South Pines Pomeranians, South Pines Country Kennels, Wee Heart Poms, Cassandra Evans, Michele Odom Nothing they said was true about this dog except for it's a dog. Intentionally underestimating puppies aprox. adult weight. Behavioral issues since day one. Claxton Georgia
I contacted SP Kennels and spoke with Michele inquiring about a puppy I'd seen on their site, "tiny" Pepsi. I got info. on her back ground. I was told one of her parents weighed 4 lbs., the other 5 lbs. Pepsi was "on track" to weigh 3.6 lbs. as an adult per Michele. I was told Pepsi was being kept in a large room with other puppies her size where they could run & play. I was told Pepsi was socialized with humans & other dogs and that she had quite an "attitude". I explained that the size of the adult dog was important as I was looking for something 5 lbs. or under because of disabilities that I have as it'd be to hard for me to handle a larger dog. Again, I asked about Pepsi's aprox. adult weight stressing the importance of the adult weight because of the disabilities. I asked Michele to please just be honest with me & told her I'd rather lose the $100 deposit than have a dog I cant handle down the road.
After talking to Michele several times & exchanging emails, I decided to bring Pepsi in to our family. We set up a date to pick her up. I was told I was not allowed to go to the property where the pups were raised as it was a farm & a lot of expensive equiptment had turned up missing after people had come to see pups. I didnt realize until then that I wouldnt even be able to meet her parents, see their temperment etc... & that I had to pick Pepsi up from Cassandra at a specific exit in a parking lot of a closed resturaunt. We got Pepsi who was just shaking with fear but, that was understandable. She was taken from what she had known as her home, was put in a car & a kennel and then took a 3 hr. drive.
Upon getting home we brought Pepsi in and set her down on the living room floor next to her bed. Much to our surprise she did not take off exploring. She was afraid to move & didnt understand the carpet under her feet. She would not go more than 2 yards from where ever we put her on the floor. She didnt seem to get being picked up & nearly paniced clawing at my neck to hang on when I held her. Her behavior contiuned through the night & all of the next day.
The following day I emailed Michele asking her about these odd behaviors as I'd never experienced this before. I was told that her behavior was because everything was new to her & Michele blew it off like it was typical behavior. The following day we had Pepsi's first vet visit. I told the vet about the odd behavior, she tried picking her up a few times & was of the opinion Pepsi hadn't experienced to much human contact or did it seem that she'd been held much, if at all. Upon the vet setting her down to explore, Pepsi would not move. The vet was of the opinion that had she been kept in a large room, she likely wouldnt be afraid to run & explore.
Two weeks later I emailed Michele again stating Pepsi's behavior still had not changed. She was so afraid of everything we couldn't even start to potty train her on a puppy pad. When I got an email back from Michele she was furious as if this is the first she's heard of this. Told me how grateful other people who got puppies from them were & how many times they were thanked. She came VERY close to suggesting that my husband or I did something to make her afraid. I explained that my dog parenting skills could be verified by the neurology dept. at UGA or the nurses in ICU. I suggested to Michele that she try to calm the situation rather than escilate it. Other attempts to discuss this led to me being yelled at more to the point that to stop being yelled at, I had to threaten to contact the police for harassment if they contacted me again.
As of 3 wks. ago when I got Pepsi fixed she was 7 lbs., 10 oz. and still growing. She is tall and veeeeery long. Because she is still afraid to be picked up and held she tries to dive out of your arms. I have issues handling her because she has gotten so big already. Carrying her up & down the stairs, to the car, to the vet etc. cause my neck & back pain. In an emergency, I could not hold her for prob. much longer than 10 mins. if I made it that long. I have had to order a dog stroller to use as transportation for her. I am also trying to find some kind of carrier that wont hurt my neck & back, maybe something to go over my shoulder but I think most carriers will still cause my neck and back problems as well as other joint and muscle issues.
