desparate for a dog!

Katharine

I'm been temporarily been running a pet shop for a few months and have realised there's as huge a variety in rescues as there are in owners. I personally think the best are the ones that know their dogs, get to know potential owners to see if their suitable, and look at the big picture of whats best for the particular dog. Rather than set numerous conditions barring people or putting off good owners. There's even a 'rescue' in my county making money from adoption, and a petshop who sold an animal, took it back for 'rehomeing', then sold it again for a profit which you can't legally do.

My DH and myself have a terrier (from a pup) who we love to bits for all his terrier qualities, we considered giveing another a good home but there were unworkable stipulations which made it impossible. It's the dogs that are loseing out at the end of the day. So we bought one, we picked up our new pup at the weekend and couldn't be happier to have another happy terrier for life.:beer:
I am sure you will find the right dog and both be very happy dollparts. Terriers are the best!:cool:

I'm amazed with all the assumeing you dont know things that gone previously that noones mentioned about the tenacious side of terriers, which is one of the reasons there are so many in rescue. They are to varying degrees instinctual killers of small furry things, with no fear, certainly not for the fainthearted! But I'm sure your well aware of that.;)

supersaver66

Hi Dollparts

I think you should go for it, you have obviously thought of everything and as you have said have people around you to back you up.

Yes sometimes things happen to our pets unfortunately but as you have pointed out your parents will be insuring the dog for you so theres nothing left to do but have a look around and choose your dog!

I got my dog from dog pages ... good luck

dollparts

footballwidow75 wrote: »

Hi Dollparts

While I agree that pets are an expensive hobby, as long as you have everything in place (insurance & stuff) you should stop worrying about long term illness, and start focusing on what a fantastic home you have to offer.
I have a Rottweiller - we pay £8 per month for insurance (Animal Friends) and her food bills come to £35 for 5 weeks (Iams) She dosent need anything else, so if we decide to spoil her then thats an extra, but it's not something we have to do!!

If I listened to everyone's horror stories about illness, vet bills and unsociable animals I would not have the pleasure of having a fantastic, loving, brilliant with children, well balanced dog.
Yes I understand as dogs get older they develop problems but thats something to think about long term, and maybe set up a little nest egg for if and when that situation arises, but in the meantime - I hope you find the perfect pooch for you, and I hope you have many happy years together.

BTW - I think its great that your parents are happy to share the financial responsibility with you and let you have this opportunity.

Thanks for that, It is refreshing to hear such balanced opnions in what is a subject many of us have passionate opinions about.

Sure dogs can become ill. They can also lead long and happy lives. If problems arise then insurance will take care of it. What insurance doesn't cover will be mopped up by the family-that's the way it has always been with the pets in my family.

I want to focus on having a little master or missus to fool around and walk for miles with, follow me around the house and give me those strange looks when I cry reminding me I'm not alone.

However, on a pratical note I will look to saving some money in case of emergencies.

lostinrates

I'd like to second my admiration for Dollpart's on this subject. while I'm very pro rescues, I also love my purebreeds.

when we were looking a few years ago for a breed different to the one I'd been brought up with it dawned on me how much I took for granted about my knowledge of the health/isues with different line in the breed my family have, so DH and I started going to shows, watching he dog we liked and gaining and idea of the lines we liked. I ALWAYS watch the veteran classes. Those are the ones I'm most interested in...although in large breeds I think its possibly a little more telling.

Anyway, we did exactly what other people would have done to us, we struck up conversation with people, we asked questions about health problems and line traits and we joined the breed club. I guess we researched for about two years. (and then, it a long story, ended up with another dog entirely, lol). But because we know we want one of the original breed, we keep an eye on the relevent breed news and make a point of keeping an eye when we go to shows. (not so often ATM). People already recognise us and are friendly, and when we come to buy a puppy or go on the rescue list for his breed we know that the breed rescue people and breeders will know a little about us too, so which ever way we go we will be better owners for the research and easier to find the right dog for us for the same reason.


I am not suggesting that everyone shows a pedigree,very far from it, but that many good breeders do. In talking to them it will rapidly become clear who gives you received knowledge and gossip and who are the actively researching breeders, looking for what is best healthwise not just what looks best. They'll also talk about latest think in nutrition nd whether their expeirence matches this or not. An experienced breeder is often a vital part of your ''team'' if your dog does have a health problem too, they will read the latest research pertaining to their breed, and be able to direct you (and you you vet) to any relevant findings or thoughts, they'll know many people whose animls have had any of the breed associated risks and how it played out for them, they'll offer behaviouarl advice.

