Donna Foss, Mountain Valley Shih Tzu First puppy died after 10 days, second dog in hospital for 3 days Athens Maine

Over three years have passed since I purchased my dogs from Donna but just saw this website and felt I couldn't keep silent. Something needs to be done. I purchased my first puppy from Donna Foss in August of 2004. Milly was a mixed breed of Shih Tzu and Pekinese. First of all I met Donna's husband in Freeport and never went to her home. When I brought Milly home, within a day or two she began vomiting clear liquid. I immediately brought her to the vet where they said that her kidney and liver functions were off the charts and didn't know what was wrong. After 6 days and $1,800 of intensive care, Milly died of what the vets determined by autopsy was Ecoli bacteria. They felt that the infection was brewing inside her for a while. We all know what causes Ecoli, feces. I contacted Donna, giving her the benefit since her website looked so professional. She offered to replace Mily with a Yorkie/Shih Tzu mix who I named Henry. This time I went to Donna's home to pick up the puppy, even though it was a few hours from my home. When I arrived, I was immediately disgusted by the smell and amount of filthy dogs jumping out little doors from what looked like a garage. They were mud covered and the filth made me realize exactly why Milly died. The day after we brought Henry home, I brought the dog to the vet for a checkup. They checked his liver/kidney functions and they seemed fine. Henry got his shots and I brought him home. The next morning Henry began to vomit clear fluids. I immediately brought him back to the vet where he remained for a couple of days for high doses of antibiotics and was placed in an oxygen tent. This treatment cost me an additional $500. I brought Henry home where I needed to syringe feed him baby food for the next week. I both emailed and spoke to Donna several times where she agreed to split the cost of all the vet bills. She claimed she didn't have the money and has never paid. Henry is now 3 years old and quite healthy.

I feel someone needs to follow up with the conditions in which this woman is breeding dogs. I have never seen such filth. I also wonder what happens to the dogs she doesn't sell. I'm sure there are many others out there. I only hope these people come forward.

Druann
Beverly, Massachusetts
U.S.A.