Might need Atlanta area Lab rescue?

Richard · Jun 1, 2006

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My sister called month or so ago...long story short:

She & her new hubby sold her house and now live in his. Seems his is quite a bit smaller. No room for Rosco, her yellow lab that LOVESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS to chase a ball. They have no yard to speak of.

She asked me (since I have some land around me) a while back if I might want to "adopt" Rosco.

Ironically, my wife had been WANTING another (very small) dog and I'd been making quite the huff how we did not have the room in the house, vet finances, nor emotional supply to love yet a 4th dog. I honestly feel it would make things quirky and rather than "try one out" and take a heart to it, I find it easier to simply tell the wife "no more dogs...PERIOD"

Sister could tell I was hemming/hawing but I didn't get into blunt reasons why.

Fast forward to today, a month or so later and I'm talking to Mom. Seems sister tried to find someone local who might want to take Rosco. My neice was going to but she already has a doberman (Rosco's buddy) and her apartment complex said absolutely no to another dog for her.

Seems per my mother, my sister is planning on calling me as her "last resort" to see if I'll take Rosco. Mom went on to say that if I CANT (or won't) take Rosco, they might have to simply put him down as they are not finding any of their friends who might want him.

Rosco has been primarily an indoor dog, loves to lay on the couch, wags his tail and can knock things over WITH his tail /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif (all reasons why I don't care to add him to my herd). he will also chase a ball until his feet near bleed...don't ask me how I know!!! He LOVES to play ball.

Ok, well, Mom said if I don't take him, sister might put him down and clearly that is NOT fair to Rosco as he is in good health as best I know. It is not his fault he's suddenly in this situation. My best guess without having asked is he's probably 7 years old. If I'm wrong, then he's perhaps several years older but not much younger.

Given the above and my reality of NOT really wanting another mouth to feed, I thougth I'd bring this up here and see if anyone knows of a rescue group in/near Atlanta that I might put my sister onto as a last resort, instead of putting Rosco down.

Thanks for any thoughts.

/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I re-read this and thought I might clarify about his chasing a ball until his feet bleed... he's primarily an indoor dog. he had an average yard (fenced) to play in & chase a ball. He came here once for several days as they visited and we played ball & more ball. He had never run so much on GRAVEL and his soft pads simply weren't toughened up to that yet. We wore his hiney out here and when they drove home, they literally (so I'm told) had to carry him out of the car and into the house...he was that exhausted AND sore

Richard · Jun 1, 2006

/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

My sister called month or so ago...long story short:

She & her new hubby sold her house and now live in his. Seems his is quite a bit smaller. No room for Rosco, her yellow lab that LOVESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS to chase a ball. They have no yard to speak of.

She asked me (since I have some land around me) a while back if I might want to "adopt" Rosco.

Ironically, my wife had been WANTING another (very small) dog and I'd been making quite the huff how we did not have the room in the house, vet finances, nor emotional supply to love yet a 4th dog. I honestly feel it would make things quirky and rather than "try one out" and take a heart to it, I find it easier to simply tell the wife "no more dogs...PERIOD"

Sister could tell I was hemming/hawing but I didn't get into blunt reasons why.

Fast forward to today, a month or so later and I'm talking to Mom. Seems sister tried to find someone local who might want to take Rosco. My neice was going to but she already has a doberman (Rosco's buddy) and her apartment complex said absolutely no to another dog for her.

Seems per my mother, my sister is planning on calling me as her "last resort" to see if I'll take Rosco. Mom went on to say that if I CANT (or won't) take Rosco, they might have to simply put him down as they are not finding any of their friends who might want him.

Rosco has been primarily an indoor dog, loves to lay on the couch, wags his tail and can knock things over WITH his tail /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif (all reasons why I don't care to add him to my herd). he will also chase a ball until his feet near bleed...don't ask me how I know!!! He LOVES to play ball.

