My OWN dog.

[AGonzalez]

Well I hate to jump on bandwagons, but with what you've said in the past about the care your other dogs have received, why would you bring another dog into that? For some of the smallest issues you've had a ton of trouble getting dogs to the vet and you're actually considering getting another dog?

Why not take care of those that you have and give them the quality of life they deserve? Why should a new dog get good treatment when your other dogs are getting bare minimum?

 

[FluffyZooCrew]

I think this quote right here:

But she's still getting better care than the other dogs are

bothered me the most.

 

[AgilityPup]

I don't know what the deal is on all your current dogs, but I say wait until you've got money saved up, and then, don't go for an ex-BYB breeder. I know that they need homes, and we have a GSD here who is 8 and had been used as a breeder for the best part of her life. For her, we pay $50 a month to have her pills, another $20 or so for her supplement, and then count all the vet visits we had to make for her teeth, her limp, her general health, ad her $100 every two week dog food (we're feeding RAW because it's supposed to be better for all her aches and pains), and she's one expensive dog.

Do we love her to bits? Yes. Do we regret bringing her home? Not at all! But the difference is, we're 4 people. 3 of which work full time, and I work part time in the summer. We share the costs of our dogs, and ALL OF THEM get the best they can get, because that's what they need.

I say, if you're INSISTANT on getting your OWN dog RIGHT NOW, keep looking on Kijiji (that's where I found Psyche looking for a home!), and find one that someone got sick of, or doesn't want anymore, you'll still be helping a dog out, just not taking on one you wont be able to financhally care for if some problems arise.

Not trying to be harsh, just saying.

 

[tessa_s212]

I work at a veterinary office, and it is the little dachshunds that we can make a LOT of money off of.

In addition to the disk disease(back problems) dachshunds can have, think about thryoid disease(hypothyroidism), congenital eye defects, severe dental issues, cataracts, serious, reoccuring allergies. When you bring a breed of dog into your home from VERY poor bloodlines, you HAVE to think about what all can go wrong, and if you could honestly truly afford the ongoing veterinary bills. NOT just the initial vaccines or vet visit, but serious ongoing bills. If you don't even currently have a part time job, I'm not sure how you think you will be able to afford a dog.

I think it is awesome that you are ambitious to have your OWN dog, your own responsibility, and to take good care of it. And although you may not feel your current animals are "YOURS," if it is true that they are lacking in care,.. I'd be looking to better their care before you bring another dog in your home. I don't know your parents, but if they are willing to skimp on the care for the rest of the dogs, what makes the new dog so special? Parents can sometimes be like kids - they can make blind promises and give you hope, but really nothing about the way the new dog is treated is much better than the others.

I also want to point out that up and moving out and taking animals with you isn't as easy as you're dreaming of. My dogs are still currently living with my mother. They are getting good care, but it can be very hard to find apartments that allow animals. And those that do allow animals can be very costly. Would you be comfortable leaving your animals when you move out? What about college?

Please, please.. invest in the dogs you already currently have so that their lives are better and they get improved care before thinking about bringing another into your home.

 

[Criosphynx]

In addition to the disk disease(back problems) dachshunds can have, think about thryoid disease(hypothyroidism), congenital eye defects, severe dental issues, cataracts, serious, reoccuring allergies. When you bring a breed of dog into your home from VERY poor bloodlines, you HAVE to think about what all can go wrong, and if you could honestly truly afford the ongoing veterinary bills. NOT just the initial vaccines or vet visit, but serious ongoing bills. If you don't even currently have a part time job, I'm not sure how you think you will be able to afford a dog.

this strikes me because I totally agree.

I can't say "don't get any dog" its not really my place, I'd rather see a dog in a home then dead anyday, but I can say, as an owner of a badly bred pet store dog who has gobs of health issues that I'd seriously reconsider the rescue route for this breed if $$$ is an issue AT ALL.

Critter runs me several thousands of $$$ yearly because of her poor breeding and poor care prior to coming to live with me. If you do decide to rescue a dog I'd go with a different dog and save yourself alot of drama.

 

[copperdogsmom]

You mentioned in a previous post that as soon as you bath Padfoot He will be becoming a inside dog.Have you done that ? You should better his life before you add another.

 

[mrose_s]

I have to agree with what others have said, why not save your money and put it into your CURRENT dogs.
Buster is very healthy, his only issue is his HD and even that has ongoing costs for his supplements and stuff, its about the same price as his food.
I would get a job first so you have a reliable source of income and focus on giving your current dogs a better life first.

