Time to start looking for a new furfriend

[stacwase]

Yup. It's finally time! Jake has been gone for 7 months now. We're getting settled out here on the farm. We've got the plans for our new kennel & doggie door. I do believe that it's time to start looking!

If I find the perfect match before the kennel is complete, then I will put out a cable run temporarily. Of COURSE the dog will live indoors.

So anyway - I'm going to take my time, find a good match for Max, me, and my son.

I'm looking for a small to medium adult dog. I absolutely adore mixed breeds. Short hair would be the easiest, but not necessary. Must be good with kids, dogs and cats. We like active, rugged outdoorsy dogs - no poodles or pekinese or anything with high-maintenance fur like that. Dogs that are great for camping and hiking, kayaking, etc. You know - JRTs, pitbulls - you get the picture. Spunk is the key word.

If there is anybody out there who knows of a dog in need of a home in the Northern Wisconsin or Upper Peninsula of Michigan area, let me know. We'll drive a few hours for the perfect match!

Otherwise I'll just keep haunting the pages of Petfinder and checking out the local humane shelters.

[Dixieland Dancer]

I hope you find the perfect companion for your family. May I suggest Goldens! They are very outdoors oriented and love everyone!

[Jadapit]

Oh you would love a pit or a pit mix. They have so much spunk and they sure dont shed much.;) I wish you the best in finding that perfect match. You are going to make some dog very happy!:D

[shutterbug0303]

best of luck finding that perfect companion

[stacwase]

Originally posted by Dixieland Dancer
I hope you find the perfect companion for your family. May I suggest Goldens! They are very outdoors oriented and love everyone!

A golden or golden mix would be a possibility. They generally are more mellow than they type of dog I'm looking for (I like dogs with attitude!) but individual dogs are different, even within the same breed!

[aly]

I too think that a Pit sounds like a great match. I just have one word of caution about that though. I remember your neighbor is a jerk who threatened Max before. Do you think he's the ignorant type who stereotypes Pits and might not be very nice if the new dog ever happened to get to his property? I guess with the dog kennel, that likely won't happen though.

[pitc9]

Good For you!!!

I can't wait!!!

[lute]

that's wonderful! i hope you find the right dog.:D

[Corinna]

sounds like time to check out pet finder.

[LauraT7]

HAve you tried Golden Rescue?

Golden Retreiver Rescue of Wis (GRROW) is a great organization and they have lots of wonderful dogs. I have worked with them, and they will work with YOU to find a 'match' for your household.

http://www.grrow.org

I wouldn't write off ALL goldens as being too 'mellow' - esp if you look at a golden mix. They also adore being outdoors and they love water.

Take a look at the sweet and spunky boy we just lost -
Tristan -

http://groups.msn.com/TristansPlace/pictures

We adopted Tristan from Rescue here in Illinois - and he was a golden/ chesapeake bay retreiver mix. I have also seen many other golden mixes - generally they seem to retain that wonderful easy, outgoing temperment of the golden, while pulling the better traits of other breeds.

Tristan was a great ambassadoor for rescue - as he charmed everyone he ever met. He wasn't formally trained, but we could take him anywhere, under any conditions, and he just took it all in stride. He was the mascot of our boy scout troop, and often went with us camping, canoeing, swimming, to fund raisers, parades - you name it, he went.

Sadly, Tristan had Lymphoma, and he died a month ago. there will never be another one just like Tristan - but I see his 'attitude' in alot of Goldens, chessies, and labs.

Pits ARE a nice breed - and individually, they are loving, charming and loyal. however, alot of people are (unreasonably) fearful of them, and if you are going to be taking the dog with you lots of places, it is a consideration.

whatever you choose, good luck in your search - I'm sure some lucky dog will find you!

laura

[wolfsoul]

Catahoooula....;)

[ParNone]

hi stacwase!

You might want to take a look at Australian Cattle Dogs. They're a medium sized dog with short hair. Lots of attitude and major smarts to go with it.

