April First will be the day i found Victor. Bronki had been dead for a few weeks and i thought mary and i were going to fall apart...i went to petfinder..not the shelter because i was just looking around.i didn't even have the money to afford to adopt from the local shelter...i called..the number "had been disconnected" i cried. THought it was the sickest april fools joke ever. Called Kelly and she said don't give up..keep trying. So i called the town he was posted in (it wasn't my town) and i tried the sherriff there, no help, and then i called the only vet..they were closed. There he was on my screen. I cried some more, i wanted Bronki so bad i felt like broken glass. Kelly called..she had tried a fund raiser number that went with Save_Our_Strays and found Connie Guthrie's number. I told her my tale of woe, and that i could trade some artwork for fundraisers..that Mary and i needed a baby to love before we broke up entirely. I called and she offered to DRIVE THE DOG TO MY HOME..it was an hour or better..i said no..that was ok, i would come. I did and that is how Victor came to me. This is the fourth dog i have adopted from a shelter. Not one was a biter. Trudy..now old. belongs to my Mom. She looks exactly like a fox..most people think that she is. PetFinders..is nation wide. Give it a try next time.
dogs
- Thread starter sharpeilover
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Okay, the first point is a good one. I can understand how someone who isn't really a "dog person" when they go in could be somewhat intimidated by all the barking and vying for attention.
But, the second . . . the chances are pretty great that if a dog is ever going to be a biter it's going to happen in a high stress situation like a shelter.
Training: I've always found adult dogs MUCH, MUCH easier than puppies. No training needed at all, actually, just let them know what you want them to do and most will turn themselves inside out to give you the behaviour you need. You have to respect that the dog is a sentient, thoughtful, intelligent creature and treat it as such, but the dog will treat you in much the same way you treat the dog. Straight up - puppies are cute, but most pups can be a real test of patience and your frustration level. Bimmer and Buffy were the only pups I've ever dealt with that weren't a TON of work - they didn't even have to be house trained; they just did that naturally. Ruined me for housetraining puppies for sure, lol!
You're absolutely right about the health issues. You need to check those out immediately. Very few shelters don't have a policy that you can bring an animal back if you find health issues within a certain period. And with any animal, you want to get to your vet a few days after you bring it home.
Now, this isn't a flame, just an honest observation on your last point - one I hope you will take in the spirit in which it's given and mull over, about not being able to get attached to a dog you didn't think was "good looking." I hope, when you have kids, that they turn out to be good looking babies . . .
Always keep an open mind. The Universe has a way of giving you lessons you need to learn - some of them can be rather literal.
But, the second . . . the chances are pretty great that if a dog is ever going to be a biter it's going to happen in a high stress situation like a shelter.
Training: I've always found adult dogs MUCH, MUCH easier than puppies. No training needed at all, actually, just let them know what you want them to do and most will turn themselves inside out to give you the behaviour you need. You have to respect that the dog is a sentient, thoughtful, intelligent creature and treat it as such, but the dog will treat you in much the same way you treat the dog. Straight up - puppies are cute, but most pups can be a real test of patience and your frustration level. Bimmer and Buffy were the only pups I've ever dealt with that weren't a TON of work - they didn't even have to be house trained; they just did that naturally. Ruined me for housetraining puppies for sure, lol!
You're absolutely right about the health issues. You need to check those out immediately. Very few shelters don't have a policy that you can bring an animal back if you find health issues within a certain period. And with any animal, you want to get to your vet a few days after you bring it home.
Now, this isn't a flame, just an honest observation on your last point - one I hope you will take in the spirit in which it's given and mull over, about not being able to get attached to a dog you didn't think was "good looking." I hope, when you have kids, that they turn out to be good looking babies . . .
Always keep an open mind. The Universe has a way of giving you lessons you need to learn - some of them can be rather literal.
I wouldn't know about the training. I just think that someone who left their dog in a shelter probably didn't care for them enough in the first place to give them appropriate training. It's what I meant.
I kinda feel insulted by your reply though. Yes, I will choose a dog that I think is good looking, sorry. That's why there are, you know, so many breeds, and that people have different tastes about them. But what's with comparing dogs and babies? I think if you really think that adopting a dog is the same than having (or adopting) a baby, you should probably see a therapist - no offense.
