posted on September 7, 2001 01:30:05 PM new
Meet "lras 073348a AKA: Tiger"
One week ago yesterday he was ~ literally ~ on death row. He had been adoptable from Little Rock Animal Services since 8/10 and no one touched him. In fact, he was a two time loser. Someone had adopted him 3 months ago from there, and returned him.. saying "does not get along with cats.. digs"
Now meet Copper
I have 4 indoor cats who he totally ignores. He's housebroken and he hasn't dug a single hole in the backyard. He gets along with my two children, one of which has CP had a dog's reactions to him were crucial in making our decision. (Brandon has very jerky movements and a "petting hand" could be misconstrued as a "hitting hand" because of the jerky movements)
Copper weighs only 33 lbs .. stands no taller than my knee.. and he's partially obedienced trained. (I say partial because he's got commands down, just the wrong ones. You say "down" and he sits and things like that) and he's approximately 1.5 years old. He's a corgi/finnish spitz X.
Copper is laying at my feet right while I type this, and two of the cats are peacefully sleeping not 4 feet from him
Cost to adopt him? He was already neutered and had all his shots, so rather than paying the $90, it only cost me $10. Little Rock Animal Services is 45 miles from me, but was worth the drive.
In looking at some information today, I see in the weeks time, that only 4 animals have adopted during the course of the last 8 days out of the shelter and 23 have been euthanized. 8 of those 23, I had taken out of their cages to guage their reactions to my son. Those were good dogs, just not right for our family.
Do not be fooled into thinking that puppies are not euthanized at shelters.. LRAS just put down 7 husky/lab mixed (healthy!) puppies.. approximately 10-12 weeks old, just this week alone
If you can't get to the local shelter, a local humane society to check out what is available there, there's tons of rescue organizations. There's rescue organizations that work with all breeds.. and rescues that are breed specific (although, at times, they will rescue a mix if part of the mix is that specific breed).
Many of these places are online! They have bios of the dogs, pictures, and some will transport the animal as well. These rescue organizations foster the animals so you will know of any bad habits .. good qualities.. etc.. And these animals are healthy.
These rescue organizations are also a great source to find out about specific breeds.. without that 'salesmanship' that goes along with breeders pages. Breeders ~ both backyard and professional have the motive to make money. So they need to tell you the good qualities of their breed of choice. Sure, the rescue organizations have a motive as well. They want to place a dog with you..... except for one thing. They want to ensure it's a good match, so they don't see the dog back with them again, or at the pound again. Many of these rescue organizations will not let you adopt the dog, if they feel that you (family, lifestyle, etc) are not a good match for the dog. In fact, if your lifestyle does not match that of a specific breed, some will not allow you to adopt from them .. period.
posted on September 7, 2001 01:33:44 PM new
ROSIEBUD,
Is the Little Rock shelter online? I live in El Dorado and I would love their address if they are!!!
Hit the link that will take you to the Bravenet "Add your Free for all" Links. On that page I have listed every single humane society, rescue, shelter that I found, online, for Arkansas.
Almost every single one has pics online.. except Hot Springs Shelter and Conway Animal Shelter. (There's currently 40 different sites listed there.. so you should be able to get a very good idea of what's available in the state)
posted on September 7, 2001 02:14:55 PM new
Many dogs have the inborn ability to know when a child means well, or is ill, or has a disease or sickness that they cant control their actions at times. I think they have a sense of what is going on, either with a child, or an adult. It's been proven that petting an animal lowers the blood pressure and calms those who are stressed, sad, lonely, etc. This is why there are so many dogs being taken to retirement homes, so the folks there can smile and get sloppy kisses from the animals visiting.
Again, follow your heart, as well as your head. Combing the two cant hurt, can it?
