Malarky
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Post by Malarky on Sept 18, 2014 13:26:42 GMT -5
I'm skipping the whole thread to say that if you lose your mind and get a dog, you'd be the third person I know to do that this week. The other two have really just amped up their stress level...did you? Of course puppies are adorable..and hard to resist. Even i sometimes entertain the thought of getting a dog. Then DH dope slaps me and asks me WTF I'm thinking...
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Sept 18, 2014 13:34:49 GMT -5
I read the first page and the last page. If you don't want a dog, don't get a dog. Babybird can pet sit, and play with friends and families dogs. Many shelters take volunteers at 14, and she'll have her entire adult life to have dogs if she so chooses.
I didn't want dogs, or any pets but ended up with a herd of them. I love them and I've poured a ton of time, money, and energy into them but I will not have another one.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2014 13:36:42 GMT -5
We saw dogs like that too, Goldensam. When we first got here and were looking for a pet - apparently when Americans leave because they get stationed somewhere else they sometimes leave the pets behind instead of moving with them...WTF!! I don't understand getting a pet and knowing you are going to it on somebody else three years later !!
Anyway, we decided on cats since we travel a lot and they are lower maintenance...but there were great dogs available if we had decided to go that route. We see that a lot down here in general. People move out and leave the dog in the house with no food or water or anything at all and hopefully someone finds it before it starves to death. It's heartbreaking. That's just messed up. I'll admit part of the reason I stay in a house that is too expensive for me is the "Island of misfit toys" as I call them. I have a horse that was never broke and is 16 (17?). Sweetheart and we all love him, but useless to anyone else. I have the ponies I got from the sheriffs auction, one is terrified of people after being abused by kids, and the goats that would just end up on someone's table. Barn cats that may or may not be cared for by a new owner...and of course the chickens, but they're actually the easiest rehomers of the bunch. I couldn't just leave any of them in the lurch.
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skubikky
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Post by skubikky on Sept 18, 2014 13:53:37 GMT -5
We see that a lot down here in general. People move out and leave the dog in the house with no food or water or anything at all and hopefully someone finds it before it starves to death. It's heartbreaking. That's just messed up. I'll admit part of the reason I stay in a house that is too expensive for me is the "Island of misfit toys" as I call them. I have a horse that was never broke and is 16 (17?). Sweetheart and we all love him, but useless to anyone else. I have the ponies I got from the sheriffs auction, one is terrified of people after being abused by kids, and the goats that would just end up on someone's table. Barn cats that may or may not be cared for by a new owner...and of course the chickens, but they're actually the easiest rehomers of the bunch. I couldn't just leave any of them in the lurch. Do you ride the gelding? Mine is broke but not finished.....still working on her and she's 14....oh well. If I could just get that left lead dammit! You're a good girl. I bet the horse and ponies are livin' the life of Riley. It's one thing to have dogs, but horses is a whole nother thing. They're really not pets....they're a way of life. Kudos to you.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2014 14:25:10 GMT -5
We saw dogs like that too, Goldensam. When we first got here and were looking for a pet - apparently when Americans leave because they get stationed somewhere else they sometimes leave the pets behind instead of moving with them...WTF!! I don't understand getting a pet and knowing you are going to it on somebody else three years later !!
Anyway, we decided on cats since we travel a lot and they are lower maintenance...but there were great dogs available if we had decided to go that route. We see that a lot down here in general. People move out and leave the dog in the house with no food or water or anything at all and hopefully someone finds it before it starves to death. It's heartbreaking. Sam - what state are you in? I am appalled at how animals are treated in some states (hounds in NC as I mentioned before).
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Spellbound454
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Post by Spellbound454 on Sept 18, 2014 14:31:22 GMT -5
Springer spaniels are very popular dogs.....but there are those who are sold as pets
...and those who are bred for hunting. Best find out which pedigree you have....because they can be quite different in temperament.
