Should I keep the dog or not?

[JellyBeanQueen]

Some of you know that I had a stry dog that showed up on my farm and I caved in and fed it. Now it wont leave. I feel sorry for the dog but I am not a dog person. I have been feeding it at least one meal out of pitty.

I was thinking about taking it to the shelter but yesterday I saw Chris (my son) playing with the dog and he seemed to enjoy it. I saw him playing with the dog again this morning while waiting for me to take him to school. I have intermitantly seen Chris play with the dog and I keep telling him not to get attached. I dont know what breed this dog is but someone at one time cared for the dog and had it fixed. (its a male) It looks like it has some type of shepherd, maybe lab and what not. Its a cream colored dog with these big brwon eyes. I havent seen him chase any of the animals and Wicker (the goat) was mock butting him and he just let the goat do it dodging him as he butted. He seems to be a decent animal but I am just not a big dog person and its just another mouth to feed. However he might be a good barn dog to have for guarding. He did bark at my weird neighbor when my neighbor was walking past the house on his daily walks.

Should I keep this dog? I mean how much mroe can he eat that will make such a big deal financialy. Have I already claim him by feeding him? I hate to send animals to the shelter for fear of them being euthanized. Chris seems to like the dog and I havent seen the dog be mean or agressive what so ever. He's not an old dog and acts like he is young. I even picked some ticks off of him yesterday and he just sat there with this goofy expression on his face while I picked off 3 ticks. He has a semi short coat but seems to be thin so he wont need to be shaved. What happens when the novelty of the dog being there wears off with Chris? The dog seems to like being at the barn and has yet to cause any trouble.
I am sure he will need dewormed, and vaccinated and I could probably get all of that from my Vet. I might even be able to get the Rabies vac. from him because I have a very long standing with him. I will have to check on that one.

What do you all think I should do? The dog seems to think he belongs there now. I have to admit he is cute esp with that goofy expression he has on his face most of the time.

[lolita1]

I'm a sucker and would keep it. Right now it would be home, vaccinated, feed up and have its own doggy blanket for when it is cold. If you don't like dogs may be it is the best thing for you to take it to a shelter. I don't think anyone who really likes dogs such as your child would ever lose the novelty factor.

[spurgirl]

I think if you let him stay, you will find him to be an excellent companion and guardian...The best dog I ever had was a stray I picked up on the side of the road. We named her "Gypsy", and she was wonderful-those strays just know you have saved them, and end up being good all-around dogs. Good luck with Goofy;)

[Bluey]

First I would do with any dog that "just showed up" is to alert animal control , local vets and feed stores and put some ads in the papers, as their owner may be heartbroken if he was lost and they could not find it.

The advantage you have now is that you know the dog and is mature and the way it is going to be, seems like a sweet, uncomplicated soul, no surprises.:cool:
That is not like getting a puppy, that you have to train and you don't know what it will be when grown.

As long as you are keeping him around, why not?
You can always place him somewhere else later, if you can't keep him.
That seems better than just giving him up now, to an uncertain future at the animal control shelter.

[shanky]

First I would do with any dog that "just showed up" is to alert animal control , local vets and feed stores and put some ads in the papers, as their owner may be heartbroken if he was lost and they could not find it.


Agree. At the very least notify the local animal shelter in case someone is looking for him. If his owner doesn't claim him, I'd keep him! You might turn into a "dog person" - you never know!

[lcw579]

Agree. At the very least notify the local animal shelter in case someone is looking for him. If his owner doesn't claim him, I'd keep him! You might turn into a "dog person" - you never know!


Ditto. Although it sounds to me like this dog has already decided that you are a dog person and you are, in fact, his person. :winkgrin: Congrats on the new addition! :lol:

[SMF11]

I think if you let him stay, you will find him to be an excellent companion and guardian...The best dog I ever had was a stray I picked up on the side of the road. We named her "Gypsy", and she was wonderful-those strays just know you have saved them, and end up being good all-around dogs. Good luck with Goofy;)

Me too -- the absolute BEST dog I ever had was one that was dumped on the road and starving. Spurgirl is absolutely right, they know they've been rescued and will do whatever they can to please you.

You say you are not a dog person, but are you an animal person?

