Meet Lincoln....

On December 11, 2014 my family and I brought home the Worlds Sweetest Puppy, Lincoln. Not to take anything away from other dogs or puppies but to us, Lincoln is the best. We only had him home for a week but he learned his name, was doing well with potty training and was what I didn't know I was missing in my life....a mommys boy. I took him to his appointment within three days of bringing him home which was Petlands policy. He had a slightly runny nose and an eye infection. I was told to give him Doxycycline two times a day along with an eye medication and was told he looked healthy. I scheduled his regular appointment as a new patient with our own fantastic veterinarian, Dr. Kristin Caudy at Village Gate Animal Hospital for a week later. Lincoln didn't get the chance to wait for that appointment. Last night Lincolns runny nose was tenfold. He wasn't eating. By morning his breath was labored. Village Gate told me to bring him in. Shortly after arriving we knew Lincoln was a very sick puppy. His lung X-rays showed pneumonia and 70% of his lungs were affected. He has Giardia, a parasite running rampant through him as well. Dr. Caudy explained that Lincoln most likely needed 24/7 care. We called Petland who insisted that the only way to financially ensure Lincolns care was to go through their recommended veterinarian, which led to a conversation that this was similar to managed care and insurance. Take him to where you have negotiated rates. Sure. I know the drill. Not thrilled but we were prepared by Dr. Caudy that the level of care Leincoln needs could cost thousands of dollars. As we arrived at the second vet we received a phone call from Petlands "management" (a representative from an 800 number in a different time zone previously unavailable due to time differences) giving us verbal and financial permission to take Lincoln to Rascals, a vet hospital available 24/7. I called Petland from the parking lot and was told they were unfamiliar with this facility even though their own representative called me and authorized this. Since we were in the parking lot of their own preferred veterinarian we took him in. They quickly confirmed what Dr. Caudy said and strongly advised not wasting time. We asked that they call ahead to inform Rascals that we were coming and time was of the essence. Immediately upon our arrival at Rascals Lincoln was put into an oxygen cage. As we waited for the veterinarian to come talk to us their business manager and legal counsel came to talk to us having heard what was happening. When I expressed concern that Petland claimed to not be familiar with the facility he explained that he wasn't surprised. They have two mobile units they take into the community to provide petcare to those who cent afford it. Affixed to the back of those units? Bumper stickers boycotting Petland. Rascals was awesome. They took so much time and didn't sugarcoat the situation. We have a very sick pup who will be there indefinately. He may or may not return home. Petlands answer? After being told by Dan, a self proclaimed 15 year employee that I was sarcastic and offensive another employee Beth, a ten year employee told me that OF COURSE "people" turn to the Internet with complaints when they get a sick animal. That per Beth accounts for 1% of their sales. I quoted what was readily available via Consumer Reports and the Better Business Bureau within a few quick keystrokes. That per Beth at Petland was the result of "bloggers." Wrong thing to tell this distraught pet owner Beth. Funny thing....I've been a blogger and now that you mention it I can be again. I've been a pet owner before. I was the very very proud mom of a Golden Retriever who died from cancer after a 14 year life. I tried after that to be the mom to two other dogs and had to find new homes as I wasn't ready for a puppy again. I take full responsibility for that. But Lincoln? Lincoln became the love of our lives in terms of a dog in under a week. Did we know deep down a pet store isn't the place to buy a dog? Sure. My family got caught up in the love of Lincoln, our puppy in the window. Mea Culpa. And Petland? Shame on you. I and my family will do anything we can to help raise awareness for Lincoln and others like him. For families and individuals. For now we're headed to visit Lincoln in the hospital. Petland? They're still open for business tonight. With no conscience. Again, shame on them. Thank you Beth at Petland. During your shift today if you accomplished nothing else you accomplished this with one word: Bloggers. I will use this blog to help share Lincolns story. And if it prevents even one or a handful of people to raise awareness I'm good with that. For now my main goal is to see our sweet Lincoln through this. Thank you to Dr Caudy and Village Gate Animal Hospital and thank you to Rascals and really Petland thank you as well. And yes, Dan. That WAS sarcasm.