Check out the animal shelter. You never know who or what is waiting just for YOU.
posted on September 7, 2001 07:12:07 PM new
People say shes homely? Are they BLIND? Next time someone says shes homely, tell them beauty is in the eye of the beholder and what youre beholding makes you feel the same way they do when they look at Peanut. Geez. Animals know when someone is saying negative things. Sic her on 'em
posted on September 7, 2001 11:21:46 PM new
I have always found that if you can pick a dog up with one hand there is not enough volume in the brain case to make them fun. The yap factor goes way up and they just get on your nerves.
Get at least a two hander.
I prefer something that looks like it needs a saddle.
posted on September 8, 2001 06:20:45 AM new
You need to find out what the breed was bred to do before you adopt a dog. Training is easier if you can substitute like activities for what the dog was bred for.
My neighbors have a Beagle mix. He is a great dog. Very sweet and gentle. He does a good job of looking out for the house too.
A cat is a wonderful choice if you don't have the time to devote to a dog. My cats have made great companions for me.
posted on September 8, 2001 07:55:50 AM new
Carol & I enjoy being around all kinds of dogs. W have had two mutts, during our marriage. Both sorted of adopted us.
Sugar, our first was dropped or she just found or house. The only time she saw the vet. was for her shots. She past away at age 14.
Chewbug, came running up the drive one morning, not long after Sugar past away. The same type of mutt & color as Sugar.
He was put to sleep at age 20. March 12, 2001. He saw the vet. for shots & when we had him put to sleep. It was very hard on the family.
We still keep looking down the drive. Both are buried in our family plot.
We now have two granddogs. One is a black white Boxer, my Son, named Tyson.
The other is a brown, black & white Beagle, our Daughter, named Rasque. Yes, we granddog set.
Both get along very well.
What ever you get, treat it as a special part of the family, It will give you more than it will ever take.
posted on September 8, 2001 08:26:57 AM new
Best dog I ever had was a big black Lab.
Had no papers but looked just fine and was as patient with kids as a dog can be. Even if they hurt her she would at the most give a little careful nip that would not break the skin and one reprouchfull little woof!
I saw her watch two kids and when the one started picking on the other she head butted him away. When he came back she did the same thing. Next time he came back he played nice and she let him alone. Smarter than some parents I have seen.
posted on September 8, 2001 08:31:20 PM newgravid: Maybe you can't saddle a schipperke;....but you can float 'em!
( In the creek with my daughter is the late, great "Boss", who loved to leap into outstretched arms in the water...then go stiff as a footstool..then back for more..etc.etc.
[ edited by uglimouse on Sep 8, 2001 08:33 PM ]
[ edited by uglimouse on Sep 8, 2001 08:43 PM ]
posted on September 8, 2001 09:22:12 PM new
Found this while surfing:
ATTENTION! A newly discovered chapter in the Book of Genesis has provided the answer to "Where do pets come from?":
Adam and Eve said, "Lord, when we were in the garden, you walked with us every day. Now, we do not see you anymore. We are lonesome and it is difficult for us to remember how much you love us."
And God said, "No problem! I will create a companion for you that will be with you forever and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will love me even when you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish or childish or unlovable you may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourselves."
And God created a new animal to be companion for Adam and Eve. And it was a good animal. And God was pleased. And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and Eve and he wagged his tail.
And Adam said, "Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdom and I cannot think of a name for this new animal." And God said, "Because I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call him DOG."
And Dog lived with Adam and Eve and was a companion to them and loved them. And they were comforted. And God was pleased. And Dog was content and wagged his tail. After a while, it came to pass that an angel came to the Lord and said, Lord, Adam and Eve have become filled with pride. They strut and preen like peacocks and they believe they are worthy of adoration. Dog has indeed taught them that they are loved...but perhaps too well."
And God said, "I will create for them a companion who will be with them forever and who will see them as they are. The companion will remind themof their limitations, so they will know that they are not always worthy of adoration."
And God created CAT to be a companion to Adam and Eve. And Cat would not obey them. And when Adam and Eve gazed into Cat's eyes, they were reminded that they were not the supreme beings.
And Adam and Eve learned humility. And they were greatly improved.
And God was pleased. And Dog was happy.
And Cat didn't give a damn one way or the other.
