They probably thought they were going to make a small fortune. There is a very small market for big dogs. I hope they don't end up as dog fighting bait.

I adopted my dog from the local animal shelter and he is the best dog I've ever owned! I think he realizes I saved him and is very grateful or it could be that he his really spoiled

Bringing home a pet is a very big decision. I think that anyone that is thinking about getting a pet needs to do their research. What you they looking for? What kind of expense can they take on? What is their lifestyle like?

I looked for my first dog (with DH) for 6 months. I couldn't find anything other than pit mixes in the local shelters and online. Nothing wrong with those dogs, but they weren't what I wanted and they couldn't deal with those type of dogs (I was living in a small apt). I found my baby Charlie on craigslist. Paid $400 for him.

A year later we were walking around the flea market and one of the shops has puppies. I found my baby Tito that day. I didn't intend on buying a puppy but he was the saddest looking little guy I had ever seen. He is the best dog I've ever had. The only thing I would do different is find him sooner. He is the same breed as Charlie and I've had that breed before, so I was well aware of what type of responsibility I was taking on.

I also have a little Yorkie that I fell in love with as soon as I saw her. She is only 5lbs but she runs the house.

We have rescued three cats.

We have also purchased two hamsters, two birds and one fish.

Most important thing to remember is do your research.

All three of my dogs need to be groomed every two months.
Every month I spend $64 just for the flea/heartworm medication
I walk them every single day
I socialize them at the dog park.

And I’m sure I could be doing even more.

Whether you decide to adopt or purchase a pet, THINK!! Remember, you may have a hard time renting or getting home owners insurance if you own certain breeds.

It's OK to want a puppy. Don't feel guilty. But remember, that pet is a going to hopefully live 13+ years. You will be their only voice. Treat them well.

A small addendum to your post Zero. Don't shop at a pet store unless you are buying a rescue animal. A lot of the rescue groups bring animals to the local pet stores here. Apparently a lot of them find their forever homes this way.

Absolute idiots. I don't buy dogs and haven't done for over 15 years now. I only take in rescues or animals in desperate need. My little dog-a-logs was abandoned by her previous owners. They moved out and she had no home. My kitties are all rescues. Either abandoned or handed in to shelters.

I love all 6 of my babies and have done so for over 10 years now.

I purchased my bulldog from a breeder. A personal choice and one I am happy with.

Both of my dogs are fixed. I've had countless people "suggest" I breed. No thanks. My dogs are with me to enjoy life and be part of the family, not make me a buck.

those poor pups.

any pet i've had as an adult has been a stray or a rescue in one form or another. both dogs as adults - i've got a soft spot for that, adults are MUCH harder to find homes for than cute widdle babies.

not saying choosing a specific breed for valid reasons, and from a reputable breeder, is a bad thing at all - but there are so many breeders (like zero's idiot neighbors) that are NOT reputable, compared to the many homeless and shelter animals who want nothing more than someone to love.

MY SO bought his dog and it is a big dog. Do I wish he would have spent even more money to get the dog trained. He picked a breed that is hyper and needs a lot of attention and room to run. Part of the reason why we bought a house with a huge yard.

I adopted my two cats as kittens and will never regret it. I have had my cats for 5 years now. Things are not working out too great in our house right now with the animals. I strongly suggest if you get any dog shelter or breed people should have the time to spend training them and be around them all the time when they first get them.

Big mistake my SO and his family made was getting this dog when he was still traveling. He would try to train him and his parents would not always follow through or try different methods, nothing was consistent. We have a party at our house in July and already probably going to kennel the dog that day because he still jumps up on people. When kids run he runs after them to play.

I do not sleep anymore because my cats sleep all day long from the time I leave until the dog is crated at night, they are kept in the basement. They are up all night keeping me up. I love animals so much but seriously debating getting rid of all of them. Sorry end rant.

Adopting or buying is personal choice but people should really think things through.

My DH and I adopted two dogs...One from a shelter and one from a person who had moved and was going to have to put down her lab because she couldn't find a home for him. He was 10 yrs old. They had him from a puppy and were willing to put him down rather than keep him all because the Mom started shacking up with a man who didn't want dogs.
So sad. He ended up being the best dog I have ever had. He was smart, sweet, loyal and so loving. He passed away a year ago and my heart was broken.

I see really cute "designer" dogs out there for sale but after having my precious furbaby, I don't think I could ever go back to getting a puppy. I would adopt another senior dog in a heartbeat. I want to give a senior dog a "forever" home in their final days.

All pet members of the robin household are adopted.

I totally agree.

My DH adopted a shepherd mix from a local shelter who had been returned twice. DH was told that if he returned the dog, he would be put down. I met the dog when he was almost 7, and he lived to be 15. He was the healthiest dog ever, and ended up so amazing with our young children in his old age. Still miss him.

I have friends who bought their dogs from breeders, and they've had so many health problems.

I also rescued my cat from the streets. She was an angel. She adopted me. One morning she was under my car crying. She was skin and bones, and surrounded by the typical strays that lived around there. Each morning she would run to me crying. By the third day, I brought her in, and she was with me for the next 14 years. I still miss her terribly.

I agree 110%, Zero!

I think I've mentioned it here before, but my FIL and MIL have SIX indoor Jack Russell dogs. Most all of the are from the same breeder, at $1k each, purchased as very young puppies. I've questioned if there isn't a little hoarding behavior going on or emotional issues. Because it seems once a puppy reaches a certain age, they're shopping for another one on the breeder's website.

When they do get a new puppy, they act like they're bringing a newborn home from the hospital. Wrap it all up, take photos of each other holding the puppy with tears running down MIL's and FIL's faces, usually while one of them is behind the wheel driving. They post said photos and announce it all over social media. Just bizarre.

I truly believe my inlaws see nothing glamorous about pet adoption or rescue. It serves them in no way to go that route. It's just super icky feeling behavior on their part. Definitely makes me dislike them more than I already do.

My inlaws claim to be such huge animal lovers, but what they want is what they want. They want cute, they want a new puppy, and they want a mob of like dogs - because is so cute the way they destroy furniture, shoes, walls, blankets with such an adorable group effort.

(Like Ninji pointed-out) People like this can turn a bad situation even worse without proper research and rational thought put into the situation.

My inlaws don't live a lifestyle for this breed. They aren't overly active people. They don't have a safe, enclosed yard for these dogs to go out and run and jump. They don't take these dogs to the dog park to exercise or socialize - because these dogs have had ZERO obedience training. These dogs only see the outside world when they need to go potty - if they haven't already gone in the house.