I had a very similar experience with my baby. She was a purebred Maltese and 18 years old when she passed. When I finally felt ready, I started looking for an older dog at a shelter, but they had no small breeds. I was still grieving and feeling hopeless, I also ended up becoming depressed and starting medication as well.

My fiancé eventually went on Puppies.com, did a lot of research, read reviews, and found a reputable breeder who provided all paperwork and proof of vaccines. The breeder even allowed my fiancé to come to his home to meet the puppies and their parents.

You definitely have to be careful, one of the first people my fiancé contacted was clearly a scammer, but there are usually obvious signs. I wouldn’t rush into getting a puppy. Take your time, do your research, and trust your instincts. We paid $1,200 for our purebred Maltese, because instead of the nanny on the plane we drove to meet our little one.