UPDATE MARCH 24: After seeing our initial story about the sick pup, we got a call from Anna. She was so moved by our story and what happened to Machondia Atkins and her daughter, she decided to give them a puppy.
"This touches me as much as it touches them because it's just a real privilege and an honor to do something this special for someone so special," Anna said.
Anna breeds Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. She hopes to raise enough money to be able to donate the other two puppies to people who need an emotional support animal.
"This is amazing," Atkins said. "Good things do happen."
ORIGINAL STORY
CLARK COUNTY (KTNV) -- A 7-year-old was rewarded with a puppy for good grades, but her mom said it didn't take long for something to go terribly wrong.
Machondia Atkins and her kids instantly fell in love with Cuddie. Atkins bought the toy poodle off an advertisement on Craigslist. She said she went to the seller's house to buy one.
"I saw the puppies, the three puppies were in the box, cute little adorable toy poodles," said Atkins.
She said the seller told her his parents live in California and bred the pups. The seller then gave her a pamphlet of the shots he'd had before she took Cuddie home.
"The next day I noticed the blood in the stool, so I was really concerned. I really didn't know what to do," Atkins said. "I'm like a new mommy to a puppy. What do I do?"
Atkins rushed Cuddie to the vet, but after she brought him home things got worse. She said Cuddie had a seizure.
"I'm crying because I don't know what to do and I'm just like, 'oh Jesus,'" Atkins said.
Cuddie had to be put down days later, and Atkins' 7-year-old daughter was heartbroken.
"I said, 'do you miss Cuddie?' and she said, 'yes mommy and I don't want to talk about it, I try not to think about it because it makes me even sadder,'" Atkins recalled.
13 Action News went to track down the man who sold them the puppy and get some answers. He did not answer his door, but he did answer his phone. He denied selling the puppies or ever speaking with Atkins.
The Humane Society of the United States has some advice when choosing a breeder. They say a responsible breeder:
- Encourages you to spend time with the puppy's parents
- Sells puppies only to people he/she has met in person, not to pet stores or to unknown buyers over the internet.
- Provides references from other families who have previously purchased one of their puppies.
- Has a strong relationship with one of more local veterinarians and shows you individual records of veterinary visits for your puppy.
- Doesn't always have puppies available but may keep a list of interested people for the next available little or refer people to other responsible breeders or breed clubs.
