If you aren't completely dedicated.....Just don't get a dog!

[CeeCee]

Kris, I so want to take your list and post it all on the walls of our shelter!

Despite our best efforts, 6 of our dogs were PTS today because despite opening up our intake area to the public and reaching out to all areas rescues, there simply was not enough room for all the dogs coming through our doors.

Just heartbroken.

 

[Kujo]

but those cute little wrinkly wobbly legged puppies are sooooooo irresistible!!! what better reason is there to add a puppy other than a squishy little face!? :razzberry:

KIDDING....

although it's easy to see why so many people fall in love with mastiff puppies...they are way too cute for their own good it seems.

I'm guilty of this...to some extent...I wanted a puppy purely to have and care for a puppy (huge animal lover here), and when my bf insisted we get a mastiff, I didn't really care about the breed, just that he agreed to get a dog. After picking up Kujo with little to no knowledge of what I was getting, and instantly falling in love with those squishy wrinkles, I dove into research like nobodies business and learned what I needed to learn to give him the best life I could. Really it was just training and a good diet...proper training makes all the difference in the world. I don't regret my hasty decision to get him with no prior experience to owning or caring for a mastiff, I mean how could I regret KUJO...he's awesome!!! But I could have been better prepared, had a better understanding of mastiffs and all they entail...it wouldn't have changed my decision though...like I said I was puppy crazy and would have got a damn chihuaha if that's all my bf wanted. Luckily I found this great Forum and picked all your brains for the information I needed.

I guess my point is, we're only human, and we're bound to make mistakes like picking out a giant puppy cause of those squishy wrinkles and then get overwhelmed by the amount of responsibility and time that squishy little puppy takes. But the decision to learn and accept that responsibility is just as easily made...IMO...those that can't or wont take responsibility, well they should really just fuck off....or get a pet plant or something...

Words are nice.....but actions speak volumes. We can all say these great words, but unless you're actually taking action to make those words a reality, you really shouldn't own a dog or be on this forum...cause you're just a waste of our time. And more importantly...you're wasting that innocent puppie's time and taking away their chance at a good and fair life. Man up, or give the dog to someone who will man up.

Like Ruger...I'm not directing this at anyone in particular...I haven't been on recently so I haven't been keeping up with all the newbies...this is just my 2 cents on the matter.

 

[Mag-Pie]

I also 100% agree with everything you've stated! And actually, I was thinking of posting my own opinion piece (rant) very similar in topic to this post. I can't believe that in the 21st century there is still so many ignorant, irresponsible, incompetent, and thoughtless people when it comes to taking on a dog, or any animal for that matter. Everyone pretty much will likely agree that DOG is thought to be “man's best friendâ€, however on the flip side, when we consider how dogs are treated by their human “best friends†it is sickening, disgusting, heartbreaking, shameful and overall disappointing. To happily coexist with man's best friend, we need to respect and understand our canines, and work to satisfy THEIR needs, rather than ONLY satisfying ourselves, which is what far too many people do. Dogs are complex animals who require our commitment, attention, stability and consistency. I share your dismay at the constant irresponsibility of many humans who are contributing to the ever growing problem of unwanted, and mistreated dogs due to a myriad of reasons. In all of my online research and real world experience, I think one of the main lessons I've learned about dogs is that many people should NOT get a dog. Many are fundamentally unsuited to caring for a dog, and hence “the road to hell is paved with good intentionsâ€. The more I learn about dogs (mastiffs in particular), the more I take them seriously. Although I never was one to think dogs were easy pets to have. And that is why I waited to get one until I was in a position, had the time, finances, space, and awareness of what it realistically means to take on a dog. I am quite cynical now, when I hear that someone is getting a puppy or rescuing a dog, wondering if they truly understand and are prepared for what that entails. Too many people see these amazing creatures as products rather than individual sentient beings and member's of their family. It makes me sad and irate at the same time. Nevertheless, this is a great post with a lot of valid points, and I wish that people who are thinking of bringing home a new addition would take into consideration EVERYTHING that was mentioned here.


“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. … I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man.†- Mahatma Gandhi

 

[Cyndnelson]

Kujo - "IMO...those that can't or wont take responsibility, well they should really just fuck off....or get a pet plant or something..." :lolbangtable:

 

[Smokeycat]

I had one of the vet techs comment that Kryten was so lucky to have an owner like me during one of his check ups following his surgery. When I asked why she said it like she had she replied that he had an owner that cared enough to want him better despite the inconvenience and cost to them. Apparently most might try and manage the pain but others would have him PTS because his quality of life was poor. Aka he was no longer perfect. That absolutely floored me as it never occurred to me to not try and fix him. I made the commitment to keep him healthy when I chose to bring him home.
I also had a couple of opportunities where I could have worked as a student in the field I'm training for over the summer but it would have meant moving to a different city and since the likelihood of finding housing that would accept both dogs was low I didn't take them. I made the commitment to care for them, they didn't chose me.

