BS: Looking for a dog

Subject: BS: Looking for a dog
From: MBSLynne
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 03:12 AM

Our old dog died, aged 14, three years ago now and dog-broodiness has grown to such an extent that I really need another dog. I've looked at a few rehoming sites on the net, though at least one had so many rules about what you must and mustn't do once you'd got the dog that I'd never feel as though it was mine. Has anyone got any suggestions about where I can find a dog?

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Gervase
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 03:32 AM

At the risk of some risque remarks (Dogs? Blimey missus, I've known some...never slept with one, mind, but I've woken up with a few...Sorry, I'll get me coat...), what about the Blue Cross? We've had cats from there and the staff don't seem too obsessive - just reasonably concerned about their welfare and how we're going to look after them.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: pixieofdoom
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 04:31 AM

Sometimes people put adverts in vets surgeries when trying to re-home their dogs. I've seen ads in the local papers too

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: gnomad
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 04:49 AM

Have you thought of trapping one? Judging by the state of the pavements most towns are full of them.

If you are still friendly with your local vet (s)he can probably make a few more practical suggestions, and may even know of individual animals.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 04:54 AM

Yes I agree with Pixie on the vet idea, there are alway ads in our vet's surgery.
We have always got our dogs from a local rescue service, and it has cost us nothing as opposed to the RSPCA's £30,[last I heard].
If you hanker after a specific breed of dog then all of these breeds run their own rescue service rehoming dogs of that breed. Look them up on the net.
At least that way you would find out why the dog is homeless, and not just be lumbered with a dog with unknown problems. In many cases there are good reasons why a dog needs a new home, but beware of the 'problem dog'. For many years of my life I was involved with breeding and showing dogs, and I have seen some sad cases, so caveat emptor Lynne.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 06:03 AM

Lynne...

Where do you live, someone at work with me was advertising for a home for a 5month Border Collie (tri colour) pup, male...

E>W>I>S

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: MBSLynne
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 06:03 AM

I'll look at blue cross on the net Gervase, thanks.

I may also try ringing our vet.

I looked at the web site for border collie rescue and it was that one that put me off, since you didn't appear to be able to do anything at all with the dog without informing them first.

I tried 'PAWS' as well, but all their rescue centres are an awfully long way from us.

I'll let you know of any developments.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 06:08 AM

Lynne.

Have just sent you a pm... please check!

Regards

EWIS

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 06:41 AM

Go to a dog shop.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: kendall
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 07:03 AM

Whatever you do, please find out the characteristics for certain breeds. Huskys MUST run. Border collies are neurotic dalmatians are hard to train, etc. Get a retriever; Golden or Lab. If you can settle for a plain old dog, get a mutt from the pound.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 07:10 AM

oooo Border Collies are neurotic dalmations... odd

oh I know what you mean... they are great and very loyal as long as they are very well trained AND exercised. I've known loads, all of whom were gorgeous temperments, very loyal and exceedlingly clever.

Retrievers and labs are big chewers when young, and will have a go at chewing most things including walls, skirting boards etc... but again are fabulously loyal, but LOVE LOVE LOVE eating any old junk they find.

EWIS

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: MBSLynne
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 07:45 AM

Always had labs and collie crosses up to now and you can't beat those, so I'm hoping to continue with them. Collies aren't all neurotic. They are a fairly disparate breed. It helps to be able to see the parents, but not possible with rehoming or strays.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 09:07 AM

You can look into rescuing a greyhound ... contrary to what people preceive, they are lazy, just require regular walks, are very sincere and endearing dogs.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 10:13 AM

Homeless dogs left behind when Katrina hit are being shipped to shelters all over the US. Poor things are severely traumatized first by losing their owners then by the hardships of the storm then by starvation. I don't know that they are going overseas but it's worth a look.
Many cats too.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 10:25 AM

Adopt a stray. That's what I did with my pit bull, and she is the smartest and sweetest dog I've ever owned. She wandered up the driveway and never left (she was injured so she wasn't a "free" dog.) Her companion (a catahoula) came from the Humane Society a couple of months later (I'm sure some of the UK organizations listed above are comparable). They do have rules, primarily that your animal be spayed or neutered before leaving the place and that you give it a good home.