Breed clubs/societies often have fun days/meets which are lovely for well socialised pets too, and a similar source of friendship and support.

sammy10

If you get a westie and get it insured please check the policy really carefully. A lot of insurers are now excluding skin conditions.

We have a number of clients with westies who didnt read the small print and of course they are the dogs that have ended up with horrendous skin problems and the insurance just wont pay out.

Good luck with your search.

foreign_correspondent

dollparts wrote: »

Thanks for that, It is refreshing to hear such balanced opnions in what is a subject many of us have passionate opinions about.

Sure dogs can become ill. They can also lead long and happy lives. If problems arise then insurance will take care of it. What insurance doesn't cover will be mopped up by the family-that's the way it has always been with the pets in my family.

I want to focus on having a little master or missus to fool around and walk for miles with, follow me around the house and give me those strange looks when I cry reminding me I'm not alone.

However, on a pratical note I will look to saving some money in case of emergencies.

...of course, I had a terrier who made it to fifteen before she ever saw a vet for anything other than routine visits - she then developed diabetes and was in and out of the vets a lot.

However, you do need to be prepared for all eventiualities... if a dog develops an expensive condition, or has an accident, your insurance limit can soon be used up - it happened to someone on here recently who had a dobie (iirc?) which became very ill, needing lots of tests and treatment before diagnosis, using pretty much up all the insurance budget before the condition was stablised - and I think the dog will need treatment for the condition for life, which I believe will have to come out of the owners pocket...

It is worth being aware of what can occur, so you can deal with it if it happens, but of course you may well never have to deal with such an unlucky course of events. Do lok for a 'for life' insurance policy though. and beware of exempt conditons, like skin problems, as mentioned above, as westies are very prone to these, and they can be hard work and expensive to sort out!

Please be aware too that you may find that when you are upset the dog may not be a help - some become really hard work! My mum's dog is quite sensitive, and if my mum is in a funny mood, or upset, (as she has been after a couple of recent bereavements), the dog becomes hard work, chewing and generally being quite unsettled... she only realised after the event that her being upset was connected to the dog being a maniac!

Angiepange

Hi Doll,

Speaking as someone who re-homed a rescue dog (Staffie/Labrador cross) 5 years ago, if we had thought too long about all the 'what ifs' we might never have done it.

Then we would have missed out on 5 fantastic years of love, loyalty,fun,devotion,mischief,companionship,dramas! and everything else a dog can give you!! To us he is a family member and utterley irreplaceable.

So my advice would be go for it Doll and hope you find a new best friend.

Angie x

Kimberley

Desperate for a dog? The title just worries me. We get a lot of Westies in our rescue. They suffer from skin conditions and have to be clipped every 3 months or so. They can be very costly. Please reconsider.

I want to focus on having a little master or missus to fool around and walk for miles with, follow me around the house and give me those strange looks when I cry reminding me I'm not alone.

Don't your husband do that? Seriously though there is more to owning a dog then just the novelty part of it.

supersaver66

Kimberley wrote: »

Desperate for a dog? The title just worries me. We get a lot of Westies in our rescue. They suffer from skin conditions and have to be clipped every 3 months or so. They can be very costly. Please reconsider.



Don't your husband do that? Seriously though there is more to owning a dog then just the novelty part of it.

I think the OP knows this & if you have read the whole thread she has covered everything. I wouldnt hesitate to give the OP a dog regardless of breed.

dollparts

Kimberley wrote: »

Desperate for a dog? The title just worries me. We get a lot of Westies in our rescue. They suffer from skin conditions and have to be clipped every 3 months or so. They can be very costly. Please reconsider.read back please, you will find this has been considered. Desperate as would very much like one. Not would do anything to get one. Relax, it was a figure of speech.




Don't your husband do that? Seriously though there is more to owning a dog then just the novelty part of it.

my husband? You mean the man I married that was unfaithful to me twice whom I am currently divorcing?

Gosh, I hadn't thought of that....thanks for the heads up though.

I came here from some practical advice, and largely people have been helpful. Some have assumed I'm some kind of impulse buyer, not giving any thought. Others have been more balanced in the things they have suggested I consider.

However, I start to lose my patience when people begin to make loose-lipped comments such as the one about my husband.

How very dare you! Read the WHOLE thread. Please don't make some Johnny come lately comment which only highlights the fact you haven't bothered to read further than my OP.

I can see why people are put off from posting on these forums at times.

Makes me wonder why I bother.