04/08/2025
Good morning, everyone!
I’m sure many of you may be wondering how we got started with raising puppies and why we decided to do it. This post will share our story and how it led us to where we are today.
It started when we wanted to get a playmate for our current dog. We searched through pet stores, websites, and shelters, but we couldn’t find what we were looking for within our budget.
On February 5th 2022, we stumbled upon a listing on Craigslist (I know, and we learned the hard way) for the cutest puppy, and we couldn’t wait to meet him. The owner seemed kind and agreed to let us come by. My family and I drove all the way to Buckeye, Arizona, to meet this sweet little pup.
When we arrived, we texted the owner to let him know we were outside. By this time, my son was beyond excited to meet his new puppy.
The owner came out holding the puppy, and he was tiny and precious. We asked how old he was and what food they were feeding him. The owner said he was 8 weeks old and was being fed kibble with warm milk poured over it.
At this point, we were already in love with him and couldn’t wait to bring him home. We went to the nearest bank, withdrew the cash, and returned to purchase the little guy, whom we named Harvey. 😇🐾❤️
At the time, we didn’t know much about puppy milestones or development, so we trusted everything the owner told us.
Once we got home, we let Harvey explore his new surroundings, but we quickly noticed that he wasn’t walking well. When we went to feed him, we saw that he wasn’t eating, and then we realized he didn’t have any teeth. 😭 We turned to Google and started to think that Harvey was actually only 3-4 weeks old.
I sent my husband to the pet store for bottles and puppy formula because we were determined to help help Harvey. We started bottle-feeding him and fell even more in love with him.
We bought Harvey a new bed and toys, showering him with love. But just two days after bringing him home, our sweet boy passed away peacefully in his bed. My family and I woke up to the heartbreaking loss of our little pup.
We called the previous owner to explain what happened and provided proof of what we discovered. His response was that none of the other puppies had been sick. He offered us his puppy’s sister or father, but we made it clear that we didn’t want any of his other dogs—we just wanted a refund. He told us that the money had already been spent on his kids.
This experience is what inspired the creation of Riley Family Shihtzus. We run our business with a deep sense of love and care, understanding firsthand the heartbreak that can come when something meant to bring joy falls short. This is why my family and I are so involved in raising our puppies. We care for them like our own, always prioritizing their health and well-being above all else.
Please stay safe and don’t fall for the scam of a “cute puppy” ask more questions and don’t buy right away. Take your time to think things through before you make the final decision to purchase.
