Just another throw away....
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...9/f95b9edb.jpg
Printable View
Just another throw away....
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...9/f95b9edb.jpg
Both of mine were shelter pups. :)
Since Ripley was a stray, I guess he could be called "a walk away." :(
Ripley's shelter pic...
http://img27.photobucket.com/albums/...ip/shelter.jpg
And more recently...
Decked out in his NASCAR finery :)
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...a/fbe8d19e.jpg
GRRR....Imagestation is giving me a headache! :(
I think Karen and Paul need to enable picture posting in the Dog House. It never works in the Dog House........ever......so I'm assuming posting pics is disabled for the Dog House board. :confused:
PCB you know you are right! Dumb dumb me never realized that my Photobuckets pic didn't show up either. So it isn't Imagestation? (Slinks off feeling silly....)
:D :pQuote:
Originally posted by Pam
PCB you know you are right! Dumb dumb me never realized that my Photobuckets pic didn't show up either. So it isn't Imagestation? (Slinks off feeling silly....)
He he
Poor imagestation got blamed for nothing.
I can tell you *EXACTLY* why..Quote:
Originally posted by Amber
Okay, Im sorry. Im just upset, how this thread came out. And yes I need to cool down., Please splash some water on me.
I just wondered how someone who has there heart set on a shelter dog, but then goes off and gets a breeder dog. :confused:
Someone may say that they have their heart set on getting a dog from the shelter, but what if they happen to go.... see a sign or something that says 'PUPPIES FOR SALE' and they go to it.. They may want a puppy from the shelter, but one of these puppies from a breeder may be the one that was 'meant to be' for you.. I mean, *Sorry this is gonna be about MY dog for a second* when i got cami, i saw plenty of other puppies as cute as cami, but only cami grabbed my heart, :) That probably makes no sense at all, and if it doesn't, sorry for my input.. :o lol
CamCamPup33,Quote:
Originally posted by CamCamPup33
I can tell you *EXACTLY* why..
Someone may say that they have their heart set on getting a dog from the shelter, but what if they happen to go.... see a sign or something that says 'PUPPIES FOR SALE' and they go to it.. They may want a puppy from the shelter, but
I'm supposing they would never go to see the "puppies for
sale" if a person REALLY wanted to get a dog from a Shelter.
I'm also supposing that whomever adopts the dog is an adult
that can fully support & care for the dog themselves & not
depend on any one else to do it.
In this discussion, I've only been thinking of adults who would be
ultimately responsible for the choice.:)
I dunno. Am I the only one that researches and analyzes to death and agonizes over choosing the right dog (more or less losing sleep over the decision)? I am so paranoid of making a mistake and having a nitemare on my hands and it would absolutely kill me if I ever had to give away a dog. I feel I have limitations on dog experience and training ability, that I have to be very careful. I see all the behaviorial issues on this forum and others, that people have to deal with and after Oz, I just know it doesn't have to be that way. I look at other dogs, but I find myself circling back around to Smooth Collies.
And this may be veering a lil' off the subject, but my only possibility, slim though it may be (in 2 yrs, I think I've seen 2 smoothies in rescue here), to get a Smoothie is through rescue (I've yet to see one at the shelters here) and I seriously doubt they're going to adopt to me, regardless of the fact that I have two of the happiest, most well adjusted guys you'd ever want to meet. I work all day and even though they're mostly inside dogs, I will leave them unsupervised in the backyard, fenced though it may be. So I usually just look at the dogs in shelters vs rescue, but that leads to a whole scary unknown factor, of what their temperaments and health might be.
I dunno we had a nitemare dog when I was a kid and I do not want to relive that experience. I have stressful job, so I really don't need a stressful home life. I give Oz and Murph big ole kisses on the head first thing everyday when I get home for being so wonderful.
Par...
It just makes me sad that you think nightmare dogs come from shelters :( :(
Not every shelter dog's background is unknown. At my shelter, the previous owners fill out a 6 page questionaire of the background of the dog. Sure we don't have those on every dog, but still.