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lexxy703
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Post by lexxy703 on Sept 18, 2014 14:44:32 GMT -5
I have always had dogs. My last dog passed away in 2010. Every few months I get the urge to get a dog. I go on pet finders & look to see who is in the shelter that speaks to me. Or the retired Greyhound sites. Then it rains & I see my neighbors out walking their dogs in the rain & I decide not to get a dog.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2014 14:54:30 GMT -5
That's just messed up. I'll admit part of the reason I stay in a house that is too expensive for me is the "Island of misfit toys" as I call them. I have a horse that was never broke and is 16 (17?). Sweetheart and we all love him, but useless to anyone else. I have the ponies I got from the sheriffs auction, one is terrified of people after being abused by kids, and the goats that would just end up on someone's table. Barn cats that may or may not be cared for by a new owner...and of course the chickens, but they're actually the easiest rehomers of the bunch. I couldn't just leave any of them in the lurch. Do you ride the gelding? Mine is broke but not finished.....still working on her and she's 14....oh well. If I could just get that left lead dammit! You're a good girl. I bet the horse and ponies are livin' the life of Riley. It's one thing to have dogs, but horses is a whole nother thing. They're really not pets....they're a way of life. Kudos to you. You can saddle him up and jump on and tool around the pasture. The kids sometimes just crawl on him bareback, but besides that he doesn't know much. I failed. Life got in the way for years and he was put on the back burner. I used to show his mom and she has several ROM's with the APHA, but I just never had time for her babies. You're right about them being a way of life. I think they're something some people just have in their blood. My Grandpa used to rake hay with a team of Belgians even though he had a barn full of tractors, just because he liked to, my Mom and one of my Aunts inherited the gene and I got it from them. I got my first horse at age 6 and it would seem weird not having one. For awhile I was taking care of 27 every day. When I was shopping colleges I limited them to ones that I could take my horse with and checked out the barns before the dorms. LOL
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2014 14:56:03 GMT -5
And the Gods have spoken. LOL This thread made me check out our Humane Society site (very bad move), but they have NO DOGS available. I'm in the clear. No souls to save.
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lexxy703
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Post by lexxy703 on Sept 18, 2014 15:02:19 GMT -5
And the Gods have spoken. LOL This thread made me check out our Humane Society site (very bad move), but they have NO DOGS available. I'm in the clear. No souls to save. LOL, I logged off & checked our local shelter. They have 4 dogs 3 Pitt Bulls & a Chihuaha. I would never own a Chihuaha & being an insurance agent I can't own a Pitt Bull. The little black & white male was adorable though.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2014 15:17:52 GMT -5
Dammit. Petfinder found 1500 within 100 miles of me. This one is breaking my heart. Meet Millie! Millie is a 1 year old female Mastiff/Cane Corso mix who was surrendered to the shelter along with her sister, Mona! Millie lived on a farm and was born into an accidental litter of 7 puppies! Her owners were unable to keep all of them after they got so large, so now she is waiting for her new forever home! Millie is incredibly submissive with people. As you can see in her photos, she's very camera shy and basically lays on the ground and crawls! She could definitely use some confidence building. Millie does well around other dogs and children. Her owner said that the litter used to chase cats on the farm, so we're not 100% sure about how she'll do with cats. We think that based on her personality, as long as she is properly introduced, she will probably be just fine! If you're interested in this sweet girl, please contact MCAS!
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lexxy703
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Post by lexxy703 on Sept 18, 2014 15:25:26 GMT -5
Oh Millie! She is heartbreaking. You should definitely take her into your family!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2014 15:29:02 GMT -5
But then I couldn't leave her sister Mona!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2014 15:30:52 GMT -5
I wish I wasn't so darn poor. I'd have a zoo. Although these two would probably eat my chickens and cats and save me some money there.
Mastiff and Cane Corso? Maybe even the mini horse...
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Sept 18, 2014 16:01:10 GMT -5
I vote we make this an unofficial "share photos of your pets (or the pets you really want") thread
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2014 16:07:06 GMT -5
Curse this thread! This guy looking for a home is the same cross as my sweet Sadie that I had put down last Christmas.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Sept 18, 2014 16:26:45 GMT -5
I vote we make this an unofficial "share photos of your pets (or the pets you really want" thread Poor Muttley, got freaked out during a storm and climbed up into the toolbox during the storm. He's such a sweetie. This was our poor Anna that we couldn't keep.
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Sept 18, 2014 16:28:47 GMT -5
Aww, gorgeous dogs.
So who's Felix? Is he still with you?
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Sept 18, 2014 16:44:19 GMT -5
Felix was the cat and he ran away and presumably eaten by coyotes several years ago.
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Sept 18, 2014 16:49:18 GMT -5
Poor Felix. I'm sorry. We watch Tessercat as closely as we do Babybird when she's outside. Honestly, she's small enough that a hawk could make off with her (Tessercat, not Babybird) and then I would die inside.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Sept 18, 2014 16:51:47 GMT -5
Does it help those of you with puppy/dog lust to post yet again how my 9 month old puppy ate his foam mat last week and ended up having emergency surgery...at a cost of $3200!!!! So, let's see: $1,750 to the breeder (yup, we "bought" our dog when a very reputable rescue agency kindly told us that we didn't have the recent dog experience to handle a rescue) $500 or so for well-care and vaccinations $250 for the paw pad he cut when we were living in the hotel in July $3200 for the surgery. $750 for food, toys, toys, leashes, toys, crate, toys Total for 9 months of puppy love: $6,450. ETA: $400 to have him neutered (so while I "bought" a dog, I am a responsible buyer ) Grand total: $6,850 for all of the unconditional love I ever needed...and more!
