This is all new to me and I was hoping for some guidance. A little over a month ago, I purchased a 2 yr. old female cocker spaniel named Reesee from a lady that advertised her in the local classifieds. The lady sold her to me for $100 stating that she couldn't keep her because Reesee had too much emotional baggage. She stated that she had purchased Reesee from a breeder who no longer wanted anymore and that the dog was not attaching to the members of their family, so she didn't want her either.
When I first laid eyes on my baby girl, I wanted to give her all the love she deserved. My husband and I worked together with crate training (she had been an outside dog with the previous owner), placing her on a comfortable routine, and ridding her beautiful chocolate coat of hundreds of fleas. Three weeks into this, Reesee was beginning to show happiness and even a little confidence. Then she began vomiting and having diarrhea.
The vet examined her and told me that she had both coccidia and round worms. I decided to get a full blood panel drawn to make sure she didn't have anything else going on. We went home with antibiotics and a de-wormer, some Frontline and Heartguard. A couple of days later, Reesee was beginning to feel better.
Then, last Wednesday, she was displaying odd behavior. Excessive panting, pacing, several accidents on the carpet, and she wasn't connecting with me at all. She would eat; not even her favorite treats. Around midnight that night, she began whimpering and howling. I knew that she had previously been bred, so I assumed that's why her nipples seemed a little large. But when I felt her belly, it felt like she was having contractions. I pushed a little deeper into her belly. Sure enough, I could feel puppies kicking. By 3am, Reesee had 3 boy puppies.
I was not only exhausted for the next couple days, but I was also a little angry. I was angry that she had to go through that pain. I was angry that I didn't even realize she was pregnant, and neither had the vet. It was awful enough to me that she had been infested with worms, flees, and bacteria. I justified it all with the fact that she was in better hands now. But puppies too? It was a little overwhelming and still is.
I emailed the lady that I purchased her from to find out what type of dogs she could have been exposed to in the last week of May. The lady responded stating that the father was her golden colored cocker spaniel whom they absolutely love and could they "please, please, please have one or at least see them as her daughter is so excited...." This is the same woman that did not want Reesee because she wouldn't "connect", and she expects me to let her have on of her puppies?!
Because they are full blooded cocker spaniel, I know that I could eventually sell them. Whatever I decide to charge will end up helping to cover vet bills incurred, as well as the tail docking from yesterday and the puppy shots at 6 weeks. I just really feel torn. After seeing the negative emotional effects on Reesee from being bred and then no longer wanted, I am kind of disgusted by this whole scenario. I don't even want to send in for registration papers because I almost feel like it is perpetuating the problem of irresponsible breeding and puppies whose lives have price tags on them. We plan to spay Reesee as soon as this is all over.
I know I have rambled, but what I really need help with is how best to handle this whole situation, maybe from those who have been there before. Thank you!