Also, when we have dogs with unknown backgrounds, we (volunteers and staff) start taking the dog on outings, home visits, overnights, foster rotations, etc so we can evaluate the behavior and start getting the dog acclimated to life outside of the shelter.
Researching a breed is good, but there comes a point where you also have to evaluate the individual personality of the dog. It is definately good to know what the breed is prone to, but SO much diversity exists between individuals.
Quote:
Originally posted by aly
Not every shelter dog's background is unknown. At my shelter, the previous owners fill out a 6 page questionaire of the background of the dog. Sure we don't have those on every dog, but still.
Also, when we have dogs with unknown backgrounds, we (volunteers and staff) start taking the dog on outings, home visits, overnights, foster rotations, etc so we can evaluate the behavior and start getting the dog acclimated to life outside of the shelter.
Researching a breed is good, but there comes a point where you also have to evaluate the individual personality of the dog. It is definately good to know what the breed is prone to, but SO much diversity exists between individuals.
I usually don't quote an entire statement, but this bears
repeating. Amen Aly.....:)
Every reputable Shelter & Humane Society temperment test all
the dogs who might be questionable for adoption. Their aim is
to find a good match between the person & the dog. They sure
won't push a dog that's clearly not right for each individual
person or family wanting a dog. People are encouraged to walk
a prospective adoptee dog & also bring their home dogs to meet
the new dog in a neutral setting. Reputable Shelters want the
new dog to have a forever home & will even work with helping
with the transiton from shelter to home enviroment. :)
Another Humane Society dog, Buddy, the best dog ever.:)
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...a/f96194d4.jpg
I guess I didn't word that right, because I didn't mean to say every dog from a shelter is a nitemare. It has more to do with my insecurity. I look at you and lizbud and think you guys are great trainers and know any dog y'all had would be great. Then I look at the people with dog issues and I keep thinking there for the grace of a good choice would be me. So I know if I stick with a certain breed and go to a reputable breeder they're going to help me pick the right dog. I dunno the shelter is an unknown for me and is scary for me. It's a mental thing of not wanting to make mistake.
My mom is like that. Which is probably why as long as I'm still living with them, we won't adopt from a shelter.Quote:
Originally posted by ParNone
I guess I didn't word that right, because I didn't mean to say every dog from a shelter is a nitemare. It has more to do with my insecurity. I look at you and lizbud and think you guys are great trainers and know any dog y'all had would be great. Then I look at the people with dog issues and I keep thinking there for the grace of a good choice would be me. So I know if I stick with a certain breed and go to a reputable breeder they're going to help me pick the right dog. I dunno the shelter is an unknown for me and is scary for me. It's a mental thing of not wanting to make mistake.
A few years ago, we adopted a 10 month old Australian Shepherd mix we named Bandit at a local adoption fair. I've posted a few pictures of him on here before. He had the sweetest personality, but I'm sorry to say, was untrainable. I know most of you will say 'No dog is untrainable' but trust me, he was. We worked with him for MONTHS on basic obedience and none of it sank in. My parents just got fed up one day when he tore a wire out of the wall, and attacked Molly for no apparent reason. If we had known he was aggressive towards other dogs (AND food aggressive) we wouldn't have gotten him....plain and simple.
I was very sad to see him go. I cried on the way over to the shelter, when we dropped him off, and back. I still have his collar and name tag. Don't get me wrong, I loved him with all my heart, but sometimes those things can turn into a big hassle when you've been trying for so long and see no improvement...
The way I see it with breeders is, most of them help you pick the right dog; and you can train it, and socialize it from Day 1 while he/she is still young.
Please don't make it out that I hate shelter dogs...because that's entirely not true. I know that and can see that from most of the people on this board. :)
Hey Goldenretrluver,
You know I keep looking at the Aussies on petfinder. I really seem to be attracted to them. I'd actually sent an email on the most cutest Aussie/Collie mix you ever saw, but she was already adopted. And I found an Aussie/Catahoula mix that I was so drawn too, I actually went down to the adoption center to talk to them, which was a Huge step for me. She ended up being adopted already too. During all this I keep having a friend warn me against Aussies and then my agility trainer the other night was really telling me I need to be real careful if I planned on getting an Aussie. And now I hear your story. See just makes me worry more about my judgement.
