So I need some advice on a very sensitive subject (for me) ...I am too scared to post anything like this in the lavender room because I don't think I could take a smart ass remark.
A little over a year ago, my fiancee and I purchased an adorable mini dachshund puppy. I am ashamed to say we bought the dog from a less than reputable breeder, but the puppy was not the runt of the litter and we signed a contract 'protecting' us from any genetic defects.
Of course we and our 5 year old mini dachshund fell in love ...she was as sweet as could be. She didn't look quite right, but we chalked that up to shoddy breeding. At 7 months, we decided to do the 'right' thing and have her fixed. She never woke up. Her poor little heart gave out during the surgery.
After talking to both vets at the clinic as well as my father (former vet, now people doctor), all agreed that our little darling had a massive heart defect (did not post her, just based on appearances and a many other key factors). If she hadn't passed when she did, there was a good chance she may have just fallen over dead in the near future.
Although nothing could replace Jujube, our other dog, Joey, was beyond depressed. We decided to approach the breeder about the contract. She offered us 2 different puppies, both had minor problems. Totally disgusted, we tried to come to some sort of resolution. She stopped responding to any contact we attempted to make.
As I had paid for the puppy on my credit card, I decided to take it up with them in February of this year. After sending them letters from the vet, all e-mail correspondence with the breeder, and a copy of the contract, they found in our favor. We received a check in the mail for the disputed amount around April. I cancelled the account a month later, having decided to cut down on credit card use and just have the one that my fiancee and I share.
Fast forward to two weeks ago. I got a letter in the mail stating that there was not sufficient evidence in our case and that I now owed them that money.
Today I got an actual bill.
Honestly, the money is not the issue. Part of me just wants to pay and end the repeated heartbreak. However, most of me does not want the breeder to come out of this with her reputation intact, which she will do if the credit card company comes back to me looking to collect.
So what do you think? What would you do?
A little over a year ago, my fiancee and I purchased an adorable mini dachshund puppy. I am ashamed to say we bought the dog from a less than reputable breeder, but the puppy was not the runt of the litter and we signed a contract 'protecting' us from any genetic defects.
Of course we and our 5 year old mini dachshund fell in love ...she was as sweet as could be. She didn't look quite right, but we chalked that up to shoddy breeding. At 7 months, we decided to do the 'right' thing and have her fixed. She never woke up. Her poor little heart gave out during the surgery.
After talking to both vets at the clinic as well as my father (former vet, now people doctor), all agreed that our little darling had a massive heart defect (did not post her, just based on appearances and a many other key factors). If she hadn't passed when she did, there was a good chance she may have just fallen over dead in the near future.
Although nothing could replace Jujube, our other dog, Joey, was beyond depressed. We decided to approach the breeder about the contract. She offered us 2 different puppies, both had minor problems. Totally disgusted, we tried to come to some sort of resolution. She stopped responding to any contact we attempted to make.
As I had paid for the puppy on my credit card, I decided to take it up with them in February of this year. After sending them letters from the vet, all e-mail correspondence with the breeder, and a copy of the contract, they found in our favor. We received a check in the mail for the disputed amount around April. I cancelled the account a month later, having decided to cut down on credit card use and just have the one that my fiancee and I share.
Fast forward to two weeks ago. I got a letter in the mail stating that there was not sufficient evidence in our case and that I now owed them that money.
Today I got an actual bill.
Honestly, the money is not the issue. Part of me just wants to pay and end the repeated heartbreak. However, most of me does not want the breeder to come out of this with her reputation intact, which she will do if the credit card company comes back to me looking to collect.
So what do you think? What would you do?