Dogs live in the present, according to the "Dog Whisperer" Cesar Milan (of the National Geographic Channel) and he is right. And you need to be the "pack leader," or the one they look to for behavior clues. They may have had issues in the past but you can work with most of them and go forward from where you are now and have great animals. That has certainly been the case with my pit bull, who was afraid of quite a number of things in the environment until we gave her new responses. A walk at night was impossible because she was terrified of oncoming headlights. We started with daytime walks and always sat by the curb when faced with an oncoming car (both dogs do it). Given a job to do, "sit" replaced "flee" in the face of vehicles and we can take nice walks in the cool of the evening now. We no longer have a noisy tangle of leashes when we meet other dogs on our walk. They stand quietly wagging on either side of me. How cool is that?

It takes work, and dogs need good long walks to stay normal. Walks are good for you also. Good luck in whatever you adopt.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Mooh
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 10:44 AM

Best dogs we have had are the ones we have now, Rosie The Wonder Dog (Collie/Springer/Coyote), and Cosmo (Lab/Corgi). Had both since pups. Right now their training is evident as they both love practicing being doormats. Both are loving and lovable, loyal, happy, smart, active, and great companions.

I agree though, anything with Lab in it is going to chew. The house is riddled with chew toys and "bones", but I love Labs as their personalities seem to work with mine.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Scoville
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 11:25 AM

Pound, rescue, or "foundling" if you're not planning to get back into showing. Mine was a 5-year-old pound dog that nobody wanted because she was too old, had heartworms, and was ugly. Really, really, ugly. She's healthy now, all her hair has grown back, and she's not only beautiful, but she turned out to be an absolutely wonderful dog. (American Eskimo. Very similar to a German spitz or Keeshond. Basically a decent breed but can be stubborn and nasty if they're not well socialized. Probably not your thing if you're Lab people, though)

There's never any such thing as a "free" dog, of course. Most of them will need to be spayed/neutered, may need heartworm treatment (depends on where you live and their history--it's almost universal here unless they're well-cared-for), repairs, etc. But you probably know that since you've had dogs before.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: MBSLynne
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 02:08 PM

I've never heard of heartworm. It sounds horrible.

One of the best dogs my family ever had was a resuce dog. he'd been hit by a car and taken in. His poor face was always slightly askew and he was ugly but he was the most incredible smart dog with a fantastic personality. Hard act to follow though....

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 02:17 PM

"I've never heard of heartworm"

And you claim to have been a dog owner??????

You must have been REALLY crap at it....

All you'd have to do is take it to a vet ONCE and they'd test for heartworm.... it's that standard a procedure....

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: GUEST,Number 6
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 02:36 PM

Is canine heartworm an issue in Great Britain?

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 02:46 PM

http://www.isabellevets.co.uk/health_advice/dog/info/roundwormsdog.htm

"Until recently Heartworm caused by Dirofilaria immitis has not been a problem in the United Kingdom. However two factors are changing this situation and we should all be warned about the possibilities of this fatal parasite, especially if we live or travel in mainland Europe or live in southern Britain."

There ya have it I guess.....

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Sorcha
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 02:58 PM

More of a problem in hotter climates, but with the UK quarantine now lifted it will become a problem.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 03:14 PM

FYI-- border collies are NOT like other collies in temperament-- bred to boss livestock or anyone acting like livestock.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: MBSLynne
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 04:55 PM

Clinton, why do you have to say ordinary things in such an offensive way? No I was not crap as a dog owner..as you see, heartworm is not something we've had over here until recently. Why don't you get your facts straight before you start slagging people off? I thought it was too good to last. I'd started to visit the Cat a bit more often lately and actually had some decent conversations, but I should have known as soon as I saw your name on the thread that unpleasantness would follow. Happens every time. It's a pity...this would be a nice place if it were not for the few arseholes like you.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 05:27 PM

It could be worse. Have you met Martin Gibson yet?

