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CB Dog Breeders Review of Cardinal Country Miniature Australian Shepherds
Cardinal Country Miniature Australian Shepherds

Cardinal Country Miniature Australian Shepherds review: Unethical behavior 6

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Author of the review
2:57 pm EDT
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In 2011 we purchased a red-tri puppy (a little over 3 months old) from this establishment. We gave her the name Khole. She did have some health issues in the beginning but I thought we had it taken care of with the vets. Khole died August 23, 2016 without warning. She was 5 years old and died in an instant, right in front of me; didn't even have time to call the vets. The breeder, Sandra Hoffmeyer, accepts no blame saying the father died earlier this year at 16 and the mother is still with her, age 15. No reputable breeder would breed a female at 10 years of age unless it was a puppy mill.

Update by d.marie
Sep 16, 2016 7:13 pm EDT

It is irresponsible for any breeder to be breeding a 10 year old dog. My complaint stands as is. BUYERS BEWARE!

Update by d.marie
Sep 17, 2016 12:52 pm EDT

FACT: I bought my Aussie at Cardinal Country Aussie in 2011. A female, almost 3 months old (born November 16, 2010). The only puppy born (or born alive) in that litter.
FACT: My Aussie died August 23, 2016, instantly, without warning at my feet at 5 years old.
FACT: September 1, 2016 at 9:28 a.m. Sandra Hoffmeyer sent me this text "As far as her parents. Funky Town passed this past February at the age of 16 and TAZ is still alive at her home. She is 15 years old."
FACT: September 1, 2016 at 11 a.m. Sandra Hoffmeyer sent me this text "Funky town passed this past February at the age of 16, TAZ is still a thriving 14 year old."
FACT: Like I said before, do the math. I get an email today from Sandra Hoffmeyer now stating that TAZ is now (miraculously) 12 years old. With threats of suing me for putting this information out there. Be an informed consumer. Do your homework.
People, draw your own conclusions. But before you do, GOOGLE her name (as you probably should for any dog you want to adopt).
Sandra and "her friends" need to get their stories straight. I am stating facts...people can draw their own conclusions.

Update by d.marie
Sep 17, 2016 5:48 pm EDT

Khole was checked every single year for heart worms. She had a head to toe physical every year. She had her shots every year. She took her heart worm medicine and flea and tick medicine every year. When I wrote what I did to Sandra about her chewing up everything, I was reminiscing about when she was a puppy (Khole had just died) - I had that in the email which you failed to read. Khole cost us nearly $2, 500 in medical expenses the first 6 months we had her, which included 2 trips to MSU Veterinary hospital downstate. Khole had medical issues from day one. I have kept all her medical records. The word "puppy mill" came from another breeder when I told her what happened to Khole and the age of her parents. That breeder told me that if Sandra was a reputable breeder that TAZ would have been retired by the age of 5 and given a forever home. TAZ was given away to a forever home but at a much OLDER age (15, 14, 9 ... I don't know, Sandra keeps changing the age every time she opens her mouth).

Update by d.marie
Sep 17, 2016 6:03 pm EDT

mmcpeanut, yes, you are probably right, I probably should have had a necropsy on Khole. But having said that, Khole was like my daughter. My kids are all grown and have families of their own. I loved that dog with all of my heart. And I knew she loved me as much as I loved her. Every time I came home from work, or from the cancer treatment center, and I walked into the doors of my house, Khole would look at me as if it was Christmas morning and I was her Christmas present. Her eyes would twinkle and she would jump and bark with excitement. I could not bear to have her all cut up. Five is too young to die. I couldn't forget the birthdate on any of my pets, they are a part of our family.

Update by d.marie
Jul 13, 2017 10:36 pm EDT

Khole had her MDR1 Genotyping done on April 12, 2013. Her test result was "Normal/Normal"which means "These dogs would not be expected to experience unexpected adverse drug reactions to normal does of ivermectin, loperamide (Imodium), and some anticancer drugs." Even though Khole was tested "Normal" I still took precaution and she was on Sentinel (milbemycin oxime + lufenuron). Khole was only 5 years old when she died but looking back I now see the signs of a heart condition but it never registered in my mind at the time (ie: when I walked with her to work, which is only 3 miles away, she got tired and wanted me to carry her; and another time when I walked her on the walky-dog she got tired, laid down and refused to walk after about a mile).
That is your experience and your choice to make a purchase from Sandi. That was not my experience nor would I ever again purchase a dog from her.

