I am getting a new dog this weekend!Update! I got a dog

[Larksmom]

After months of dithering, and carefully reading about one dog or two here, I have decided to get another dog as a companion for my old mixed breed lab. She lost her old buddy last year, and though she has done alright, I think she will do better after reading what you guys have all had to say about two dogs. We went to the vet for yearly shots, and mentioned it to him. He agreed it would be good for the old dog. They have a client, who is elderly, and just put her hubby in a nursing home and has an adult female GSD to rehome. I talked to her today, and it seems all systems are go! Wish me luck.


Well, I drove out to my friend's place way out in the country. Almost to Lawrence Ks! Dogs must have her place marked as she has been there twenty years and dogs have always found their way to Susans. She has had 14 at once! Never small ones either. She and her sisters built kennels and they have fans in them. This is quite a place, and yes they have horses too. Anyway, after the debacle last week, I called her to see if she had anything suitable. She did. 2 year old female Black and tan, no tail, maybe 40 lbs. My mom and I went out with my old dog to say 'how do'. She [new dog] barked FIERCELY as we approached. We put leashes on both dogs but once we were in the gate, she lost interest in barking. We stayed about an hour, mostly looking over Susan's spectacular gardens. We left with good cuttings and the dog! She hasn't been given shots or fixed yet, but I would pay for that from a pound puppy. Sus has been calling her Penelope. [My mom who is getting dotty in her old age, just turned 80, is calling her Penelope-rhymes with Cantelope!!!] :rolleyes:
I took mom home and Pen leaped out of the car. We had had to physically lift her in, she didn't want to go. Thank goodness she was still leashed. She got back in the car with no real problems. Then I had to race over to the vet for old dogs arthritus meds. We FINALLY got home and walked around the yard where she rolled in a clump of dirt, [OMG I hope it was dirt!] :o
She timidly came into the house. Muff, the small bitchy cat was standing near the door. Now, Muff hates the old dog, hates all dogs, hates all other people but me, even stood her ground. She decided lated to disappear under the bed. That is the last refuge for my timid little cat. Lark strode in yowling, announcing his presence, and he and new dog looked each over. Lark is not so much fearless as Garfield come to life. Dog is understandably confused but seems sweet. In fact, while I was pondering a new name, I have swerved into Toffee. I like it. Sweet and crunchy. Wish me luck
oh btw, there won't be pix for awhile, as I have a camera in the cell phone, BUT no internet connection. So I will have to go get a disposable camera, and then shoot up 27 shots, so be patient ok!

[birdsong]

Oh..this sounds like a win, win, win situation for sure!! The dog, the former owner and you...pictures please when it happens.

I love my GSD that came to me through the animal shelter after her aged owners died.

[Larksmom]

She said dog stays out mostly. Dog is very protective of her. She cannot handle a big dog like that anymore. I asked about food, you know that trainwreck, cats, all seem to be not a problem. I am off Friday and Saturday, so we will do a meet and greet in a park, so dog doesn't feel threatened. I do NOT want to go to her house and take her away. I have put this off to take a small trip over Mothers day with my mom. Since she is the only one i leave my dog with, we had to take dogs, so that meant we had to take both. I then had Mothers day dinner on Monday as I am the only non mother in family. EVERYONE brought their multiple dogs. My dog and one cat were happy to see them but other cat disappeared cursing under the bed till they all left. She is a grump, but will live. Cats will not get replaced till they are both gone...

[MunchkinsMom]

Good luck with the new dog, and bless you for helping both a dog and a family in need.

[Fastjofast]

Have fun with the new dog!

