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Post by Noofies on Apr 11, 2005 9:22:29 GMT -5
Two weeks ago today I went up to the small county pound in the county just north of me to pull an ~4 month old pit bull puppy. That little pound is really a bare bones operation - only 6 kennel runs, and their feline facility consists of a dog kennel with chicken wire attached to the bars and a 9-cubicle wooden pigeon hole-type grid on one wall. But the ACO up there is simply super, she has a good feel for temperament and she busts her tail to get as many nice dogs as possible into the humane society (cats go there, too) and the two local all-breed dog rescues. She hates putting a good dog down. I like working with her, and I've gotten some GREAT dogs out of that shelter (plus my wild flame-point siamese kitty Snickers) so that pound is my first choice as a shelter to rescue from. We have a volunteer who goes up there several days a week to do a brief temperament test on the dogs and take pictures, then he posts about the nice dogs to several e-mail lists to see if anyone has room for any of the dogs. He fell in love with this little pit bull fellow, practically begged someone to take him. Some of our volunteers won't foster pits, period, others are reluctant to take one on as they tend to be in foster care longer than many other breeds. So I said I could squeeze him in, figuring I'd probably have him at least 2-3 months. I took him to the vet last Weds. for his vax, and made an appointment to have him neutered this Weds. I took him to our meet-and-greet yesterday and he was very popular. A young couple who were already approved (because they'd been interested in another dog and had submitted an application and had a home visit) came in, saw him, and it was love at first sight all around. They left to go get the rest of the supplies I told them he'd need, and they'll be adopting him by the end of the week. I'll have had him less than 3 weeks.  Hanky Panky He's a very nice boy. Happyhappyhappy, loving, even tempered, never met a stranger. He'll grow up into a really nice dog, I think. I liked this couple, I think this is a good match. And I'm thrilled he's going to his forever home this quickly. One down, weagles to go. Portrait pics of the weagles (and step-weagle) were taken yesterday, I'll post 'em when I get 'em. |
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Post by Cindy on Apr 11, 2005 10:23:24 GMT -5
Oh what a happy ending! He looks so small! Is he very young or a smaller pitt?
Weagles to go and... truely? Or are you keeping her? She's so cute and those weagles are adorable!!! Looks like they're almost as big as mama!
Did you see my post below about the dal?
Also.. I thought the group I just worked with to get our baby was great! WONDERFUL women who pull from a bad shelter that gasses.. they've pushed their way in and formed a relationship with the shelter (tho the shelter still charges them a pull fee even if the dog is about to die.. I suppose they have to operate too!).. I thought what these gals do and what the breeder does with them was a great relationship... was I that blindly wrong??
Regardless I love my new little boy so much he's SUCH a good dog and I can tell people spent a lot of time with him. I guess the breeder handles her pups a lot and spends a lot of time with them so they're very socialized an dI can tell this is very true.
I hope I wasn't that naive to think the relationship was such a great thing!
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Post by Noofies on Apr 11, 2005 13:48:03 GMT -5
Did you see my post below about the dal? Yes, but I haven't had time to go to the Deaf Dog Education Action Fund available dogs listings to see if she's listed there already and, if not, e-mail them to tell them to post her there. If you've got time, you might want to: www.deafdogs.orgIt sounds like it's a shady operation to me. Unfortunately, those abound. I think one needs to research a rescue as thoroughly as one would research a breeder. |
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Post by Cindy on Apr 11, 2005 15:50:30 GMT -5
Well poop. Maybe I"m an awful person:(
I spoke with the founder of the group and we discussed.. at length.. puppy mills and their involvement. I found out the info on the breeder the pups came from. I spoke with someone who adopted to them. I found out they do, in fact, pull pups that are gas chamber bound in a local shelter. They were at pet supplies plus hosting an adoptathon. The pups were social, healthy and happy. The volunteers were more than helpful.. keeping in touch with me. I had to be approved and filled out extensive paperwork (I know that means nothing but... ), I guess I Thought I did all the research I could.. all of my questions were promptly addressed.
I feel just awful.. sick in fact.. if I supported a mill supporter.... I really thought adopting a pure pup I always always dreamed of from a place where the money would go to help others was doing something good.
Maybe I'm naive. Shame on me... thanks, though, for sticking up for me. I guess I can use this as an educational type situation... tho I honestly at this point can't say I regret my puppy. He's wonderful. And I know I'll give him an amazing home. I never thought such a legit seeming rescue would be shadey. I'm still not convinced they are shadey... I hate having a doubt tho. I sure didn't before.