I also agree moving out with a dog is hard, I leave town on my own in 2 days and Buster's staying here with mum for atleast a month while I try to find a rental and then sending him up after that (going to cost about $800 just to get him to me because I'm paying most of his costs while I'm gone) and if I get there and just can't find somewhere to live I'm going to have to come home again, re-save and then have another go.
I adore Buster, he is my life. But it is bloody difficult trying to take him with me.

 

[ihartgonzo]

I have one question:

WHY DO YOU NEED 6 DOGS?

I'm sorry, but I don't understand why anyone who is struggling to provide anything for one of their dogs would have the desire to get another. Much less 5. Instead of saving up money to spay this dog, feed this dog, take this dog to the Vet, etc, why not save up money to correct Padfoot's entropion? Oh, because that's not new and shiney and exciting? *le sigh*

Like Fluffy said, it breaks my heart to hear you say "at least she will be given better care/food than the other dogs". What? If apparently Padfoot is being allowed in the house, and things are looking up, why add another dog into the equation? Why not save up to improve the lives of your currect dogs?

One more thing... "free dogs" are often far from that. She has not been spayed. She needs to be checked out by a Vet. Being from a BYB and having lived outside all of her life, there's a good chance that she has health issues, periodontal disease, etc. She is definitely not a well-bred dog, nor from an honest/reputable person, and serious structural issues are almost certaintly present or soon to be present. BYB's and PM's are always looking for money, and the fact that she's free is a good indication that they are losing money on her. Adopting a dog from a rescue who has been altered, Vet checked, and fully evaluated is a much safer option in the long-run... and I do agree that taking a dog from a BYB who they have used up and exploited as much as they possibly can IS condoning their immoral practices and IS giving them room for more.

 

[babymomma]

I have one question:

WHY DO YOU NEED 6 DOGS?

I'm sorry, but I don't understand why anyone who is struggling to provide anything for one of their dogs would have the desire to get another. Much less 5. Instead of saving up money to spay this dog, feed this dog, take this dog to the Vet, etc, why not save up money to correct Padfoot's entropion? Oh, because that's not new and shiney and exciting? *le sigh*

Like Fluffy said, it breaks my heart to hear you say "at least she will be given better care/food than the other dogs". What? If apparently Padfoot is being allowed in the house, and things are looking up, why add another dog into the equation? Why not save up to improve the lives of your currect dogs?

One more thing... "free dogs" are often far from that. She has not been spayed. She needs to be checked out by a Vet. Being from a BYB and having lived outside all of her life, there's a good chance that she has health issues, periodontal disease, etc. BYB's and PM's are always looking for money, and the fact that she's free is a good indication that they are losing money on her. Adopting a dog from a rescue who has been altered, Vet checked, and fully evaluated is a much safer option in the long-run... and I do agree that taking a dog from a BYB who they have used up and exploited as much as they possibly can IS condoning their immoral practices and IS giving them room for more.

^^^^^ THIS!

I want another dog REALLY bad.

But im doing what is right for my CURRENT dog by not getting another dog. She needs me to focus on HER now (Just like your current dogs need you to help them) .. Im sorry but i REALLY do notthink you are in the situation to have the dogs you have now, Let alone another.

 

[colliewog]

I hate to chime in on things that others have said, but I too am a vet tech and even the best bred Dachshund will be prone to dental disease because of head shape (Collies and Greyhounds too - I'm not picking on Doxies), plus the obvious with the potential for back problems. It sounds like a serious medical problem, or the cost of a veterinary dental cleaning might be out of your price range for awhile.

Good luck, no matter what you decide, but please think with your head before your heart. If you don't take that little one, someone else will. And then you can find another dog at a later date when your position is more concrete.

 

[Criosphynx]

Critters last dental

$700

I was quoted $1400

thats what can happen with a BYB dog.

I didn't realize you already had multiple dogs let alone 5. I think you need to back the soul train up and let the BYB find the dog another home.

 

[Whisper]

I have one question:

WHY DO YOU NEED 6 DOGS?

I'm sorry, but I don't understand why anyone who is struggling to provide anything for one of their dogs would have the desire to get another. Much less 5. Instead of saving up money to spay this dog, feed this dog, take this dog to the Vet, etc, why not save up money to correct Padfoot's entropion? Oh, because that's not new and shiney and exciting? *le sigh*

Like Fluffy said, it breaks my heart to hear you say "at least she will be given better care/food than the other dogs". What? If apparently Padfoot is being allowed in the house, and things are looking up, why add another dog into the equation? Why not save up to improve the lives of your currect dogs?