[Larksmom]

Well, I called Mrs Asshat this morning, and asked when she would like to meet me at the park for the exchange, she began to waffle. 'Well, I just bought the frontline and I have all this dog food'... I was getting a bad feeling about this when she blurted out that she wanted $200 for a six year old spayed female! Well, she has papers... As if I care! What good are papers for a spayed female! I ask you! It was on the tip of my tounge to mention that Frontline wasn't working but I refrained. She started in that it cost a lot to feed her, and I said it was a concern, but i wasn't going to spend $200 on a dog. {Lark is sitting on puter table and helping with my spelling!] :rolleyes:
I wish I had said something about selling her 'friend'. I would think it would be more important to find a good home.
I am a little extra broke, just had to buy two tires, and need two more. Just took a little trip with dog and mom and that cost a little. I could see maybe paying her for the stuff, but there was no mention of it before. I thought I was doing her a favor. I suspect her kids probably put her up to it. Who knows. Well, there are dogs at the pound....

[Buffyblue]

Wow, that's really terrible! Poor dog! Don't know where you are, but I just heard (through my dog's puppy school) of a couple of purebreds for adoption. Then there are always the poor souls in the shelters. I'm sure the right one will come your way. Best wishes.

[marta]

a friend came across a starved appendix mare about 2 months ago. skin and bones. she offered to take the horse from the owners and initially they all seemed v. happy about it and then a day or two before the pick up they started hinting they'd want some $ for that sack of bones. gf was appalled but she was determined to get the animal away from these people so she offered to pay them some $ for the hay and food they had. it was something small like $25 but just enough to shut them up.

sorry it didn't work out. there are ads all the time "free to good home," go find one like that and forget the greedy old biddy.

[vacation1]

That's too bad, it must be disappointing. I think it's a bit much to call an elderly woman who's going through a hard time an 'asshat' for the very minor injustice she did you. Yes, it was wrong, but couldn't you cut her a little slack since she's old? Financial pressure is practically and emotionally harder on the elderly, since their working ability is limited. Maybe she wasn't quite ready to part with the dog, or maybe she's feeling financial pressure. If she just had to place her husband in a home, she's either alone in the house/apartment for the first time in years (possibly her life) or she's living with family. If she's alone, the dog could have just turned into her only company as well as her only protection. If she's with family, she might be under a lot of pressure to contribute to their finances.

[cloudyandcallie]

Go to the pound or the human society or one of the private rescues in your area. While they charge an adoption fee, you will get the shots and spaying/altering included in the fee. And sometimes if the animal is on "death row" they will waive all or part of their fees to get the animal a home.

[Larksmom]

I was told she was looking to rehome the dog. This is a big dog and maybe too much for her to handle. But nothing was mentioned about money. I am not rolling in dough but I think I can give a good home to a dog in need. Sadly their numbers will always be legion. :cry:

[cloudyandcallie]

Yeah, save a life. Adults are great and don't get adopted as much, altho you must worry then about the attitude towards your dogs and cats.
Let us know what you get and how it works out. Might want to buy a bottle of wine while you are out. ot calm your nerves with the introductions)

[MunchkinsMom]

Well that just stinks.

I guess if I were in your postion, I would be mad too, but might have said to the woman "Well, I'm sorry, I can provide a good home for your dog, but I don't have any money to spend on a dog, which is why I was looking to find a dog that needed a home. Call me if you change your mind." And then I would be on the internet scouring PetFinder.

Then when the woman finds that there is no interest in paying money for a middle aged spayed dog, that she will end up having to bring it to the pound herself, which is a real shame for the dog. One can only hope that if that happens, that the pound might contact a purebred rescue that would help find a home for her. Because by then you will have found a dog of your own to save.

Good luck. Sometimes fate steps in for a reason, perhaps there is a dog out there waiting for you that is in more dire need than this one.

[Whitfield Farm Hanoverians]

Yeah, I've noticed in almost the adds for "free" animals they want a "rehoming" fee.

[Guin]

Well, it will cost you at least $125 to adopt a dog out of the pound, plus another $150 to take it to the vet afterwards for shots and frontline and heartwormer. If you don't have $200 for this nice, healthy dog and its food/supplies, where are you getting the $275 to adopt an unknown, possibly heartworm-positive dog from the pound?

I think you're being a little unreasonable.

