TOTALLY GEEKED!

huskerbb · Guru

Dear Prudie: Don't to Pay For MIL's New Pet

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

Where's my popcorn!

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

The fiance should go get a dog from the shelter and give it to his mother as an early gift.

Seriously, I feel badly for the dog, it will be a constant reminder to the Mother as the wedge between her children.

just Czech · Give Me Grand's!

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
The fiance should go get a dog from the shelter and give it to his mother as an early gift.

Seriously, I feel badly for the dog, it will be a constant reminder to the Mother as the wedge between her children.

Exactly.

Both groups are going to make mom's life a living hell.

weltschmerz · Guru

For every dog you buy from a breeder, a wonderful, devoted companion pays with his life at the pound.

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

For every dog that dies at the pound, there are 10 more waiting for a family at a rescue where the hoarders in charge won't let them be adopted out.

Sorry. I had terrible luck with rescues. I didn't have time for multiple home visits, including surprise visits BEFORE the adoption. I didn't have a vet who could write me a letter of recommendation - because I didn't have a pet, so I didn't NEED a vet. Also, they wanted to charge me as much for a rescue dog as a brand new puppy would cost. The people at the rescue did nothing but make up excuses for why they didn't want to give us a pet -- we both work and puppies do better with someone at home all day, we neither owned nor rented our residence, we didn't want to have multiple home visits, they wanted a 2 month schedule of when we would be home so they could come surprise us, etc. Ridiculous. Bought our puppy from a reputable breeder and he has been the happiest dog ever. I feel bad for the dogs still at the rescue.

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

just Czech wrote:
I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
The fiance should go get a dog from the shelter and give it to his mother as an early gift.

Seriously, I feel badly for the dog, it will be a constant reminder to the Mother as the wedge between her children.
Exactly.
Both groups are going to make mom's life a living hell.

Well, the next letter we might see, will probably go like this:

Dear Prudie,

After my elderly dog passed away, I told my children how much I want to get a puppy, of the same breed.

Without my knowledge, my children bought a puppy for me, as a Christmas gift.

Eight weeks in advance.

Hiding it at one of my daughter's houses.

Letting it grow, and grow.

For two months. cry

I wanted a puppy, darmit!

I didn't want a dog, this old. furious

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

Mellow Momma wrote:
For every dog that dies at the pound, there are 10 more waiting for a family at a rescue where the hoarders in charge won't let them be adopted out.

Sorry. I had terrible luck with rescues. I didn't have time for multiple home visits, including surprise visits BEFORE the adoption. I didn't have a vet who could write me a letter of recommendation - because I didn't have a pet, so I didn't NEED a vet. Also, they wanted to charge me as much for a rescue dog as a brand new puppy would cost. The people at the rescue did nothing but make up excuses for why they didn't want to give us a pet -- we both work and puppies do better with someone at home all day, we neither owned nor rented our residence, we didn't want to have multiple home visits, they wanted a 2 month schedule of when we would be home so they could come surprise us, etc. Ridiculous. Bought our puppy from a reputable breeder and he has been the happiest dog ever. I feel bad for the dogs still at the rescue.

Wow, I keep hearing all these horror stories. While I don't doubt them that was not our experience at all. Not with either agency or either dog. We are happy with our pups.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

weltschmerz wrote:
For every dog you buy from a breeder, a wonderful, devoted companion pays with his life at the pound.

Oh barf. confuse

Ohfour · Hooker

Lord...I don't know anyone that didn't get their dog from a rescue / pound. Have yet to hear a horror story. Our cats came from the pound. Dex at 4 weeks, Deb at 6 weeks...

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Ours came from the pound. She would have been dead without us. In fact, almost all the other dogs with her there were - we got her out just in time, but she came with parvo. It showed up 4 days later. The day we got her, we took her to the vet and she tested clean, but she must have just been exposed. All those puppies left at the pound, though....

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

Ohfour wrote:
Lord...I don't know anyone that didn't get their dog from a rescue / pound. Have yet to hear a horror story. Our cats came from the pound. Dex at 4 weeks, Deb at 6 weeks...

We rescued Jupiter, right off the street. (A rescue, or pound, would have been cheaper.)

Hell, a breeder, would have cost us less, than poor Jupiter.

Oh well, it's all good. smile

Tinydancer · Guru

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
weltschmerz wrote:
For every dog you buy from a breeder, a wonderful, devoted companion pays with his life at the pound.
Oh barf.

Hell froze over. I agree with weltz and not LGS (although you know that hurts me to say gaga) . Mark this date on your calendar folks. Why we keep buying dogs because they are a certain breed the more I root for those beautiful mutts!