I left a review for them on their FB page which was deleted and I was blocked from their page. Cassandra, the owner never even stepped up during all of this to handle things. Pepsi is nothing they said she was or would be. She is obviously to timid to have an "attitude". She was obviously not socialized with humans or kept in a large room. It's all over the internet that a good breeder can estimate a pom's adult weight with in 1/2 lb. however apparently Cassandra can't keep it within even 4 lbs. If I'd wanted a dog this big, I'd could have adopted a pom. Through out the rest of Pepsi's life I will have to find ways over, under or around Pepsi's size as my disabilities will only increase as time passes. I believe I was intentionally misled about her aprox. adult size and how she was raised up until I got her. Because of her behavior issues, SP Kennels made getting a puppy far harder than it needed to be and now to have to work around her size for the next 10+ yrs. They were rude, dismissed my concerns & yelled at me. There is nothing about Pepsi that was as they said it was or would be other than she is a dog.
Today I found a msg. on FB in my "other" box that I'd not seen that had been sent to me in Aug. It was a girl who was thinking about getting a puppy from SP & had gone to the property to meet the pup. She said it was the nastiest, stinkiest thing she'd ever seen. She didnt know what to do about getting the puppy she looked at as her concern was the puppy would be stuck there in that environment if she didnt get it.
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Cathy
Franklin ,North Carolina,
USA
Bailey Jo sounds PSYCHO!!
#7General Comment
Wed, October 07, 2015
I have bought two poms from Michele at South Pine Pomeranians- Mico and Jerry. I was so impressed with my first purchase, that 8 months later I contacted her in search of a little brother for Mico! She was 110% honest and both babies were the sweetest, and healthiest puppies I have ever bought. Mico weighs in at a whopping FOUR pounds while Jerry is a bit bigger...
6 pounds! Unfortunately, we are not able to channel in to some God that gives us a jump into the future so we can see how big our fur baby will be, how long they will live, etc. Sucks. SMH. I've seen two petite humans make a big OL human. Same thing can happen with a dog. A cat. A elephant. Whatever. Long story short... If you wanted a tiny pet for your disability-- you should have got a hamster. And no wonder the dog has behavioral issues as you say-- you make me question humanity just reading your book. Good day!
BunnyBooBoo07
Midland,Georgia,
USA
Weight of my adult South Pines pom ,Throw-Back
#7Consumer Comment
Wed, April 15, 2015
I thought it was interesting that all the rebuttals in support of the breeders never acknowledged the size of their adult dogs. Although my over all experience with Michelle Odom was not that great, it wasn't all bad as I have a great PomPom who's 7 years young and full of curious energy.
I had similar issues with my little man, as those reported in the complaint. My Pom was very scary and quite frankly he still is but on the other hand he is very feisty. I contribute his socialization to him going to doggy daycare a few times a week since he was 6-months and having constant interaction with staff & other dogs. I also believe he is just genuinely the worlds
sweetest dog. People always comment that he doesn't have a mean bone in his little body. Speaking of which, I never got to see his mom and was told that his father was Toby Wee Little Hearts Watch Him Fly. He does look like Toby looked on photo. Based on other full grown dogs on the farm when I picked my little boy up, I figured he would be "normal size" although I
had nothing to base it on I guess and unlike you, I didn't question Michelle about his size because I thought I had done my research on how big poms grow and as long as he was under 25lbs my apt complex didn't care. I thought surely he wouldn't be more than 10lbs based on what I had read AND his father supposedly being a show dog. Well at 6mo he was already 7lbs and by 1yr he was 11lbs.
At his last vet visit last July 2014 for shots & teeth cleaning, he weighed 16lbs. According to my vet he's considered a Throw-Back and could reach 18-21lbs with no problems. He is NOT considered overweight, in fact he is in perfect health minus arthritis in his back & knees, which is not weight related. His food & snacks are portion controlled but genetically he's a big
boy. In hindsight, looking back on the other dogs I saw when I went to get my little guy, they were the same size he is now, but because he is still technically a small breed it just wasn't obvious to me then but carrying a solid 16lb boy when I suffer with MS and weakness is very hard and he insist on being carried upstairs. He's a spoiled little male-diva lol... My only child!