Ok, well, Mom said if I don't take him, sister might put him down and clearly that is NOT fair to Rosco as he is in good health as best I know. It is not his fault he's suddenly in this situation. My best guess without having asked is he's probably 7 years old. If I'm wrong, then he's perhaps several years older but not much younger.

Given the above and my reality of NOT really wanting another mouth to feed, I thougth I'd bring this up here and see if anyone knows of a rescue group in/near Atlanta that I might put my sister onto as a last resort, instead of putting Rosco down.

Thanks for any thoughts.

/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I re-read this and thought I might clarify about his chasing a ball until his feet bleed... he's primarily an indoor dog. he had an average yard (fenced) to play in & chase a ball. He came here once for several days as they visited and we played ball & more ball. He had never run so much on GRAVEL and his soft pads simply weren't toughened up to that yet. We wore his hiney out here and when they drove home, they literally (so I'm told) had to carry him out of the car and into the house...he was that exhausted AND sore

Pilot · Jun 1, 2006

I suggest she list Roscoe for sale (or for free) on Craig'slist: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sss/

It's free & gets lots of action. She may need to renew the ad each week.

Would be a shame to put him down. Labs are great dogs, great hunters & only golden retrievers are better family pets.

Pilot · Jun 1, 2006

I suggest she list Roscoe for sale (or for free) on Craig'slist: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sss/

It's free & gets lots of action. She may need to renew the ad each week.

Would be a shame to put him down. Labs are great dogs, great hunters & only golden retrievers are better family pets.

Boondox · Jun 1, 2006

There are many fine rescue organizations devoted to labs. A Google search on "Lab rescue Georgia" turned up several pages of hits. Here's just one of them: Click here

Pete
Ragtag Golden Retriever Rescue
Lamoille County, Vermont

Boondox · Jun 1, 2006

There are many fine rescue organizations devoted to labs. A Google search on "Lab rescue Georgia" turned up several pages of hits. Here's just one of them: Click here

Pete
Ragtag Golden Retriever Rescue
Lamoille County, Vermont

HGM · Jun 1, 2006

Richard,
Sorry, I'd love to help, but I have a Boxer/Beagle that dominates the house.... I dont know that she would accept any competition, nor could I have another large dog inside... I will keep you in mind and pass the word to my freinds though.. Good luck, I hope things work out for Rosco....

HGM · Jun 1, 2006

Richard,
Sorry, I'd love to help, but I have a Boxer/Beagle that dominates the house.... I dont know that she would accept any competition, nor could I have another large dog inside... I will keep you in mind and pass the word to my freinds though.. Good luck, I hope things work out for Rosco....

Richard · Jun 2, 2006

Thank you all. Just to be clear, my sister has said nothing to me about this possiblity, just my mother. That does leave the door open that perhaps Mom was misunderstanding something as is my hope (other than sister IS trying to find new home for him)

Richard · Jun 2, 2006

Thank you all. Just to be clear, my sister has said nothing to me about this possiblity, just my mother. That does leave the door open that perhaps Mom was misunderstanding something as is my hope (other than sister IS trying to find new home for him)

bmaxwell · Jun 2, 2006

Richard,

Can you have your sister contact me via email at Brian_Maxwell@southwire.com and give me some more information on the dog e.g. age, disposition, training, weight, papers, pictures would help as well, I maybe be able to help her out by putting some feelers out. Like others have mentioned before though, the websites they gave should help w/ finding a solution other than putting the dog down because they are making a lifestyle change. If this is a good pet otherwise, it would be a shame to see that happen, people should really evaluate their lifestyle and goals and where they are headed in life before they take on a possibly 15 year commitment to raising a dog, if they do make this commitment and unforseen happenings arise, then they should be willing to take the time and commitment to finding another home for that family member...

bmaxwell · Jun 2, 2006

Richard,

Can you have your sister contact me via email at Brian_Maxwell@southwire.com and give me some more information on the dog e.g. age, disposition, training, weight, papers, pictures would help as well, I maybe be able to help her out by putting some feelers out. Like others have mentioned before though, the websites they gave should help w/ finding a solution other than putting the dog down because they are making a lifestyle change. If this is a good pet otherwise, it would be a shame to see that happen, people should really evaluate their lifestyle and goals and where they are headed in life before they take on a possibly 15 year commitment to raising a dog, if they do make this commitment and unforseen happenings arise, then they should be willing to take the time and commitment to finding another home for that family member...

