This is a story from Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue Web site
http://www.ygrr.org

In March of 2004, YGRR received a call from the owner of a 6-month-old Golden puppy named Summer. Summer was limping and her owners had taken her to their veterinarian. Unfortunately, Summer was an orthopedic nightmare. Not only did she have severe bilateral hip dyaplasia, but she also had a premature closure of her ulna, the large bone in her front right leg. Because they had purchased her as a puppy at a pet store, their options were limited. The family could not afford the extensive surgery and rehabilitation that Summer would need so they called YGRR. Summer was evaluated by an orthopedic specialist at Angell Memorial in Boston. The surgeon decided to do an an osteotomy of Summer's elbow first and then wait to see how the growth plates fused in her leg.
The YGRR staff followed the doctor's instructions carefully and, luckily, the surgery was a success. In August, Summer had a femoral head osteotomy performed on her right hip. The staff decided that after her rehabilitation from this surgery, Summer should go to her new adoptive home over the winter before coming back in the spring for her final surgery on her left hip.
Repeat adopters had applied for a young Golden and the match seemed ideal. They had two small children and a 10-year-old Golden named Bailey. Summer would spend very little time alone and her adopters understood their role in providing an optimumm, low key environment for Summer to ensure the success of her surgeries. Summer happily went to her new home and her family reports that she has quickly fournd her way into their hearts--it's as if she's been their girl from day one! The entire family adores her. The children sing her songs, lie on the floor next to her to "snuggle up" while watching TV, and they even cover her little body up with a portion of their own blankets to keep her warm with them. Bailey even gives Summer the privilege of playing with his "baby doll" on occasion! They say it feels really good to give extra help to a pup who needs it and that the experience has taught their children a valuable lesson. They are very proud of themselves when their parents point out how much Summer has flourished in their home because of the love they've given to her."

Summer was lucky enough to be turned to YGRR, where dogs are helped no matter how serious the issues are. But how many store bought pups end up in shelters, or worse, because of people who fall in love with a cute puppy without knowing where it came from or what health problems he/she may have