Bailey Jo
Duluth,Georgia,
It's about THIS dog - not your other customers
#7Author of original report
Tue, February 24, 2015
The bottom line is you gave me a dog with behavioral problems that were noticed the min. we brought her in the house & set her down. I called michele the next day about these issues that had continued over night. Michele said it was just adjustment issues as her whole world had just changed. Her first vet appt. was the following day where her vet documented her strange behaviors. I waited 2 wks. & called Michele back and again began to voice the same behavioral issues I talked to her about the first time. I believe Michele took it as a personal critizum and she just started yelling & screaming at me. Telling me how happy all of the other customers you have are - that everyone wants an SP Kennel pup .... etc... While I am happy you have a good loyal customer base this information did not fix Pepsi's behavioral problems either. At this point I realized I was not going to get any help from you or Cassandra in finding a resolution nor was I going to sit there & allow you to continue to yell at me which is when I asked you to not contact me anymore. I certainly wasnt going to interupt your rant & ask for my money back after the 2 day refund period had passed so you could yell at me even more though you I alerted you about her behavioral problems on the 2nd day I had her.
Eventually her weight started to become a problem. I was very specific about her adult weight. It needed to be 5 lbs. or under so I can work around some disabilities I have. Because PER ALL OVER THE INTERNET - A "GOOD & EXPERIENCED BREEDER WITH 20 - 40 YRS. EXPERIENCE" CAN ESTIMATE AN ADULT POMS WEIGHT WITH IN 1/2 LB. My "tiny 3.5 lbs as an adult Pepsi" now just a week after her first birthday weighs over 8 lbs. & I have to find ways to work my disabilities around this dog that is to big for me to handle.
So basically you gave me a dog with behavioral issues who grew to twice your estimated weight so far. Let me ask you ... why would I be a happy customer? I tried to talk to you but you werent having it you were only going to yell & fight. Never did you even attempt to talk about the issue I called about. You didnt even attempt to call Pepsi's vet to verify the behavioral issues or she what she thinks might be causing them. You refused to even consider that what I was saying was actually true & by not called her vet you proved you werent interested in Pepsi's behavioral issues either. I certainly wasnt going to call when she started getting up to 6 & 7 lbs. as i wasnt up for getting yelled at again & just like the first time you were not going to even attempt to make me a happy customer.
BWT Michelle I went to my previous breeder for another pom before I ever came knocking on SP Kennels door. I shouldnt but will give you the benefit of the doubt that you are confusing me with a different customer who did not like her previous breeder. She is the only breeder I've ever used outside of you & that woman has my complete respect. She was awesome for 12 wks. she slept on a couch next to Bailey in a playpen so her every move could be attended to. She carried her around in her pocket so she could always be close to her. Bailey lived because of her breeder. I have never or will I ever have a bad word to say about her. ( She had some medical issues & was only breeding yorkies when I went back to her looking for another pom. ) It was just crazy how she gave me a pom that she estimated would be between 4 1/2 - 5 lbs. and it actually stayed between 4 1/2 - 5 lbs. her entire adult life ... can you imagine???
Again I am happy to hear the stories of all of your happy customers. It lets me know that you have the resources to make a customer happy but that you just dont use them! So again those stories while I appreciate them still do nothing to fix Pepsi's behavioral problems or her size!
I know you have to blame someone else rather than take responsibility ... its obviously who you are so I have references prepared. Lets start with the 2 top Neurologists at the University of GA Small Animal Teaching Hospital. I have a 5+ year relationship with them. You can use Bailey / Pepsi's regular vet & dont forget to get the reference from the girl who works at the front desk as she is their dog sitter through there hasnt been an occasion for her to watch Pepsi yet. I'll also go with Paula Rothman & Kathe Nelson both are involved to different degrees in pet rescue & I've known them each 20+ yrs. You can use Atlanta Pet Rescue as a reference for adopting & donating. Let me know when you've gone through these ones & I'll have another list ready for you to check ... but I am pretty sure these people can set you straight.
