The Heartbreaking Consequences of Impulse Buying Pets: A Cautionary Tale

The Impulsive Decision That Fueled Puppy Mills

I have a confession to make.

One day, on impulse, I bought a puppy from a pet store. This decision, and the long ordeal that followed, taught me the harsh realities of impulse buying pets.

• Impulse buying pets contributes to the demand for puppy mills.
• When we purchase from pet stores and websites that source from these mills, we unknowingly support unethical breeding practices.
• Many of the dogs from these sources suffer from poor health and genetic deformities.

I am embarrassed by my “dirty secret,” but by sharing Maggi May’s story, I hope we can all learn from the dangers of impulse buying pets. Learn more about the dangers of puppy mills.

The Impulse That Led to Maggi May

Maggi May’s story begins with an innocent walk past a pet shop, where I saw the cutest little Cairn Terrier staring at me from the window. Despite knowing better, I made eye contact, and it felt as though that little dog was pleading with me: “Take me home, pleeeease!”

Here’s what happened:

• I couldn’t stop thinking about her sweet face and big black eyes throughout lunch.
• Afterward, I returned to the store and held the irresistible 2-pound puppy in my arms.
• Nearly a thousand dollars later, I walked out of the store with a new puppy, along with a crate, bed, bowls, leash, collar, toys, food, and a folding fence enclosure.

I named her Maggi May because I bought her on May 12. She was just 13 weeks old, blonde, and I instantly fell in love with her. I even sent her registration papers and planned to spay her when she was old enough.

A Sign of Trouble After Impulse Buying Pets

A few days after bringing Maggi home, she developed a troubling cough. I had a vet appointment scheduled for the following week, but by Sunday, she could barely breathe. I rushed her to the emergency clinic, where she was diagnosed with bordetella, a viral infection commonly known as kennel cough.

• Maggi was extremely sick and spent a few days in the animal hospital on intravenous fluids.
• Luckily, she survived, and I was immensely relieved.
• Despite the store’s seven-day return policy for live animals, I wouldn’t have returned her but expected some compensation for selling me an infected dog.

Ultimately, Maggi was alive and back home, so I gave up pursuing any restitution. Learn more about bordetella and its effects on dogs.

The First of Many Surgeries After Impulse Buying Pets

Several months after adopting Maggi, I took her in for spaying. During a previous appointment, the vet had noticed that one of her eyelids was torn, likely from birth, and hadn’t healed properly. So, during the spay procedure, the vet also repaired her eyelid.

• Maggi was 7 months old and weighed about 10 pounds at the time.
• The healing process from the spaying was slow, and she developed a hernia at the incision site.
• Her eyelid still didn’t close properly, prompting a second surgery to repair the hernia and resuture her eyelid.

Despite multiple efforts:

• Weeks later, the incision still wasn’t healing, and her eyelid wouldn’t close.
• A new vet found several extra teeth that needed to be removed, requiring another surgery.
• The vet used a mesh panel to secure the hernia, but the healing was unusually slow.

Maggi’s eye remained torn, so the vet recommended daily eye drops to prevent infection. Unfortunately, the tear couldn’t be fully repaired. The vet suspected Maggi might have Cushing’s disease, which compromises the immune system. To confirm, an expensive test was sent to the University of Georgia for evaluation.

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The Struggles of Multiple Genetic Deformities in Puppy Mill Dogs

Though Maggi didn’t have Cushing’s disease, she was diagnosed with an autoimmune deficiency. On top of that, she suffered from multiple genetic deformities — a common issue for puppy mill dogs.

• Maggi could no longer receive inoculations due to her weakened immune system.
• She couldn’t risk exposure to diseases, which meant no trips to the dog park, doggie daycare, or even the groomer.

To manage her care, I hired a dog walker who would visit twice daily to walk her and stay with her when I traveled. Unfortunately, Maggi’s health continued to decline:

• Cysts would form between her toes and under her tongue, which, if left untreated, would break, ooze, and cause her pain while walking or chewing.
• Each vet visit involved sedating Maggi, draining the lesions, and suturing the incisions.
• She was on a constant regimen of antibiotics, antidiarrheal, antinausea, and pain medications.
• At one point, she developed a persistent cough and chronic reverse sneezing, making her wheeze to the point where I feared she wouldn’t be able to breathe.