[hastyreply]

There is an older gentleman on a another board who is relocating to be closer to his children, I believe. Anyway over the years living out in the country he and his wife have taken in about 5 or 6 large breed dogs who have been dumped there. He is having a hard time finding new homes for these dogs. They have cared for them, spayed, neutered etc and they are nice dogs. He even was bringing them in the house to see what their house manners were like. He's trying to find a site he can post them on to try and find them new homes.

Sorry your dog fell through.

[pj]

Well, it will cost you at least $125 to adopt a dog out of the pound, plus another $150 to take it to the vet afterwards for shots and frontline and heartwormer. If you don't have $200 for this nice, healthy dog and its food/supplies, where are you getting the $275 to adopt an unknown, possibly heartworm-positive dog from the pound?

I think you're being a little unreasonable.
Not always. I just adopted a seven month old from our county shelter. Total cost was seventy five dollars which included shots and neutering.

[Larksmom]

It is that I was told she was looking to rehome the dog. I called her and we had a plesant 10 minute chat about her life and my life, and the dogs, hers and mine. There was no mention of money. I had originally planned to go to the pound which is what I will do now. I know it will cost about $100 to adopt a dog with all shots and being spayed. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but i was disappointed that she suddenly held up the adoption. It seems to me with all the dogs/horses, and even cats, begging for homes, this would have been a good home for her dog. We use the same vet, they could tell her I am responsible.

[Buffyblue]

I once decided to rehome a cat because he picked on my very special first cat. I had an adopter all lined up, but when it came down to the day for them to pick him up, I realized I couldn't part with him and backed out on the deal. Maybe she had second thoughts too and was too chicken to just back out, figured she'd try to make you back out first.

[SMF11]

Yeah, I've noticed in almost the adds for "free" animals they want a "rehoming" fee.

Well, the reason most want that fee is to screen out people who want to sell the dogs to labs or use for other bad purposes (bait dogs etc). Also, some people believe that if you pay money for something, you'll value it more.

I don't believe that, and I do think in this case the dog should have been free, but sometimes when someone's charging a fee understand it is because they are trying to do the best for their animal. (And sometimes they are misguided and greedy!)

[pandorasboxx]

It really sounds like she was not only misguided but greedy. Yes, asshat is an appropriate description. But hey, the world is full of people looking to pay for a dog like hers now isn't it? Poor dog......:confused:

On the other hand, the shelter is a great suggestion. Our local shelters average around $100-$125 to adopt a spayed or neutered dog with all shots so you are on the right track.

[Zu Zu]

SO Sorry - but know that your next dog is waiting - you just have not found him/her yet. * You are all prepared now for when the new dog appears in your life - be patient. This situation was someone getting greeeedy and preying on your excitment of getting the dog. You have a grand home to offer - remember that ! Your perfect new dog will arrive soon - keep your eyes open - Good Luck - keep us updated. He or she will find you - probably in your own area. Let it happen .

[birdsong]

[QUOTE=Guin;4097302]Well, it will cost you at least $125 to adopt a dog out of the pound, plus another $150 to take it to the vet afterwards for shots and frontline and heartwormer. If you don't have $200 for this nice, healthy dog and its food/supplies, where are you getting the $275 to adopt an unknown, possibly heartworm-positive dog from the pound?


I was about to mention the same thing. The GSD I "adopted" from the Humane Society cost me a small fortune!! My other pets..a small dog and a few cats were due for their annual shots and I had to get those and show proof before getting her...and then the $ 75 fee became $140 (because she might be purebred) and then another $300 at the Vet afterwards. I beleive that day cost me over $700!!!Not to mention the aggravation that I went through with the adopt process...but thats another story.

Finding a dog that needs to be rehomed is not a bad idea.

[Milocalwinnings]

Well, it will cost you at least $125 to adopt a dog out of the pound, plus another $150 to take it to the vet afterwards for shots and frontline and heartwormer. If you don't have $200 for this nice, healthy dog and its food/supplies, where are you getting the $275 to adopt an unknown, possibly heartworm-positive dog from the pound?

