if considering an Italian Greyhound read my story

Hello all PLEASE READ IF CONSIDERING AN IGGY! I'm a proud IG owner who by trial and error bought my first IG through a pet store... I know tsk tsk on me. She was shipped from a "breeder" from South Dakota. Although I love my IG more than words, we have had our struggles with health issues. Health issues that normally DON'T occur with RESPONSIBLE breeding. She has a luxating patella (slipping knee cap), beginning stages of kidney failure, and an Immune condition. She developed an immune mediated disease at the age of 4 which caused her blood platelet count to drop dangerously low. She nearly bled to death from this disease (called ITP). We drove to an emergency clinic 35 minutes away with the poor pup vomitting blood the whole way there.
With a wonderful emergency vet, a 5 day hospital stay and $4000 later she did recover from her initial episode. Her disease is incurable and can only be monitored but could relapse at any time. We don't even know what triggers a relapse, only that she remains susceptible. Diseases such as this can result from irresponsible pet breeding (ie. puppy mills, pet stores and simply ignorant breeders)
In spite of these health issues, I couldn't give up on my IG. I am as dedicated to her as she to me. The breeds' love is insurmountable and as any Iggy owner knows they steal your heart. I am urging anyone considering an Italian Greyhound to please DO YOUR RESEARCH. Do not buy from a pet store, and please don't select a breeder who ships their dogs. Stay local! Shipping is too tramatic for any puppy/dog. And one needs to visit the breeder in person to see how they raise pups and the parents plus the condition of the surroundings. In addition, a good breeder will contract that their dogs are returned directly to them if it doesn't work out in their new home.
A helpful website is the Italian Greyhound Club of America. Also, many of the Italian Greyhound Rescues offer wonderful dogs and can give information on this great breed!