Searching For Our Boston Puppy – Hurdles and Heartbreak
Ever since living next door to the most adorable little Boston Terrier in Canada, Mr BTR and I have wanted to adopt our own Boston Terrier puppy.
So what’s been the hold up you ask?
We were living in Canada as part of a working holiday and since being back in Australia we have been renting and unable to adopt a puppy.
Finally this year we managed to buy our own home on the South Coast of NSW, Australia and we are now officially on the search for the Boston Terrier puppy that we have wanted for years.
Hurdles and Heartbreak
Searching for our puppy
In our search for a puppy we have encountered many scams despite how careful we thought we were being. I am not only a very skeptical person by nature but I’m very web savvy so it really caught me by surprise when I discovered we had been scammed.
Mr BTR and I had been wanting to adopt a puppy for years and now that we were finally in a position to have a puppy we got carried away with our emotions and it drowned out the warning signs. Mr BTR was taking care of the correspondence with the ‘breeder’ we found online and there were a few things that I raised as being odd. But, it’s amazing how when you want something so badly your emotions cloud reality.
We got to the point where we had arranged for the puppy to be sent from interstate, sent the money to the ‘breeder’ and Mr BTR had bought a special little puppy bed, collar, puppy bowls and toys ready to pick up our pup in the afternoon. We were just waiting to be sent the flight information so we could pick her up and bring her home where we would be a family.
We never received the flight details. In fact, we didn’t hear anything at all.
I had that horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach and I new it wasn’t right even early in the morning. I didn’t waste any time and reported it straight away.
PayPal – Our Saving Grace
Luckily, I had insisted on using PayPal (they had of course wanted to use Western Union … ding ding) and even spelled out to the scammer that I would only use PayPal as it would ensure that if they weren’t legit that I would get my money back and they would get nothing. I thought that would make them give up but they didn’t.
I raised a dispute through PayPal and received a stern email from a lady who the scammer had clearly been grooming for some time. She was convinced that she was being sent his money and she needed to transfer it to a ‘charity’ in Nigeria. Hello!
I duly but also respectfully informed her of the situation and she was very apologetic. PayPal were fantastic (no I’m not an affiliate for them) and as she had confirmed it was a scam the money was refunded to me within 24 hours.
Despite not losing any money, we lost a fair bit of pride and we felt sick that we’d been scammed and bloody stupid that we allowed ourselves to believe it despite our better judgement.
It just goes to show how easily you can be manipulated when it comes to matters of the heart.
Moving On – A New Litter On It’s Way!
So we dusted ourselves off and found some reputable breeders in the state with one about an hour drive away who was expecting a litter within a few weeks. We patiently sat back and anxiously waited to hear from the breeder that the pups have been born and we could come to meet them.
But before we can adopt a puppy we have to go through the red tape.
We live in a townhouse with a decent sized yard and although we own our home it is under strata so we have to get approval from the other residents and the strata board which involves writing a letter detailing our request and as much detail about the breed as possible. Our neighbour has a Jack Russel so if they’ve allowed their dog there can’t be any reason to not allow a well-mannered Boston Terrier.
Also, many breeders in Australia like to interview and have you complete forms stating how often you’ll be at home with the dog, what kind of home you live in and a whole bunch of other questions. It’s a good sign that the breeders really care about the Bostons and want to make sure they go to a good home so fingers crossed we pass with flying colours!
Silence … Again
A few weeks had passed and the puppies should’ve been born but we had heard nothing from the breeder. We weren’t far away from them and wanted to go and at least meet the dogs but as it was over Christmas we just couldn’t seem to get anything solid out of the breeder.
So we finally called back and were very sadly told that they had lost the litter, the dog had miscarried.
It was devastating. It now felt helpless, like it wasn’t meant to be.
A Glimmer Of Hope
Today I found the one and only listing in Australia (for a reputable breeder) for a Boston Terrier puppy, on Valentines Day.
I spoke to the breeder and the puppies are 5 weeks old and will be ready for pick up in 3 weeks. There are 3 boys and 2 girls.
They are a 12 hour drive north but if all goes to plan and we finally end up with a puppy it will be worth every minute of the drive!
So, now we just need to get the paperwork sorted and wait to meet the pup that we will hopefully adopt very soon. Stay tuned for updates.