[Casey09]

As a dog person, I would say only keep the dog if you're willing to make the commitment. It sounds like your son likes the dog, but just remember that he is a minor child and he needs an adult to show him how to properly care for animals. Expecting a child to take the sole care of a dog is, in my opinion, unfair. He can have dog related chores, like feeding the dog, but an adult needs to monitor that. Like any animal, dogs can require expensive care as well. If you aren't willing to do that, then I wouldn't keep the dog. It wouldn't be right.
Having said that, I loved dogs as a kid, though, and my mom was never a dog person - but she did rise to the occasion, for which I'll always be grateful. I think that they grew on her, but she helped take care of the dog and paid the vet bills because she knew I loved the dog. There was a time (when I was in high school) when I said that I wanted to find the dog another home because I didn't have time, didn't want to take care of the dog in the morning, blah, blah, blah. My mom - the non-dog person - was actually the one to tell me that I'd had the dog for 8 years, that our home was all that she knew, and that it was my responsibility to give her proper care and attention even if I had to make room in my life to do so. I've always admired that.

[vacation1]

yesterday I saw Chris (my son) playing with the dog and he seemed to enjoy it. I saw him playing with the dog again this morning while waiting for me to take him to school. I have intermitantly seen Chris play with the dog and I keep telling him not to get attached.

:lol: Your son is already attached. I think it would be unfortunate to break them up at this point. Speaking as someone who had a dog as a child, I think it's the best and cheapest things you can do for your kid.

Agree. At the very least notify the local animal shelter in case someone is looking for him.

I agree with this; someone might be looking for him. If possible, give them a photo of the dog too; many shelters have a bulletin board of lost and found pets.

[vacation1]

As a dog person, I would say only keep the dog if you're willing to make the commitment. It sounds like your son likes the dog, but just remember that he is a minor child and he needs an adult to show him how to properly care for animals. Expecting a child to take the sole care of a dog is, in my opinion, unfair. He can have dog related chores, like feeding the dog, but an adult needs to monitor that. Like any animal, dogs can require expensive care as well. If you aren't willing to do that, then I wouldn't keep the dog. It wouldn't be right.

True - the parent(s) need to ensure the animal is fed, watered, etc., they can't turn ultimate responsibility over to the kid. I don't think they need to become a dog person, or commit to spending a lot on the dog, though. Most of the expense is optional, for better or worse. You really need only provide food, water, shelter and a rabies shot.

[AKB]

Once you make sure that no one is looking for the dog, you should keep him. You need to make a commitment to provide whatever the dog needs. If you can't feed him, love him, give him basic veterinary care (shots, heartworm pills if you are in an area with heartworms) and give him good shelter (preferably in the house during cold or hot weather and when you are in the house) you should bring him to the shelter. He will probably be put down immediately, as most shelters are overcrowded.

Remember that your son is learning how to take care of his own, future, children by taking care of the dog. If you treat the dog well and teach him to treat the dog well, he will be a very good father some day.

[MunchkinsMom]

Ditto to what everyone else said. It sounds like the dog is a good fit with your other farm animals, and will make a good addition to your family.

[CB/TB]

Keep him. Long story short, but a friend was vacationing in AZ many years ago and found a stray dog. She paid for his shots, paid to have him shipped back to RI to another friend who offered to take him. Several months later one of the neigbors beefalo escaped and was headed right for the daughter who was riding at the time. the dog got between them and chased the steer back onto its own pasture and stayed barking at it until the girl got off and her Dad got the fence secured. So, you never know- this dog might be a lifesaver. It seems he's already settled in nicely. Your son has a buddy he can care for. Think "Red & Rover" in the comics. Everbody needs their own dog!

[merrygoround]

First I would do with any dog that "just showed up" is to alert animal control , local vets and feed stores and put some ads in the papers, as their owner may be heartbroken if he was lost and they could not find it.