I kinda feel insulted by your reply though. Yes, I will choose a dog that I think is good looking, sorry. That's why there are, you know, so many breeds, and that people have different tastes about them. But what's with comparing dogs and babies? I think if you really think that adopting a dog is the same than having (or adopting) a baby, you should probably see a therapist - no offense.
I'm not saying you're an unsuitable pet owners, but I definetely understand the shelter's position in this case. Owning more than two dogs without a fenced in yard is difficult. I probably wouldn't not approve an application like that. Chances are if there is no fence then the owner is going to get frustrated with leashwalking three or four dogs and resort to boundry training. Boundry training is not reliable and chances are good that the dog could possibly run away or get hurt. It would depend on the person, but if they had kids, or they were looking at a high energy dog, or a dog that was found as a stray (history of escaping), or a dog with a history of door darting, then I'd definetely turn down the application. You don't have to fence your entire 3 acres, but if you're taking on more than 2 dogs I definetely recommend putting up some type of fence that reaches to your door. A reputable breeder would tell you the same thing as a shelter and turn you down for the same reasons as shelters would. They don't turn people down lightly, because they know there's a chance the person will just go and buy from a backyard breeder or a pet store puppy mill. They know the dog, and they know what's best for the dog, and if they have to turn someone down, they will hopefully explain the reasons why so that the person can learn from that experience and know what needs to be done to care for the dog they are interested.
I think why everyone is rankled..is love is suppose to be unconditional...a dog gives unconditional love and should be able to recieve the same way...that is a love that is learned over time...we wish to receive the same and hope that if anything happens to us..that we will be as important to someone as we were when we were young and good lookin..before the accident.before we age.etc. The fact is dogs sometimes are LOST when they are picked up.i had one that traveled many many miles....some are dropped off becuase of changes that could not be helped....please Fran go to rainbow bridge where i wrote of my Charlie....there is a referral to another story there where a woman had to part with a wonderful dog because her life had hit a point where she no longer could give him the care he deserved...sometimes people die and there is no one to care for the dog. You don't really know why a dog finds himself in such dire straits. maybe he had someone that just didn't "know" about dogs and it took more effort than they were willing to put out..maybe it was just http://justonelitter.com/litter.html (i will look up the site and get back) I do like my dog to be pretty..but they don't stay that way..like us they grow old..me too! YEt i want to be considered a valuable part of society..and i want to be loved for who i am..the old saying of beauty in the eye of the beholder is a good one..and we were each given something different that hopefully draws someone to us in the first place where they can then see what delightful people we really are.. Personality goes miles when the beauty fades and fortuantely each dog has one of those too. The point of the thread is not to offend..it is to try to help those that are in the dire strait place...to help people see that there is a need..to hope to put them together to find a good life for all.
I know that boundry training is a bite..that is why the dog up the street has such a problem..and walking one on a leash is all i can manage.
I know that boundry training is a bite..that is why the dog up the street has such a problem..and walking one on a leash is all i can manage.
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No, a dog and a baby are not the same thing at all, and you've reached this conclusion through faulty logic - no offense.
The point is that your ability - or inability - to love something based on appearance is sadly callous and appallingly superficial - no offense. Even the cutest, most attractive puppy gets old and unattractive - unless you put it down or ditch it when it begins to offend your aesthetic. But, if you can't love something that isn't attractive, it probably won't bother you to do something like that - no offense.
We tend to get the object lessons in life that we need to learn.
The point is that your ability - or inability - to love something based on appearance is sadly callous and appallingly superficial - no offense. Even the cutest, most attractive puppy gets old and unattractive - unless you put it down or ditch it when it begins to offend your aesthetic. But, if you can't love something that isn't attractive, it probably won't bother you to do something like that - no offense.
We tend to get the object lessons in life that we need to learn.
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in my opinion... a baby...needs you, loves u, then grows to take you for granted, despises you, takes you for granted, leaves u, needs u, has grown to somewhat respect u..but basically has a life of it's own and is basically gone (unless of course they need something).
a dog....needs you, loves you, never but never takes you for granted.sees your grief and your pain, celebrates in you joy..until death due you part..They deserve a chance and should not to be thrown away as something without worth....many children are in the home..but not loved as they should be either. It is a hard hard world for us all..as Beatiful Joe said for man AND beast.
a dog....needs you, loves you, never but never takes you for granted.sees your grief and your pain, celebrates in you joy..until death due you part..They deserve a chance and should not to be thrown away as something without worth....many children are in the home..but not loved as they should be either. It is a hard hard world for us all..as Beatiful Joe said for man AND beast.