Par...
I know exactly what you mean. I was never sure I could adopt a dog, esp an older dog from a shelter. Not knowing their background scared me...not knowing how they were trained (if they were) as a puppy. Esp. after we got Sadie, I did not want to bring in a dog with severe issues, nor did I want to have to give a dog back.Quote:
Originally posted by ParNone
I dunno. Am I the only one that researches and analyzes to death and agonizes over choosing the right dog (more or less losing sleep over the decision)? I am so paranoid of making a mistake and having a nitemare on my hands and it would absolutely kill me if I ever had to give away a dog. I feel I have limitations on dog experience and training ability, that I have to be very careful. I see all the behaviorial issues on this forum and others, that people have to deal with and after Oz, I just know it doesn't have to be that way. I look at other dogs, but I find myself circling back around to Smooth Collies.
Par...
And then along came Spot. We agreed to take him to save his life, but we didn't know if he was staying. We went into it thinking he may be a foster. Within 24 hours, that idea was out of our head....we was here to stay, a decision we have not regreted at all in the last year. And honestly, he was the easiest dog to bring into our home...no housebreaking, no training from scratch (just refreshing and building) no puppy cries the frist nights away from momma.
I can't say where all my future dog will come from, or what age they will be, but through Spot, my mom's dogs and many other PT dogs I am not nearly as nervous about adopting through rescue. I have seen how wonderful these dog truely are and how apprecitive they are of having a good home.
Would you just LOOK at these nightmares!
http://img2.photobucket.com/albums/v...mmy/vday/4.jpg
I can't imagine why anyone would want to go to the shelter for these guys. Bleck! :eek:
:p
About not getting a dog from the shelter, not knowing if they're going to be a "nightmare" or not, that's why I always recommend that people go as often as the can to the shelters, interact with the dogs, take them out if possible. Patience is the key. Just like it is when you actually find "the one" to come home with you.
With that said, My neighbor bought a Lab puppy (Gunner) from a gooed, responsible breeder. She's far more of a "nightmare" than Nala ever was or is at her age.
I don't look down on anyone who doesn't get their dogs from a shelter--I don't want it to seem as if I am saying that, because that's not the case at all.
I admire everyone who does all of the research into the breeds they own, and gives them a loving wonderful home.
I have had great success in rescuing dogs, everyone may not be so lucky.
To be honest with you, I was scared to death to get Jada. I had never had a rottweiler, and it took a lot of smooth talking on my husband's part to get her into this house. I was torn, because I knew a grown up rottweiler wouldn't last long in the shelter, but yet I was afraid to have her in my house.
I was even afraid of her at first, and didn't want to be left home alone with her--but she gained my trust, and I love her so much.
Quote:
Originally posted by Kfamr
About not getting a dog from the shelter, not knowing if they're going to be a "nightmare" or not, that's why I always recommend that people go as often as the can to the shelters, interact with the dogs, take them out if possible. Patience is the key. Just like it is when you actually find "the one" to come home with you.
With that said, My neighbor bought a Lab puppy (Gunner) from a gooed, responsible breeder. She's far more of a "nightmare" than Nala ever was or is at her age.
I totally agree with you. I board and groom thousands and thousands of dogs every year, and I can tell you without a doubt, that the worst "nightmares" I've ever seen were purebreds from BYB's and puppy mills. Hands down, no contest.
If you have your heart set on an otterhound or a Dandie Dinmont terrier .... no, you are probably not going to find one in rescue or shelter. It's not impossible, but highly unlikely. Then, buy one from a reputable breeder. That's fine.
And, if you are into conformation showing ... and by that I mean truly dedicated and informed, not just thinking about it or dabbling around in it ... then, of course, you would want a top of the line, unaltered, show-quality dog from a top breeder. But, that's probably about what .... 1% of the dog-owning population, if that?
