Dear Breeder
      Dear Breeder,
      I brought your puppy home today. He's tan and he's fuzzy and he smells good, like a puppy. The boys loved him, pestered him so much I had to make them let him rest. They've named him Buddy, even though I told them his long, fancy, pedigree name.

      We stopped by the vets on the way home, just like you said we should and then by the pet shop to get that food you said he should eat. We've got Buddy's basket next to John's bed, he's the oldest and so Buddy will be his responsibility; with my help, of course.

      We puppy proofed the house, again, this afternoon. Buddy has toys to chew, a new collar, a new leash and special food bowls. I signed  up for that social class you recommended, all positive reinforcement!

      We love him very much and he seems to like us too, we're following all your instructions and promise to take good care of your baby. I'll send you the pictures as soon as we get them back.

      Just a couple of quick questions, you know how new "Mums" worry, so I'd like to know:
      After Bud grows up if his hips hurt him, will you explain to my boys why they can't take him for walks?
      If his elbows hurt when he goes up the stairs will you comfort him when he can't sleep next to John anymore?
      If he goes blind will you teach the boys to play carefully with him so no one gets hurt?
      If he pees on the floor every time we get home will you convince my husband that he still has to be an inside dog?
      If he growls at other children will you help when we try to take Buddy to school for Pet Day?
      If his heart should skip one beat too many when he's only 3 years old and we lose him before his time can you bring him back?

      Dear Breeder, we already love Buddy so much and I know how hard you've worked to produce "sound", "typy" dogs. Did you do all you could? Was there some little thing that you decided just wasn't necessary to check? You see our future happiness depends on how carefully you did this breeding because Buddy is not just a dog, he's part of our family now.

      Respectfully,
      Buddy's New Mummy

      Veterinarian



       
       

            We think of him as someone who
            Attends to dogs and cats;
            Prescribes a little medicine
            And gives them loving pats.

            Who keeps them from distemper and
            From rabies when they stray,
            And boards our precious animals
            The weeks we go away

            But seldom do we realise when
            We pay his little fee
            How hard he has to study for
            His medical degree,
            His knowledge of our horses and
            Our cows and hogs and sheep,
            And how he serves in peace and war.

            And who is there to estimate
            His everlasting worth
            As he devotes his life to all
            God's animals on earth

            by James J. Metcalfe

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