After adopting "rescue/shelter" dogs all of my life, my husband and I decided to purchase a mini-dachsund. We searched for a couple of days and came across Puppyfind.com and Ms. Diane Vantwyver aka The Good Shepherd Kennels. We asked her all of the questions we had been informed to ask before purchasing a puppy from the internet.
We even followed the advice given by other consumers (not of this breeder) and spoke to Ms. Vantwyver several times on the telephone before deciding on the puppy. We were assured that he would arrive with a veterinary certificate and vaccination records that were up to date. We also arranged to have the puppy transported via ground from MO to FL because we felt it would be less stressful for the little dog. We even asked for recent photos of the puppy so that we could make sure that the puppy we put a deposit on via Paypal would be the same puppy we would receive.
The day before he was to ship out, Ms. Vantwyver emailed to tell me that the puppy had a slight case of diarrhea but that she would be taking him to the vet the next day. I emailed her and stated, quite clearly, that if the vet found him to be "free from any communicable and/or deadly diseases" and gave him the go ahead to travel, we would resume his continued care once he arrived. This is something that most breeders require of new owners and it was something we had already arranged for.
I called Ms. Vantwyver the day the puppy was to ship out and she stated that veterinarian had given him a "fecal" and found him to be healthy and fit for travel. For two days we anticipated the arrival of our new family member. He had a room to himself, his own little bed, toys, blanket, etc.
He arrived on 2/2/2010 at about 8:30 p.m. We met the delivery service and the passenger handed me our new "baby." My husband signed the receipt and we drove the mile and a half back to our home. However, I quickly realized something was wrong. Our puppy was lethargic and not behaving the way an 8 week old puppy should. We got him home and he refused water, food and just about any interaction with us. We simply figured he was tired.
I placed him in his little bed and laid next to him for the night. Within the hour he was throwing up foamy saliva and having bouts of foul smelling diarrhea. Not wanting to risk his well-being, I rushed him to an Emergency Clinic. It was 4:00 a.m. in the morning. The diagnosis? Parvo, and advanced dehydration. I was beside myself! Anyone who knows anything about dogs knows that a diagnosis of Parvo is akin to a death knell!
I called Ms. Vantwyver sobbing. Both she and her husband began to question the diagnosis. The test was unreliable, Mr. Vantwyver told me. He was just stressed from the trip, Ms. Vantwyver said. We agreed to withhold any decision until the next day.
The bill was $190.00 for that night's treatment and I was advised that he had most likely been ill for sometime and that my vet should see him asap the very next day. I already had the first day's appointment so for the next several hours, I held him against my chest and prayed until the sun rose.
I was at my vet's 10 minutes before he opened. I was rushed in immediately and my vet began a series of tests. My new baby had advanced Parvo, an upper respiratory infection, dehydration, low white blood cell count and was in desperate need of medical attention. As my vet and I discussed treatment, a shot of liquid blood mixed with feces came out from the puppy's behind. It smelled of death and the vet gave him a 50/50 chance of survival.
I showed him the paperwork that I had received. The vet certificate did indeed state that he was fit for travel. It also stated that he had examined the animal and saw no visible signs of any deadly contagious/communicable diseases. He also referenced the shot records listed above on the same certificate. My vet looked at me and grimaced. There were no shot records on the certificate. The only "proof" of any vaccinations were listed on a make-shift form and handwritten with the dates and names of the vaccines. However, the columns where the stickers that accompany the vaccination vial's lot# and expiration dates were missing. In other words, I had nothing. There was no way I could verify that my puppy had received the shots. Who knows if he ever did.
The technician had to almost carry me out of the room. I was hysterical, crying and despondent! I had already fallen in love with our new family member and there was no way I was going to let him die or put him down while he still had a chance. He was hospitalized that second with iv fluid drip, anti-biotics, vitamins, glucose...you name it! I left the vet in tears. Not only was my new puppy desperately sick but, I had exposed my two 12 year-old rescue dogs to this deadly dog-killing disease.
I called Ms. Vantwyver who demanded to speak with my vet. I certainly didn't object and when she called me back 10 minutes later, she said she would reimburse me for the price of the dog. I explained to her that it was a good start however, that both veterinarians had assured me that there was no way he could have contracted Parvo during his two day trip and show such advanced symptoms as he had demonstrated.
For eight days our puppy fought to survive his diagnosis but in the end, he simply was too sick. He slipped into a coma and passed away.
I emailed Ms. Vantwyver (very nicely and politely) as my little one was stll fighting (and the vet bill had hit the $900.00 mark,) and implored her to please give me some assistance so that I could afford to give our baby every chance we could. The way my husband and I saw it, it was the least we all could do for him. As long as he fought, we would make sure he could!
