Need some input

[finn's mom]

LOL Oh oh, better stay away from that kind then. LOL

On petfinder.com, there is a dog named Mike at the Sparta ANimal Shelter that the kids and I were gazing at.

http://www.petfinder.org/pet.cgi?act...=0&tmpl=&stat=

Oh, he's adorable! He will probably needs lots of training, and, he may be extremely energetic, even as an adult. But, especially being that young, he looks to be quite a handful...

[lookin4caninecompanion]

Oh, he's adorable! He will probably needs lots of training, and, he may be extremely energetic, even as an adult. But, especially being that young, he looks to be quite a handful...

Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. But he's SOOOOO darn cute!!! lol

What about a boxer? His name is Ranger. Gotta love him.

http://www.petfinder.org/pet.cgi?act...=0&tmpl=&stat=

[Karen]

Really how energetic and how good with kids varies a lot dog to dog. And I would consider a lab/terrier to be a medium-sized dog ...

Really visiting the shelter with at least the ten-year-old, then a "trial visit" with the two-year old, to see who appeals to you, would probably be best. So many of the animals featured on http://Dogoftheday.com , http://Catoftheday.com and http://Petoftheday.com start with "Well, I went to the shelter looking for a (fill in the blank, for example I'll use) small black cat, and came home with this big white dog and couldn't be happier" - you never know what will happen until you get there!

[finn's mom]

So many of the animals featured on http://Dogoftheday.com , http://Catoftheday.com and http://Petoftheday.com start with "Well, I went to the shelter looking for a (fill in the blank, for example I'll use) small black cat, and came home with this big white dog and couldn't be happier" - you never know what will happen until you get there!

hee hee, that's so true! i know i went to office max with my boyfriend at the time to get some computer paper, and, came home with finn. (not the best place to get a pup, across the street from a shopping center, but, hey. we can't help who we fall in love with, and, who picks us.)

[lookin4caninecompanion]

hee hee, that's so true! i know i went to office max with my boyfriend at the time to get some computer paper, and, came home with finn. (not the best place to get a pup, across the street from a shopping center, but, hey. we can't help who we fall in love with, and, who picks us.)

Finn is pretty darn cute!

[finn's mom]

Finn is pretty darn cute!

thank you, he's my bud.

[Corinna]

Might I make a suggestion before getting your daughter a dog Please check around in your aera for Places (usually prisons) that train alert dogs. I have just had to have my alert dog PTS becouse of cancer, but he self trained himself as my alert dog. I have diabetes and he couldd tell when I was going too low or too high and had different ways of letting me know ahead of time.
If you can find a trainer who could go with you and test for you would be best. They also have dogs avalible lots of times.
The womens prison in Washington (Purdy womens) trains lots of dogs each year. Some where I think we had a thread on them a year or so back. (anyone else remember it?) My family worried less about me when Merlin was around , I'm saving to get a boxer to train myself. Good luck on finding what you need.

[lookin4caninecompanion]

I used to have a Golden Retriever/ Terrier mix named Tessa. Unfortunately we had to surrender her, when we had to move. We miss her and wish that we could get her back. But... She's living a pretty good life with a truck driver going from state to state.

EDIT:

I thought I'd better explain WHY we had to give Tessa up.
I was experiencing SEVERE depression, because my ex husband wasn't paying child support, and the job I had was only part time. I TRIED to find a full time job, by the time I landed one, it was too late. I was too far behind in rent. And with five children to take care, I just couldn't keep up with the rent. I lost everything on November 19th, 2002.

My trusting and loyal friend, Tessa, and my five children to foster care. I have since then gotten my children back, minus my son, who couldn't come home. (He was adopted by his foster parents in January of this year).

I hope that you'll understand all of this and won't judge me.

Where I live now is low income housing, based on our income, so we have NO dangers of being homeless again.

[jackie]

I was just looking at the Petfinder. Look at this cutieHerachio
Herachio is a male Beagle mix. that was found in Melvina. Super friendly dog. Adopt 10/8/05

She sounds great Coco
Coco is a Spayed female who is 3-4 yrs old. Coco is excellent with other dogs. She is use to being around two other dogs. She loves children and is very good with kids of all ages. She is a bit shy but warms up quickly. She listens very good and knows a few commands. She has a very nice personality. She likes to chase rabbits and squirrels- but has never been taught to hunt. She loves attention and to be brushed.

Shadow
Shadow is a wonderful Black male who came to us from a Chicago Shelter with a high kill rate. He came in as a stray. He was totally matted and there was no chance that his coat could be saved. The poor guy actually had burrs embedded in his skin. He is a dog who has tons of love to give. He gets along well with other dogs and cats and was excellent for his grooming which must have been a painful experience for him. His totally housetrained. Shadow can be crated but will complain a bit for the first few minutes. He will chew on things so he must be supplied with appropriate toys to keep him busy.


These are the first few that caught my eye.

Please remember its just as important to teach your children how to behave with the new dog. Even the sweetest dog can snap if being constantly bothered or pulled at. It is probably a good idea to have a crate set up and open always so the dog can have a little "escape" when things get too much for him. Good Luck finding your new dog!

[k9krazee]

I hope your search goes well!! Welcome to PT and please keep us updated!

[lookin4caninecompanion]

I called about Coco and it turns out that she is an outside dog and wouldn't be happy inside.
I was looking at Herachio before too. But... um... aren't Beagles loud barkers?

I was just looking at the Petfinder. Look at this cutieHerachio
Herachio is a male Beagle mix. that was found in Melvina. Super friendly dog. Adopt 10/8/05

She sounds great Coco
Coco is a Spayed female who is 3-4 yrs old. Coco is excellent with other dogs. She is use to being around two other dogs. She loves children and is very good with kids of all ages. She is a bit shy but warms up quickly. She listens very good and knows a few commands. She has a very nice personality. She likes to chase rabbits and squirrels- but has never been taught to hunt. She loves attention and to be brushed.

Shadow
Shadow is a wonderful Black male who came to us from a Chicago Shelter with a high kill rate. He came in as a stray. He was totally matted and there was no chance that his coat could be saved. The poor guy actually had burrs embedded in his skin. He is a dog who has tons of love to give. He gets along well with other dogs and cats and was excellent for his grooming which must have been a painful experience for him. His totally housetrained. Shadow can be crated but will complain a bit for the first few minutes. He will chew on things so he must be supplied with appropriate toys to keep him busy.


These are the first few that caught my eye.

Please remember its just as important to teach your children how to behave with the new dog. Even the sweetest dog can snap if being constantly bothered or pulled at. It is probably a good idea to have a crate set up and open always so the dog can have a little "escape" when things get too much for him. Good Luck finding your new dog!