There is a big difference between growing old and unattractive and being born this way... sorry. Once again you are comparing apples and oranges.
Does it mean I wouldn't get attached if I found one? No. But I won't adopt one that I don't like, because there are lots that I will like. And by 'no liking', it includes lots of breeds, because I don't like their character, or the way they look.
To answer homelessdog, I don't think that all dogs are intimidating nor ugly, I've met wonderful dogs, and that's why I picked a breed that I like. You know what, I think that kids are intimidating too, and I'm still trying to get some, because I know they are wonderful.
I think it's time you open up a bit, and realize that there might be some people out there who don't like all dogs, but love lots of them. That's exactly why there are so many breeds and mixes, so that everyone can get a dog they like and will grow attached to... every dog isn't for everyone, you need to be comfortable with your dog, otherwise it's not going to work...
And Smkie, I totally agree with you, adopting a dog and abandonning them is totally irresponsible and cruel.
I don't think anyone is arguing with that. We all got our dogs because there was some sort of attraction. There are plenty of dogs that I wouldn't normally adopt. Small, chatty dogs are not for me. I'd take one who was in dire need I'm sure but they would not be my first choice and not everyone would do that.
I'm sure that there are plenty of dogs like the one you adopted in the shelters. In fact, I know that. I'm glad you adopted from a reputable breeder. I hope that everyone who chooses to go that way does. It would make everything a lot better. But, there are lots of good dogs of every breed that need to be rescued. And I think we should do that first. It's just my opinion.
I'm sure that there are plenty of dogs like the one you adopted in the shelters. In fact, I know that. I'm glad you adopted from a reputable breeder. I hope that everyone who chooses to go that way does. It would make everything a lot better. But, there are lots of good dogs of every breed that need to be rescued. And I think we should do that first. It's just my opinion.
^ BTW I don't agree with the opening up part. I think most people on this forum are quite open. I think you have to be 'open' to welcome any kind of animal into your life. You have to learn about them, compromise sometimes, take the good with the bad. And if you bring in problematic dogs and help them adjust and recover like homelessdog and others I think you are very open along with compassionate, patient and many other words. So, please don't insult any of the members of our online community by calling them something that they aren't. Nobody is attacking you. We commend you for buying from a reputable breeder. We are just trying to point out that there are other, wonderful options.
Perhaps instead of breeding your dogs, you could work with a local shelter. I know there are lots of dogs at my shelter that could really benefit by some obedience training, cart pulling, and dog sports. Wouldn't it be better to save the lives of some shelter dogs, while at the same time improve their quality of lives by vesting some interest in them!? There's no guarantee that the litters you produce will be working quality or show quality, and no one can tell the future of what will happen to the dogs or their offspring once they're out of your care.
i rescue and foster for a greyhound organization with my mom and that takes alot of time adn effort and if i added something else id slip in school and i think my dogs deserve as much attention as the dogs in our organiztion get and i want my dogs to do something they would enjoy so yes i do help at a rescue group but i also want my dogs to be athletes. i dont even get to really spend time with my walker on sunday cuz its dedicated to the rescues and even if i had bred them as i cant now i would still be spending as much time at the kennel as i do and i would apprecitae you asking questions and not just assuming i dont do rescue work.
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i also think you need to stop assuming that just becasue i bought i purebred doesnt mean i didnt consider the sheltars and other options but in a way i saved both my pits. akira was infested with worms never got human attention she has a genetic problem so she cant use her back legs we felt we had to save her from the filth she was liveing in. i know this isnt a reputible breeder that everyone is talking about but i had to save her and morgan was in a cage far from the house by himself he had one blanket and a little lean to with leaks in the roof. the only time he saw people was when he was fed. he was so shy i sit there and pick him up and rub him and the whole time he is shaking i start to walk towards him he sits. he didnt know how to react to humans he was 3 months old and was by himself in a pen so homeless before you start judging me just think what that was like and is like. the conditions at their homes were worse then the sheltar. so pleasedont assume you know everything