BOONE LIFE: Puppies for sale

Mike Criner poses with 10 of his German Shepherds at 9371 South Smith Hatchery Road on Nov. 13. Criner is trying to sell the puppies for $100 each; their mother gave birth to the litter eight weeks ago.   ¦  SAMANTHA CLEMENS

COLUMBIA — “Puppies for sale.”

The homemade sign made from a piece of wood and duct tape letters is advertising the 10 German shepherds that Mike Criner has been trying to sell at 9371 S Smith Hatchery Road.

Criner, who has been unemployed for two years, is trying to get $100 apiece for the 8-week-old puppies.

The nameless puppies, which eat, Criner estimates, $20 worth of solid dog food each week, scamper about in their pen.

“Any bit of money I’ve got coming in I’ve got to spend for dog food,” Criner said. “The financial toll is monstrous.”

Describing the demeanor of the playful puppies, Criner recalls what his dad once told him about how pets take on characteristics of their owners.

“All mine come out really tame,” Criner said. “They ain’t got a mean bone in their body. As long as they go to a good home I’m going to be happy. I sure don’t want to see them being abused and mistreated or malnourished or anything like that.”