In a message dated 9/13/2006 10:34:22 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, fmurch@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes: Also, Kathy, I guess you would never sell me a dog. Both Frank and I work full time and I have raised a litter while working, No, I didn't say that. Re read what I said; "I have no idea how someone with a 9-5 job and a family to raise fits in vet trips, progesterone timing trips, is available to watch the bitch so that she doesn't whelp alone, feeds puppies 3-4x a day, socializes/grooms/cares for babies, etc. " It's a lot of work is what I was implying. I don't see me in particular breeding a litter to produce companion puppies exclusively due to the time commitment. I know my world is up-side-down and I have the luxury (and I don't say that lightly, I know it's a luxury!) of being able to make my own hours and to put off business appointments as a due date approaches and/or on days I have to schedule vet stuff. (I've often wondered the same about showing; again, I have the luxury of arranging my schedule a day or two before shows for running errands, get the van washed, bathe dogs, load van etc., while most folks are at their 9-5 job and then may have family/children with THEIR activities to coordinate/schedule on top of all of it!!!!! That doesn't mean they can't do it; obviously some do and my hat goes off to them because to me, it seems overwhelming!) You write "I think when screening for homes that you have to judge the individual and there previous ownership history, not if they are home all day as must families do not have that luxury any more." And I agree with you. So far, the demand for puppies has exceed the supply to the extent though, that I have been able to place puppies in homes where, at most, someone is working part time. That's not to say people can't be gone 8-10 hours a day and still be wonderful owners; I just haven't had to go that route. I am queasy about the AKC having a contract with a pet store. I said that. We have no argument there. What I was addressing is the shortage of companion puppies, which is a parallel issue. Kathy member GSDCA, DVGSDC three generations of Dual Titled TC'd Champions live here! visit _Pine Hill German Shepherd Dogs_ (http://www.geocities.com/pinehillgsds/) ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2006. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - URL temporarily deleted due to AOL issues ============================================================================