I'm thinking of getting a dog from SPCA

[Sean]

We lost our dog of 13 years old here not all that long ago.  I really don't want to go through the
puppy thing again and having a look online at the dogs available for adoption in the Province is
absolutely amazing.  Good pictures and bio's on all.  The cost for adoption isn't really cheap but
then it's a good cause and the cost of running a SPCA well, they certainly need every penny they
can get.  The nice thing about getting a dog from the animal shelters is you fill out adoption papers
and they screen and match you up and make sure the dog would be suitable for you and your life-
style to best of everyone's ability. 
I saw a dog that caught my fancy so I sent an email off to that shelter which is about a 4 hour
drive from my home.  It's a Welsh Corgi cross.  He's a really cute little fella and apparently a good
familly dog or one on one companion.
I have a bank of holidays coming up pretty quick so who knows, I may have a new member of the
family and a walking companion once again. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

All of my dogs were shelter dogs- at least the ones I've had in my adult life.

When I was small my family adopted a dog from the shelter and she was completely wild and pretty near untrainable.  She'd been the runt of her litter and fought for everything, all the time.  Tragically she got away one day and found her way under a car and that was the end of her.  A few years later we got our next dog, a Welsh Corgi, from a breeder.  That was the first of four (so far!) corgis in our family, my parents being on their second and my older brother having had two. 

When I set out on my own I was dog free for a while, until I started working canine, and I started looking for a decent dog to work with.  I found Pete, a dogo argentino at a local animal shelter, and it was love at first site.  I knew he was the dog for me, but they wouldn't let me have him since he wasn't expected to live beyond the next couple of days.  I went back to visit him almost daily and he kept getting better and better until they told me that he was able to be adopted as he'd miraculously gotten better.  I'm not saying I saved him, as I'm not into that hokey crap, but I was proud to have at least been there for him.  We were joined at the hip for the next eight years until he passed away. 

A year after getting Pete, my room mate at the time wanted to get into working canine, so we got him a dog from the Humane Society- this time a Siberian husky.  That room mate eventually wigged out and took off (long story there) and I ended up with his dog too, and Chinook has been with me for eleven years now.

My wife, who inherited two dogs when we got married had decided that we needed to have two dogs again after Pete died, and so started scouring all of the shelters in our province looking for a new dog.  She had her heart set on a puppy this time, as both my dogs were adopted at "about a year old" and we missed out on the puppy stage.  She found Daisy, a three month old shepherd/rotti mix at a shelter about two hours away and fell in love.  I was dispatched the next day to secure said dog, and she's been with us ever since. 

Used dogs are the best dogs.  I'd take a shelter dog any day of the week, and in fact, avoid going to shelters (or at least looking in the kennels when I do!) as I'd probably take them all home with me!  If I had to get another, I'd look at shelters or breed specific rescue organizations first, then breeders and pet stores absolutely last.... if even then.  Puppy mills are evil.  But, that's another story!

Good on you for looking for a shelter dog.  Whoever said you can't buy love has never been to the SPCA.  Best damn deals I've ever gotten!

Def

[Sean]

Def,

Thanks for posting your experiences and stories about your companions.  It's been a long time since
I've been to an SPCA but that may soon change.  I quite agree, it is the way to go.   
I'll make sure if I get him I post a pic.

[Zed]

Best dog i ever had was a rescue dog, he was a lurcher called tolkien, he was 3 when i got him and he's previous owners used him for coursing, he was beaten across the head and had scars, it took me some time to get trust from him but he died 4 years ago this june and is deeply missed, i wouldnt think twice about getting another rescue dog, although some have issues with kids, tolkien was a gamble as they didnt know a lot about him, he was a big softy  and loved children, i couldnt say the same for my other lurcher as was a whippet bedlington terrier cross she nipped them now and then , good luck and hope you find a great companion 

paul

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Good on you mate

[Grant Lamontagne]

Yeah, shelter dogs can have problems.  Pete had been abused in a previous home, then abandoned, and as a result had separation anxiety issues his whole life.  He started to realize eventually that no matter what we went through I'd always be there for him, even after he got lost (the afore mentioned room mate issues) and picked up again at the same shelter I got him from.  I imagine he felt pretty low in his pen until he heard my voice again.  He couldn't see me as I was walking up the line of kennels and he was a fair way down, but the moment he heard my voice he almost tore the door off his kennel.  The shelter worker ran off, terrified, leaving me to let him out- at which point he was all over me!  I half expected to see animal control officers barging into the room after that!

