I have to admit, I have not read the shih tzu/poodle puppy thread, so please do not think I am acuusing anyone of anything, or taking sides. I don't know what "sides" are.

I do not think it is wrong educate people about puppy mills and BYB. I am amazed by the number of people who do not know these things exist. It is important to educate and get the word out.

That being said, the education has to be that...not an attack. And once the information is given, the person's response should not be a counter-attack. Maybe that person won't change her mind this time about the pet, but now, next time they are ready to get a pet, they may think twice about where it comes from.

Try as hard as we want, we can't make decisions for other people. I wold love to convince everyone to adopt a dog over 1 year old from a pound/humane society/rescue group...but it isn't going to happen. All I can do is trying to give people as much information as I can and hope they will be convinced not to buy frm a puppy store or BYB...but I can't make that choice for them and once they have that dog, it is still a dog that deserves love and the best home possible.

You will never win everyone one over, but if you can change one person's mind by telling the story of your dog, you are making a difference.