One more thing... "free dogs" are often far from that. She has not been spayed. She needs to be checked out by a Vet. Being from a BYB and having lived outside all of her life, there's a good chance that she has health issues, periodontal disease, etc. She is definitely not a well-bred dog, nor from an honest/reputable person, and serious structural issues are almost certaintly present or soon to be present. BYB's and PM's are always looking for money, and the fact that she's free is a good indication that they are losing money on her. Adopting a dog from a rescue who has been altered, Vet checked, and fully evaluated is a much safer option in the long-run... and I do agree that taking a dog from a BYB who they have used up and exploited as much as they possibly can IS condoning their immoral practices and IS giving them room for more.

WORD. :hail:

I would absolutely love another dog. I want another Border Collie very much, but adding another would mean skimping on the care my current dogs get.
I don't understand why you would be planning things to do with a dog that isn't even yours while dogs that belong to your family are living in substandard conditions.
Just a week ago there was an adult cat and a kitten living under my neighbor's house and I helped trap them. They wanted the adult, so I almost brought the kitten home. That would not have been the right thing to do just because I wanted to. With what my mom earns we can take care of the animals we have now. That's it, no more animals until there's more to spare. Both my dogs are due for their rabies vac in a month, and if I hadn't thought it through, I might have found myself choosing between the kitten's shots and spay, and my dogs' shots. Or I might not to have been able to afford good food and they all could have ended up eating Ol' Roy or some crap (I'd never feed my girls that, just an example). Instead, I fostered the kitten and found her a great home with someone I know.
The animals you have should come first before any new one! And you're kidding yourself if you think all that dog is going to cost is food bills and the price of a couple toys.
Once you've helped improve your current dogs' welfare drastically, and you have a job, then start just to think about getting another dog.

I don't think you have to give a BYB $$ to condone what they do. Helping them support their business, even just by "clearing out" a retired dog, is supporting them, even just indirectly. If the dog was in the care of a rescue after being reliquished by the BYB, that would be different.

 

[bittervanityx]

Critters last dental

$700

I was quoted $1400

thats what can happen with a BYB dog.

I didn't realize you already had multiple dogs let alone 5. I think you need to back the soul train up and let the BYB find the dog another home.

And thats something I guess you could say "genetic?"
Have you considered accidents? Like my Zelda and I just went through. She ate plastic. Needed a surgery that cost 1300$ to save her life.

Reading though all this material I really do think you should forget about a 6th dog and why not just baby one of the ones you already have?

they aren't toys you know...

 

[FluffyZooCrew]

Accidents are a biggie, and something that should be considered. Accidents can happen even under the most watchful eye and emergency vets are BEYOND expensive.

Bo ate a poisonous mushroom last year. I had just went thru the whole yard, and he somehow found one I had missed.

Emmy developed Epilepsy and the first seizure she had, we rushed her to the emergency vet, and let's just say that it took two credit cards to pay the bill at the time, when they got done with the tests.

Annie completely dislocated her hip and fractured her leg, when her leash slipped my hand and she ran off and tripped in something. She needed surgery to repair it and cast it. 2 days later, she ripped off the cast and dislocated it again, and had to have EVERYTHING re-done. I will not even begin to tell you the fortune that was spent.

I had rescued Sam and only 4 days later he nearly died from an allergic reaction and had issues that have never gone away. The amount of tests and specialists that have followed reached into numbers that included a comma.

Accidents happen. And when they do, they are beyond expensive.

As someone else said, a dog is way more than just food and toys and a simple vet exam every now and then.

 

[MafiaPrincess]

Smudge kept zooming through bushes.. Put his face into a bush sort of humped it, brought the weirdo in to discover he was rubbing his face like mad. Eye swelled shut, he kept crying.. 4 hour ER wait.. other eye swelled shut.. Billion tests later he was okay.. needed a follow up vet appointment, he wasn't so okay needed an ophthalmologist appointment, finally was okay.. Final bill 740 dollars for an oops from a zoomie fit.

 

[FluffyZooCrew]

Yep, and bills add up later on even when it's not a life and death emergency.

Found a lump on Audubon, and she ended up having to have surgery and a biopsy, plus follow-up x-rays after the lump was found to be a mast cell tumor.

Mattie's teeth were so rotted, the roof of his mouth started coming undone (yes... undone) as the bone had been eaten away from infection, and needed corrective surgery to glue it back in place and repair it.

Gracie started having white gums and a lack of appetite. Took her in and she went thru rounds of x-rays and bloodwork only to find out her liver wasn't working properly. Not to mention one month after I got her (and this is a dachshund, btw), her back went out completely and we had to have that fixed too.

We adopted Jake, only to be told he had a heart murmur the day we took him home. So I took him to the vet, and a ECG, 4 x-rays, and 2 sets of bloodwork later, we found out that he has an enlarged heart, mitral valve prolapse, and congestive heart failure, on top of the fact that his kidneys aren't functioning quite as they should. Now he's on daily medication and special diet.