To his dying day he had a nervous pee problem as a result of his previous life.  When we got him the slightest sharp noise would send him under the couch, shaking in a puddle of his own pee whether he had anything to do with it or not, but eventually he developed to the point where he would intentionally knock things over just to watch them drop.  I think he appreciated the novelty of not getting beaten for things falling over!

Still, while they may always have certain bad habits, dogs respond well to their environments.  If a dog is placed in a good home, they can't help but become good dogs.

Def

[Zed]

Yeah, shelter dogs can have problems.  Pete had been abused in a previous home, then abandoned, and as a result had separation anxiety issues his whole life.  He started to realize eventually that no matter what we went through I'd always be there for him, even after he got lost (the afore mentioned room mate issues) and picked up again at the same shelter I got him from.  I imagine he felt pretty low in his pen until he heard my voice again.  He couldn't see me as I was walking up the line of kennels and he was a fair way down, but the moment he heard my voice he almost tore the door off his kennel.  The shelter worker ran off, terrified, leaving me to let him out- at which point he was all over me!  I half expected to see animal control officers barging into the room after that!

To his dying day he had a nervous pee problem as a result of his previous life.  When we got him the slightest sharp noise would send him under the couch, shaking in a puddle of his own pee whether he had anything to do with it or not, but eventually he developed to the point where he would intentionally knock things over just to watch them drop.  I think he appreciated the novelty of not getting beaten for things falling over!

Still, while they may always have certain bad habits, dogs respond well to their environments.  If a dog is placed in a good home, they can't help but become good dogs.

Def

the best thing for me def was we went through everything together including my crappy divorce , we went everywhere together and he died in my arms at 5am in the morning after he barked to let me know he was dieing,

paul

[Grant Lamontagne]

Pete died on the way to the Vet's office to have him put down.  We took the body there to be cremated, then took the money we were going to give the vet to the local SPCA.  We also went out and bought a lot of food to take there as well, along with some of Pete's things that Chinook had no interest in.  Pete's ashes have had a prominent place in my house ever since.

It's funny how they know it's their time and they make sure we know too.  I hope I have half as much dignity as Pete did when it's my turn!

Here's Chinook and Daisy:



Chinook is twelve now, and tries to ignore Daisy.  Daisy is now two years old and does her best not to be ignored.  It's an interesting dichotomy!

Def

[Sean]

Great shot! 

Becoming an inspiring and emotional thread.  Thanks guys. 

[Zed]

Pete died on the way to the Vet's office to have him put down.  We took the body there to be cremated, then took the money we were going to give the vet to the local SPCA.  We also went out and bought a lot of food to take there as well, along with some of Pete's things that Chinook had no interest in.  Pete's ashes have had a prominent place in my house ever since.

It's funny how they know it's their time and they make sure we know too.  I hope I have half as much dignity as Pete did when it's my turn!

Here's Chinook and Daisy:

(Image removed from quote.)

Chinook is twelve now, and tries to ignore Daisy.  Daisy is now two years old and does her best not to be ignored.  It's an interesting dichotomy!

Def

tolkien died 1 week before millie was born, its like he was making room as was very ill, so yes i think they know, and he defiantly let me know at 2am,they both look great def, its a shame there is owners like us and crappy people who should never own a pet of any sort let alone kids,   but thats another subject,

paul

[nuphoria]

It breaks my heart to see animals in such a pitiful state, but it's hugely rewarding to give one a home when you're in a position to do it

I would be without my Ruby for love nor money... she's even charmed a few MTO members

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

If I pay the postage, will you send her my way

[nuphoria]

If I pay the postage, will you send her my way

Nope, even for some serious Alox

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

If I pay the postage, will you send her my way

Nope, even for some serious Alox

[Sean]

Nuphoria,

what is your Ruby?

