12/02/2025
Adopting a Retired Breeder Isn’t a Rescue ❤️🐾
I want to talk about something honestly, because people misunderstand this a lot. When someone adopts a retired breeding dog from me — or from any responsible breeder — they are not rescuing that dog.
These dogs weren’t unloved.
They weren’t forgotten.
They weren’t living anything close to a hard life.
They’ve been cared for, spoiled, and genuinely known their entire lives. 💗
💛 My Adults Aren’t “Just Breeders” — They’re My Babies
At Heart Rocks Poms, my adults are part of my family.
I know every quirk, every silly habit, their favorite treats, what makes them excited, and what calms them down. They’ve shared my bed, my couch, my porch, and more than a few quiet moments when life felt heavy.
And when one of them eventually crosses over the rainbow bridge…
I feel that loss just as deeply as if they were still curled up next to me.
Breeding isn’t always easy — the goodbyes, the tough decisions, the unexpected heartbreaks — but the life they live in between is absolutely priceless. 🌈💔💛
💗 Why They Retire
When one of my adults retires, it’s not because they’re unwanted or “used up.”
It’s because they’ve completed their role in my program, and now they deserve to be the center of someone’s world. 🏡💕
Even though I love them with everything in me, a busy breeding home still can’t give the same level of one-on-one attention a quiet family can. So placing a retired adult isn’t rescue — it’s respect. It’s love. It’s doing what’s best for them.
🐾 Rescue vs. Retired — Two Very Different Things
Rescue dogs often come from tough places. They truly need saving and a second chance.
My retired adults come from a life of comfort, safety, and love — and they’re simply moving into another home that will continue that same care. They aren’t being saved…
they’re being celebrated.
On a side note
**“Thank you for sharing your experiences. 💛 You’re absolutely right — not all breeders are the same, and sadly there are dogs out there who truly need rescuing from terrible situations. Those dogs deserve all the love and healing they can get.
But responsible, ethical breeders do things very differently. My adults are not kept in cages, they’re not passed around, and they’re never neglected. They live in my home, on my couch, in my bed, and in my heart. They’re loved their entire lives — from the day they arrive to the day they cross the rainbow bridge. 🌈💔
When one of my adults retires, it isn’t a rescue situation. It’s a loving transition into a quieter home where they can get the one-on-one attention they deserve.
And I want to be clear about something else: it’s not healthy or responsible to keep every adult forever. I wish I could — trust me — but it’s not realistic or in the best interest of the dogs or the pack. As the group grows, energy shifts, and dynamics change, it can become overwhelming for some personalities. The responsible thing, even though it utterly breaks my heart, is to make decisions based on what’s best for the individual dog and the overall pack.
That said, I do keep some retired adults. Some because we’re deeply bonded and neither of us could part with the other… and some because I know they would not thrive in another home for a variety of reasons. Every decision is made with love, respect, and their wellbeing first.
So while I completely understand where the confusion comes from, retired dogs from an ethical program like mine aren’t being saved — they’re simply moving from one loving home to another. ❤️🐾”**
