Dog situation

[Bethers]

I agree with Laura. There are dogs that might need that yard, but Tips, who moved into my 22' rv with me, was happy where ever I was. Some labs are laid-back like that. Course, you would have to get an adult dog for them to know that, but don't rule out labs if you like them. If I happened upon another resuce dog similar to Tips, Peaches would have a companion - even though I tell myself one is enough - more than enough lol

[avalen]

consider yourself lucky that you didn't get the dog and get deeply attached and have they yank it out from under you because of some technicality farther on down the road of paperwork loopholes. The right dog will find you, don't worry, and it will probably happen when you least expect it.

[BirdbyBird]

Being a member of our local kennel club and having shown, I personally know several breeders that "place" older finished show dogs or young show dogs that didn't quite have the potential breeders were looking for and were past the "cute" (and untrained" puppy stage..... So contacting a breeder "may" work just depends upon the breeder. My Izzy found her forever home....and became the center of their adoration by her hooman's reaching out and being willing to love a "no longer" puppy girl. Then again they got a UKC Grand Champion, well socialized, house broken, snuggle bunny in the deal. Her new owner shared that one breeder had offered to place a nine month old pup whose bite had gone off for $1800.

[Forestgal]

Jed was on the track to being a show dog. Of course, nobody can tell for sure whether a young puppy will turn out like the breeder expects, but he was cryptorchid (sp?) and therefore "worthless" to the breeder for show. I got him for the cost of his neuter, which was more expensive because they had to go looking for his boy parts in his belly. He would have been easily a $1500+ dog otherwise. To me he's priceless.

Contacting a breeder is a great idea. Friends of mine got a cousin of Jed -- a female who was done breeding and is the sweetest dog you'd ever want to meet. She was 4 when they got her -- lots of life left in her, just not for breeding.

Laura

[sharon]

Yep, got one of my shepherds that way...the breeders bowled with us and were talking about one of their pups they were going to have to put down because she had a heart murmur...I couldn't stand it so asked them how much they wanted for her..50 bucks for the vet fees. She was the most gentle dog you could know...a little goofy and absolutely loved cats for some reason and also the best watch dog I ever had. Her heart murmur wasn't a problem until she got to be around 11..lost her at 12. I still miss her.

[Excel]

Maybe I gave the wrong impression....I'm not necessarily looking for a 'puppy'...Don't want to train one again...been there, done that. I'm just leaving all options open....My Ex, my Son and my Grandson all have Labs....I just love them, but I would want a smaller one (if I could find one) than the size my Son & Grandson have....They are such beautiful & loving dogs & though Poodles are smart, Labs are also....Anyhow, like I said I'm keeping my options open... Have to say though, the house is so quiet with Missy & Kathy both gone....I just feel like I really need a companion now...but I also know things can't be forced & for the sake of the future pet I need to wait till I'm home & not traveling. Don't want to scare a new friend with too much new stuff all at once. The dog will be an 'inside' dog & we'll both go for walks together...there's a big Park close to my house & the neighborhood is good for walks too... These life changes are just about all I can handle right now...so I'd probably spoil the poor thing right off .... Ah well...Again..thanks for letting me 'whine'....Maybe tomorrow will be an easier day...Bless all...

[Bethers]

Ah well...Again..thanks for letting me 'whine'....Maybe tomorrow will be an easier day...Bless all...

You 'whine' all you want. I don't consider a word you said whining, but if you do - you just keep it up. You're in a painful situation now, and if this helps, I'm glad to listen. And listen more. And, yes, your dog will 'come'. When and how, we don't know, but yep, will happen. And I know what you mean - I don't know what I'd do some days with Peaches companionship - and I'm sure everyone gets tired of my always talking about her - but yep, she's a big part of my life. Now here I go - when this is supposed to be about you. You talk, I'll listen!

[Forestgal]

Char, when I had to put Brandy down I knew that I wanted to get another Lab. But I also knew that I wanted to find one that came from solid stock and was better-bred than she was (she had too many health issues). I figured that it would take me a good 6 months to find the right dog, so I began to do my research and began making inquiries. Jed came home 10 days after I lost Brandy ...

There are several great Lab rescue sites in both parts of the state. If you're going to be down here around Thanksgiving I'd love to go with you if you decide to take a look at a dog -- Lab or not. Heck! I'd just love to go have a cup of coffee with you!

Laura

[rvgrammy1953]

In 1986 we returned for the last time from Germany and were assigned to Ft. Bliss, TX again. This was Ernie's last assignment before retiring from the Army. Our son, Bill, was 7 at the time and we had promised that when we got to TX we would get a "forever" dog. So after settling in, we went to the local pound, right on the Rio Grande, and spent a hour or so looking at all kinds of friends that needed home...A small dog was our goal, one that wasn't a puppy...Ernie went one way, Bill & I went another....all we could find that was small were the puppies....when we met up with Ernie, he said that we needed to look at this dog, not small....kinda' medium size...so we went with him to the kennel cage and there she was way in the back, laying down, just looking out at us...He said this is the one...look at her eyes...she's smart....well, of course we all fell in love and we took her home that day....she was a Wire-hair/Jack Russell mix 1 yr old....anyways, making a long story short....we had her spayed....taught her English...(her name was Chiquita, and had been own by Mexicans), and she, Sandy, (Bill named her this cause she looked like the dog in the movie, ANNIE) lived with us for the next 17 yrs....When we had to let her go to the "Rainbow Bridge" Ernie & I were with her....Ernie said at the time that we would have NO More dogs...her passing really affected him hard....so for 6 yrs. we were dog-less, then 2 yrs. ago Spinner came into our lives and life is grand for the 3 of us....All of you were with us when he arrived and his story is posted in the Pet Section....but my point is, it may take awhile before the "perfect" pal comes along.....take time to heal...and the dog usually finds you....