In those moments, I would hold her, stroke her face and stomach, and cry. It was all I could do.

A Devastating Diagnosis: Craniomandibular Osteopathy

Maggi started having trouble eating, prompting another round of evaluations. A specialist from the University of Georgia diagnosed her with severe, progressive craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO), a painful genetic disorder.

• CMO causes the bones in the head to fuse, making it impossible for affected dogs to eat, drink, or breathe without assistance.
• To help her, I consulted a homeopathic animal specialist who administered natural herbal remedies and craniosacral massage.
• Every week, I traveled 120 miles to buy fresh, raw food from a recommended source for her.

Despite these efforts, Maggi’s condition worsened:

• She became so constipated that she would cry and sometimes collapse trying to defecate.
• Every day I went to work wondering if she would still be alive when I returned.
• At night, I listened to her wheezing, gasping, and coughing, often crying myself to sleep.

There were countless times when I considered ending her suffering and made appointments for euthanasia, but then she would rally. For days, or even weeks, she’d be her happy, playful self, only for the cycle to begin again.

Eventually, I made the difficult decision: no more surgeries, tests, or treatments. I would keep her comfortable and cared for until the time came.

A Sudden Race for Help: Maggi’s Final Moments

One day in January, I came home early from the office. It had started snowing, and with the dog walker on vacation, I wanted to check on Maggi sooner rather than leave her alone for too long.

• When I arrived, Maggi greeted me at the door, wagging her tail and ready for a walk.
• We took a short stroll, and she even romped around, chasing snowflakes and rolling in the snow.
• After the walk, she trotted to the window seat, seemingly happy and healthy.

Suddenly, I heard her wrenching and coughing. I found her collapsed on the rug by the door, white foam pouring from her mouth and nose. She was gasping for air.

• I grabbed a towel, scooped her up, and rushed to the closest animal clinic.
• The receptionist quickly told me that they weren’t equipped for such emergencies, forcing me to rush to another clinic four exits away.

Holding Maggi on my lap, I tried to reassure her, but we were both terrified. When we finally reached the emergency clinic, Maggi was immediately taken to an examining room.

• The vet told me that Maggi’s airway had closed, and she was sedated and intubated.
• She wasn’t in pain, but she would need a tracheotomy and additional tests and surgeries to survive.

After explaining her medical history to the vet, I was asked if I was ready to let go. Maggi wouldn’t survive another surgery, and I realized it was time to stop hoping and pleading for more time. I nodded yes. It was time.

• My daughter arrived, and we both said our goodbyes.
• In less than two minutes, Maggi peacefully passed away after the vet administered the lethal cocktail.

The Real Price of a Puppy Mill Pet

Maggi May was almost 5 years old when she died. She had endured more than 15 surgeries and numerous treatments, many requiring sedation. Her medical bills soared into the thousands. One vet told me that Maggi had survived due to my will and his skill — and I don’t doubt it.

But what is the real price of a puppy mill pet?

• For Maggi, it was a lifetime of pain and suffering. She didn’t stand a chance from the moment she entered this world.
• For me, it was an economic burden, but more than anything, it was years of emotional agony and heart-wrenching loss.

I was swayed by the “doggie in the window” tactic, caught up in the cuteness and my impulsive decision. It will never happen again — and if Maggi’s life taught me anything, it’s the importance of sharing my experience.

Here’s what I learned:

• Do not buy pets from pet stores or internet sources you can’t verify.
• Adopt from an animal shelter — and yes, even shelters have purebred pets.
• Consider breed rescue organizations as they are an excellent source of pets.
• Look for puppy-friendly pet stores that only work with responsible sources.

Finally, if you’re determined to buy from a breeder, make sure it’s a reputable one. Don’t be an accidental supporter of puppy mills. Learn to recognize puppy mill red flags.

Check the QUESTION acronym below and follow it. Let’s make a better life for future dogs and their human caregivers.