As the owner of numerous "pound" and "found" dogs over the years, I would keep him, if no one turned up. Your son can be instructed in the management aspects, but I suspect a good part of it will fall to your lot....it always does;) Most of these dogs make great family additions. You already know how big he'll be, and that he is housebroken. That removes a lot of the surprise factor. :)

[evenstar]

So...what name have you picked out? ;)

[JellyBeanQueen]

Thanks for the replys. I went and bought a bag of dogfood this morning and a chewy. I went to the barn this morning and he was still there sitting infront of the barn door. He came up to me and flopped down on my feet and rolled over lookiing at me with that silly sillly facial expression. I found myself petting him and talking to him. Chris was asking to keep him.

I have enquired about the dog (about 3 to 4 days ago) to the local Shelter and the Vet clinics around here and no one has said anything about a missing dog. I had left my phone number but no calls.

I guess I will take him to my vet on Monday.

I like animals in general and wound not harm any animals weather I am a fan or not. I know that I cannot turn over all responsibility to Chris, I mean he is still a child. He knows that he will have to partake in the care of the dog but I wouldnt ever just turn them (any of the animals) over to him. I will have to sit down with him and discuss some things about the dog and his care. He will be beside himself over my decision to keep him.

THe first time the dog shows any illl will towards my son or the animals he will have to go. SO far the dog has not done anything agressive or even remotely any ill behavior towards the other animals.

I actually like the name "Goofy". He is definatly that. I will suggest it to Chris.

When I fed the dog this morning after I went to the store he gobbled it up and did not show any food aggression whe I acted like I was going to move the bowl, which is good. He just steped back and watched me. I placed the bowl back down and he continued to eat. So far so good. I will give him the chewy this evening so he can chew on it during the night. I have an old cooler that has a hole in it, I might dig it out and give it to him to lay on. I have to find the darn thing first.

Chris and I will give him a bath tomarrow because he realy does smell funky. I wonder how well that will go over. Ha

[Nes]

I just wanted to add that the costs of owning a dog really aren't that high. We don't vaccinate yearly, each of our pooches were completly vaccinated at birth and then they get a rabbies shot booster every year (because that is the law). Maybe I'm buying too much into the "vaccinations are just a ploy to make money" but I've heard that from some decently repuable vetrenariens so I'm inclinded to agree with them. In addition our dogs to do have access to any dogs we don't know (they never go to dog parks, we're out in the country), and any of our extended family dogs are vaccinated for everything every year.

We feed a very good dog food which is $50 every 3 weeks (quality over quantity and they still eat as much as they want). If you need to deworm you can do it with horse wormer, which is very cheap split between dogs or just leftovers from the ponies. Heartworm is a good idea though, and that's not super cheap but you can get it over the internet for allot less then from your vet.

It sickens me that all these people have to give up their dogs because "they can't afford them", now if I really were homeless and had to choose between my child and my dogs those pooches would be out of here in a heartbeat; but our dogs really are part of our family. We'd never part with them just because we'd decided we couldn't afford them. They might have to eat bargain-basement "it's mostly cardboard" food every once and a while because someone forgets to buy their real food; but neither is any worse for wear.

GL with your new pooch, if things don't work out I'm sure if you took him to a good shelter he would still find a loving home :).

[Alagirl]

I am a strong believer in karma and that everything happens for a reason!

we found a beagle pup on our front porch one fine morning. tiny, with scars and more fleas than I had ever seen before in my whole life.
A short while after she arrived, she was barking up a storm one night. And if you ever heard a Beagle, you know how awful it sounds! I was about to lose it with her....grumbling and fussing ...

In the morning we noticed the gate to the yard being wide open. Seems like somebody had gotten in, no doubt in the attempt to steal something, like it had happened before a few times, and scrambled to get out when all the racket started.

The Pup definitly earned her keep that night!

So yes, your barn needs a dog right now! ;)

[SMF11]

Thanks for the replys. I went and bought a bag of dogfood this morning and a chewy. I went to the barn this morning and he was still there sitting infront of the barn door. He came up to me and flopped down on my feet and rolled over lookiing at me with that silly sillly facial expression. I found myself petting him and talking to him. Chris was asking to keep him.

I have enquired about the dog (about 3 to 4 days ago) to the local Shelter and the Vet clinics around here and no one has said anything about a missing dog. I had left my phone number but no calls.

I guess I will take him to my vet on Monday.



YAY!!!