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I bought my dog at a puppy show. I wanted a wheaton terrier and thats what i got. Sooo the pup was already born before i started even looking. She had a wonderful home and was a loved companion.

Tinydancer · Guru

I bet she was beautiful. I think they all are but mine are extra cute...lol

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

And if you have allergies and little kids then a certain breed may be more appropriate. We needed a non shedding dog. But i have had my share of mutts over the years too.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Of course Obama the Lying Liar made some big stink on how he was going to get a rescue dog. But of course he didnt.

Tinydancer · Guru

Haha...I love that you can even make dog breeds political.

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

Let's get back on the topic.

Keeping a puppy hidden, for 8 weeks, seems pretty stupid, to me.

The Mom wanted a puppy. She wanted to cuddle, and train, the puppy.

Getting a puppy, eight weeks in advance, and keeping it at one of the sister's house, is robbing the Mom, of having a puppy!

How dumb does this get?

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

It's definitely Obama's fault.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Fort Worth Mom wrote:
Let's get back on the topic.
Keeping a puppy hidden, for 8 weeks, seems pretty stupid, to me.
The Mom wanted a puppy. She wanted to cuddle, and train, the puppy.
Getting a puppy, eight weeks in advance, and keeping it at one of the sister's house, is robbing the Mom, of having a puppy!
How dumb does this get?

AND....the puppy is going to bond with the sister it is living with rather than the mom.

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

I think it will be funny when mom calls the sister and the dog is barking in the background. "Uh no mom, I DIDN'T get a dog!"

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

Nobody Just Nobody wrote:
I think it will be funny when mom calls the sister and the dog is barking in the background. "Uh no mom, I DIDN'T get a dog!"

I think it would be funnier, if Mom went out, and got her own puppy! (She wasn't expecting one, as a gift.)

And then, the sisters, can figure out what to do with the one, they got! wink

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

Fort Worth Mom wrote:
Nobody Just Nobody wrote:
I think it will be funny when mom calls the sister and the dog is barking in the background. "Uh no mom, I DIDN'T get a dog!"
I think it would be funnier, if Mom went out, and got her own puppy! (She wasn't expecting one, as a gift.)
And then, the sisters, can figure out what to do with the one, they got!

"Susie, you have to come over and see what I got today!"

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Mellow Momma wrote:
For every dog that dies at the pound, there are 10 more waiting for a family at a rescue where the hoarders in charge won't let them be adopted out.

Sorry. I had terrible luck with rescues. I didn't have time for multiple home visits, including surprise visits BEFORE the adoption. I didn't have a vet who could write me a letter of recommendation - because I didn't have a pet, so I didn't NEED a vet. Also, they wanted to charge me as much for a rescue dog as a brand new puppy would cost. The people at the rescue did nothing but make up excuses for why they didn't want to give us a pet -- we both work and puppies do better with someone at home all day, we neither owned nor rented our residence, we didn't want to have multiple home visits, they wanted a 2 month schedule of when we would be home so they could come surprise us, etc. Ridiculous. Bought our puppy from a reputable breeder and he has been the happiest dog ever. I feel bad for the dogs still at the rescue.

Wow! My shelter just insisted all family members and pets came to the shelter to meet the pup. They didn't act as though there were Child Services. That is awful. No wonder your shelter is stuck with dogs.

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

Nobody Just Nobody wrote:
Fort Worth Mom wrote:
Nobody Just Nobody wrote:
I think it will be funny when mom calls the sister and the dog is barking in the background. "Uh no mom, I DIDN'T get a dog!"
I think it would be funnier, if Mom went out, and got her own puppy! (She wasn't expecting one, as a gift.)
And then, the sisters, can figure out what to do with the one, they got!
"Susie, you have to come over and see what I got today!"

Really, unless you are getting a pet, for one of your children. Who live in the same house, as you.

Don't go there.

Don't get a pet, for anyone else, as a gift.

JMHO.

There are just too many reasons, how this could go wrong. cry

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

Nobody Just Nobody wrote:
Mellow Momma wrote:
For every dog that dies at the pound, there are 10 more waiting for a family at a rescue where the hoarders in charge won't let them be adopted out.

Sorry. I had terrible luck with rescues. I didn't have time for multiple home visits, including surprise visits BEFORE the adoption. I didn't have a vet who could write me a letter of recommendation - because I didn't have a pet, so I didn't NEED a vet. Also, they wanted to charge me as much for a rescue dog as a brand new puppy would cost. The people at the rescue did nothing but make up excuses for why they didn't want to give us a pet -- we both work and puppies do better with someone at home all day, we neither owned nor rented our residence, we didn't want to have multiple home visits, they wanted a 2 month schedule of when we would be home so they could come surprise us, etc. Ridiculous. Bought our puppy from a reputable breeder and he has been the happiest dog ever. I feel bad for the dogs still at the rescue.
Wow, I keep hearing all these horror stories. While I don't doubt them that was not our experience at all. Not with either agency or either dog. We are happy with our pups.

