The Dog Blog...aka disappointment in the DAD world

An update on Lexi:

We regret to inform everyone that we will not be getting Lexi.  After 10 months of waiting several red flags presented themselves to us in the last couple weeks before our scheduled pick up of March 12.  There were several people from the previous group that picked up their dogs and stated that their dogs were sick (coronavirus, circovirus, giardia and coccida).  These dogs were so sick that they weren’t able to perform the way they should be performing.  Of course we immediately became concerned that Lexi might be sick as well. 

We then asked (or maybe I should say demanded) that Lexi be tested for all above issues before we picked her up.  This was back on February 24.  We were told Lexi would be tested.  Post were made on the Drey’s FB site stating the dogs had all been tested and all were negative.  I knew this post to be false because I had just spoken with Roann (the owner) and she informed me that Lexi had not been tested and that they were just testing random dogs and would continue testing random dogs.  (I will say later that post was removed) When I asked again to be sure Lexi was going to be tested I was assured she would be and that I would have the paperwork to prove it.  I was informed she would be going to the vet on 02-27-2014. 

On 02-26-2014 a post was made by Roann stating they had gone to the vet and talked with her about the above listed issues.  I was confused because I thought Lexi was going to the vet on Thursday and they were talking then.  I asked and Roann stated Lexi was still going on Thursday but she was going to call before taking Lexi to the vet.  Thursday came I sent Roann a message stating I had to teach a class from 1 to 2 but could talk any other time.  She responded with a smiley face, whatever in the hell that was supposed to mean.  Thursday night at 7:30pm she calls to tell me that if we want we can hold off on the vet and pick Lexi up at a later date if we were concerned about the viruses and parasites.  I said what do you mean hold off, Lexi was supposed to go today.  Roann’s response was “oh do you still want her to go I can take her tomorrow”.  Hell yes I want her to go, what part of “we are not picking up our dog until she has been tested do you not understand”.  I handed the phone to Robert because I was more than annoyed at this point.

Friday we get a message saying Lexi went to the vet and passed all vet tests.  We were informed that Lexi was staying overnight to collect fresh fecal samples to have them sent out for testing.  I was also informed that Lexi would not be tested for circovirus because according to them no vet in Texas will test for that (I don’t know if that is true or not).

On March 2, I sent a list of questions including, what medicine is Lexi on, has she displayed any symptoms.  I specifically ask about diarrhea, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.  I also asked when the last time Lexi had any symptoms if ever.  I asked specifically because in a previous conversation, I asked if any dogs were displaying symptoms at the kennel, her response was there was no bloody diarrhea or vomiting.  To which I then said “so no diarrhea?”  her answer was “no bloody diarrhea”.  I again said, “that’s great, what about diarrhea?”.  She then stated there was diarrhea in the dogs but they said it was due to the food they were previously using. 

Anyhow, she tells me Lexi is on Albon, Panacur, Probiotics and Dyne.  She has not had any diarrhea but then goes on to say that from time to time it was like dairy queen ice cream consistency and cow patty consistency.  She states Lexi had never had bloody diarrhea or vomiting. 

We then email about picking up March 12 at 10am.  I ask on March 7 if the lab reports came back yet and this is her response “She passed everything.  We have talked to the vet and they will all test positive for at least 5 years for cornovirus because they were vacc.  for it so it will show up for 5 years at least.  It is really strong the first 2 years.” (so technically she did not pass everything)  I ask her to email me the report.  She states you can call them if you wish Woodville Veterinary Clinic and gives me the address and phone number.  I advise her that I would like the vaccination history for Lexi.  She tells me I will get it when I pick Lexi up.  I then tell her I want everything before we make the drive with our 2 year old.

 I called the vet and they faxed me the report.  I had SOOO many unanswered questions after that I then asked Roann about:

1. FB post said all dogs were tested and all negative later FB post changed to several dogs have been tested and all show negative reports – Vet report states only one dog has been tested and was negative

2. Roann states that Lexi does not have a diarrhea problem.  Vet report states she was brought in because of a history of diarrhea

3. FB post from Roann and Cindy state no problems at the kennel – Vet report states kennel had outbreak of diarrhea in dogs under 1 year old.  Also doctors notes on their report state “ I asked Cindy if the dogs had improved since being treated with Albon manager said she has not heard of any complaints”. (really were the dogs going to say something)

4.  Roann states that the vet told her the Cornovius was positive due to vaccination. Vet report states it could be from vaccination or field exposure

So I ask Roann about these things.  Her response “ I think they just worded it wrong” “you can pull things apart forever no one has lied if you want her let me know if not let me know”

She then tells me to call the vet if I want answers.  I inform her that the vet is not going to clear up discrepancies between what they are posting on FB and what the report says.

AND THE BIG ONE:  I then inform Roan that the paperwork says Lexi is a 38 pound intact female. For one thing 38 pounds seemed a bit light but putting that aside “intact female??”  What the hell?  We sent extra money to have her spayed.  Her response “ I will call you Monday”.  I tell her that if she can’t answer the question now then we want our money back (since we were leaving Tuesday to drive to Jasper).  She said she’s not good at PMing and she doesn’t have the paperwork that I can request a refund to her email account.  I tell her that I don’t see why she can’t answer what the deal was with Lexi being spayed or not being spayed without the paperwork.  Seems like she should know.  She responds to me saying “it is the weekend. Not work time” 

And with that we requested our money back. 

Our big problem was that the paperwork said she was intact female.  So did the extra money we sent not get used to have Lexi spayed?  You would think that would be pretty obvious to figure out once we got Lexi home…. So my thought is they took a totally different dog to the vet claimed that it was Lexi (probably a dog they knew wasn’t sick) and had that dog tested. 

Thanks but no thanks Drey’s.  At least now we know all the questions we should ask before getting a DAD. 

Also, there were concerns from others of the dogs not being trained well.  I don’t have any personal experience with that since we did not pick up Lexi but all the discrepancies on FB and the vet report were enough to turn me away. 

And for those Drey’s minions that read this before you jump all over my case about what I wrote and how wonderful your dog is, save it, I don’t need to hear it.  I believe in the beginning Drey’s produced quality DADS, that is why we picked them.  I don’t know if the company became money hungry or what but they have taken on more than they can handle and I think that is why the company is going downhill.  I have the vet report and all communications in PMs from FB.  I purposefully made sure most communication was done in writing (I wanted all communication in writing but Roann kept trying to call).

To all of our donors:  Don’t worry, Cole will definitely get a DAD.  It sadly is just going to take a little longer since we have to start over in this process.  We decided it was better to have a quality DAD that is not sick then to have a DAD with us right now at our home that may or may not do the job that we paid a lot of money for it to do. 

Sorry for the extremely long post but I wanted to share all details in regards to why we don’t have Cole’s DAD at home with us now. 

Thanks for everyone’s support!