Par...

[bckrazy]

Originally posted by ParNone
hi stacwase!

You might want to take a look at Australian Cattle Dogs. They're a medium sized dog with short hair. Lots of attitude and major smarts to go with it.

Par...

I definitely agree! an ACD or a ACD mix sounds like it'd fit in really well! They are the best farm doggies, good with kids and other dogs, and have tons of attitude and spunk. Pitties would be perfect too! There are tons of both of these breeds in shelters. good luck! whoever you choose will be such a lucky pup ;)

[aly]

I was browsing around Petfinder and look who I saw :)

http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi?action=2&pet=4045068&adTarget=468doggeneral&SessionID=421f8d33387232c8-app1&display=&preview=1&row=0&tmpl=&stat=

She's a Pit mix (they think with Jack Russell). How cute is she?

[K9soul]

OMGosh Aly, she's adorable! Good luck with finding your new family member stacwase :)

[animal_rescue]

We actually need to find a home for a pit bull that we rescued, her name is Essy, we've had her for 3 days now. So far she doesn't show any interest in the cats, likes the other dogs, and is good with kids. She was left in a house for 2-3 weeks without food or water, but she's a total sweetheart! We live in upper Indiana near the border of Michigan.

edit: the vet said she's almost 2 and she's on the smaller side.

Essy
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid159/pd87717e0f1be49be005b3762e20b3b58/f50963d5.jpg

edit, edit: I showed my mom this post and she said that if your interested she'd be willing to drive half way to meet you and that Essy has an appiotment on the 18th to get spayed, so she's going to stay here a few weeks to gain weight and get fixed. She loves to give kisses and doesn't hold any grudges towards her human companions for what they have done to her, she still loves everybody. She can sit, stay, and shake, and obeys off leash, she's a very good girl. We would love to see this special girl find a permanent home where something like this would never happen to her again. please PM or e-mail me if your interested. She isn't fully potty trained yet, but since she'll be with us for a couple of weeks she should be trained soon.

[aly]

Originally posted by animal_rescue
We actually need to find a home for a pit bull that we rescued, her name is Essy, we've had her for 3 days now. So far she doesn't show any interest in the cats, likes the other dogs, and is good with kids. She was left in a house for 2-3 weeks without food or water, but she's a total sweetheart! We live in upper Indiana near the border of Michigan.

edit: the vet said she's almost 2 and she's on the smaller side.

Essy
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid159/pd87717e0f1be49be005b3762e20b3b58/f50963d5.jpg

Oh gosh! I didn't know you lived close to Michigan!! That sweet girl deserves a wonderful home.

[stacwase]

Originally posted by animal_rescue
We actually need to find a home for a pit bull that we rescued, her name is Essy, we've had her for 3 days now. . . . . . I showed my mom this post and she said that if your interested she'd be willing to drive half way to meet you . . . .

Wow - that's awesome that your mom would be willing to do that. Does she realize how far that would be? It would be at least five hours each way. We live four hours on the other side of the Mackinac Bridge.

Poor little emaciated dog - how could she not hold a grudge? That just goes to show you that dogs are better people than most humans.

My son and I both looked at Essy and she looks like she would be great for us - but before I saw your post, I went to the humane society and found a little shepherd/boxer mix who's only 1 1/2 years old and has changed homes 4-5 times already. She's an awesome little dog - just very unfortunate. The first 3 times she was returned to the shelter, it was because of things like a divorce, moving, etc. This past time she was brought back because she was chewing on the furniture. :rolleyes: Her name is Aspen.

I didn't mention Aspen to my son. Tomorrow I'm going to bring him to the shelter and if he gravitates toward her, out of all the rest of the dogs there, I'll take that as a sign that she's meant to come home with us. If he doesn't, I will not suggest her to him and I'll PM you to learn more about Essy.

I have a large crate set up, and a temporary cable tie, waiting for whoever comes to share our home. I think Max knows he's getting a buddy (or girlfriend) soon, because he's hyper as heck!

