Griswalds' Story, Part 7

As soon as I got home from Gainesville, I mailed a copy of Griswalds' health evaluation to Elizabeth Correa at Gigi & Luca Pet Boutique. I also started an internet search to find out more about Grizwalds' Breeder, Darlene  Lourance. Within 20 minutes, I found out that Darlene and her husband, Robert, are both dealers with a long history of USDA violations. Their address is RR4 Box 200 Duncan, Oklahoma 73553.  In an investigative series about  Puppy Mills, Tulsa World published a list of the top 10 Oklahoma Dealer Violators for 2003-2006. Robert and Darlene Lourance,USDA License # 73-B-1812  are on the list. I called Elizabeth and told her what I found out. I also emailed her a copy of some of the Lourances'  violations. She told me that the Lourances were one of  the best breeders in Oklahoma and that she'd never had any problems with the  puppies that she's bought from them. She also said that most violations are really insignificant and people make too big a deal about them. I asked her if she had ever met the Lourances or gone in person to see their  breeding dogs or their puppies and facilities. Elizabeth said no but she'd  spoken with them on the phone and they sounded nice.I reminded her that when I bought Griswald she told me that she knew all of her breeders and  they were all dog lovers that only bred a few litters a year. She said that I was the only customer that has ever had a complaint. Elizabeth asked me to let her know if Griswald showed any  improvement after taking his new medications. I called her at the end of May to let  her know that Griswald showed significant improvement. I told Elizabeth that caring for Grizwald was very expensive and I thought that she should either share in his medical expenses or give me a complete refund. She offered to replace Grizwald with another puppy (the Lourances told her they would give her a replacement puppy but not cash) Finally, she emailed me and said that she would give me a refund but she couldn't afford to pay me until the fall. I emailed her right back and agreed. Then after talking it over with my son, I emailed her back saying that I didn't want to wait until then and I asked her to pay me within two weeks.She said business was slow and  she wouldn't have the money until September 17, or sooner. I told her that I was going to file a complaint with Broward Countys' Division of  Consumer Affairs. They couldn't force her to pay me any sooner but  they did ask her to sign a Stipulation of Settlement agreeing to reimburse me the full amount that I paid for Griswald and to give me a refund for a  dog collar that I had returned to her store in 2007. I was happy that I had something in writing. but unhappy that Elizabeth is still selling puppies. My case was closed  on September 26th and  I was reimbursed the full amount of $2,072.29.