The application for the one rescue place that wanted to do surprise visits included a request for 3 references plus a veterinarian who would be able to vouch for you in addition to 25 questions I would describe as "short answer essay" type questions. "Describe a typical day for your dog" and that kind of question. Most rescues require a fenced in yard or else they won't give you an animal - it doesn't matter where you live. If you have moved in the past 3 years you are disqualified from adoption. Also, most require you to live within so many miles of the metro area. So anyone in the suburbs or the outlying areas can't get a dog. One even required you to accept their collect calls - long distance service was not on their phone to cut costs. Uh huh. Who wants to deal with all that?! They are begging you to go to a breeder. No wonder the OP just bought a dog. It's so much easier.

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

Neither of our rescues have ever called. I have called them though. I think MAYBE the Humane society may have called. I know I didn't go in and pick up the last of Carlee's antibiotic. I had taken her to the vet and they had her on a prophylactic antibiotic and he said there was no reason to keep taking it. AND, the Humane society was giving us the antibiotics free so that wasn't even the issue. At one place we had to list the vet we were going to use. That wasn't an issue because we already had a dog. I guess we're far too rural here because if they required you to be metro they just wouldn't adopt out any dogs. I remember both places asked who would dog sit for us in case of an emergency. I just listed DN.

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

Those types of questions all make sense. Sorry, but I don't want to answer 25 essay questions. This isn't a college exam, it's a dog adoption. I get that they want to be careful but they end of hoarding the dogs. The people in charge literally look for excuses not to adopt the dogs out. Not everyone has a fenced in yard. And you don't need a fence to be a responsible dog owner. The rescue that warned about collect calls didn't have a location to visit, they just had people fostering pets until they got adopted. Their website says it could take a week to 10 days for them to get back to you to set up the first appointment and that phone call would be collect. Just seems a bit much to me.

weltschmerz · Guru

Nobody Just Nobody wrote:
Mellow Momma wrote:
For every dog that dies at the pound, there are 10 more waiting for a family at a rescue where the hoarders in charge won't let them be adopted out.

Sorry. I had terrible luck with rescues. I didn't have time for multiple home visits, including surprise visits BEFORE the adoption. I didn't have a vet who could write me a letter of recommendation - because I didn't have a pet, so I didn't NEED a vet. Also, they wanted to charge me as much for a rescue dog as a brand new puppy would cost. The people at the rescue did nothing but make up excuses for why they didn't want to give us a pet -- we both work and puppies do better with someone at home all day, we neither owned nor rented our residence, we didn't want to have multiple home visits, they wanted a 2 month schedule of when we would be home so they could come surprise us, etc. Ridiculous. Bought our puppy from a reputable breeder and he has been the happiest dog ever. I feel bad for the dogs still at the rescue.
Wow, I keep hearing all these horror stories. While I don't doubt them that was not our experience at all. Not with either agency or either dog. We are happy with our pups.

We've had wonderful luck at the pounds and shelters. Wonderful dogs.

I do some volunteer work at the SPCA. So many. So, so many amazing dogs who never had a chance. It breaks my heart.

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

Their estimate on the wait time from application to placement was 90 days. Really?! 3 months to determine if I could own a dog? Shoot I could be a third of the way to another KID by that time - without all the interviews!

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

See, here it's the opposite. DN and Sparkly want to buy a pug pup. They have gone to several breeders. Of the ones that had good conditions they charge $1850 per pup. And that is AFTER you past their test. It's like a freaking adoption agency. You can't rent. You have to have ten people who have been to your home swear you have good living conditions. You have to do a video essay of why you would and should have a pug. You also have to film your house and it's surroundings including your yard and the neighborhood you live in. You must have your neighbors sign a statement saying they don't mind you having a pup. DN was like you want HOW much and you want WHAT? F you. And these are dog breeders.

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

Isn't that funny? Depends on the area I guess. I am sure there are good rescues around. I just haven't been able to find one near me. But the breeder we got him from was amazing. We talked on the phone (I did my research ahead of time) and I answered a few questions and set a date to meet up. It was far away so we met half way and I paid for him and she handed him over. He was all over DD and I right away - she could tell he liked us. Then we left. Took about 30 minutes. Done deal. All she asked was that we send pics of him on his birthday so she could see how he was doing. We sent a letter with pics of him running all over campus and having fun with the kids. She loved it.