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Sept 18, 2014 16:55:14 GMT -5
Holy crap! No more complaining about Tessercat's recent vet bills. Is your puppy doing okay now?
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Sept 18, 2014 16:55:27 GMT -5
-faint-Holy shit GRG!
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Sept 18, 2014 16:57:16 GMT -5
We often pull dogs from shelters and I can assure you: the dog you pull on day one is not the same dog on day 3. Shelters are scary for most dogs and can affect their personality while there.
Absolutely! TD got (what he thinks) is a pure bred German Spitz from the local shelter. He looks like a Pomeranian on steroids, and is NOT a common breed. The story behind him was that the dog belonged to an elderly couple, the husband had a heart attack and his wife couldn't handle the dog and gave him up to the shelter.
This really makes no sense, as he's not really a high energy dog, he's not a yappy dog (hell, he never barks unless he needs to go out and we get a low level 'woof') and he has been very well trained. He is probably as easy to care for as my cat.
The only thing I can think of is that he is a very one person dog. He adores TD and when TD comes home from work, even though he's been my bestest friend during the day, he drops me like a used condom. I suspect that when the wife of his previous owner was taking him out, she was doing the work but the dog was still her husband's bestest friend and it hurt her feelings.
He's pretty much a slug, but ever since we got Sheldon, they do play together. How a 10 lb kitten and a 23 lb dog can sound like a herd of baby elephants running through the house, I'm clueless though.....
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2014 17:58:41 GMT -5
Is that a Rottweiler/Shepherd mix? And Mona is so stinking cute too! Rottweiler/Lab (so they say) but he's got a funky brindle color which is pretty cool.
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goldensam
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Post by goldensam on Sept 18, 2014 18:03:27 GMT -5
We see that a lot down here in general. People move out and leave the dog in the house with no food or water or anything at all and hopefully someone finds it before it starves to death. It's heartbreaking. Sam - what state are you in? I am appalled at how animals are treated in some states (hounds in NC as I mentioned before). Texas. There is definitely a problem in certain areas more than others. Our group covers parts of Louisiana as well and it's just as bad.
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Sept 18, 2014 18:11:11 GMT -5
If I were to get a dog, it would be a Great Dane. I've always loved them since I saw my first one as a kid and didn't know what the heck it was. I thought it might have been an odd-looking horse!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2014 18:26:49 GMT -5
Sam - what state are you in? I am appalled at how animals are treated in some states (hounds in NC as I mentioned before). Texas. There is definitely a problem in certain areas more than others. Our group covers parts of Louisiana as well and it's just as bad. I've taken part in a lot of runs coming from Broken Bow (I think that's OK) but I know Texas is horrible as well as Mississippi, Arkansas, GA, SC, NC. are you with a rescue?
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Sept 18, 2014 19:23:40 GMT -5
How did you choose your dog?
(I've read nothing beyond this post.) I am not a dog person. DD#1 and DS#2 are. DD#2 had a huge fear of dogs as a toddler (no antecedent, just innate). The best anecdote is when we were sitting on the beach digging in the sand. A little weiner dog was running in our direction, but never came closer than 20 yards to us. DD#2 was two years-old. She saw the dog out of the corner of her eye and started screaming. So, DD#2 isn't allergic to dogs, and I felt badly denying DD#2 who so desparately wanted one. Now, both the older two kids wanted a big dog--labrador would have been the smallest breed they'd have chosen. They also wanted the dog to be an indoor dog. I can't handle a big dog inside, and I wasn't willing to torture DD#2 that much either. We ended up with a mutt because we knew the dog would be small. He is half chi hua hua and half laso apso (sp?). So, he's cute (except when he's wet), but he's yappy. DD #1 loves him but even five years later still has a longing for a larger dog. DD #2 tolerates his existence. DS#2 liked to wrestle with him and that made the dog a little rough for awhile. We had to keep him away from other people when we went for walks. I don't know if that helps at all.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Sept 18, 2014 19:50:38 GMT -5
Holy crap! No more complaining about Tessercat's recent vet bills. Is your puppy doing okay now? He will get the 17 staples in his belly removed sometime within the next week. But, he is eating, pooping, peeing, playing, walking, sleeping, snuggling, and causing trouble like he did before the surgery, LOL, , so, yeah, he is doing okay. Thanks for asking. Despite the expense, and the commitment, and the worry, and his PITA moments, we have grown oh-so-very attached to the little guy.
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