First a picture, then a quick rant:
Guys, I really try to live a drama free life but some people either lack people skills or just don't consider things before they speak and invite drama in. There is a dog, Vashti - a coon hound mix rescue, in my agility class. The lady, "D," who owns her was so excited to see Rubie and has since told me how beautiful, athletic, eager and smart Rubie is and could I point her in the direction of a good breeder because they would like a Rubie. Of course I'm flattered and I assume the breeder would be, too! I give "D" the name of the lady I got Rubie from (I believe in Rubie's litter situation, she was more the mentor for another breeder) because she's very active in the Doberman community of the area. So "D" asked the agility trainer, "R," to call (she knows the questions to ask, etc.) and during the phone conversation with the 'breeder,' "R" mentioned that "D" really likes the size of Rubie and are their Dobes typically that size. This lady who I just sent a good home and business to told MY trainer that Rubie is the size she is BECAUSE WE STUNTED HER GROWTH WHEN SHE WAS A PUPPY. Rubie is 25" tall and about 60lbs at 1.5yrs old. She went through a phase when she was a puppy where her eating wasn't the best and we were desperately trying new foods so yes, she was skinny. But suggesting that she was malnourished to the point that we stunted her f*cking growth and THAT'S why she's the size she is now seemed to ludicrous to me, and luckily to these women that I f*cking train with. "D" said she was going to look elsewhere after that. My trainer couldn't BELIEVE that the 'breeder' said that about Rubie. "D" said they were going to look at Element Dobermans which is still exciting for me because Rubie's sire was Element Star Flight (Nemo).
At first this whole exchange didn't really bother me. Rubie is obviously well taken care, exercised, trained, socialized, and FED PROPERLY but the more I started thinking about it... who else has this lady told that too? I asked her for a recommendation for a lab breeder because my BF wants a chocolate lab for our next puppy. She sent me a name but did she shoot the lady a message and say, "seem like good people but they starve their puppies?" Is this lady ever going to sell ME another Doberman puppy? Do I just write it off as lack of people skills and assume that's why she surrounds herself with dogs? She obviously really thinks we did something to harm Rubie. The more I thought about it, the more pissed off and embarrassed I got. Then I woke up this morning and felt indifferent. If that's what she needs to stir up in her life, so be it.
I didn't want to start a thread because I don't want to waste another second of thought on her senseless comments. I know she's the expert and has seen hundreds, if not thousands, of Doberman puppies so I want to assume that she's got vast amounts of knowledge but I just can't admit to any wrongdoing in this situation. Just needed to get that off my chest. Rant over. Happy Hump day!