[Colliemom]

I too went the hobby/show breeder route. I'm talking a reputable breeder, not one of those who breed the dogs just to sell the pups and when they are sold, breed the dogs again. This is where I get my dogs from. the breeder that I got Sassy and Tessa from does not "over breed" her dogs. She will breed maybe once or twice a year depending, and not the same dog. If she sees a pup in the litter that looks promising, she will hang on to it for awhile. The rest of the litter is sold to people who are looking for a collie pup and they are in demand as collies are not that common anymore. The breeder will raise the pup, train it for show, put it through the paces and in the case of Tessa, show her to a Championship. They usually breed the dog for a litter or two and then once they are about 5 years old, they look for people who would love to adopt them to a "forever home". So you have an older dog who is past the "puupy" stage, usaully housebroken, leash trained and some are also obedience trained. I have had 4 of my collies this way and they have been and are the most loveable dogs.

So you might look to see if there is a mini poodle breeder around who is looking to place a dog in a home. At least you won't have all the rules and reglations that the resue and shelter people seem to be bent on out there. Just a suggestion.

[Colliemom]

Another thing you might try to, is to contact a hobby/show breeder. I'm talking a reputable breeder, not one of those who breed the dogs just to sell the pups and when they are sold, breed the dogs again. This is where I get my dogs from. the breeder that I got Sassy and Tessa from does not "over breed" her dogs. She will breed maybe once or twice a year depending, and not the same dog. If she sees a pup in the litter that looks promising, she will hang on to it for awhile. The rest of the litter is sold to people who are looking for a collie pup and they are in demand as collies are not that common anymore. The breeder will raise the pup, train it for show, put it through the paces and in the case of Tessa, show her to a Championship. They usually breed the dog for a litter or two and then once they are about 5 years old, they look for people who would love to adopt them to a "forever home". So you have an older dog who is past the "puupy" stage, usaully housebroken, leash trained and some are also obedience trained. I have had 4 of my collies this way and they have been and are the most loveable dogs.

So you might look to see if there is a mini poodle breeder around who is looking to place a dog in a home. At least you won't have all the rules and reglations that the resue and shelter people seem to be bent on out there. Just a suggestion.

[sharon]

Char, you vent all you want to...heaven only knows the rest of us do! That's part of the reason for this forum, not just for the rv'ing part, but to know that there are people out there that really care for you, whether you've met them or not.
As you can tell from this post and others, we give advice, solicited or not, but only because we do care. So you just go ahead and vent all you want, we're here for ya.

[Excel]

Thanks so much for all the understanding & suggestions. For whatever reason I just seem to be having a really hard time the last few days. Been writing notes to all those that came for the Memorial...(put it off as long as I could) Got rid of all the flowers as soon as was possible (love flowers but these just reminded me)...Been going through the what ifs, and the failures of the past that I made...again the what if I had done this or done that...it's a nightmare. And of course everywhere I go in the house I'm reminded of either Kathy or Missy...Came home the other night after visit with Grandson (brought him chicken soup I had made) & it was dark...opened the garage door & no bark...Missy always got so excited & would bark until I opened the door to go inside...Kathy would usually be standing there shaking her head saying 'she just gets excited when she knows you're home'....
That's why I'm thinking I really need a friend to share my home with ... a forever pal, a comfort companion that will help me to not be alone and to be glad to see me...But again, I know I have to wait...will be visiting dear friend in Mesquite & we'll be visiting others a lot where I wouldn't be able to bring a dog...then on to Kelly's (maybe)...not sure if I want to drive my RV from Vegas to Palos Verdes ... it's a hard drive....But Kelly & family are flying here for an early Christmas around mid December & the plan is for me to have my RV ready & we will all drive back to their house where I will stay for a while. Have to find a place in the area to park my RV....I'll figure something out. Anyhow, that's where my life is right now...I know there's many of you that have gone through horrible loses too...and I can only say that now.... I can relate better...so sorry I wasn't more supportive to so many of you then...I just didn't realize...so onward I go....When I get to see how the plan is going...I definitely will be contacting anyone around me that I can possibly get together with....(promise to be more positive by then)....don't want anyone serving me cheese with my wine....

[Forestgal]

It's good to let your thoughts out, Char. Thanks for trusting us with your heart.

I understand the "push me/pull me" about getting a dog, especially when you're going to be going places where it may or may not be allowed. That's the beauty of having your rig with you, provided you can park it somewhere. You know your schedule and commitments right now, and when the time's right you'll find the perfect companion.

I'll look forward to hearing more about your journey, both the literal one and the metaphorical one. And I'm honored to be able to walk with you for at least part of it.

Laura -- and Jed

[Nasoosie]

I don't hear any whining at all, Char---and am so glad you have the ability to talk to us all. My only input here is to say that you can grieve alone at your house or in your RV, but grieving with a furry, 4-footed companion to nestle into your lap, give you big slobbery kisses, love you unconditionally, be ecstatic to greet you when you come home, understand your grief (make no mistake----canines totally understand human grief, I am sure of that) make you responsible and and busy, and provide you with a reason to get up, dry your eyes for a while, and go for walks, makes life, even in times of deep grief, worth living.

Hugs to you for all the suffering you will need to go through before the light dawns again. Having a responsibilty who can love you with all its heart might be just the spark you need to keep your mind and body smiling now and then. Kisses from Molly, too----wish she could do it in person!