While fact checking a little while ago, I ran a search on Placitas, N.M. and happened upon Placitas Miniature and Toy Australian shepherds—I had no idea there was such a thing, and in such close proximity to my home. The website, linked above, hosts an abundance of cute images of the little pooches that should fill your heart with joy.
I love dogs, I have a couple of them. But ... do we need more dog breeders when dozens of dogs (including puppies) are euthanized every day across New Mexico? Until we do not have hundreds of dogs in shelters in this state, waiting for homes, it seems like dog breeders are just contributing to that problem. Get your dog from a shelter. It may not be a pure bred, genetically altered, half dog, half pig, but it will be a way to help save a life.
Good breeders promote spay/neuter, run rescues, rail against puppy mills and treat their dogs with love and respect. The problem is backwards-thinking New Mexicans who don't bother to, or don't believe in spaying/neutering their animals. They are the ones who created, and continue to contribute to, the homeless animal crisis.
Most people who adopt purebred dogs, like myself, are responsible and do tons of research before making a commitment to an animal.