[unclewiggly]

KEEP THE DOG< END OF STORY

[baileygreyhorse]

Unfortunately (fortunately), animals that show up here end up staying here. I'd keep the dog. Kind of wishing that a cool dog would show up here soon. We have 2 cats that were obviously drop-offs. Another dog would be OK.

[jen-s]

I think your COTH family needs some pics of your new pup... :winkgrin:

Kudos to you for taking Goofy in and feeding him. Sounds like he's found a wonderful home and has fallen in love with you and your son.

[JellyBeanQueen]

Well we....I.... gave him a bath today. Holy moly what a fiasco. It was rather warm today but overcast and rained off and on but it was minor. I got out the hose and made sure wam water was coming through it, got out the Suave (coconut scent). I took him to the histching post for the bath because there is rubber pad on cement and is a great pace to bath. He does not like to be tied up. I used one of Chris' old belts he had since grown out of for the collar. I was able to put in enough holes (hole puncher for leather) to make it small enough to put around his neck. I then took one of our lead ropes and hooked it on over the leather (no leach ring on the belt). I took him to the hitching post and he was a little balky but I got him to come with me. I Tied him up and at first he didnt realy know what was going on. I got the hose and began to drench him over realy good before soaping him up. He went to back up away from me and hit the end of the lead line and went coo coo. He twisted and pulled and flopped side to side to get out of the "collar". I couldnt get the lead unhooked fast enough and he did manage to get out of his "collar". When he got out of it he shook the water off and if looks could kill I would be dead. It took me a few minutes to coaks him back to me. I was going to have Chris help me but I let him go to one of his freinds house for the day. I decided that it would probably go faster with me anyways. WRONG! After I finally got the dog back I put the home made dog collar back on him. I took him back to the bathing area but I did not tie him this time. I held onto him. I got him good and wet and was soaping him up realy well, talking to him and trying to make it a game of sorts. He got loose from the collar again and this time I cant figure out how easily he got out from it. So here is this soaped up dog running amuck in the back yard playing "catch me if you can". I am trying not to chase him because I know that will only make things worse. So this went on for about 10 to 15 minutes. I finally coaksed (sp?) him into one of the stalls with a peice of ham. I was able to catch him then. This time I carried his butt to the hitching bathing area again. I used an inverted halter to put on him like a harness. IT was to small for Danner and now I am glad I kept it. IT was somewhat loose on him but it still gave me the upper hand. I got all of the soap off of him and I think I was more wet than the dog. I gave him the rest of the ham that I had when I finally caught the devil. I let him go with the halter still on. Forget the towel. He was not to pleased about the situation and went to rub himself down in the grass (Grass good, manure or dirt not) Next time I will have Chris help hold him for me. Geesh. Well he doesnt seem to be that truamatized by it because he happily greeted me when I went down to feed the horses about an hour ago. I took the halter off of him and he at least smelled a little better and none worse for the wear. He looks more white now than cream. Surely he couldnt have been that filthy.

He had a temporary new name "Little sh*%".

Chris seems to like the Name Goofy by the way. So who ever suggested it on this thread I say thanks.

[Alagirl]

HAHAHAHAHA :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

And be asured, even dogs we raised from a pup are able to do that: HOW DARE YOU GETTING ME ALL WET!!! :cool:

yep, congratualtions, you are now owned by a dog! :)

[lcw579]

Great bath story! :lol::lol: Been there, done that with our two normally very polite well behaved dogs - they turn into tasmanian devils when the hose comes out! :lol:

So happy to hear that Goofy has found his home!

[MorganJunkie]

Good on you Jellybean! /my mom has a picture of me givin our cattle dog a bath - he hooked his front leg around my neck and dunke dme in the tub. Mojo was a drop off too, and killed a rattle snake at my sister's feet - they do know you did them a favor. (Unless it invovles soap and water!)

[MunchkinsMom]

Oh thanks for a good laugh. I'm glad your stray is at least human-friendly.

When we first moved to the farm, my mother-in-law's city raised dog found something good and smelly to roll in, and I have never seen a 60 pound dog manage to make herself weigh about a ton of dead weight. None of us could drag her into the bathroom. So, my husband picked her up, and as he was going into the door, she planted all 4 feet on the door frame. It took 3 of us to get her into the tub - my husband carrying her, and me and my mother-in-law plucking her feet off the door frame!