Did you have similar hardship when trying to adopt a puppy?
Share your experience in the comments section below.
Image via: Zsa Zsa Bellagio
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Great news Elise!
The Wollombi puppies were born on Sunday and there are 5 girls and a boy!
Im going to visit them on Thursday and hopefully choose our puppy.
Will keep you posted.
Lisa
Oh wow that’ s so exciting! 5 girls!
Please please please post a pic of them on your new boston terriers rock profile once you’ve seen them
Just hearing the news makes me want another one! Seriously, I get why most people have more than one. Stelly is 14 weeks now and double the size. I wish we could’ve seen her when she was just born. Enjoy the moment.
Dear Lisa,
My puppy is from the same litter than yours!!!! How exciting!!!, when will you get yours, I am counting the days!!! They are so beautiful, we have to exchange photos! I am in Melbourne, what I shame that we are not near as I would have loved my Boston to have one of her sisters near to play with!!!! Diana
I’m in the same position. I’ve been told I have to wait at least 6 months for a puppy. I live in Victoria and if i manage to get a puppy with this particular breeder i will not hesitate to drive 2 days to the centre of QLD to pick it up. I am absolutely in love! But your experience gives me hope that I may get a puppy sooner!
Did you have to go on any waiting lists?
We were lucky to find a breeder who was about to breed but she lost the litter. When then had more luck finding the breeder in QLD who we adopted Stelly from.
I would expect to be put on a waiting list though as most breeders will only produce when they want another show dog. Have you tried dogzonline.com.au? We used this site to find reputable breeders so don’t put all your hopes on one.
You won’t get a response from all but there are a few in VIC and NSW so give them a shot first.
Let me know how you go – good luck! They are worth the wait
Can I ask you which breeder you are getting yours from as I live on QLD and am looking for a Boston myself.
Cheers
Dear Holly,
Im in Sydney, and my breeder who Elise referred me to is in the Hunter Valley NSW, she has two other girls pups still available! They are currently only 2 weeks. Let me know if you want her details?
Stoked that you found a puppy? Is there any chance you can send me the breeders details? I’ve been desperately searching for a Boston but have had no luck.
. Any further help or tips will be greatly appreciated.
We have been searching for a long time for a pup. We live in Perth do you know how we could get one?
Hi Jaimee,
Try searching dogzonline.com.au as they have a list of good breeders. It will take some time though.
Let me know how you go!
Elise
We have had the same story, in fact we finally got our little Boston, we were so happy (paid a small fortune…) from who we thought was a reputable breeder….. and our little Boston passed away after only 6 months with us from a seizure. Devostated! No help from the breeder or Dogs NSW either….We have been searching for over a year for another little Boston….. many breeders keep their good puppies for show and then if they are not happy will try to sell you an older dog at the same price….. you really have to be aware… but, really…… the Bostons are so worth it!
Oh Char I’m so sorry, I can’t imagine how heartbreaking that would be. I’m not sure of the in’s and outs with a situation like that but you’ve raised a really valid issue.
Thanks so much for sharing your story. One of the reasons I started this site was due to the fact the we felt so in the dark about how to find a puppy and all the scammers out there.
I’ll keep me eye out for you, I’d really love for you to find another pup. When you do I’d love to write about your story
See you in the BTR community
What a dreadful story! We are now on a few waiting lists and I’ve spoken to each of them. I really trust that their puppies will be okay but your story makes me a little nervous. Apart from asking which genetic tests have been carried out on the parents, what else should I be asking? Are there specific vet tests for the pups that should be done. Best wishes Char, Fiona x
Good luck with your puppy….. make sure you have a look at the parents, ask the breeder if it is a private sale… get a receipt of purchase, also make sure the pup has had all of its shots and they are up to date. Finally get pet insurance and ask what kind of after sales service they offer… do they cover the dog with a couple of weeks pet insurance for you? What happens if you get the pup home and its not well… can you give them a call? Will they respond to your emails? I’m sure all will be well with your pup, it is the most exciting time:)
Thanks so much for that feedback Charlotte. I met a vet yesterday & the first thing he said was “get pet insurance!”. It’s hard trying to be patient but I’m getting better at it!