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

We took our dogs back to where we got Layla because they had a dog vet. Only worked on dogs. And they did discounted services for people who adopted. We don't go there now but not because we didn't like him. Long story short the man who OWNS it, not the vet, apparently was all involved in drugs and they raided the place. Not sure of all what happened but the vet was really old and just wanted out. There's a new owner now and the rescue still exists but without a vet. We took Carlee there a couple times before it closed down. Now we have a new vet right down the street that we adore. We had tried two others and didn't like them. We sent Carlee's foster family some pictures.

weltschmerz · Guru

I wanted a Siamese cat for the longest time. I love their personalities.
However, getting a cat from a breeder was an anathema to me, because there are just so many desperate for homes.
Sure enough, Sushi the Destroyer came up for adoption. I'm his fourth owner. People just kept bringing him back. You
have to know what you're getting into with a Siamese.
I'm keeping him. It's like adopting a child. They become family. You don't bring them back.

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

weltschmerz wrote:
I wanted a Siamese cat for the longest time. I love their personalities.
However, getting a cat from a breeder was an anathema to me, because there are just so many desperate for homes.
Sure enough, Sushi the Destroyer came up for adoption. I'm his fourth owner. People just kept bringing him back. You
have to know what you're getting into with a Siamese.
I'm keeping him. It's like adopting a child. They become family. You don't bring them back.

People have said to us, Layla has allergies. Just take her back. You can take her back. They will you know. Uh no. She's ours. It's just allergies. Then when Carlee started having seizures people were like, Just put her down. NO! You don't put a dog down just because they have seizures. She still has a lot of good life ahead of her.

Ilumine · Regular

We have two purebreds, a rescue and an adoption to a good home fromCraigslist.

My rescue had an easy questionnaire and home visit. but mostly to place the right dog with me. I lived in an apartment and worked a 9-5 job, so no high maintenance or anxious dogs. And when Trixie (corgi mix) had issues with kids (literally would poop a bunny poop if startled by a child), I had a trainer visit.

Our Craigslist was so spur of the moment. Our elderly West Highla d Terrier was looking like she wouldn't make it the two weeks til Christmas. DH had been making noise about getting a yellow lab. And one day,there was an ad for Westi-Lab mix pups (free to a good home). They were so funky cute. I showed the pictur to DH just as a "you kno they are going to grow up funkier looking" and the next thing I know I'm driving 90 min one way. And yes, our Ginger is funny looking.

DH's came home one day after work to the Westie pup. ExW made an unilateral decision to buy her while in Germany.

And finally there is Puddin, the purebred Siamese. I thought I was allergic to cats, so when it turned out I wasn't, I made some comment that we should get a kitten for our 3 year old. DH really didn't want a cat, but didn't want to say no out right either. He told me that the ONLY cat he would get was a male Siamese kitty like the two his mother had rescued. We were in Germany...in the middle no nowhere.

Fate is funny, becuase one week later, there was a BOOKOO ad for Siamese kittens that happened to have been born on my birthday. Yeah...guess who got herself a kitten.

Which is why we got a Westidor pup for the child.

weltschmerz · Guru

Ilumine, does your Siamese talk a lot?
Sushi never shuts up. He howls all night long at the raccoons, skunks and ferals in the yard, and bursts into a long-winded monologue if you so much as make eye contact with him.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Our shelters are no kill shelters. They get most of their dogs from the south and California. The bring them to the North East because we are no kill. The dogs are all spayed/neutered here. About every 4 weeks they get another truckload, that is how quick 30 dogs are adopted. You pay about $500 for the adoption which covers the $400 vet cost for the surgery. If you take the dog to training you bring the receipt to them and you get $100 back. I let them keep the $100, they are amazing and treat the animals so good.

Dona Worry Be Happy · Vette's SS!!

I wouldn't give someone a rescue dog. For one thing, the rescues around here are INSANE. Home inspections, before and after adoption, they have the right to 'remove' the animal if they don't like what they find, a fence is always required--For the border collie rescue it was a high one, the basset hound not as much, maybe four feet. You needed a reference from a vet, and a trainer lined up that had already agreed to train a dog you may or may not get.
I don't see how you could do all that if you were planning to give the dog away.
Secondly, a lot a lot a LOT of rescues have issues. They are nearly always good loyal dogs, but they come with baggage. I would give someone a puppy to start from scratch, not a dog seized from an abusive home, or a kennel or some such.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

I miss Vette.

flan

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Dona Worry Be Happy wrote:
I wouldn't give someone a rescue dog. For one thing, the rescues around here are INSANE. Home inspections, before and after adoption, they have the right to 'remove' the animal if they don't like what they find, a fence is always required--For the border collie rescue it was a high one, the basset hound not as much, maybe four feet. You needed a reference from a vet, and a trainer lined up that had already agreed to train a dog you may or may not get.
I don't see how you could do all that if you were planning to give the dog away.
Secondly, a lot a lot a LOT of rescues have issues. They are nearly always good loyal dogs, but they come with baggage. I would give someone a puppy to start from scratch, not a dog seized from an abusive home, or a kennel or some such.