However, IMO, if you are looking for a lab or a golden retriever, for example ... there are literally tens of thousands of these dogs of all ages, both sexes, in every town in the nation looking for a home - at shelters, rescues, dog pounds, etc. I personally do not feel there is any excuse for buying a popular breed from a breeder when thousands of them are dying every day for simple lack of homes. I know I personally couldn't live with myself if I bought a fox terrier from a breeder, knowing that tomorrow one will die across town at animal control.
And here are my ten "nightmares", all of them shelter or rescue dogs... notice them disobeying, tearing up the house and eating small children.
I don't believe that Parnone was calling any dog a nightmare, but rather comparing what might be a terrible situation with a nightmare. :)
To be honest, my Rainbow Bridge, Rosco was a nightmare. I got him as a 5 week old puppy at the pound. I dealt with skin disorders, ear infections, anxiety issues, parvo, worms, and severe agressiveness. I eventually had to put him to sleep which was the most heart breaking and painful decision that I have ever made.
The day I put Rosco down...this was my exact words..."I swear that I will never ever ever again get a dog without a background. For now on, all my dogs will come from a reputable breeder with perfect history. This is hurting way to much to take another chance."
Of course, just after 5 days,my heart ache and the pain of seeing Dusty depressed was to great and it outmeasured my fear. I rescued Roxy about a week after I put Rosco down.
I will always encourage rescue. And my first choice will always be rescue. But from my experience with Rosco, that unbearable pain and suffering that we both went through, I can understand a person wanting to go through a reputable breeder.
Please hear me that I'm not saying that rescue is bad. I have enough sense to not let one bad experience change my opinion, but it does make me more sensitive towards rescue vs. breeding.
Well, I bought my dog, who is a labrador retriever, from a breeder, and, I'm not ashamed that I did. I can certainly live with myself. I personally look at it this way, if you fall in love with an animal, give it a good home. I can't imagine where Finn would have ended up had I not taken him in. he could very well have ended up in a shelter. I've gone to shelters in the past, and, just hadn't clicked or connected with any dog, including several labradors. Yeah, ideally, in a perfect world, we would not even have to worry about shelter animals. But, in my opinion, as long as you get the pet you want and give it the best life you possibly can, that's what's the most important part. In a perfect world, again, everyone would do a lot differently, including people who rescue animals from shelters. There are millions of animals that die horrible deaths so that we may eat them, and, I'd be willing to bet that a lot of the strongly opinionated people looking down on those that buy from breeders chow down on animal flesh just as often as I do. I don't drink cow's milk, and, hardly eat red meat, but, I still eat chicken, cheese, eggs...etc. I just don't think it's appropriate to say truly hateful things about people that don't have rescue pets. Sorry if that was a little confusing, it's late. :)
Hi again,
I hope you guys are not getting from my posts that I'm anti-rescue. I look everyday at petfinder with the hope that I can find the right dog for me. And if I find her, I'll take that step and rescue. But there's a strong possibility that I could get another Smooth Collie from a breeder too. Remember I have Oz already, so it's going to be pretty well impossible for y'all to convince me that Smooth Collies are bad, with examples of bad purebreeds. I know that's a safe choice for me. May not be the right choice for somebody else, but I know they're the right choice for me. I've got a dog that has zero people or dog aggression. That can be left uncrated in the house while I'm at work, without worry of coming home to destruction or potty accidents. That I can let off leash and know he's gonna stick near me and come back when I call. That watches out for me and Murph and lets me know when there's something amiss in the house. Who's up for a good play session or a good ole nap, whichever, he just goes along with whatever I'm doing. So it's very hard for me not to be drawn back to this breed. Hopefully people aren't going to hold that against me if I go that route.
Thanks to y'all who understood what I was trying to say.
Par...
And all we're tying to say is that you can find ALL of that in a shelter dog, too.Quote:
Originally posted by ParNone
I've got a dog that has zero people or dog aggression. That can be left uncrated in the house while I'm at work, without worry of coming home to destruction or potty accidents. That I can let off leash and know he's gonna stick near me and come back when I call. That watches out for me and Murph and lets me know when there's something amiss in the house. Who's up for a good play session or a good ole nap, whichever, he just goes along with whatever I'm doing.