I think you're being a little unreasonable.

That's not always the case. Many breed specific rescues or private rescues do charge a large adoption fee (the one I work for is $350 for adult dogs), but a lot of general pounds only charge a small fee. The small pound where we got one of our hounds charged $35 bucks, which included all shots/spaying and a free vet visit at the vet of our choice.
If you go to the pound instead of a large scale, private rescue, your rehoming fees are generally cheaper, at least with my experiences. Most rescues have their dogs checked out by a vet before they are adopted out and/or have a timeframe where the dog can be brought back or they will pick up the medical bills if the dog is found to be sick when adopted.

[Zu Zu]

I recommend calling your vet and asking him/ her to keep his ears open for a pet that needs a new home due allergies of owners * or owner moving * out of state to apt. or to elderly care facility or due to owner's death - an animal who needs a new Person. Just an idea but I know that quite often the people needing to re-home their pets for whatever reason will asks their vets first about possible homes.

[Larksmom]

I had originally planned to go to the pound, and I think that is where I will go probably next weekend, when I have two days off together, don't know yet if I am working the Holiday. Thanks for all the suggestions, Amy is patiently waiting for her new friend!
[spell checked by Lark]

[cloudyandcallie]

That's not always the case. Many breed specific rescues or private rescues do charge a large adoption fee (the one I work for is $350 for adult dogs), but a lot of general pounds only charge a small fee. The small pound where we got one of our hounds charged $35 bucks, which included all shots/spaying and a free vet visit at the vet of our choice.
If you go to the pound instead of a large scale, private rescue, your rehoming fees are generally cheaper, at least with my experiences. Most rescues have their dogs checked out by a vet before they are adopted out and/or have a timeframe where the dog can be brought back or they will pick up the medical bills if the dog is found to be sick when adopted.

And the pound dogs don't have the nice foster homes. Plus they are closer to "death row":eek:
While I buy my aussies, I've gotten great dogs off of death row at the pound, scraped off the road after they were run over, and even found one at a murder scene (he was a puppy and a stray and not implicated in the murder of the 91 yoa lady). All great dogs and all just as expensive to feed and vet as my las rocosa aussies.
and some vet hospitals rehome, Briarcliff in Atlanta is always saving dogs and cats and finding them new homes, and gave discounts for spaying and first round of shots.:cool:

[citydog]

Yeah, I've noticed in almost the adds for "free" animals they want a "rehoming" fee.

Well, the reason most want that fee is to screen out people who want to sell the dogs to labs or use for other bad purposes (bait dogs etc). Also, some people believe that if you pay money for something, you'll value it more.

I don't believe that, and I do think in this case the dog should have been free, but sometimes when someone's charging a fee understand it is because they are trying to do the best for their animal.

Yeah. I'm absolutely not going to hold charging a small rehoming fee against someone, but I pretty much expect it to be waived if in the best interests of the dog. I think it should be used more to weed out the impulsive and the primarily financially motivated. Similarly, in a perfect world I'd hope that *if* the adopter can afford it and *if* the surrenderer needs it that the adopter might reimburse for OTC meds or a crate with resale value or something.

But in this case I think it's odd that the woman refused to surrender the dog without a fee (unless as someone else suggested she got cold feet), as the OP was referred by the vet, and they had already discussed suitability and had a chance to feel each other out during their conversation. I'd hate to think she would sell her dog to a less suitable home for the sake of a couple of hundred bucks.

Too bad. I hope the OP finds a new pal for her dog, and that the GSD ultimately ends up safe somewhere.

[Larksmom]

this is my first attempt at a bump. Got a dog. re read the first post.

[Larksmom]

try again?

[Buffyblue]

Congratulations on the new doggie! She sounds like a cutie - can't wait for the pictures!

[MunchkinsMom]

Congrats on the new dog. Can't wait to hear more happy stories as she settles into her new home with you.

