I was caught in a puppy scam

The search for companionship during the pandemic means puppy scams are more lucrative than ever.

Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash

I thought it was funny that everyone wanted to adopt a dog during the pandemic. I adopted my first dog, Leela, nearly 12 years ago. Since I already had Leela, I felt lucky I wasn’t in the mad rush of people calling rescues, joining waitlists, hoping that they would find a dog within a few weeks, all to train it and spend some time with it before being called back to their offices full time. But then something happened — my dad’s dog passed away unexpectedly and suddenly several weeks ago.

Shanthi, my dad’s Japanese Chin, during her younger years

My dad’s dog, Shanthi, was a purebred Japanese Chin gifted to him nearly ten years ago, and she meant everything to him. There wasn’t a place he wouldn’t take her. Since retiring and spending his days at home and in the garden, Shanthi was his companion and probably his emotional support pet — even if we hadn’t gone as far as officially certifying her as such.

Overnight, I was in the market for a new dog — and not just any dog, but a purebred, female, black/white Japanese…