 

[cayeesmom]

I also agree 100% with your post Kris!
My son wants a Golden really bad but I have told him, Don't you dare get a dog until you know 100% that you can care and provide for one, so he settled for a stray cat that showed up at his house.

 

[Penelope's Mom]

One of the rescue's I follow has had a rash of "the kid went off to college so we don't want the dog any more", and I just can't imagine.....can you picture? Coming home for Thanksgiving and discovering your parents got rid of "your" dog?

It's incredible to me that someone could own a dog for 6 or 8 years then just drop it off.

 

[QY10]

The number of dogs that die each year in shelters through no fault of their own is staggering, heart breaking and cringe-worthy.

3-4 million in the US.

1 million in Canada.

Angus and Cache could have easily ended up as a mere statistic. Cache came to us via an ad on Craigslist in the barter section. "Will trade blue nose pit bull for anything you have laying around in your house that you're not using". I will never forget the ad, or how sick and disgusted I felt knowing that someone could place a monetary value on a precious, innocent life. Giving away a life in exchange for someone else's junk? It blew me away. Needless to say, they accepted our junk offer and she was ours. When I went to pick her up, she broke loose from their grip, ran to me, sat down and wouldn't go back. They informed me she was on a kibbles 'n bits diet, had mange that was going to cost "$4,000" to treat and their only other option was her being PTS. They were treating her mange with malt vinegar? Not ACV, but malt. They also mentioned she was crated 16 hours a day because of how uncontrollable she was.

Cache did not have mange, she was having allergic reactions to the crap food she was being fed. She was covered in open sores, scabs and was covered in bald patches. She had an ear infection and eye infection as well as yeast infections in her paws, which she had licked raw.

Yes, she's excitable, but that's just her. She's a happy-go-lucky dog. She has great recall and I would never describe her as uncontrollable.

She was a great investment. Definitely worth the 4 bald tires and ugly, beat up rims we traded for her.

Angus came from backyard breeders whose 3 females all gave birth to large litters at the same time. They had 30+ puppies all at once and they gave Angus' litter away for free at 6 weeks old. Angus and his littermates received no care or attention in those crucial first weeks.

My family took 4 puppies and I have no idea where the other puppies went, but seeing as how it was first come first serve, I doubt they went into the homes they deserved. The puppy my dad got had actually been returned to the "breeders" after one day because the people "couldn't handle it".

I will say this, I am young and as such, some people would assume that I am irresponsible. Maybe I would be irresponsible if I didn't have dogs. My dogs give me purpose and direction in my life. I don't claim to know everything about dogs, but every day I am learning about how to give my dogs the best life possible. I have devoted everything to them. I will never have human kids, so my dogs are my kids. I will love and cherish them always. I will never toss them aside because they are sick or old. Dogs are a commitment. They are precious, living beings. A monetary value cannot be placed on them, their well-being or quality of life. People who say, "It's just a dog" need to be kicked in the teeth because it's those people who fail to realize that dogs have evolved to be our companions. It's been proven that they are the only other animal (aside from humans) who read facial expressions and they will only read human facial expressions. They have adapted their barks so that humans can understand what the vocalizations mean. Dogs need our companionship like we need theirs and to toss them aside like they're an old pair of shoes is disgraceful. All dogs deserve a life with dignity and quality.

 

[TWW]

1000% Agree. At 48 I've yet to ever have to rehome a dog, and had a dog all but a few years of that.

Would like to see this and the CC are not a toy post, put as a sticky in the intro forum.

Sorry to say to many read the breed standards, and look at either how cute they are as puppies, or how majestic they look as adults and want one.

 

[QY10]

www.lolathepitty.com/black-and-white-sunday-just-a-dog.com/

 

[QY10]

I don't think the above actually linked to what I wanted.

 

[cayeesmom]

Sorry to say to many read the breed standards, and look at either how cute they are as puppies, or how majestic they look as adults and want one.

I think this is very very true! The breed standard don't tell you they can chew your couch to shreds in a few hrs, take out your brand new shoes in min, knock little kids over like a 50 lbs bulldozer with piranha teeth and bear claws if not supervised. pee gallon puddles on the floor before housebroke. Take guarding to a different level if not socialized, pull you clear across the street if not taught how to walk on a leash properly and so much more. And it do not tell it can take up to age 3 before they are fully mentally mature and you have your "perfect" dog but not without a lot of training and patience.

 

[Mag-Pie]

I will say this, I am young and as such, some people would assume that I am irresponsible. Maybe I would be irresponsible if I didn't have dogs. My dogs give me purpose and direction in my life. I don't claim to know everything about dogs, but every day I am learning about how to give my dogs the best life possible. I have devoted everything to them. I will never have human kids, so my dogs are my kids. I will love and cherish them always. I will never toss them aside because they are sick or old. Dogs are a commitment. They are precious, living beings. A monetary value cannot be placed on them, their well-being or quality of life. People who say, "It's just a dog" need to be kicked in the teeth because it's those people who fail to realize that dogs have evolved to be our companions.

x2 ^^^ I totally share your sentiments.