I guess I’ve made some dumb decisions in my time and you are all too aware of them… I have great intensions but I guess that’s no excuse. I’d heard about this group through my rescue email group I belong to… they posted trying to save a dog from death row. They sure seemed like a wonderful group who saved pups from shut down mills and worked with breeders to home retired dogs and were given pups on occasion to adopt out. I guess I am very naïve. Thank you, though, for not judging me as harshly as others have.
As far as amish breeders.. they’re all over here. And my example on the other board was nothing short of pure sarcasm. I’d never ever support them but I am feeling as tho I’m being accused of doing the equivalent… I just hope my money did in fact go toward some of the dogs I met at their adoptathon that they did indeed rescue.
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Post by Sandy S on Apr 11, 2005 16:49:57 GMT -5
I didn't want to get involved at AHOC because I thought Tamara's timing and delivery were just deplorable. She may have many valid points but attacking you like that was out of line IMO.
We all have made mistakes. That doesn't make you a bad person. My first dog was from a BYB. She is my 14 year old toy poodle. I didn't know any better. I've learned and now I know better. She has been a great dog and I have no regrets but I wouldn't make that same mistake again.
One red flag that I got from your post is that a breeder "donated" dogs. My research of responsible breeders has taught me that a responsible breeder is extremely choosy about where their dogs go and would never allow anyone else to place them. It is their kennel name and their line of dogs at stake and they take that responsibility very seriously. Plus responsible breeders want their dogs back if any home they have chosen doesn't work out. They keep in contact with their buyers and are there for them with advice or support if need be. They are committed to each and every one of their dogs for the dog's entire life. I just can't imagine that any responsible breeder would donate any of their dogs.
Anyway, don't beat yourself up. Live and learn like all of us do! And enjoy that cute little pup! He looks like a cute little bear cub.
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Post by Sandy S on Apr 11, 2005 17:02:03 GMT -5
They've gotten so big! They are still very, very cute! When will they be ready for adoption?
I'm glad the pit has found a good home already. He has such soulful eyes and looks like such a good boy.
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Post by Noofies on Apr 11, 2005 20:54:08 GMT -5
They've gotten so big! They are still very, very cute! When will they be ready for adoption? They're ready, almost. They've got an appointment to be spayed next week, and then they can go home. We got pics yesterday and I sent bios in to the rescue's webmistress so they should be up on the site soon and I think they'll go very fast. They are absolutely delightful girls. Bright, happy, well-balanced, and just plain nice. They are precious, I've enjoyed them tremendously. His name is Hanky Panky. lol!! He IS a good boy, I think he'll be great in that home. |
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Post by Cindy on Apr 12, 2005 8:04:01 GMT -5
Thanks, Sandy... I guess I am naive. I thought wow what a nice breeder.. and figured that maybe she really trusted the group as THEY do follow ups (the one lady already contacted me to see how everything was going) and THEY have you sign something saying if you cannot keep the dog you MUST return it to them.. In my eyes it was this awsome breeder doing a good deed. Wow I guess my eyes have opened. I am going to maintain a relationship with this rescue as far as keeping in touch. They have been very nice and I still dont want to accuse them of anything as I'm just not sure and didn't get that feeling from them. I guess in my eyes they DO for a fact save from shelters and I admire that.
I was feeling just awful yesterday but I went home and took my baby (now named Finnegan) on a walk in the park and he just kept looking up at me lovingly.. sits at heel when we stop.. so well behaved and when I'd hold him he'd snuggle in my neck and appear to smile... I can't regret him. I've learned from this but I will never ever regret taking him.
Noofies I do have some questions about training. I'm getting another crate this weekend from a friend (all of mine are a bit big for him.. we have one just the perfect size he's in already) because at night his crate is beside our bed. During the day mike really wants him downstairs so he can have the radio and the others can still get used to him. He also seems to like being downstairs in his crate better (we tried both) during the day.
On crate training is it unwise to change the placement of the crate at night? We keep it in the living room all day (he can't get up stairs) but at night take it up. Is that a bad idea? I don't know .. I know crates are their safety haven but we really like him to be by us at night to hear if he has to potty.... but want it in the living room esp in the evening so he can retreat there if he feels the need.
Also he really enjoys attention of others. In fact if someone pets him on our walk then walks away he'll flip on his leash SCREAMING for them to come back... he won't budge so I have to pick him up and shush him. He loves kids too and if they ignore him completely he does the same.
I know he's still very young (8 weeks) but I"d like to break that habit. Any suggestions? I've never seen a dog do this. Mini tugs to go by people but if you pull her back and say no she stops... she doesn't get vocal and if they walk on she goes on her way. He gets really depressed.
Thanks!
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