Her response the next day? She chastized me for being impatient and told me she would no longer speak with me.
She didn't address vital point. That she had sold me a very, very sick little dog. She didn't take responsibility at all past returning his sale price. This wasn't a chenille sweater that had a snag upon arrival. It was a life! It was a poor, defenseless puppy who suffered god knows what before he even arrived and then, fought like a champ to make it. He never lived to experience the loving home that awaited him. I will never forget his little eyes turned upward looking at me as I held him against my chest. Did he ask himself why this lady, who held him in her arms so lovingly, wasn't able to make him feel better? Does he know how much he meant to me?
The entire staff at my vet cried when he passed away. They all took turns holding him and hand feeding him. They doted on him so much that he had learned to respond to his new name! Vet techs came in on their days off to see him and after hours to make sure he was alright. Did he know how much everyone loved him?
That is to say, everyone except Ms. Diane Vantwyver! She didn't have to love him...but couldn't she at least have cared? She believes that Missouri's lax laws regarding these matters will protect her. They won't. My puppy lost his fight, but I will continue to fight for him!
I have documentation from two independent vets, vet technicians and emergency clinic doctors attesting to his condition immediately upon arrival. I have the incomplete shot recordds and irrresponsible certificate from the vet that examined him the day he left. She has nothing but a cold-heart and the misapprehension that I will let the matter fall by the wayside.
As a dog-lover, I will never cease to expose her for what she is. As an animal rights activist, I will continue to warn other buyers and as a citizen of this country, I will proceed against her via every legal means at my disposal!
Until then, please learn from my experience! Do not do business with this woman. It will only break your heart!
Horatio
Miami,#2Consumer Comment
Thu, March 07, 2013
I have been at this with Ms. Vantwyver since 2010. Unfortunately for her and her organizations "doxyworld" doxiesworld" "the good shepherd" I have documented proof from her own vet, the emergency vet that I had to take the puppy she sold me to just four hours after he arrived (with an advanced case of parvo) and further documentation from my own vet where my puppy died eight days after he was admitted and i.v'd.
I also have a statement from the vet and the vet technician who took care of Sebastian during the eight days he suffered from Parvo and until the day he lost his battle and passed away.
Furthermore, I have a letter from the Missouri State Government acknowledging my complaint and disclosing that Ms. Vantwyver's operation had been cited before for NOT abiding by the guidelines of her state when it came to breeding dachshunds.
Ask Ms. Vantwyver why she can no longer advertise on Puppyfind.com (I sent them the documentation referenced above and they pulled her.) Ask her why she shows up on other complaint sites? Ask her why she can't advertise on puppycompanion.com? Same reason. It wasn't hard to prove she is a willing seller of puppies with Parvo, a deadly disease that kills millions of puppies a year and is a threat to any dog you have living in your home. However, getting her to admit to her put money-making above the wellbeing of her animals is a different story.
I've no wish to sue this woman at this rate. Why? It won't bring Sebastian back to me. However, I swore the day I burried him that I would be ever vigilant that she would NEVER be able to do business in the same manner as she did then again. So, if you have a few hundred dollars to spare and wish to risk purchasing a puppy from her...by all means, do your research and take the risk of incomprehensible heartbrake and loss. Or, look for a breeder with impeccable credentials. It is worth your time and effort and that of your soon-to-be lifelong companion.
You can run, Diane...but you can't hide. At least not from me and my story.
IN MEMORY OF SEBASTIAN.
Lynn S.
New York,#3General Comment
Tue, February 12, 2013
I am very saddened to see these disparaging remarks about someone who I treasure because she brought into this world my two best friends. I bought my babies from Diane over 5 years ago. Diane and her husband met me halfway to deliver my puppies and I remember they were curled around her next as she opened the door. This is a woman who loves her dogs and enjoys bringing others happiness. I have had no problems with Josie Beautiful and Rosie Lou. I am not alone in saying how attractive they are as we get stopped all the time by strangers. I find it very hard to believe the person submitting this review. She sounds like she is someone who seeks pleasure in destroying someone's life rather than a loving human being. I think this is the woman Diane told me about. They used to be friends and this woman set out to destroy her life. Please don't believe her. If you'd like proof of the amazing doxies Diane breeds email me at (((ROR redacted))) and I'll send you photos of the cutest doggies you'll ever see.
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
Horatio
Miami,#4Consumer Comment
Thu, December 15, 2011
Is that the best you've got? Why sue you when you're infamous on the web for selling sick puppies? As a matter of fact, there's yet another complaint on your company on the complaints board! No matter how hard you try to hide, I will be here on behalf of all the sick and deceased puppies you've sold to expose you.