[stacwase]

Originally posted by aly
I too think that a Pit sounds like a great match. I just have one word of caution about that though. I remember your neighbor is a jerk who threatened Max before. Do you think he's the ignorant type who stereotypes Pits and might not be very nice if the new dog ever happened to get to his property? I guess with the dog kennel, that likely won't happen though.

Aly - now that you mention it, YES - I think he would be precisely that type of ignorant jerk. I do not intend to allow another dog to go off leash here. I think Max is just highly unusual and most dogs probably won't stay in the yard like he does. However - if a pitty did happen to get loose here during deer season (the only time butthead deer camp neighbor is around), it would be very scary.

Laura - Tristan looks like he was an AWESOME dog. Jake also died of lymphoma - we lost him very suddenly. It was so sad.

[dukedogsmom]

I'll be excited to know which one comes home with you. I know they both need homes but I'm sort of hoping you could take Essy. I know she'd have a wonderful life with you. And, we need some Max pics! He is so gorgeous.

[lute]

sounds like both dogs are pretty good....why not bring them BOTH home?;)

[stacwase]

Originally posted by dukedogsmom
I'll be excited to know which one comes home with you. I know they both need homes but I'm sort of hoping you could take Essy. I know she'd have a wonderful life with you. And, we need some Max pics! He is so gorgeous.

Max is blushing. He thinks that's a great comment, coming from the household of one of the most georgous and dignified dogs around.

I think I am overdue to post pics. I'll have to dust off the ol' digicam.

[stacwase]

Originally posted by lute
sounds like both dogs are pretty good....why not bring them BOTH home?;)

LOL don't give me any ideas! :)

[animal_rescue]

so are you getting Aspen?

[stacwase]

I did end up getting Aspen - I brought my son to the shelter and he was immediately drawn directly to her - a sign, I think.

I'm very sorry that Essy was so mistreated, and I really hope she finds a good home soon. Thank you and your mother for rescuing her and offering to drive her half way here.

How did she end up in the terrible situation she was in? Was she just abandoned and left to die?

[animal_rescue]

Originally posted by stacwase
How did she end up in the terrible situation she was in? Was she just abandoned and left to die?

This young couple couldn't care for her or the male pit bull that was with her, so the girl took the pits to her mothers house. The mother just up and left them in the house about 3 weeks ago, when she moved to Texas. The male died along with 2 iguanas that were left in the house. I'm kind of happy you didn't take her it might give us a chance to keep her.

[stacwase]

Originally posted by animal_rescue
. I'm kind of happy you didn't take her it might give us a chance to keep her.

Oh, good - so you're not mad?

That's just awful that they were left in that condition. Every vertebra on her little backbone shows - that's criminal. Those people should be jailed.

Aspen's ribs show and her ear actually has some open areas - obviously she wasn't well-cared for either, but at least the owners had some decency and brought her to the shelter where she'd have a chance.

We're going to the vet on Monday.

[animal_rescue]

Originally posted by stacwase
Oh, good - so you're not mad?


Honestly I was at first, infact I cried, but I took a nice bubble bath with Essy and now I feel better, I thought about it and I really want Essy here with me. So now I just got to convince my mom that I will do my best to make sure that Essy is the best dog we ever had! Congradulations on Aspen, she needs you, I know you'll give her a great home!:)

[stacwase]

Oh - I hope your mom will let you keep her. I'm so sorry to have upset you. Your emotions must be pretty raw right now anyway, after all of the heartache you've witnessed.

Please accept my sincere apologies for getting your hopes up and then bringing home a different dog. Aspen's situation wasn't nearly as brutal as Essie's obviously was, but she does need a good home with somebody who will understand her. I was absolutely shocked when I found her at our local animal shelter - she wasn't listed on petfinder yet.

Thanks again to you and your mom for your kind hearts - and I'll be thinking about Essie.