After that, she gets hosed in the back yard, I don't care if the water is cold. Much easier than trying to get her into the bathroom.

[Trixie]

I can't believe you'd even come on here asking if you SHOULD keep a sweet dog that showed up without people looking for it.

What do you think we'd say to you?

OF COURSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol: :lol:

COTHers are the worst enablers.

[JellyBeanQueen]

Well now that I look back on it it is kind of funny but of course at the time I was saying a few choice words.

I have since bought him a real collar and got a name tag for him, got his vaccinations, and rabies shot. Blood work to check for heart worm antigen showed he was clear and a fecal test showed he did indeed have worms and was treated with Ivermectin. I have his booster vaccinnation I will give to him in 3 to 4 weeks. This was done because I and my Vet does not know If the dog even got its first series of vaccinations. I also will give him is second dose of Ivermectin later on down the road. He was good for it all. He didnt care for the fecal probe up his bum but who does? Not me thats for sure. He wasnt hatefull about it but again if looks could kill there would be a dead Vet. loll

The worse thing about the whole situation was that he barfed in my truck. Glad I took the old farm truck (had to pick up feed and mulch on way back) so all I did was hose it out. He gets car sick. Poor thing just sat on the seat with his head hanging over the edge of the seat and looked up at me with those big brown eyes looking kind of squishy. With the vaccinations and the deworming and the blood drawn and etc he was just not feeling to good. I'm just glad he didnt have heart worms but I will be giving him heart guard after the last dose of Ivermectin.

I was going to have a whole entire blood work panel done on him but my Vet seems to think its not nessesary but If I realy wanted one done he would be happy to oblige. What do you al think?

[Tiki]

If you need to deworm you can do it with horse wormer, which is very cheap split between dogs or just leftovers from the ponies
Oh PLEAASSSEEEE don't do that. The horse dewormer is a different dose, and there's no way to guarantee that even if you give him just a little bit that you will get a section that has a balanced dose in it. Please use dog dewormer on your dogs.

He may have gotten car sick for psychological reasons rather than motion sickness. Maybe not, but . . . . . I got a dog from the Pound when he was 5 months old. I was his 4th owner at 5 months. He turned out to be one of the best dogs I have ever, ever had, but the first 5 or so times I took him out in the truck - - - talk about sick!!! But it was psychological. He LOVED living at my house with 4 acres and all the other dogs and the great food and attention and training and each time we went out in the truck (to agility classes) he thought I was going to drop him off and he barfed all over everything he was so nervous. Once he realized that we were going to class to learn and have fun, AND that he got to come home again, he was fine.

[Indy]

He may have gotten car sick for psychological reasons rather than motion sickness. Maybe not, but . . . . . I got a dog from the Pound when he was 5 months old. I was his 4th owner at 5 months. He turned out to be one of the best dogs I have ever, ever had, but the first 5 or so times I took him out in the truck - - - talk about sick!!! But it was psychological. He LOVED living at my house with 4 acres and all the other dogs and the great food and attention and training and each time we went out in the truck (to agility classes) he thought I was going to drop him off and he barfed all over everything he was so nervous. Once he realized that we were going to class to learn and have fun, AND that he got to come home again, he was fine.

Very true. If your boy was dumped, that might have been the last time he was in a car so car rides could be quite traumatic for him. My dog was dumped and did not enjoy the car at all at first. For him, cars meant loosing his people (he was fostered for around 8 months before we got him as well) or going to the vet. Fortunately he wasn't a barfer, but he would whine and whine and whine and pace and spin and pace until you wanted to kill yourself. It took a lot of trips to the dog park & a 10 hour cross-country drive for him to realize that cars weren't all that bad, we weren't abandoning him, and that we were eventually coming home. Now he's a big fan of the car and is not nearly as obnoxious of a passenger.

[Go Fish]

You shall have good Karma the rest of your life...:yes:

My Corgis HATE baths. I've given up and now just take them to the poo poo parlor and let the groomer deal with their rotten behavior.

[SMF11]

Well now that I look back on it it is kind of funny but of course at the time I was saying a few choice words.

