Opening up a can of worms here but...

[Eviloverlord]

Hello Everyone,


Okay so I know this is going to open up a whole can of worms but I don't really know where else to talk about it or even really how to deal with it.

I have been friends with the lady who runs Rising Phoenix Mastiff rescue for about 12yrs now - My Fila Kaylee actually came from her. Though Kaylee is not a rescue - she came from the first planned litter of Rising Phoenix (or at least the first planned litter that I know about?). I waited about three years for her before the right male was found and the breeding happened.

The breeder and most of the rest of the litter actually came down and stayed with us for a couple of weeks when the pups were around 9wks of age. She has stayed with me a few other times over the years as a visiting friend. Though I have not actually gone up to Washington and visited her in return.

We met on a Fila message board years and years ago after I had rescued my first Fila Serenity.

I have helped pull dogs from the shelter down here, fostered, and a few other things for the rescue. Now call my naive (cause I am) but in all that time it never occurred to me to google the rescue!

Well a few weeks ago I was asked to send out some emails and I needed some information and I had to google the rescue to get it and I was absolutely floored by what I pulled up.

Now I feel embarrassed, hurt, ashamed, and a bit betrayed by it all. I know that really all I can do is distance myself since confronting her about it would do little to no good.

She is planning on having another litter - this time breeding Kaylee's sister and I have been on the list for that litter for several years now. After finding all this information out I don't believe I want another puppy from her - even though Kaylee is the most amazing dog I have ever owned.

I find myself constantly wondering how much of what she told me that she did with her dogs is actually true? whats made up?

I guess I am not really looking for advice - I just needed to talk it out with someone and I don't really have other dog people locally that would fully understand.

Bea

 

[musicdeb]

Rising Phoenix in WA? That woman needs to be prosecuted and jailed, she's a disgrace to the human race.

Do a search for Rising Phoenix on the forum and see the thread from about a year ago.

 

[Oscar'sMom]

Oh my. I searched for the old thread and that is unbelievably horrible! Those poor animals! What ever happened to her? Was she ever prosecuted or shut down?

 

[musicdeb]

As far as I know she is still in business. I was hoping someone would have shut her down by now.

 

[angelbears]

You can't beat yourself up but you can be aware going forward. Being in Fila's I had known about her before all the stuff came out about the rescue. As far as getting the puppy. I hate to see her make money because that is just going to keep her going. On the other hand a good Fila is priceless. Go with your heart.

I don't think they are there anymore but there used to be some youtube videos of a litter of Filas that were rescued from her. They were in pitiful condition.

 

[ruthcatrin]

You can't beat yourself up but you can be aware going forward. Being in Fila's I had known about her before all the stuff came out about the rescue. As far as getting the puppy. I hate to see her make money because that is just going to keep her going. On the other hand a good Fila is priceless. Go with your heart.

That.

What you didn't know previous is done. You can't change it. Beating yourself up over it isn't going to do any good.

Now you know. I would not personally get a dog from someone who's done what I have reason to believe she's done. But good Fila's are hard to come by. Maybe someone here can point you towards another breeder who's expecting pups?

 

[Eviloverlord]

Thank you all for the words of encouragement - I really appreciate them!

I don't really need nor want another puppy right now - since we are raising two of the little chew monsters at the moment (6mo old Irish setter and a 3mo old cane corso)

but when I am ready - eventually I will certainly know where to ask to begin the search!

 

[adi20019]

here's my ddb

 

[aceoutdoor]

How sad it is that some of these people end up involved in this great breed. No one should give these people a dollar or support them in any way. No different than those involved in dog fighting and those who support them, they should all be shunned, not selling Fila puppies and hosting events.

 

[DennasMom]

We almost adopted from Phoenix - we're in Seattle... and a 2 hour drive would have been totally doable for the litter of mastiff X saints that she had listed on Petfinder. I guess I'm glad she never returned my call.
I had never heard of the group before seeing that litter on Petfinder. Since then, I've read some terrible, terrible stories....

I didn't know she actually bred dogs, too. Most rescue organizations don't purposefully add puppies to the world.
Very odd, indeed.