The list goes on and on and on. All my guys are rescues, and half are on medications for *something*. My cabinet looks like a pharmacy, litterally. Because the reality is, when you take in a rescue dog, you are typically not taking in a top of the line dog from great genes. You are taking in the leftovers of BYB's that have bred, continuously, genetically screwed up dogs.

And I know you've seen a lot of our responses, as you logged in last night, but never replied back. No one here is being rude, but the 4 pages of responses are because we CARE about the future dog you take in, and we want what's best for it. And your heart may be in the right place, but that doesn't mean your intentions will be the best thing for this dog, especially if you cannot financially support the dog, and your mom is not willing to. One of your dogs died of parvo awhile back because your mom refused to give it vaccinations. You say she's treating her animals better now, yet you posted the other day that she's threatening to throw your cat outside because you can't get it litterbox trained. This is on top of the fact that you are not working.

I think we all just worry about the future well-being of the dog. A lot of us have been there and done that, and we know the costs that come with owning a dog, especially a bad bred BYB breeder dog. It's not necessarily how many dogs you own (hell, I have 15), but it's a matter of being able to financially support all of them, especially if they need a vet. I may not be rich, but my dogs have never been denied a vet visit, or even a specialist when needed, nor have they ever been deprived medication or expensive testing when it's called for. Bills get paid, and they see a vet, no matter what.

I think the bottom line is, according to your latest threads, many here don't feel you are ready for a new dog. Not when the others are not being properly cared for. When those begin to be properly cared for, and you are working a job that enables you to financially care for the dogs yourself without replying on your mother, then that will be an entirely different story.

JMHO.

 

[Zoom]

Kayota, I know this thread probably seems quite overwhelming, but for the most part, everyone's heart is in the right place. Now probably isn't the best time to be adding another member to your household. I too suggest you focus on the animals you do have, because when you don't have a job and can't totally pay for things, no animal you get is going to TRULY be yours.

But think how great it will be in a few years when you can take all you've learned from this board and all the money you've saved up by getting a job and can really get your very own dog and won't have to worry about what your mom says.

 

[babymomma]

Great post FZC!

I have to say, to bring in another dog in your situation (im sorry if this is blunt/rude, but it is how i feel), Would be selfish... Speand the time with padfoot, or your other dogs. You posted the other day that you could keep padfoot in the house as soon as he was bathed And brushed. And i couldnt understand why you were posting it instead of DOING it right away. If it were me he would have been in the tub and being brushed at the same time just so i could get him in faster! Sorry, but that was bothering me and had to put it out there...

The point is. You have 5 dogs! Yes, it wou;d be Nice to have more arround, If you didnt have to pay for food, vet care etc. Heck, id have 100 if time/money wasnt an issue AT ALL.. but i wont be bringing in anymore until i know i am financially ready, and that will be probably, 5 yeards from now. It sucks, because i really want another dog, but im thinking of what is best for keely and The future dog!


Just out of curiousity, is padfoot inside now?

 

[smkie]

I was thinking that Zoom. YOu said it better then i could.

 

[yoko]

i'm sorry but i disagree with you getting a new dog right now. i didn't know what the others were talking about so i read a few other threads of yours.

1.) one of your dogs died of parvo because your mom didn't get its vacs. your other dogs were exposed to parvo and two of them were not up to date with vaccs putting them at risk.

2.) i know this has nothing to do with care or training... but you used the words

My mom got a dog to replace Cindy

i don't even have words to express how i feel about that statement.

3.) these are your words again

mom doesn't train and even keeps them outside, plus I'm not there long enough to train consistently (weekends and some of the summer)

]

one month of summer is already almost over. what happens when you go back to school and you have stuff to do with friends? any school activities, homework? it doesn't sound like you have enough time to train the dog as you say you do.

4.) i don't want to sound mean right now because i really thought this when i was younger.

until you live in your own place, do most of the training, pay for ALL of the vet and food bills for the dog it's not really yours. it's only yours in words alone.

say your dog gets sick and the vet bill comes up to 600 with just tests no surgery yet. the dog has surgery pushing the bill into the thousands. where is that money coming from? your mom that's where. her money is the only thing that will get the vet to save/help the dog. if it comes down to surgery or put down that will not be your choice.


you need to work with and love the dogs you already have. spoil them. try going for a full year where you love on them and train them. go a full year with them *ALL of them* getting their vet visits and vaccs. and when you are on your own in a place that will let you have a dog that YOU can pay for then you should get your own dog.