Heartworms are usually fatal for the dog or cat if left untreated, and hard to treat. The treatment is a form of chemotherapy that is pretty hard on the animals.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: LilyFestre
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 05:29 PM

If you live out in the country, a good way to find out about a dog is to ask your mail carrier. Our mail lady can tell us who has kittens, chicks, puppies, piglets, calves. It's a good way to find a local pup without going through the expense of a pet store (which I would NEVER recommend). The pound is a good place too...just depends on what YOU want...a pup with a clean slate or a dog that may need some help readjusting to a new family...both very worthwhile adventures IMHO.

Let us know what you get, k? We once had 10 labs and 22 lab puppies at one time...WOOO WEEE! We're down to 5 labs...can't imagine life without a lab.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: kendall
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 05:43 PM

I saw what heartworm did to a neighbor's dog. Horrible, and so unnecessary.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: GUEST,rarelamb
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 06:41 PM

Some good advice here. I wanted to put my 2 centavos into the ring and support the notion that you should research the breed. Purebred dogs have the benefit of having some common characteristics. I would determine what kind of lifestyle I live and then try to find a breed that best matches it.

If you work and no one is home during the day then a puppy may not be for you. I'm not sure if in the UK there are breed rescues but in the US there are specific breed rescues through out the country. That avenue has the benefit of going through people who know the breed and have done the leg work to match you up with the best dog/bitch. They also take care of the medical work and have temperament tested the dog.

Another avenue would be to find a RESPONSIBLE breeder. Many breeders have adults that they are trying to home. This avenue is more expensive initially but may be cheaper in the long run due to the careful breeding resulting in cheaper medical expenses.

Good luck with whatever you do and keep us updated.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 06:47 PM

"Why don't you get your facts straight before you start slagging people off?"
Where's the fun in that...

"this would be a nice place if it were not for the few arseholes like you"
So then fuck off and don't come back....

"Heartworms are usually fatal for the dog"
Exactly why it's a big deal....

"a good way to find out about a dog is to ask your mail carrier"
That's a GREAT idea!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 07:32 PM

I haven't bothered to read all this thread MSBLynne, but I have to ask, wouldn't a nice girl be better for you than a dog?

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: MBSLynne
Date: 15 Mar 06 - 10:12 AM

I don't swing that way Robin!

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Raptor
Date: 15 Mar 06 - 11:17 AM

SIT Clinton SIT

Thats a bad boy!

Go to your crate!

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 15 Mar 06 - 12:27 PM

I sometimes think I'd like a dog. I'd call him Jim or something similar and we'd go out for walks. but then I realise I'm not mature enough to look after a dog, or a guitar, or anything.

if I had a dog it would get scratches in it, like my guitar. people would say - he doesn't treat that dog very well - just as they say about my guitar. the neighbours would say, that's his bloody dog making a noise again - like they do about my guitar.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Maryrrf
Date: 15 Mar 06 - 12:37 PM

Good luck with your search for a dog, Lynne. I second the suggestion of an older dog. They have more problems finding homes and at least will have gone through the stage where they chew everything. (By the way, I also thought CH was way out of line with his remark)

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 15 Mar 06 - 12:52 PM

What are you looking for in a dog? It can influence the preferred breed, although I would agree that retired greyhounds are a good choice unless you or your neighbours have cats - because the greyhound is one of the few breeds that can pretty well guarantee to catch a fleeing cat - others being saluki borzoi maybe deerhound and others of the larger gazehounds.

The various UK breed rescues are mostly quite reputable.

I am concerned at the practice of many of the big rehoming centres, particularly the RSPCA in castrating all dogs before rehoming. I am aware of a case in which the RSPCA castrated the ONLY two white male Pharoahhounds in the country because of this policy: a material loss to the genepool. White is permissible in Pharoahhounds, it's not like removing Dudley boxers or white GSDs from the genepool

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 15 Mar 06 - 12:54 PM

But wld, the important thing is that you care about your guitar, even if you neglect it. You might do the same with a dog, and the dog would return your caring, as long as it doesn't know that there are better masters than you around.