Chester didn't come from a shelter and is slightly dog aggressive, though I'm teaching not to be and it's going very well. He just growls the first couple of minutes and then settles down for the most part now. Millie is the only one who will stay by my side unleashed, and I prefer them on a leash anyway.
JMO
I'm not tryng to talk you out of a Smooth Collie. If you want another Smooth Collie, I say go for it! And whether you end up rescung or buying from a breeder, I am sure that dog will have a wonderful life with you.
And here comes the but ...
You got a wonderful dog in Oz, but then you are generalizing the whole breed based on him. If you think that every dog you get from a Smooth Collie breeder will be as wonderful as him, you'd be wrong. I'm sure you don't assume that, but I'm pointing it out for argument's sake. Dogs have personalities like people and even if a litter is carefully bred, it can still produce some little stinkers. Also, when you buy (or adopt) an 8 week old puppy, you can't truly see the dog's true personality since they are still babies. MOST of it depends on how you raise them, socialize them, and train them, but there are those exceptions.
The reason Oz is so wonderful is because of how you brought him up. I am confident you could do the same for a shelter puppy.
With that said, if you're drawn to the breed and want another, then thats what you should get for sure! I'm not trying to convince you of anything other than the fact that there are wonderful dogs in shelters and a majority of them don't come with the baggage it seems everyone is thinking they do.
Is this horse still moving? Can anybody see if this horse is still moving? Put a mirror in front of its nose. Is it still breathing.
Me thinks the horse is dead. Let's stop beating it.
I don't think its dead.
Looks like we're having a constructive conversation with no mean spirited arguments, so maybe thats why you think its boring :p
Aly, I'm not sure how to take that other than to feel you are being mean spirited toward me and I can't ever recall being mean spirited toward you or anyone else. But I'll let it go. I was making a joke. I will stay out of your conversation.
Quote:
Originally posted by aly
I don't think its dead.
Looks like we're having a constructive conversation with no mean spirited arguments, so maybe thats why you think its boring :p
I agree. Maybe some folks believe all dog house topics
should be contentious & argumentative. Not so, if you don't
want to participate in the discussion, then don't.:p
I did want to say to Par, that no one will feel less of you if you
get a dog from a breeder. I know I won't. Just want to help
disppell the myth of the" horrible misfits" animals that come
to homes from a Shelter or Humane Society. Every dog can be
a joy or a problem whether they come from breeder or Shelter.
2K, there is nothing "mean spirited" about me.
I felt you were bringing down a constructive conversation is all. As lizbud said, if you don't like the conversation or are bored, you don't have to read it or participate in it.
Twas my feeble attempt at wittiness. Clearly not a talent for me. I will leave the wittiness to Richard from now on.:)
Would you like to study at the knee of the master?Quote:
Originally posted by 2kitties
Twas my feeble attempt at wittiness. Clearly not a talent for me. I will leave the wittiness to Richard from now on.:)
Course material on VHS or DVD is available.
send 199.95 to
Become Easily Amused
PO box 5555
Easily Amused, CA 90000
:rolleyes:
------------------------
One interesting thing I have noticed that others may not....
All animals have personalities and traits that are as varied as the ones that humans have.
Edward does not like to have his belly rubbed.
Unless I feel comfortable with you, I really feel awkward hugging people.
Call them foibles, quirks, idiosyncrasies...
All animals are diverse as we are.
Quote:
Originally posted by ParNone
I've got a dog that has zero people or dog aggression. That can be left uncrated in the house while I'm at work, without worry of coming home to destruction or potty accidents. That I can let off leash and know he's gonna stick near me and come back when I call. That watches out for me and Murph and lets me know when there's something amiss in the house. Who's up for a good play session or a good ole nap, whichever, he just goes along with whatever I'm doing. So it's very hard for me not to be drawn back to this breed.
And that has nothing to do with his breed, where he comes from, or where he was born.
That has to do with, LOVE, Patience, and Training. any dog, coming from the side of to road or coming from the BEST breeder in the wolrd, could be EXACTLY like that. Whether it's a Mutt, a Boxer, or a Collie.