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mmcpeanut
US
Sep 16, 2016 7:36 am EDT
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I know cardinal Country Aussies, and Double R Aussies. (Which both parents of your pup came from) Both dogs had the testing done to assure their health and the health of their offspring. You really need to remove your complaint. Your accusations are unfounded. Your pup didnt have a necropsy to find the cause of death. And your opinion isn't a valid medical cause. I have read your emails to Cardinal Country Aussies, and the response from them. Sandi addressed your concerns and is saddened by your loss. She gives a 2 year health guarantee on her pups. She takes excellent care of them. They are in her home being played with and snuggled, recieve all medical care needed for them including their shots on time, their bellies are full and the parents are spoiled rotten. That isn't a puppy mill. Sandi is just as heart broken when her animals have passed as you are. I have talked with her and dried her tears. Your complaint is way off base. Yes, you are hurting, but lashing out at someone because of it isn't jusified. And bashing Cardinal Country Aussies doesn't help you heal.

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Pharmgirl4u
US
Dec 12, 2020 3:02 am EST
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Replying to comment of mmcpeanut

Do you know how to contact Sandra? I purchased a dog (Dakota) from her and he has been an ABSOLUTE GEM! I couldn’t imagine my life with out him! I’m interested in adding to our family of mini Aussies and would LOVE to get another pup from her! She really is the sweetest lady and I for one think her dogs are AMAZING! Please let me know how to contact her or if she still breeds/sells puppies. Thank you for your help

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mmcpeanut
US
Sep 17, 2016 8:14 am EDT
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Really, she is being bred? That's interesting because she was sent to a forever home years ago. I find it very interesting that you THINK you know so much about Cardinal Country Aussies. You are just angry and lashing out to blame someone for your dogs death. Spreading lies and creating drama isn't the way to memorialize your dog. You might consider counseling.

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mmcpeanut
US
Sep 17, 2016 1:40 pm EDT
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I am not surprised that Sandi misquoted the age of a dog. I couldn't give you an ecact age of my own dog. Often I say, she is around such and such. Sometime I was right and sometimes I wasnt. Why, because the age of my dog wasn't something I kept track of. I would have to check my papers. That doesn't mean you have any clue as to what happened to Taz or Funky town. You again read into something that wasnt there. I believe you were told Tax is thriving not that she was living at Sandis. You are accusing someone of being a puppy mill because your dog died. Instead of creating drama, and throwing out accusations it might have helped if you paid for the necropsy. I think it's pretty clear who has the issues at this point. Maybe instead of trying to slander someone it might make more sense to Google why dogs die suddenly. Yes heart failure is one cause but heart worm is another, you know that funny little cough? It is also a symptom of heart worm. That's just one option... just saying.

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mmcpeanut
US
Sep 17, 2016 2:32 pm EDT
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Or maybe an infection from all the things your dog ate that you failed to mention.

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Illusion Mini Aussies
Chambersburg, US
Jul 13, 2017 6:14 pm EDT

I have know Sandi since 2006, Angel is 11 1/2 yrs old and health as a clam. I purchased a second dog from her who not only had amazing hips, but was geneticly clear all the way across the board for health problems. She take good care of her dogs, and her lines are extremely healthy. I have to wonder if you have your dog a drug off the MDR1 toxic drug list that could have killed it. are you even aware of the MDR1 drug list? I would stand behind Sandi in a heart beat. I am sorry for the loss of your dog, but without a necropsy, you can not place the blame on anyone. I have been a dog groomer for over 21 yrs, and have seen clients lose dogs to just a freak accident. One of my clients lost their dog to a heart attack, she just died right in the driveway. No fault of anyone. Not every problem comes from a breeder.