ramanth- I agree with you. Some of the best things in life are unplanned and un-researched. I did no research when I got Harley. I have been a dog owner my entire life and have had purebreds and mix breeds, so I felt confident that I knew enough to take care of Harley. But if you read what I wrote above, things can get bad really fast. I'm not suggesting Maria not get the puppy, just have it vet checked before she is committed. When someone adopts a dog from a shelter certain tests are performed. For all Maria knows this pup has Parvo, heartworm, etc. I just hate to see her family go through what my cousins had to. It was truly heartbreaking and terrible.