[nuphoria]

This is my Ruby

[ryan1835]

she looks like a nice dog

this is my friends dog poppy
 i love it

[Grant Lamontagne]

This is my Ruby


(Image removed from quote.)

What a sweetie!

she looks like a nice dog

this is my friends dog poppy
 i love it
(Image removed from quote.)

This one too, but I like bigger dogs better!  That having been said, I love Jack Russels, which are giant dogs in a small package! 

Def

[Sean]

Nice dog's.  This is the one I'm hoping to adopt.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Full sized dog, with trimmed down legs for easy storage! 

Def

[Jmora]

corgis are excellent for short legged storage purposes: here a corgi cross border collie.

[RaptorMan]

This is Bernie we lost him yesterday due to an unfortunate accident he was 9 months old. He was 7 weeks old in the first pic. The second pic was our x mas card, and unfortunately I havent transferred all of the recent pics of him from the camera and my phone yet.

He was the best dog I have ever had. I would love to look for another at a shelter but it very difficult finding a full blooded lab from a shelter. That and I dont plan on getting another for awhile.

Best of luck to you my friend in getting your dog

[Smitty44]

Sorry to hear that RaptorMan,beautiful kids and lab,we just got a full blooded Yorkie that was 8 weeks old when we picked her up,its only been 3 weeks now,and I can't imagine how it would feel to lose her now.

[ryan1835]

she looks like a nice dog

this is my friends dog poppy
 i love it
(Image removed from quote.)

This one too, but I like bigger dogs better!  That having been said, I love Jack Russels, which are giant dogs in a small package! 

Def

I prefer big dogs too, I'd love a Labrador when I'm older. my uncle used to have a german shepard, it was an ex police dog and a bit bulshy didn't like going on a lead at all but off he lead she wouldn't stray further then a metre or two away from you and ignored other dogs etc. Was quite funny sometimes

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Sorry to hear about your dog mate

[Chako]

Man that sucks. Sorry to hear that Raptorman.

Every pet I have ever had was a shelter animal. Never had any bad luck with the two dogs and two cats I have gotten from the shelter over the years.

Love the dog photos. 

[BlueDot]

I read on another blog about this guy who came upon some dude beating his dog.  He got out with a crowbar and said 'You can have $37 (all I have in my wallet), or the bar, but I'm taking that dog".  He went on to tell how much she blossomed with a little TLC into this great companion- though still had troubles with people with things in their hands.

Still this world is filled with good people, who receive more love than they give to their dogs.

Maggie is a pound puppy, and though she is supposed to be a chow/pit bull mix, she's the gentlest, most patient, cleverest dog in the state of Virginia.  If you don't believe it- just ask her.

[Sean]

Raptorman,  that indeed is very unfortunate and sorry to hear of the loss of your
little dog.  

Jmora,  thanks for the picture of the Welsh cross, the resemblance is quite
similar to the one I'm hoping to adopt.  

Everybody's getting a dog.  Nice Yorkie there Smitty.    Lady I work with
has one and loves it.

Bluedot, it's amazing I'm finding how many people either have or are getting
dogs from the shelters!  Thanks for posting Maggie.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I read on another blog about this guy who came upon some dude beating his dog.  He got out with a crowbar and said 'You can have $37 (all I have in my wallet), or the bar, but I'm taking that dog".  He went on to tell how much she blossomed with a little TLC into this great companion- though still had troubles with people with things in their hands.

Sound's like a bloody decent fella to me

[BlueDot]

"No man can be condemned for owning a dog.
As long as he has a dog, he has a friend; and the
poorer he gets, the better friend he has."

- Will Rogers