Sonny's only baggage was he was a little guy and a stray in California and so must have been bullied by bigger dogs. He was very much underweight. It was a good 6 months before he finally trusted that the food in his dish was for him and no one would take it. The shelters get a lot of puppies. They also get dogs that need rehoming, those dogs seem to be old dogs and would be great for an elderly person looking for a companion.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Sorry, I see nothing wrong with buying puppies. And, we don't even have an SPCA or animal shelter anywhere near us. Not everyone is a breeder either. People sell puppies because dogs sometimes have puppies.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Sorry, I see nothing wrong with buying puppies. And, we don't even have an SPCA or animal shelter anywhere near us. Not everyone is a breeder either. People sell puppies because dogs sometimes have puppies.

We don't even have pet stores selling animals here. Well you can get rodents, birds, fish, but not dogs or cats. The anti puppy mill people took care of that. And it's a good thing. There are lots of breeders around and they have to be licensed.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Yes, none of our pet stores have puppies. And, I have had shelter dogs. I had a dog that was like the "sad" dog that went viral. We brought him home from the shelter and he literally went and sat in the corner. It was very sad. Obviously a dog that was abused. And, not everyone is equipped or prepared to be able to take on a dog that has those kinds of issues. It isn't always so simple to rehab an abused dog.

And, puppies are being born anyway whether you are buying one or not.

huskerbb · Guru

Tinydancer wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
weltschmerz wrote:
For every dog you buy from a breeder, a wonderful, devoted companion pays with his life at the pound.
Oh barf.
Hell froze over. I agree with weltz and not LGS (although you know that hurts me to say gaga) . Mark this date on your calendar folks. Why we keep buying dogs because they are a certain breed the more I root for those beautiful mutts!

Yeah. Who gives a flying fvck where anyone gets their dog. If you've gotten great rescue dogs, then fine. There is nothing wrong with getting a dog from a reputable breeder. They aren't all puppy mills.

If if you give a crap about that you have way too much time on your hands with nothing important to think about.

huskerbb · Guru

Dona Worry Be Happy wrote:
I wouldn't give someone a rescue dog. For one thing, the rescues around here are INSANE. Home inspections, before and after adoption, they have the right to 'remove' the animal if they don't like what they find, a fence is always required--For the border collie rescue it was a high one, the basset hound not as much, maybe four feet. You needed a reference from a vet, and a trainer lined up that had already agreed to train a dog you may or may not get.
I don't see how you could do all that if you were planning to give the dog away.
Secondly, a lot a lot a LOT of rescues have issues. They are nearly always good loyal dogs, but they come with baggage. I would give someone a puppy to start from scratch, not a dog seized from an abusive home, or a kennel or some such.

Exactly. They want people to take their animals, but throw up so many roadblocks it becomes a huge pain in the ass to do so in many cases.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Not every breeder is a puppy "mill". Talk about painting everything as black and white. Our local groomer breeds and sell boxers. She has a great facility, kennel and grooming services and her puppies are well cared for. But, I guess getting a "rescue dog" is the new badge of honor or something.

Ilumine · Regular

weltschmerz wrote:
Ilumine, does your Siamese talk a lot?
Sushi never shuts up. He howls all night long at the raccoons, skunks and ferals in the yard, and bursts into a long-winded monologue if you so much as make eye contact with him.

ALL OF THE TIME! He tells me when he is hungry, when he doesn't like that particular can of wet food that particular day (good help you if you feed hi the same flavor two meals in a row), when his special waterbowl (the one that holds less than a cup of water) is half way empty, when he wants to go out on the screened porch to catch the stupid gecko or lizard that stupidly snuck in, when the dogs are ready to come in, when he wants to be held on my shoulder, when he wants to attack my husband...

and each one has a different mew.

Tangerine · Guru

Geez Louise.
I'm glad I never plan to get a dog.

Husband, SIL and I gave MIL a kitten for Mother's Day one year. Husband's coworker's cat had another litter, we picked the cutest one and put him in a gift bag with ribbon around his neck.

Why are dogs so complicated?