative and marketer and PROUDLY I AM A BREEDER.

Author: Kristen Martin Thompson