Would like to see this and the CC are not a toy post, put as a sticky in the intro forum

Yes, please. ^^^ I also would like to see this.

 

[ruthcatrin]

It's incredible to me that someone could own a dog for 6 or 8 years then just drop it off.

Thats about the age of most of those dogs too. Its horrible.

 

[NYDDB]

I so agree--- this needs to be said (and read) again and again. And yet, most of the population this is directed to will not be found on this forum...

A dog is a huge commitment. There have been so many times in my adult life where I wanted a dog so bad it hurt. But, it just wasn't the right time: moving around, graduate school, uncertain of my future plans, etc.

I got my first dog after a lot of research, and gut instinct that this breeder and I "clicked", and that the Black Lab pup was meant to be mine. I was fairly stable, had a steady job at a dog-friendly studio (yay- dogs at work!), and even bought a car off of my brother so that I could drive my dog to work with me (otherwise didn't really need a car, as I live in a large city.)

The point being, before I even brought the puppy home, I envisioned in my mind how this would all fit together- my life with a dog. And it did fit, better than I even expected.

Fast forward to today, with Mateo. After 12 1/2 years with my previous dog, I was dog-less for 3 years, knowing I would eventually bring another one into my life...when the time was right. I knew I wanted a Mastiff, specifically a DDB, after meeting one in person many years before.

I did so much research, my eyes hurt. LOL. And yet, I asked myself: could I really handle a dog that was sure to outweigh me ?(and he does, by over 30 pounds) . Also, I knew I wanted a male, and that I planned on keeping him intact.

Could I handle the same sex aggressiveness that this breed tends to show? Was I experienced enough to create a great life for this giant breed?

Again, I spent a lot of time picturing in my mind how I wanted my life with Mateo to be like. And, in the end, I knew I could - and would- handle any situations that would come up, that I would train, and learn, and train, and play, and....build a great relationship with this amazing animal.

But, of course I made mistakes- who doesn't? You just get back up and continue on...

You don't give up on the dog. Ever.

I like the statement about "moving heavan and earth" to do what it takes to do right by your dog. That, to me, is a given...

 

[NYDDB]

By the way, RK-- I just love a good rant!

And this is a good one.

 

[mountainfila]

Yes it is a good rant, seeing all the "un-controlable puppies" and yes they are puppies as they are slow to mature in the brain pan lol mine will be 2 at the end of this month and i still refer to them as pups lol and yes they still have lots to learn. I have been a dog nut since i was born, my mom swears my first word i said was dog lol , she is terrified of dogs but when i was 10 she bought me my first dog, i wanted a german shepard but i had to settle for a min poodle as they didnt shed. I didnt care i had my first dog, mine not the family dog, and my mom was happy that i stopped bringing all the loose neighborhood dogs home with me lol honest mom they just followed me home hahahahahaha with a little help from my sandwich hahahaha she never new what to expect when she came home from work lol. Over my younger years i had to move a few times, being a renter and young and stupid sometimes making bad choices along the way, never once did it ever cross my mind to ditch my dogs.

 

[mcarrel]

Lol I love it. Too many people see dogs as disposable or something easy to acquire so they should be easy to deal with and if not are disposable.

In between my previous mastiffs and Kronos I had a Great Pyrenees Every time in her 13 years of life I took her out someone was inevitably in shock that a pyr who was "just a pet" had a full coat and not shaved for my convenience, yes even other pyr owners. If hair on a hairy breed of dog bothers them I can't imagine how they would deal with behavioral problems lol

As for Kronos and vacations I plan on seeing lots of the good old USA where I can drag him along on vacation with me lol. Even at 2 years and with training and socialization he can be a beligerent ass at times in certain situations (like strange male dogs) he also has selective hearing at times but on the other hand he can be the sweetest,snorting, slobbery best friend to both my son and I and neither one of us could imagine life w/o him. So many people see him and say "I want one of those!!" My usual response is "No you probably don't"

 

[mcarrel]

My first dog that was all my own was a rottweiler I just had to have. She was absolutely the wrong dog for me lots of drive very dominant. My uncle in Germany sent her to me and for her first 7 months of life I made every mistake possible. Athena ruled my house and me. Even at a young and dumb 18 I didn't ditch her off I ended up spending a lot of money getting myself and her retrained and ended up with a fantastic friend until she passed at 12. I still remember what the trainer told me in a very blunt way. You are the problem so we will board her and work with her for 3 weeks and then you lol

 

[AussieGirl]

I think re homing is a problem especially with these giants we love so much. People get them because they are cute and cuddly or because they want a guard dog or even just as a status thing but they don't think about how expensive they are to feed, or to take to the vet. They don't realize that they are big so when they dig (and they will) that they will dig big holes and when they chew something uptown don't just nibble on it, they really destroy it. The people who should have these dogs are people who know all of this and still love the dogs and who find ways to think its amusing that they dug up your flowers instead of horrible.

They are forever not just until you get bored of them or don't have time to train them it makes me sad to think of these animals being moved from house to house without ever finding a home they feel comfortable, loved and accepted in