@tanza:
When a person comes to these boards and indicates that they are "getting" a puppy, but have not done so yet, that is the time to show maybe a different path. It is understandable that people get angry when it is pointed out that maybe they did not know to research or have missed some important points. And sometimes it is difficult to drive home a point…. but if we can stop one person from supporting these irresponsible breeders then, IMO opinion it is worth it. There is one person in our group here that had that experience of getting a puppy, then finding out it was DNA Affected for Fanconi. And that person was crushed.... but by that time would not consider sending the pup back... and this was from a breeder that did test, after the breeding (carrier to either carrier or untested) all the pups and still sold the affects without telling the buyers, just sold at a reduced price. I would suppect that 99% of the people if they got a pup home, spent some time with it, would have the same reaction and not send it back...even if they then test Fanconi Affected or have any other health issue, as this is not the affliction that our breed has. But now let themselves in for possible heartache years down the road, not to mention the worry... if/when that puppy might start spilling sugar.
You are buying a living, breathing animal that is going to be with you 15 to 18years...you are not buying a car or house.... I don't understand how someone could do a transaction over the internet (or phone) and just have an animal flown to them?... That said, I require people to come to pick up puppies, as I will not ship... and if I am purchasing a puppy, I fly to the puppy... and the deal is not done until I have met the breeder and have interacted with the puppies.
Again, everyone has a different point of view.
Obviously a dog is different than buying a car or home, but each has it's own unique priority and importance in life. Your home is your shelter and a good portion of what you spend in life. You'd be surprised how little research some buyers do and the things they miss.
Dogs, for most of us, are a big part of our family. But you need to put things in a realistic point of view. Most people don't even put the same amount of energy (that a lot of you put into the Basenji breed) into having their own children.
When dogs do weird things that make little sense, should we criticize them? Of course not, they are Basenjis!
And when individuals post about how they got their Basenji or what they "thought" was the right thing to do, should we criticize them? Of course not, they are human!
Just keep in mind that not everyone making the decision to bring a dog (any breed) into their home has everything 100% figured out. The majority of adults having kids don't even come close to having it figured out 100%. It's a human trait. We figure things out as we go.