Dear Past Customers and Future Friends,

Ruth and I began raising our AKC dachshunds seven years ago because we wanted to provide you with the best pet possible. We think we have done that.

We've told our puppy buyers that our premises are not federal or state inspected. Simply, we have left that inspection to our customers when you ask to see the puppies in our home, their living quarters, and the exercize area. You have been encouraged to visit the puppies before you make your choice: an hour playing with the puppies and the parents is common before making the decision to have a puppy in your home.

We also have told you we do not register our puppies with AKC; no one has been interested in papers, only a quality Dachshund.

Some interesting changes have taken place concerning breeders in Iowa. Many breeders have received an "Order to Cease and Desist" issued by the State Veterinarian in accordance to Chapter 162 of the Code of Iowa enacted to control puppy mills. We were told this took place with lobbing money from out of state animal rights organizations. We are certainly against puppy mills; they can be deplorable environments and harm the dogs. However, we are not a puppy mill. Yet we now have to be regulated also.

You may say, "Why not just pay the annual licensing fee of $175, and allow an annual inspection, etc?" Because we believe in individual responsibility. We believe in raising quality pups. We believe in raising healthy pups, in a clean environment. We believe in placing puppies in quality homes.

I am a graduate of Animal Science from Iowa State University, a former Army Vet Technician. I raised hogs, cattle, sheep, poultry, dogs and cats for 40 years without any State help.

We believe the State should only get involved in animal protection and health issues on an as needed basis. At this time, we do not need them as you are our inspectors whenever you come to select an adult or a puppy.

We will still have puppies, but we will be giving them away. And we will only ask that you pay for the out of pocket expenses such as shots, worming, physical exam, collars and so forth.

Loren Book