How much is that doggie in the window used to convey a sentimental vision of a sweet puppy, lovingly bred and cared for. Reality is quite different. That cute puppy in the window of your local pet store costs anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000 +/–; the higher end usually for cross-breeds like a Chorkie – (Chihuahua/ Yorkie mix) or Maltipoo (Maltese/Poodle mix) or any latest mix that promises never to shed or make you sneeze. The dirty secret that pet stores don’t want you to know is that the puppy was born to a breeding female dog that languishes in what are possibly the cruellest and most inhumane settings you could image. To top it off, the federal government puts its stamp of approval on it saying these places are “USDA Certified,”meeting the standards of care under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).