BlueRidge · Jun 2, 2006

people should really evaluate their lifestyle and goals and where they are headed in life before they take on a possibly 15 year commitment to raising a dog 

Most of us have a hard time seeing quite that far into the future with any accuracy. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

But a dog (or cat or...) is a responsibility. They aren't trinkets you just toss when they are no longer convenient. She's doing the right thing by trying to find a home, but why can't the dog just move to the new house? If he's primarily an indoor dog, the small yard is not a huge issue. Granted, it's not ideal, but neither is being farmed out to strangers or killed simply because your existence is no longer convenient.

BlueRidge · Jun 2, 2006

people should really evaluate their lifestyle and goals and where they are headed in life before they take on a possibly 15 year commitment to raising a dog 

Most of us have a hard time seeing quite that far into the future with any accuracy. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

But a dog (or cat or...) is a responsibility. They aren't trinkets you just toss when they are no longer convenient. She's doing the right thing by trying to find a home, but why can't the dog just move to the new house? If he's primarily an indoor dog, the small yard is not a huge issue. Granted, it's not ideal, but neither is being farmed out to strangers or killed simply because your existence is no longer convenient.

Richard · Jun 2, 2006

Blueridge... I've wondered the same things. I can't imagine giving our dogs away...heck, we just left for 10 days (to help move sister in law move from San Diego to Tennessee) and we drove across the country on way back. We detested leaving our dogs at the kennel (which is their Vet who's employees adore them)

I've decided when I speak to my sister, I'll be ears and allow her to speak about that which is comfortable to her, rather than try to dig into the what's & why's. I've got to think that she's hating every moment of this.

As far as their house, I've never seen it but understand it to be...ahem.... quite "modest".

I've not heard from her yet so haven't been able to give her any of the above ideas.

Richard · Jun 2, 2006

Blueridge... I've wondered the same things. I can't imagine giving our dogs away...heck, we just left for 10 days (to help move sister in law move from San Diego to Tennessee) and we drove across the country on way back. We detested leaving our dogs at the kennel (which is their Vet who's employees adore them)

I've decided when I speak to my sister, I'll be ears and allow her to speak about that which is comfortable to her, rather than try to dig into the what's & why's. I've got to think that she's hating every moment of this.

As far as their house, I've never seen it but understand it to be...ahem.... quite "modest".

I've not heard from her yet so haven't been able to give her any of the above ideas.

BlueRidge · Jun 3, 2006

As far as their house, I've never seen it but understand it to be...ahem.... quite "modest". 

Been There, Done That. Uh, DOING that. The past 2 1/2 years we've been in 1300 square feet or a little less. That's NINE of us (one very recent a new baby boy). Oh, 10 if you count the big idiot lab! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

We've got some land now, but most of that time was done in a couple of townhomes, with NO land. And no lab, either, but only because they were rentals.

I have a friend who raised his 4 in 600 square feet.

Point is, it can be done.

BlueRidge · Jun 3, 2006

As far as their house, I've never seen it but understand it to be...ahem.... quite "modest". 

Been There, Done That. Uh, DOING that. The past 2 1/2 years we've been in 1300 square feet or a little less. That's NINE of us (one very recent a new baby boy). Oh, 10 if you count the big idiot lab! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

We've got some land now, but most of that time was done in a couple of townhomes, with NO land. And no lab, either, but only because they were rentals.

I have a friend who raised his 4 in 600 square feet.

Point is, it can be done.