It's not who they are, or where they came from. It's how you treat them, how you raise them. And how you train them.
Nala is exactly like your decription. I may not know her background, but that doesn't matter anymore to us. either of us, any of us. she's my dog, always will be. She came from the shelter when she was 8 weeks old. Yes, she had colds and illnesses when she came in to the shelter, but does that mean sh can't be "as good" as a pure bred Collie, or any top show dog in the world? I think not.
Simba seems to have some slight dog/people aggression. Not so much aggression, but he'd rather just people and other dogs leave him be. Other than that he fit the whole description.
He also came from the shelter, when he was 4 months old. He was 8 months old when we adopted him, so he had lived for 4 months in the shelter.
He bit my mom twice the first week or so we had him. He'd run every time he saw her. and she'd walk the otherway. This was my FIRST dog. I took care of neighbors dogs constantly, but this first of my own. Back then I had NO clue of what a breeder was. All I ever knew was the shelter.
But, we gave Simba out Time, patience, and love - look at him now. He's come a long, long way. He's put up with watching two puppies grow up. He's put up with little kids pulling his ears and whatnot. He's put up with everything i've wanted him to.
I'm rambling on, but it just goes to show that the breed, place, or wherever you get them from doesn't always necessarily matter.
I'd personally rather have a dog you have to work for it's love, gain it's trust. It's so much rewarding looking at one of my pups, and to think how much they've changed. Simba, over th years.. and Nala in just one year. Whether you call that a "nightmare" or not.... They're the best dogs I could ever ask for, and I didn't have to pay hundreds, thousands of dollar the first day. I donated.
(I'm sorry if any of that came across as snippy or rude, it's exactly how I feel at the moment, and I just woke up.)
Richard for a minute I thought you were going to say YOU like your belly rubbed. I was hoping we weren't going to go there! :p :oQuote:
Originally posted by RICHARD
Edward does not like to have his belly rubbed.
Unless I feel comfortable with you, I really feel awkward hugging people.
Quote:
Originally posted by Pam
Richard for a minute I thought you were going to say YOU like your belly rubbed. I was hoping we weren't going to go there! :p :o
I finally looked up the word "decorum".:cool: ;) :D
That, and I know better.
:D :D :D
Well said on both points Liz!Quote:
Originally posted by lizbud
I agree. Maybe some folks believe all dog house topics
should be contentious & argumentative. Not so, if you don't
want to participate in the discussion, then don't.:p
I did want to say to Par, that no one will feel less of you if you
get a dog from a breeder. I know I won't. Just want to help
disppell the myth of the" horrible misfits" animals that come
to homes from a Shelter or Humane Society. Every dog can be
a joy or a problem whether they come from breeder or Shelter.
Would it be to bad to post another pic of a ''throw away''?
This one was found running out in the woods after the local yocal coon dog trials..... My heart, my soul, my life dog.......
http://www.imagestation.com/mypictur...5&from_album=1
I only got Keegan from a BYB b/c a friend of mine owned the sire and she felt bad for me when my Shaianne died and told me I can have the puppy if I wanted it.
How could I turn down this face?
http://www.imagestation.com/mypictur...5&from_album=1
http://www.imagestation.com/mypictur...5&from_album=1
not sure which links will work....
I have every intention of my next dog will be from the shelter or pound.
I unlike Amy when I got my first dog wanted an adult that was already grown and didn't have to go thru the puppystage. But when I got Keegan I wanted a puppy. And boy oh boy did I get one!!!
;)
Just want to say, I'm glad this thread lived on a lil' longer. I think overall it's been a wonderful discussion. Thanks for the vote of confidence guys. I still think it's more Oz than me, because Murph and Maddie don't behave that much like Oz. Well they're all 3 people friendly to the max, which is probably me, but I think the dog aggression from M&M is definitely a terrier thing. And since I want to do agility with this dog too, it's definitely a trait I'd like to avoid. It makes things less stressful, if you don't have to worry about your dog attacking somebody elses. Anyway I'll continue my search and I may even ask for some advice if locate a puppy that feels right. If I could find a smoothie in a shelter, that would be ideal.
Par...