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

[Jenandchewie]

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.
/QUOTE]

Haha! I am one who always had a nice yard with pretty flower beds and a well manicured lawn. I look at it now, at the craters Max creates (in mere seconds) and just laugh. Who needs flowers when you have such a beautiful, majestic creature to look at? And my summer flip flop wedges with the puncture marks all over them the day after buying? They are still wearable. lol I couldn't imagine getting rid of a dog because he destroyed a couple things because I was too careless to make sure they were put up.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

LOL. That is one hell of a car full of "stuff".

When we evacuated for Hurricane Ike. We took 4 dogs, 3 cats and 2 prairie dogs and our laptop. LOL

 

[Rugers-Kris]

That makes me so damn mad and brings me to tears at the same time. I, too, hope that these disgusting assholes suffer the same fate that their dog did.

How bout the dogs that get sick and the owners just dump them on the side of the road, just happened in my area a month ago, someone found a blue pit running down the side of the hwy so they picked her up and proceeded to post on facebook to find the owners. Well no one came forward to claim her so the lady took her to the vet for a checkup as they though she was prego, as she had looked like she had a litter recently. Well the vet confirmed that she was not pregnant, the vet also told the lady that the dog was about 10 years old and more tests confirmed she was riddled with cancer, she had lymphoma, and the lady stayed with her as she went to the bridge. I hope the person that dumped her serves the same fate, may they rot in hell for all eternity, shame shame. Im pretty sure this was not a local dog, as we all pretty much know each other in these small surrounding towns, so im pretty sure it was an out of towner who dumped her. This 10 year old dog died in a strangers arms, very sad!

Yeah, the reasons make my head spin. A Great Dane that got too big? REALLY? The reality is that the dumped them because they were too much work or just inconvenient and they didn't love them. I really hate people for the most part. Yeah, the shelters that just let any damn body adopt to get them out of the building aren't doing anyone any good. Of course, the rescues that won't allow people with experience, the time, the money and the love adopt because they have intact dogs, are no better but that is a whole different discussion. Sigh....

[FONT=&amp]I completely agree! I just don't understand what people are thinking sometimes. I foster for a Dane rescue sometimes, and some of the excuses we hear to turn dogs over are just ridiculous. One male was purchased as a puppy by a family, but then he got “too big†(and he was tiny, only 90 pounds), so they gave him away to another family, who then turned him over to rescue because he “needed too much attention.†Are you kidding me???!! You got a large breed known to be very attached to their people and then were surprised when he required attention? Another thing, do people just expect to go to a shelter and adopt a perfect dog with no issues whatsoever? Another of my Dane fosters was given away by her original family to some relatives, they then turned her into a shelter, the only reason they wrote on her paperwork was “needs someone home more.†Then the shelter allowed three different families to adopt and return her before her final adopters contacted the Dane rescue. Same story with my rescued mutt. Adopted and returned to the shelter FOUR TIMES before we adopted him. If the people adopting these dogs aren't prepared to work with them, then why are they getting a shelter dog (or any dog really)?!! You ARE NOT helping the dog, you're MESSING THEM UP!! Guess what? In both cases, their anxiety issues got worse and worse with every time they were returned to the shelter. Ugh![/FONT]

 

[Rugers-Kris]

I am so sorry to hear about the pups that were pts. How very sad. I don't know how you do what you do but I admire you for doing it.

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.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

But you AREN'T guilty of it. Research is good but the reality is all of the research in the world can't make you understand what you are dealing with until you are looking at a 100+ pound puppy who is going through the teenage stage. I would much prefer someone who didn't do research but is committed to do whatever it takes NO MATTER WHAT than someone who did a ton of research and then wasn't prepared to handle the stuff that research doesn't and can't prepare you for. Know why I got an English Mastiff? Because I think they are beautiful and I like big dogs. Several years had passed since I lost my Duke (Pit Bull) and that I decided I was ready and got one. I had some learning to do but that was ok because the breed made no difference because if I take a puppy home, they are my family and they are staying NO MATTER WHAT. I think research is definitely a good idea BUT people that only read about them and the "standards" don't have any idea what it means to raise them. They know they are cute puppies, majestic dogs, and expensive. They know what the standards say they should be but that doesn't mean they are committed enough to get them there.

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.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

I get that all of the time. Mostly because my dogs "got it so good" and a couple times when I was dealing with Magnums mange..... and it always blows my mind. I think I am lucky to have them. I assure you if you take everything I have done for them into consideration and then the happiness they have brought me, I am the one that is lucky.

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.