As I've said before, the only person who doesn't want to see the documentation against you is you! I've banned you from just about every puppy selling website out there as the docs provided was more than enough for them to remove your ads. Any explanation for that, Diane? Your Doxieworld.com is shut down. So is Doxieworld.net, your a.k.a.
While I have the paperwork from independent vets (and from your own) proving the puppy was in the advanced stages of Parvo, proving that you're the fraud and heartless puppy-miller, you have nothing on me proving that I'm a "scammer" as you say. What did I scam you out of? The price of the puppy which I forced you to refund? What about the thousands of dollars we spent to try to save him? What about the heartache of watching my puppy die in my arms?
You disgust me! Gratefully, there are forums for people like you and the internet is jam-packed with your name all over them!
Diane
shell knob,#5REBUTTAL Owner of company
Sat, May 21, 2011
This has been over a year with all your documents and attorneys , swat team, national guard, and any other that I forgot. Take me to court! I am waiting with a counter suit. You are a liar and scammer
Horatio
Miami,#6Consumer Comment
Wed, May 18, 2011
I suppose that under Ms. Vantwyver's guidelines ANYONE who complaints against her disreputable practices is a liar and a scammer. Perhaps a dictionary would suit her well.
iane Vantwyver of Doxieworld.com has name-calling on her side. Admittedly, that banality will persuade some readers. I, however, have a plethora of documentation. Let's see: I have the report from the Emeregency Animal Clinic who ran blood and stool tests on my puppy a mere 4 hours after I received him. Diagnosis? Advanced Stages of Parvo.
I have documentation from my vet after he examined my puppy three hours later. Diagnosis? Several advanced Parvo disease. He gave him a 50/50 chance to live IF I iv'd him and hospitalized him, which I did. He died eight days later.
I have documentation from my vet's technical assistance, Mr. Kiffin. His findings? Acute intestinal bleeding (he was defecating shots of blood) due to later stages of Parvo.
I have documentation (and a check for $200.00) from MS. VANTWYVER'S VERY OWN VET, apologizing for the inacurate health certificate that came along with my little one AND to assist with the vet bills which had mounted to about $1,000. He even stated to me in a telephone call that as Vantwyver's vet,he's treated her own animals free of charge because they are often "hard up" financially.
Now, I wonder....if she can't afford to take her OWN pets to the vet, what is she doing which those she aims to sell and never see again?
I also have a photo of the card all of the vet's technicians signed expressing their condolences for my puppy dying of PARVO!
Additionally, not so long ago, when she ran her business under the name "The Good Shepherd" she was cited by the state for unhealthy living conditions for her puppies. They were not tagged appropriately as to their parents, were crammed in crates and a strong smell of amonia eminated throughout which they determined could be detrimental to the pups due to insufficient ventilation in the room.
Want more? Look for her (Doxieworld) at Puppyfind.com. You won't find her there anymore. Why? They reviewed my documentation from the experts I sent and they banned her. Look for her at Puppycompanions.com. You won't find her there either...for the SAME reason! Heck, look at her new site, Doxieworld.com. It's been inactive for months, no new puppies to sell and stagnant as a fermenting pond of scumwater.
Google her, for Pete's sake. You'll be reading for hours from dissatisfied customers. Go to Ripoffreport.com and look for her business name AND her individual name! You'll have PLENTY to read.
Now, Diane, What kind of documentation do YOU have to offer? Oh, that's right...you revert to calling me "nuts" and a "liar" (really intellectually profound names, by the way.) But NOTHING in the way of PROOF!
ANYONE...AND I MEAN ANYONE, who would like to receive notarized documentation regarding this tragic events from the professionals involved, please feel more than free to email me. I will be more than happy to send it. All you'll get from Ms. Vantwyver is that, well, I'm a scammer with a dead and burried 9 week old puppy who didn't live long enough to enjoy a loving home!
And, BTW, Diane. If you continue with this futile (look it up in a dictionary) name calling that you cannot back-up, I'll resort to posting all the documentation against you....Whether it is requested by anyone or not!
You may go back under the rock you live in.
Diane
shell knob,#7REBUTTAL Owner of company
Sun, August 22, 2010
Sheyla Diaz of Pembroke Pines Fl. is a scammer and a liar. She has scammed me and my Vet and I don't know how many others . I am not going to go thru all of her lying claims I just want to set the record straight. She can not change the truth no matter how many lies she tries to tell. Here are the facts. I am in good standing with AKC and my Vet. for more than 25 years and I am in good standing with USDA and the State of Mo. for more than 12 years. She can make all the legal threats she wants but she has nothing on me at all. For those of you who are interested in my puppies but are unsure because of this scammers comments please feel free to contact me.