New Puppy!!---(Pictures included)

[pitc9]

Dear Sled dog's mom -
Please understand that we are a group of people that love our dogs beyond words, there is NOTHING we wouldn't do for our pets.
The #1 thing most of us here would never do is get rid of a dog because it's not working out.
We are a group of people like no other, a lot of us spend our own personal time and money saving dogs because people gave them away because they were not working out, or they got too big, or they shed too much, or they bark too much, or they just don't want them anymore. Trust me, we've all heard it all before... every excuse in the book.
You need to understand that for those of us here that do rescue, this has hit a nerve.

[elizabethann]

When I adopted Fenway, it was a lifetime commitment. He'll be with me forever. I see him as a companion and a best friend. If you choose to give a dog away because it's not working out (or it's not performing like you planned), that's your choice but I don't agree with it.

[applesmom]

This issue has really gotten out of hand. Surprisingly many of those currently doing rescue; and who of all people should understand the joy and wonderful feeling of accomplishment of placing the perfect dog in the perfect home are the ones who are being closed minded and simply refuse to "get it"!

I've been on both ends of this situation and completely agree that finding Yukon a loving home as "just a pet", is the best thing for him. It's also an unselfish act with the best interests of Yukon at heart.

Our second GSP Clover, came to us as a breeder "repo". She had been purchased as a show prospect and personal hunting dog, and the owners hadn't done their research into the breed. As it turned out they did absolutely nothing with her other than leave her crated all day and yell at her and smack her with newspaper every time she even looked at their bird. (She was a bird dog for heaven's sake!) She was not properly socialized and the owners had no intention of fulfilling their agreement to either hunt with her or show her.

When Clover was just over a year, the breeder discovered the truth of Clovers situation. She instantly repossessed Clover (according to the terms of the sales contract).

When I met Clover's breeder she'd had her back for 6 months and she had every intention of keeping Clover forever even though she already had a houseful of dogs and they no longer hunted.

As she got to know and trust me, she had the foresight to see that Clover would be much better off with someone that had the desire, the time and the energy to put into socialization, training and loving her for the rest of her life. Under our care and with a lot of patience, Clover blossomed into a completely confidant dog who easily completed her Championship and spent the last 11 years of her life as a highly treasured member of our family as well as our personal hunting dog.

Then there was Buck; our pick of litter as a field trial prospect from our first litter. He started out like gangbusters easily winning his puppy and derby points and we had high hopes for him as a field trial dog. Then one morning at the age of 17 months, he refused to eat and I rushed him into the vet. The diagnosis was the dreaded Valley Fever!

Four months, 1700 dollars and 16 horribly painful treatments later, Buck was pronounced free of Valley Fever! However common sense told us that submitting Buck to the stress of competition would not be the right thing to do. As a result of that decision and the fact that he had developed a fear of men due to the painful IV treatments administered by the vet; he was retired from competition and became just a beloved house pet in a household of hunting dogs. We still took him training with us, but something was missing from his life and even though he was now perfectly healthy he no longer had the same sparkle in his eyes.

Then one day a young man visited, just to talk hunting dogs and learn about the German Shorthaired Pointer as a breed. Since I knew Buck was afraid of men I considered putting him outside while Rick was here, but reconsidered, knowing that it was time we began addressing the problem head on.

Fully expecting Buck to head for the other room the moment he heard a strange man's voice, I kept my eyes on him. Rick came in and sat down on the couch--and to my shock and dismay Buck lunged straight at him landing full force in his lap!!!!!!!!!! He instantly melted into a wriggling mass of loving excitement and Rick responded in kind. Then Buck curled up beside Rick with his head in his lap gazing up at him with adoring eyes. Every time Rick got up during his visit Buck was right beside him as if held by an invisible leash.

We'd invited Rick to a hunt the next day and took Buck along with us. Buck hunted only for Rick that day! Every bird that was downed was delivered directly to Rick's hands as if we weren't even there!

Yes! We parted with a dog that we'd raised from birth and dearly loved! After making an agonizing decision he went to a new forever home with Rick and his wife Jodie! Buck lived 15 years as Rick's pal and hunting buddy and had a tremendous part in raising their two boys as they came along.

It hurt more than I can possibly describe to part with Buck. But under the circumstances it would have been cruel and selfish to keep him knowing how much he loved Rick and what a great home he'd have!

[wolflady]

What a great story, applesmom! Buck really chose his person, didn't he?

*sled_dog*, Kodiak is cute and the picture of him with the stuffed animals is priceless! I hope he works out with your team.

[pitc9]

This issue has really gotten out of hand. Surprisingly many of those currently doing rescue; and who of all people should understand the joy and wonderful feeling of accomplishment of placing the perfect dog in the perfect home are the ones who are being closed minded and simply refuse to "get it"!

Closed minded???
And just what exactly is there "It Get"??
Just because we don't have the same opinion I don't "Get It"?

We all have our opinions... we all share them...after all this IS a public board.

No kidding this has gotten out of hand! I guess some people just don't get it!


( )

And please excuse me for misinterpreting:
"I got a new puppy!!!! Oh yeah, and I'm finding a new home for one of my other ones"

How long before we find out if this one doesn't cut it??

[Ginger's Mom]

Okay, now I feel I have to respond. Sled_dog's Mom, I said nothing before because I had a feeling that sled_dog is a juvenile, and not old enough to be responsible for the decisions that she has made; however, you have now inserted yourself and your feelings into this thread. I find I must now respond to your post. I find it disturbing that you would approve of such a throw away attitude that if the dog doesn't do what you had hoped it would do, you no longer have a responsibility to care for it's needs (health, comfort, growth, etc.). I believe when you take in a sentient animal you must be prepared to care for that animal as it is, not just as you wish it would be. To be in the process of re-homing an animal and at the same time take in another animal (a puppy) without any thought, as you said yourself, as to whether it will live up to your expectations and, therefore, no plan to care for and assist the dog if he doesn't is not only irresponsible but sadly uncaring. It's not a matter of being with some of the dogs and not others. It is a matter that you are responsible for the needs of all of the animals, and if you do not have the time/interest/ability/whatever, for that animal, do not bring it home. Sled_dog's Mom, you said getting rid of Yukon has nothing to do with getting puppy, and I believe that is part of the problem. I think the fact that sled_dog was unwilling to make adjustmusts in her schedule that would allow Yukon to grow in your home, shows that another dog needing care that may not fit into her schedule is not a good idea at this time. Where is she going to find time to take care of a puppy if she didn't have the time to care for Yukon?

[luvofallhorses]

Where is she going to find time to take care of a puppy if she didn't have the time to care for Yukon?

no kidding!

[Kfamr]

Joyce said it perfectly.

Yukon will be in my thoughts, as well as the new puppy, lets hope they both receive a forever home, despite their working abilities or lack of.