I have since bought him a real collar and got a name tag for him, got his vaccinations, and rabies shot. Blood work to check for heart worm antigen showed he was clear and a fecal test showed he did indeed have worms and was treated with Ivermectin. I have his booster vaccinnation I will give to him in 3 to 4 weeks. This was done because I and my Vet does not know If the dog even got its first series of vaccinations. I also will give him is second dose of Ivermectin later on down the road. He was good for it all. He didnt care for the fecal probe up his bum but who does? Not me thats for sure. He wasnt hatefull about it but again if looks could kill there would be a dead Vet. loll

.

I was going to have a whole entire blood work panel done on him but my Vet seems to think its not nessesary but If I realy wanted one done he would be happy to oblige. What do you al think?


Thanks for the update! He is one lucky dog, and I suspect you will find you and your son are lucky to find him too. What a heartwarming thread!! And yes, I do believe what goes around, comes around ;)

[Alagirl]

I can't believe you'd even come on here asking if you SHOULD keep a sweet dog that showed up without people looking for it.

What do you think we'd say to you?

OF COURSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol: :lol:

COTHers are the worst enablers.


exactly! and one dog alone is lonely! ;)

[JellyBeanQueen]

I am a firm beleiver that horse wormer is dosed for horses and dog dewormer is dosed for dogs and cat dewormer is for cats and etc. I know some ppl who have 2 Weimeriners (sp?), 2 Dobermans and a Boxer that uses the horse dewomer to deworm thier dogs. But if they under dose it only makes the parasites more stronger and if over dosed to much can make the dog sick. I just dont trust myself enough to dose off lable to a dog or what have you.

This poor dog has been kind of sluggish like since we got back from the Vet. a couple days ago. I know he had passed alot of dead round worms (gross), so I am thinking he is still a bit ill over the purge. I called my Vet and asked if I should be concerned and he said that its normal for some dogs that have alot of worms to be kind of sluggish for a few days, and he said just to watch him closely. He hasnt eaten all of his food since the Vet but is getting better. I have been making him some rice with chicken broth poured over it so it wouldnt be so heavy on his stomach and he ate about 3/4 (each serving) of it for the past few days. He ate it all this morning so I think he is feeling better. I will probably give him his regular food tonight. I let him stay in the tack room last few nights and I have since found that old cooler and he will lay on it. I am thinking about putting a "doggy" door on the tack room door so he can come and go as he wants. This way his water and food can be kept in the tack room. THis morning he seems to be feeling better. Chris and I went on a short trailride around our farm and the neighbors (not the weird neighbor but the other neighbor on the other side of weird neighbor ......kind of confusing huh? LOL) anyways Goofy did follow us for a short distance but turned and went back home. When we got back and he was infront of the barn doors untill he heard us then came to greet us. I say if he felt better he would have followed us through the trail ride. Chris will sit by him and pet him for a while talking to him. I was looking out our bay window that faces the barn and pasture and back yard and I saw Goofy laying next to Chris with his head resting on Chris' leg. I almost cried. I teared up and was so emotional about it. I'm a sap.
I have since thought it was the right decision to keep the dog and perhaps Chris needs Goofy now for this part of his life. Perhaps that is why the dog showed up at our door instead of other ppls doors.
Chris is not a leader nor a follower he is pretty much a loner and he only has the one freind he hangs out with. With Summer vacation soon to be upon us he will have more time on his hands. I wanted him to go to the 4-H horse and pony horse camp this year but he doesnt want to go. I dont think he had that great of time last year. He wanted to come home early from camp last year but I told him he has to finish what he committed to. (ITs not cheap, thats for sure) He finished it but wasnt to happy about it. When I went to pick him and Jelly Bean up he already had his stall cleaned out, shipping boots on Jelly Bean and all of his belongings in his trunk. He was more than ready to come home. He just is not much of a social light. (I think he has mommy-itis)

Maybe Goofy will help him to come out of his shell a little more.

[MunchkinsMom]

Chris would sit by him and pet him for a while talking to him. I was looking out our bay window that faces the barn and pasture and back yard and I saw Goofy laying next to Chris with his head resting on Chris' leg. I almost cried. I teared up and was so emotional about it. I'm a sap.
I have since thought it was the right decision to keep the dog and perhaps Chris needs Goofy now for this part of his life. Perhaps that is why the dog showed up at our door instead of other ppls doors.