Since you still have nothing to offer me for giving me a puppy with bahavioral issues which she still has many of & because she is to big for me to handle with my disabilities there is nothing else you have to say that I care to hear.
NF29406
Charleston,South Carolina,
We bought a puppy from here and things are amazing
#7Consumer Comment
Tue, February 24, 2015
we purchased a pup from this kennel and Michelle the past weekend and we had a totally different experianc. We drove a few hours to meet our new puppy and when we got to her physical house, she politely introduced us to her larger dogs outside and offered for us to come inside and meet the puppies. This was her actual residence with her family inside. The four pups we were viewing were in a nice little live in pen filled with newspaper and clean bedding. The puppies were not dirty or stinky and all were in great health.
We decided to take the puppy we had originally chose to see online and asked a few questions "how do you groom the pom pup?" " how big will he get?" and other typical questions. She took plenty of time giving us the lay down on care and health. From the get go she made it clear that adult weight estimates are not a solid number as they do it based on an online calculater or weight chart but that it gives a fair enough idea. we didn't get the smallest pup so we are well aware he may be a tad larger which is okay with us.
nowto discuss health and quality ( as a pet not show dog or breeder)...... As required by contract, puppy was required to be seen by a vet withing 48hrs. We went to the vet yesterday and got a wonderful surprise. Our vet gave little Buck a good once over and said he was extremely healthy. He wasn't underweight, sickly, wormy and had a solid sounding heart. A+++ remarks from the vet only! So that's a great thing
let me tell you a little about day one with little Buck. We had nooooooo puppy honeymoon. Buck came right into our house like he owned it. He did typical naughty puppy things like chew on our stuff and playfully attack pants legs as you walk. We have three other dogs and buck last night got brave and went up to the 120lb dog and barked! No fear in this little guy. hes far from under socialized. He learning to be crate trained and of course he protests that's loudly but what puppy doesn't?!
so overall I am glad we didn't listen to this review as we got a wonderful pup with a beautiful coat of hair and a ton of personality! Thank you Southern Pines and Wee HartPoms. We love our little floof ball.
flocicero
covington,Georgia,
no problem
#7General Comment
Mon, February 23, 2015
never had a problem with South Pines. I have bought two beuatiful Pomeranians fron Michele Odom. Had Savannah for 8 yrs and Buttercup for 7 years. She even took my calls and always answered my questions. She even aided me in relocating the pups when I had to find them a new home. Would definately refer her to anybody in the market for pups.
M. Odom
Claxton,Georgia,
South Pines
#7REBUTTAL Individual responds
Fri, October 10, 2014
I've been breeding Pomeranians for over 20 years, Cassandra (a top show breeder) over 40 years. I have sold puppies to veterinarians (including one in the past 2 weeks), had vets contact me to see if they could refer potential puppy buyers to me (they were impressed with the quality and health of the puppies they had seen in their office) and numerous other clients over the years that were 100% happy with their puppy. This particular buyer could have simply emailed and requested to return the puppy for a refund but instead has bombarded me with numerous and very long emails with her various rantings. I NEVER accused her of anything but after a couple emails she requested that I not contact her again so I respected her wishes and did not. She has since went on a smear campaign and has posted these long rantings on numerous sites to which I have ignored up until this point. I still refuse to get into a long drawn out battle with this person. I should have trusted my gut instinct in the first place when she contacted me and did nothing but complain about the previous breeder and puppy that she had purchased. Lesson learned. I'm sure she'll add another long ranting to this rebuttal and that's fine. Freedom of speech is what makes this country as great as it is. However, if you're looking for a quality and well socialized Pomeranian puppy please feel free to contact us. We can provide NUMEROUS references from happy clients as well as references from veterinarians.