Just don't let your guitar play with others, or it may come to understand that you're not the true god of music, and it may follow a better master off to some unknown place.

I had a girl-friend did that to me once, long ago.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: LilyFestre
Date: 15 Mar 06 - 08:53 PM

Remedying the chewing is fairly easy. When you are home with the dog, instantly replace a shoe or sock or whatever with a real bone. Spray anything that the dogs seems to like to chew on and shouldn't, with Green Apple Spray. You can buy it at the local farm store, pet store or online. Having had way more dogs than a person should ever have at once, I swear by the stuff. Animals hate it and it won't hurt your stuff or your children. It smells bitter for about 5 minutes and then the smell disapates.

So...did you find yourself a new friend yet?

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: GUEST,Dave'sWife sans cookie
Date: 15 Mar 06 - 10:08 PM

I second the recommendation to go to a Breed Rescue. I got both my last 2 dogs from German Shepherd Rescue and I couldn't have done better. Breed rescues truly care about their breed and go round to various kill shelters pulling out good pure-breds without health issues or behavior defects hoping to place them with a lover of that breed. I started out fostering both dogs and kept them both. One was an elderly dog and one a puppy.

The advantage to fostering is that the breed Rescue will cover most routine Vet Care until you decide that you will keep the dog. If you stay as a foster parent, they usually pick up all vet expenses if that is an issue for you. I adopted both relatively quickly and never took them up on that but it's something to consider. This way, if your heart could stand it, you could even consider fostering an older dog of about 7 or 8 that might otherwise be stuck at the Rescue. That was my thinking the first time I went to German Shepherd Rescue.

If you want a puppy, they have them too. You could get a dog that would ordinarily cost $800 to $1000 American for a $100 donation. Sometimes, they are just thrilled to have you take the dog and waive adoption fees.

Best of luck to you. When you get your new Puppy, please start a silly puppy thread so thosew of us who like to gush over baby dogs can do all of our requisite gushing!

(Hey Sooz? How's Meg?)

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 02:06 PM

Pitbulls can catch cats also. It was expensive when my dog caught one of the cats. The cat's injury happened to be a broken jaw when she bit the dog, no punctures or bruises to her hind leg that we pryed from the dog's mouth. We think she just wanted to play, but it didn't work out too well. So I had to get the pit treated for the bite to the bony top of her snout. You can still feel the little scars there when you pet her. The dogs are banned from the house now.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Sooz
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 02:31 PM

Meg the Border Collie is just over a year now. A great companion but quite demanding on the exercise and attention (which was why we chose the breed.)Incidentally she is most of the reason we have just bought a motorhome so she doesn't have to go into kennels so we can go on holiday.
Our previous dog was an Old English Sheepdog rescued through the RSPCA. An amazing character, very affectionate and loyal despite what she had been through.
I think any dog is mostly what you make it - nature 10% vs nurture 90%

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: kendall
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 03:19 PM

There are certain traits that can not be "nurtured" out, so, beware.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 09:36 PM

Sooz- so glad to hear Meg is doing well. Can you post the link to her photo page again? I had it bookmarked but lost it in a computer crash.

I hate to think of the day when my Alsatian will pass away. He's 7 now and slowing down a bit due to his epilepsy. Considering his seizure problem though - he's doing remarkably well. My vet hasn't got any other epileptic dogs who go for several months without a grand mal episode. I think part of it is normal aging. He stayed so puppyish for so long. One day when he turned 5, he wasn't quite the bouncy boy he once was.

I've no complaints though. He still likes to go hiking and play his own made up games in the yard. We play dog tag, dog football and something called "spin the puppy' which is great fun.