Awww, that made me tear up too! Chris sounds like a great kid, with lots of compasion for animals, so perhaps Goofy was sent to you for a reason.

[enjoytheride]

So let us know when he sleeps in your son's bed.

[Foxhound]

Some 4-H clubs have dog projects. Maybe doing and evening dog club would be more up his alley than a sleep-away pony camp? Plus, he could learn how to train his dog.

[columbus]

The best reason for doing the right thing when dealing with problems with animals is that it is a lesson you are teaching your son. It doesn't mean you keep the dog necessarily but it does me you treat the dog with the respect any life deserves. You are teaching your son to value life...maybe one of the most important lessons you will teach him. You have cared for the dog, looked for his owners, taken him to the vet to see he is healthy and has no chips that indicate he is a lost dog with an owner out there. You sit down with everyone and talk about the dog and what you think are the options. My Mom had euthanized a stray humanely...at the time there was the pound and no other options. She felt a cat would be terrified in such a situation and that was inhumane and euthanasia was the kinder choice. I also believe in Kismet and have opened my door many times for all kind of animals. Yes I had to change my life many times and sometimes it was not easy and some times it was like it was meant to be. Maybe it is time you learned to love a dog...the dog seems to be asking with an open heart. The lesson is that life has value. It may be that you find a new home for the dog that will love it with that same open heart as he has. That is a perfectly honorable choice as well. Good Luck. PatO

[Guin]

I'd like to be your friend. You sound like an awesome person. You've done a REALLY good deed. Your son is a lucky kid, and Goofy is one lucky dog. :yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes:

[JellyBeanQueen]

I have 4 cats indoors and dont want alot of animals in the house. I thinnk he would be better outside. I bought a doggy door kit but I am not handy at using power tools but my boss is. I might have him come over and make the hole in the door for me. Or I might take the door off the hinges and take it to him. (that will be fun. NOT!) That thing will weigh a ton, I'm sure.

Goofy is just about back to his silly self and is eating his regular dogfood again. Thank Goodness. I didnt see any worms in his BM this time so I hope they are gone. Parasitic worms are so nasty looking, gives me the creeps. I am going to have Chris do poop patrol at least twice a week as part of his responsibility to care for the dog. I didnt want him to clean up the wormy poo. He does pretty good cleanig out the riding arena in the evening after Jelly Bean. She is his horse and must take some of the responsibilities of caring for her. Its a chore no one likes but must be done to keep things clean and neat for sanitary purposes. Sometimes he gets lazy and doesnt want to do it but then he gets a cut in his allowance. He will get a raise in his allowance for taking on the extra chore of keeping up with the dog. SO far he has helped me to take care of him with feeding and water and etc. I havent had to ask yet. I think having him do poop patrol twice a week is within his abilities. I grew up with much more responsibilities than he has and I didnt get an allowance. I will do poop patrol on the off days to help him out some.
We are going to be going on Vacation in a couple of weeks actually in about 4 weeks The girl that I use to do house/horse sitting is available (thank goodness) I will have to introduce her to our newest member. I dont think I will have any problems with it. I will pay her more for the addition of care. We will only be gone for a week this time. (wish it was a month. lol) I can hardly beleive that another school year has past. Seems like yesterday I was leaving Chris at preschool peeling him off my leg to go into the class. (I kind of got emotional also.) My baby is growing up way to fast.

[spurgirl]

I was the one who suggested "Goofy" as a name, I'm SO glad you're keeping him, and SO glad it seems to be working out well, and so honored you chose the name!! It sounds like you AND your son both have a new best friend!!! I know another poster mentioned 4H has a dog program, you might want to look into that. They have agility, and I think what they call a "Canine Good Citizen" certification, our local show has obedience, and a fun little costume class. This may be a way for your son to connect more with other kids, as most 4H programs have little "clincs"-only one day around here, where the kids and dogs get together. It may not be as intensive as an all week camp. Some kids are not into those, and there's nothing wrong with that. Continued best wishes from here in CT!!!