 

[Harrygto]

at 67 years old I have never rehomed a dog
I have saved 6 in my life they all are in the ground in the back yard
the one I have now [EM] is going to turn 11 on the 18 of Sept he was 6 years old when I got him and was 129lbs he is now 171lbs
the vet liked the way he is looking now
Kris this is a very good post thanks for posting it

 

[Rugers-Kris]

I am absolutely thrilled that this post received so many comments. I needed it. Seeing these poor dogs posted everywhere that are being rehomed, that are sick or old or unwanted is so hard for me. I needed to hear from "Dog People". Thank you to each of you. I very much enjoyed all of the stories of your rescues and the work you have put into your dogs and especially the love you have for them.

 

[jpw0025]

I'm right on board with your words Kris. As a vet tech, rescue foster, and obviously an animal lover I could not be more disgusted or heartbroken by the pets I see every day abandoned by those expected to love and care for them forever.

I have held mangy, elderly, sickly, lonely, scared, and broken bodies while they cross over to the Bridge either because their owners could not step up to do so, or because they did not have a human who would. I have had windows broken, walls eaten, belongings destroyed, and landscaping ruined by my four legged companions and simply shaken my head. I have been bitten, tripped, knocked down stairs, scratched, rolled over, and body slammed by my personal pets, fosters, and patients and taken a deep breath to suck up the frustration. You are not bringing a television home that you may not like entirely and sell in a yard sale, you are accepting the role of caretaker for a creature of fire, spirit, and loyalty- exemplified by the sheer size that many of us enjoy. It is not okay to leave your pet alone in this world. He is your family and will give you every piece of his heart and soul. He deserves nothing less than your love and dedication in return.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

Very well written!

I'm right on board with your words Kris. As a vet tech, rescue foster, and obviously an animal lover I could not be more disgusted or heartbroken by the pets I see every day abandoned by those expected to love and care for them forever.

I have held mangy, elderly, sickly, lonely, scared, and broken bodies while they cross over to the Bridge either because their owners could not step up to do so, or because they did not have a human who would. I have had windows broken, walls eaten, belongings destroyed, and landscaping ruined by my four legged companions and simply shaken my head. I have been bitten, tripped, knocked down stairs, scratched, rolled over, and body slammed by my personal pets, fosters, and patients and taken a deep breath to suck up the frustration. You are not bringing a television home that you may not like entirely and sell in a yard sale, you are accepting the role of caretaker for a creature of fire, spirit, and loyalty- exemplified by the sheer size that many of us enjoy. It is not okay to leave your pet alone in this world. He is your family and will give you every piece of his heart and soul. He deserves nothing less than your love and dedication in return.

 

[jpw0025]

Thanks, I feel very passionately about my animals and their care in general

 

[Sadies Mom]

Sadie was the worst puppy I have ever had. I threatened to take her to the pound if she did not "get her act together". I did take her to every class I could think of, both at Petsmart and to a private trainer. I was asked if I cut my self, as my arms where full of marks from Sadies teeth. I did not own a pair of pants that was not ripped to shreds from her biting my ankles as I walked. Now at 2 1/2 years old, she is the best dog I have ever had. My mom is here visiting from Sweden, and she told how great she is. Sadie is my heart dog, my "soul mate dog", my buddy. I love her to pieces despite all her problems. Credit cards can be paid off, I can not imagine not creating and having the memories I have with this darn dog. I love her more and more everyday, if that is even possible. Taking everyday as if it would be our last together.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

THAT is commitment! This is exactly what I am talking about. No matter how much research you do, you never know what you will end up with so without the dedication and the "forever" belief....Nothing else matters. You just had to wait out the good girl in her. When Ruger went through the bark and growl like a lunatic stage, I would tell him that I should have gotten a fish! I feel the same as you do. These boys are my best friends and a part of my family.....Come what may....They are here until the end.

Sadie was the worst puppy I have ever had. I threatened to take her to the pound if she did not "get her act together". I did take her to every class I could think of, both at Petsmart and to a private trainer. I was asked if I cut my self, as my arms where full of marks from Sadies teeth. I did not own a pair of pants that was not ripped to shreds from her biting my ankles as I walked. Now at 2 1/2 years old, she is the best dog I have ever had. My mom is here visiting from Sweden, and she told how great she is. Sadie is my heart dog, my "soul mate dog", my buddy. I love her to pieces despite all her problems. Credit cards can be paid off, I can not imagine not creating and having the memories I have with this darn dog. I love her more and more everyday, if that is even possible. Taking everyday as if it would be our last together.