MBSLYnne, I hope you find a wonderful doggie to love and who will love you. There's nothing better than having a good dog except perhaps having a good spouse and nice children and a good beer.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: LilyFestre
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 09:43 PM

Wait...you bought a motorhome so you can take your dog on holiday with you and not have to board her? Damn. I want your life.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: nutty
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 02:43 AM

I have two 'rescue' dogs and love them both dearly. I second whats been said about the rescue organisations, dogs need homes and both dog and prospective owner are vetted before re-homing is allowed.

The RSPCA do not usually rehome dogs with people who are out at work all day.

If you are looking for a specific type of dog there are 'breed' rescue groups. Eg. Border Collie Rescue. Try Googling for them.

CLINTON ..... Heart Worm is very very very rare in the UK.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 06:20 AM

I wish we could get an RV (American for Motor Home) so we could take our doggy with us on vacation. I had to recently stay at home while Dave went alone to a family funeral because no kennel would take an epileptic dog. The same may happen later this spring for a family wedding. Putting Poochie in the coach and driving off would be ever so much better!

Well Sooz, I guess this means we should expect many more photos of Meg 'singing' at festivals and song circles, yes?

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 09:21 PM

Right after Hurricane Katrina the local humane society started trying to move the local animals so they could bring in "Katrina dogs." I went down to the shelter and looked around, and asked about taking one home to meet my dog. She needed a companion and this was a good opportunity. They said I'd have to bring her down there and they'd let them meet. It was a really hot day, 100 degrees, so after Cinnamon (the pitbull) and I met Poppy and they hit it off so well, I kept Cinnamon with me while I waited in line inside to sign the papers. They had so many people there wanting to help out who had never owned dogs that they were taking a long time with each prospective adoptee (I watched them deny one woman, and did she go ballistic! I think they were right, though). Cinnamon lay on the floor at my feet, and as people came into the room they either sidled around the room to avoid her, or walked up to me and asked to pet her. (Several wanted to adopt her!) She happily wagged and licked hands and was pleased with the attention. When I got to the clerk, they didn't read me the "how to care for a dog because they're a lot of work" speech. We just signed the papers. My supposedly high-maintenance dog had performed perfectly and that's what they needed to know about me as a dog owner. I was so proud of her!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: LilyFestre
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 11:17 PM

Hey Dave's Wife,

    We had a dog who had seizures and our vet would board him at the hospital when we needed to be away (rare for us...so it didn't happen often). It cost a little bit more than normal boarding but then it was a convience for us and we knew our pup was where she would receive help if necessary. Just a thought.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 22 Mar 06 - 05:01 AM

It's not often I repsond to the rudeness of some people on the mudcat, mostly I can't be bothered to get in to the bickering, and I know I shouldn't respond to this but...

It's a real shame that some people have to turn to offensive words to get their points across to others. And in that I mean Clinton's offensive use of the English language. It really is a shame, and to be frank, there's enough problems in day to day life why should we face offensiveness here.

Yes, there is a huge problem with Heartworm in USA (and I only know about this because of friends who live in there), but to date the cases are not high in the UK. Vets are not mentioning it in the regular yearly animal check ups we do when we take our animals for their boosters/check ups etc. So, how is the average jack or jill meant to know about it, without prior ventinary knowledge, or links to people in the USA to discuss these problems. At the moment, vets here do not generally test for heartworm, and yes perhaps they should start doing so.

It would be great if people could withhold their offensive comments and try for some more constructive 'conversational' skills which could be put to good use to informing our mudcat pals and share the vast amount of knowledge wealth and normal debating – instead of attacking people so easily especially when you don't know what 'state' their emotions may be in.

I'd love it if people could refrain from using offensive and plain rudeness, the English language is diverse, use it wisely... But most of all ... try to be nice... and think about which country the poster comes from.

EWIS

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: MBSLynne
Date: 22 Mar 06 - 06:13 AM

Agree totally Sooz, but I think you're flogging a dead horse.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: BS: Looking for a dog
From: Ebbie
Date: 22 Mar 06 - 11:58 AM

Alaska is another place without heartworm. However, I know of a dog in town that eventually had to be put down because of heartworm. The owner with his dog had recently moved here from Texas.