I want to buy a puppy in the Herndon Va area but.....?

Try the rescues again, and this time if you don't like the locals, shop the internet a bit. There are MANY rescue groups that specialize in breeds. Also, some can be better to deal with than others. Most really are OK and truth be told they don't have the time or resources to act as Big Brother and check up on you. The reality is that they are trying to screen people to make sure they are legit and that the dog is going to a decent home. What happened with Ellen was just plain strange! Ellen did the right thing. The dog turned out to be a bad fit for her, but she found a new good home. Something seems very wrong with the people in that shelter. Anyway, the shelters/rescues will cost you less, you'll be saving a life, you won't get a puppy mill dog and as a result your dog will likely be healthier, happier and less expensive. Good luck!