Put the Puggle down and back away

We've been crazy busy lately due to the holidays (we do boarding too). Pets take a back seat during the whole Christmas happy-fun-family-time, so our schedule for each day this week has been filled to the brimmed with:

1.) My dog has been vomiting and not eating for a week can you get him in RIGHTNOW but I don't have any money cuz of the holidays - oh he's been limping too.

2.) Friday morning: I got my kid a new puppy for christmas and the breeder says he's gotta be seen within 72 hours, I need to get in RIGHTNOW. Also, I don't have any money, I spent it all on the puppy.

That's right - the Christmas Puppy Season has arrived in full-force. It's this time of year that makes me really want to send Petland a giant pile of steaming poo for having to endure all the mind-numbing agony of the Petland Puppy Appointment over and over and over and over.......

(1)
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Smith, but "Schnoodle-Tzu" is not a breed choice in our software, so you'll have to settle for "Poodle Mix" on Princess's account, OK? No, I'm afraid it's not going to be AKC recognized anytime soon. That's right. The puppy-mill supporting corporation that feeds on the souls of window-shopping suckers lied to you."

(2)
Owner: "What's this sqooshy thing here on her belly?"
Me: ::poke poke:: "That would be an umbilical hernia. We'll keep an eye on it and correct it during her spay unless it gets bigger."
Owner: "Oh, we're not going to have her spayded. The kid at the petstore said she's got papers."

(3)
Owner: "What does cryptorchid mean?"
Me: It's veterinary speak for "Your neuter cost just went up."

(4)
Owner: "He's a Chinese Crested - Coton hybrid. Don't you see it in the tail?"
Me: "Are you sure? He sure looks like an Irish terrier. What with the wiry red coat and all..."

On a serious note:

Good breeders are hard to find, because it's not cheap to do all the testing and certification prior to breeding and all the veterinary care during the pregnancy and during/after the birth. It's hard to make a profit off a litter, if there's a profit to be had at all. It's much easier to just smash two dogs together and farm out whatever little genetic minefields are produced to the highest (or first) bidder. For the love of god, if you want a purebred dog, do your research, visit lots of breeders, ask lots of questions, and then ask more questions. Find a breeder that really loves the breed and knows what they're doing - the puppy you choose will be your responsibility for the next 10-15+ years, inherited health problems and all. It's worth a little extra time and money if it means a healthy, well-bred, well-tempered dog. It's not the petstore puppy's fault that they were born in a puppy mill, but by buying that puppy, you enable the whole process to continue.