[Zu Zu]

***Any happy updates on your new :cool:dog ??? Settling in with your family? Been to vet for shots and micro-chip? What is her name -- share your new find please.:D

[Larksmom]

Well, I had decided this thread would die an unnatural death. [[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[Zu Zu]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
She escaped on Saturday night. I was bring in groceries and didn't think about the gate being open to unload the car... big mistake! As she ran off, the pit across the street broke lose and began to chase her. He was hit by a car! I drove all over Sat night looking for Toffee, no joy. I felt like a moron and decided I didn't want to explain to you all how I had lost my new dog. :sadsmile:
Well, it was a holiday weekend, so I knew the pound wouldn't probably open. but amazingly, someone had brought her in. We think she may have been hit by a car. bad limp, & abrasions. The funny thing is, since i only had her for about 24 hours, I guess I hadn't 'bonded' with her face. They put her pix on the website, and i stared hard at it. When I went in to look at her, the decider was the unusual collar! It is plastic and day glo orange with a ring in it. They do need help in taking better pix, but I guess, until I get it together a little better, pot calling kettle black.
No rabies tag, so a trip to the vet was in order. :rolleyes: It was 'only' $60 to get her out of the pound since she was turned in, and they chipped her for me. So now she is mine.....all mine.....Anyway, she is gonna get fixed, apparently a low cost spay in June. YAY!
X-rays $80. Rymadal and vet call total cost $140. Getting dog back, priceless......

[MintHillFarm]

Am I missing something? I thought you had the dog with you? I am confused, sorry...

If the dog left with you and there was no mention of money ever, frankly I would have said "you should have mentioned that fact over the phone to me, before I drove out to your place. I will pay you for the food and Frontline and mail you a check today."

[MunchkinsMom]

No rabies tag, so a trip to the vet was in order. :rolleyes: It was 'only' $60 to get her out of the pound since she was turned in, and they chipped her for me. So now she is mine.....all mine.....Anyway, she is gonna get fixed, apparently a low cost spay in June. YAY!
X-rays $80. Rymadal and vet call total cost $140. Getting dog back, priceless......

Glad it all turned out well, you must have been frantic when it happened. I like her name!

[Zu Zu]

Wow! This sounds like a Walt Disney movie!! :winkgrin: Toffee is a new beginning :yes:- just like Zu Zu 's Petals in It's A Wonderful Life -- represented 1. the promise of the future 2. the truimph of the human spirit and 3. the reminder of just how Wonderful Life Is!!! :cool: Thanks for the update - and that collar sounds lovely :eek:where can one purchase such????

[TKR]

What about the pit bull that got hit? Is he ok? Glad you got your doggie back and hope you are on the way to bonding! Good for you!
PennyG

[Larksmom]

OK, after a week of wild excursion thru 'dogpatch' :rolleyes: yes it really is called that....And a few days in the pound, Toffee is back home. She is a friendly dog, I think mostly Aussie shepard, mostly black and tan, with cream underpinnings. She has real food problems. [I am blanking on the word]- is it aggression? She doesn't growl when I approach her food, but she wolfs it down, then goes into the other room where I feed the older slower eating dog, to get her food. I ended up chasing her around the room, and she was cowed, but WOULDN'T GIVE UP. I had to drag her back to the kitchen, and she looked very sad, I felt like an ogre. When it comes down to it, I think Amy would put her in her place. They are beginning to get along better, but there is a long way to go.
p.s. Amy is very artheritic. The vet gave her some pills, rhymidal didn't work so well, :sad: and anyway the new ones are working terrifically! She hardly limps at all anymore. And she si eating up to keep the walking stomache from getting her food
pps, I have a camera in my phone but no internet connection with it, and all other cameras are quietly rusting away somewhere. I will get one tho and post shots of both if you like!

[MunchkinsMom]

Would love to see pictures! Hopefully you and your dogs will get it all sorted out soon, and can enjoy life. Transition periods are always tough.