[flea]

Great job you are doing with the dog! Sounds like a good situation for all and I am glad you went for the works on health care. I think the person from Ontario who said not to worry about vaccinations etc. is mistaken. Now it might be that in a colder climate there is not the worry with so many diseases. If he hates baths that much he must not have too much lab in him!:) My beagle through up in the car until she was about 2 years old. She is fine now. He might just take a while getting used to it. Again, it is wonderful you are such a caring "dog person" (now!)

[JellyBeanQueen]

So far so good. Its been raining here alot and things are kind of wet and sloppy. I saw him playing with something in a mud puddle (now he will play in water puddles but doesnt care for water from a hose. Go figure) He kept jumping up and making a pouncing like motion with his front feet and his ears were perked forward and I knew he was playing with something. I went out and it was drizzling rain but curiosity got me......he was playing with a frog. I rescued the frog and put it in the flower bed which is surrounded with decorative fencing. The dirty look Goofy gave me was enough to let me know he wasnt pleased with that. I have a bag of pig ears and I gave him one of those to chomp on. He went off back to the barn happily carrying his new intrest chew thing. Goofy thing. He better stay out of my flower beds. So far so good but now he has a reason to get into them. The beds kind of sit up off the ground built into a wall like structure and the beds set inside them. So hopefully that will thwart him from wanting in them. Chris was wanting to keep the frog in his room in a little bug box he has, I told him the frog has been truamatized enough. Just being a typical boy. I went out a few hours ago to feed the horses and the dog and the frog was still in the flower bed but not in the same place. I kind of touched it a little and it moved to its still alive. Chris wanted to sit by it to "keep it company" but I know him, he will eventualy have it in his hands bugging it or trying to sneak it into his room. The cats would have had fun playing with it then.:)

[snkstacres]

This story is too cute all around. From the doggy story to your son to the frog. I sincerely doubt you will be sorry for the dog, (maybe a moment or two) but, there is nothing like a dog with a boy. He will be Chris;s best friend and you will be hard pressed to find a more loyal one.

Please, come back in six months and tell us you are not a Goofy kind of dog person. You may never love all dogs but,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I would bet a lot that you will become a person who loves Goofy.

[MunchkinsMom]

Awww, how cute, I got such a mental image of Goofy splashing in the puddle playing with the frog, although it sort of grosses me out when my dogs go after the toads here, so I have them all trained to "Leave It!", but of course I have to see them to say it.

And the frog thing with your son, it's not just a boy thing. I had tadpoles when I was little, and lizards and horned toads and turtles, and our girl scout troup had two tarantulas (that gave me the willies). Ah, I will have to send my mother a thank you note for putting up with all of that when I was growing up.

[Nlevie]

I really think it is time for a picture of GOOFY !?

[JellyBeanQueen]

I wish I could post a pic but my camera bit the dust a while back and I gave my printer/scanner to a freind of mine to look at (it wasnt printing very well for some reason) so I gave it to her to take and see what she could do with it. Whats even sadder is that I havent even taken a picture of him yet. I know shame on me.

Chris has gold fish and 2 newts he messes with from time to time. The newt aquarium is a pretty neat set up. We designed ourselves that has a multiple level set up. We found this neat "Build a Reef" set at our local pet shop where you can buy peices of "reef" and snap them together to make levels, holes, extentions and etc. The god fish have a smaller reef set up and it realy makes for a nice set up. Chris likes to put things together, he has a HUGE Leggo collection from basic tot he ships, space ships and what ever else. He saves his allowance to get the more elaborate set ups and I buy a set for Christmas. I and a handy freind of mine built a 3 teered shelf system in his room to display his "Creations." I enjoy looking at them and marvel at his patience and his creativity. He is out of school now for the summer and he is going to help me with horse day camp at the farm where I work. (plus participate in the activities) It lasts only a week with a little fun show afterwards. Chris can use the social time and perhaps this will encourage him to go other camps. He's wanting to learn some Hunt Seat and I plan on taking Jelly Bean. We'll see though. We can use an extra horse anyways to use instead of wearing out the other lesson horse's I have even thought about taking Danner for the more experienced rider's to use. I'm not sure yet what I am going to do about that.

Oh and the frog, he was gone this morning when I went out to feed the critters. So I guess it was fine. No holes in the flower bed either. Good dog. :)