Are we dog people ?

[Mrwurm]

Here's the latest: We've decided to find a more appropriate breed of dog. We've checked with the 'Rescues' and received no responses to emails of phone messages. I'm convinced that they have no intention of placing animals.
We've also visited two county chapters of the Humane Society.
Humane Society #1 turned us away because we take care of barn cats outdoors that don't have the latest rabies shots. They said this places the dog at risk. We also do not get shots for the various mice, possums, raccoons, skunks, foxes, stray dogs, stray cats, coyotes, deere, etc that live near our home. (they did'nt ask about those critters, just the barn cats)
Humane Society #2 turned us away because we turned in a cat to them about 8 years ago. They have a strict policy that anyone who has ever turned in an unwanted animal can never adopt one from them. If we had dumped the cat in the road a few miles away we'd be approved.
They had a real funny way of handling this too. They took our info and then told us to wait at the desk. They waited for me to wander off looking at horses and then they took my wife to a little room that they use for showing animals. They then told her "You are banned from ever getting an animal here because you turned in a cat 8 years ago." I guess when we saw this question on the form, we should have answered 'no' we've never turned in an animal before. But, we were honest.

 

[Cliff_Johns]

Regrettably, many shelters take the attitude that prospective owners need to walk on water. They forget that pet stores and the like couldn't care less and all you need is a credit card or cash. This only exacerbates the problem. It's very short sighted of them -- and more than a bit pompus-- but I've seen it happen again and again.

I'd like you to try some more (perhaps the municipal pound), but I understand that at some point it gets pretty irritating.

If the local shelters are unwilling to work with you, please go to a registered breeder, meet the mother and father of the puppies you are looking at. Please don't go to a pet store. And please, please, don't just get a puppy from someone who has a nice dog that got pregnant. I guess that's all I'll say about that.

Cliff

Puppies are fun, but also infuriating. (And are likely to chew a hole in your good boots right before they poop in them.)

Old dogs make the best pets.

 

[Sigarms]

You can try www.petfinder.com

Keep in mind, the local "humane society" is for the most part, in name only.

People have this idea that all the humane societies (sp?) are "one big organiziation" that have general rules and some sort of "police authority" that can "turn people in" for animal neglect.

Fact is, most are made up of local people who are just trying to make a difference, who don't get paid and do it for the love of the animals., and in some cases, can be very unorganized.

I will also be the first to admit that people in different organizations can be "interesting" to deal with and you wonder how they can ever find any animal a home.

Worse case scenerio is if you wait, one will come to your door in time. They usually make the greatest pets.

 

[rox]

It is such a coincidence that I read your topic just now becasue earlier today I found some really great video from Nationl Geographic
Go here
http://cgi.nationalgeographic.com/channel/video/cgi-bin/NGPortal.pl?bitrate=400k

and then seach under videos for the words Dog Whisperer

My hsuband would like to get a dog for the olive farm but I don't want to take the time to train a dog. Plus dogs never grow up. Kids at least grow up and mature, a dog will always be dependent on you. I know it is selfish but at least I have realistic expectations of the responsibility of dog ownership and have thus far not joined the crowd. Some day when I have more time to devote to a dog and am able to take care of it properly I might get one.

For all you dog lovers I hope you enjoy these videos. Even though I don't have a dog I sure learned a lot from them.