I want a dog!

Desperate_Housewife_2-2

I posted on here a couple of weeks ago as I had my beautiful terrier cross rescue dog pts, she was old and had her for a long time.

Everyone on here was so lovely and kind, thank you.

The thing is, I really miss having a dog around the place, I am going to see if the rescue place is open today and go and visit to see if we can get another one. I dont want a really old one (mainly because I was so upset having her pts and dont want to have to do that again, or at least for a long time) but dont want a pup, maybe a teenagerish one?

Can anyone let me know what to expect at the rescue place? I was intending on taking my kids (16 and 15yrs) but the youngest says she might get upset at seeing all the dogs in cages and needing a home. I know they like to meet all the family though.

I dont mind what type, people say staffies are good natured but I have been put offf them a bit because of their association with pit bulls, is this true or just a stereotype?

lastly, I wonder if I am doing the right thing? I think I am because I want one and can give it the time and love it needs (it would only be alone for a max of 4 1/2 hours once a week), we have space in the house and a 60ft garden which is enclosed. What are the inspectors like when they visit? I was put off by the rspca as it says on their website that they retain legal rights over the adopted dogs which I wasnt sure about. My last dog was rescued from out of the paper so I didnt go to an actual rehoming centre so not sure what to expect.

I cant stop crying for my dog, I have accepted that she has gone and was with her when she was pts but the house is so empty and everything you do seems empty, we all miss having a dog around snf the kids are crying, its been horrible especially over xmas.

Sorry for the long post, I got up at 5am couldnt sleep and no-one is on facebook yet to talk to! help!

chalkie99

Locally, I think, the rescue centres are open but not re-homing until after the New Year to deter people getting dogs for Christmas on a whim.

Inspection wise - we have two rescue dogs, from different centres. The first, we had a quick friendly visit just to make sure we were who we said we were, had an enclosed garden, etc. The second one, we had no visit at all!

The older one is a Staffie cross - just the loveliest dog you could ever wish for - although we did have her as an abandoned puppy so she had no bad habits bred into her.

Just go and have a look around and don't rush into anything.

Good Luck!

Quinny_2

chalkie99 wrote: »

Locally, I think, the rescue centres are open but not re-homing until after the New Year to deter people getting dogs for Christmas on a whim.

Inspection wise - we have two rescue dogs, from different centres. The first, we had a quick friendly visit just to make sure we were who we said we were, had an enclosed garden, etc. The second one, we had no visit at all!

The older one is a Staffie cross - just the loveliest dog you could ever wish for - although we did have her as an abandoned puppy so she had no bad habits bred into her.

Just go and have a look around and don't rush into anything.

Good Luck!

Sound advice.

My friend is an assessor for a dog centre based in Leeds, and he does what Chalkie says.

My own opinion of your actions is that you are doing a good deed, as too many dogs will be xmas novelties, and will invariably end up in dogs homes, but take your time and choose wisely.

spike7451

I was the same when Orbit died as DH is now.I went straight out & got Daisy,my home felt so empty without a cat in it.It was if the was no life in the place.
The ASSISI where I got Daisy Fuzzlebug from were great.The was no home visit as I had previously had a long term pet,which I suppose was backed up in me going threaders just looking at the kitties in there.
Daisy cost a few quid donation & I threw in a £40 gift voucher for a well established pub/resturant as the ASSISI we're having a raffle to raise money.

You,DH,are doing a great thing,considering the amount of unwanted pets looking their forever home,think of it this way,In the sad loss of your beloved pet,you are going to bring joy to the lives of another.

Kaelea

a friend of mine got a dog recently from my local pound, we were shown around .. nice polite kennel staff, it was a bit eerie, and a bit daunting, we knew the faces we were looking at had a maximum of 7 days to live but we also knew we were helping at least one,

we picked out 2 dogs, went back with my friends (teenage) kids to see what they thought, they weren't allowed in the kennels! health and safety and all that

so the kennel staff bought each dog out to the carpark .. can't see a carpark being any safer for kids but hey ho

we put a deposit down on one, got a phonecall, its owners had turned up .. dammit .. so my friend went back and got the 2nd (not my preferred choice)

paid her £75 and away she went, no home check, no nothing

I'm currently dog sitting and omg .. its a mini tornado, its pee'd in my lounge, took 3 bites out of my pc chair as it walked past it and killed it, eaten the handle of a trowel which I use to scatter grit .. gritted my kitchen .. good dog *rolls eyes*

everything in my house is now up high .. its a little fart machine .. omg the stench .. but heck its sooo cute

I wish you all the best in finding a new dog for you .. I know as soon as my old dog passes away I'll be off to get another .. I can never see me being without one

Desperate_Housewife_2-2

thanks guys for your input, a bit scary reading Kaeleas post but I know things wont be perfect in the first instance.

Anyway, we've just got back from the local rescue and picked a lovely white terrier cross that is 4 years old and found as a stray just before xmas. It needs training but seems very nice so just waiting for the warden to come round and check us out and hopefully we'll collect later today or tomorrow.

I'm not getting too excited as it might not happen, they dont do reserves or take a deposit so just waiting now....

It was hard going round the rescue centre though, lots of dogs that need rehoming especially staffies and some big dogs that looked a bit scary to me but I'm sure someone would love them. Very sad that people chuck their dogs out at this time of year, I dont want to be judgemental as you dont know the circumstances but there must be other ways round it.

This dog that I want was with another dog the same but a different colour and they came in together, very tempting to get both but it would be too much to train 2 rescue dogs at once and the other seemed the dominant one so may be a problem...

I'll keep you posted and let you know what happens, thank you for all the posts, nice to know others understand x

mollycat

Hi OP,
Sorry to hear about your sad event.

Just a thought, have you considered adopting a retired Greyhound?

They are great pets; dont need lots of excercise, are placid, dont shed, and are appreciative of being given a home after a previous life in kennels.

There are numerous branches of the Retired Greyhound Trust all over the country, all with lovely dogs that need re-homing.

Google "Greyhounnd Rescue" to find out a branch near you.

Like i say, just a thought.

Good luck.

hethmar

I hope it all goes well for you. Ive only had rescue dogs for the last 30 years and each one has been wonderful. My two current boys are the light of my life, the little border terrier particularly is so funny that however miserable the day may be he will make me larf. (Currently he is thrusting one of his new squeaky toys into my leg as Im ignoring him to type this )

People throw out dogs for all reasons, usually unjustified, so please dont be concerned about your dogs nature. He will have been assessed at the rescue (if they are a decent one). Make sure that you get neutering and chipping done asap.

And staffies are lovely dogs by the way. The chavs who train them to be aggressive are the scum who should be in pounds, not the little dogs who are so willing to love and be loved. Ive seen hundreds of them in pounds and rescues and only 2 have been beyond rehoming (sad as that may be that 2 lost their lives because of their previous owners treatment of them).

Tulip

aw your dog sounds lovely Desparate Housewife,hope all goes well tomorrow with the home inspection.

Desperate_Housewife_2-2

thanks tulip for your nice post

thanks mollycat for your suggestion on greyhounds, I did think about them but my youngest is not too keen on big dogs so I thought of another terrier.

I cant stop thinking about the dog! I took a couple of pictures and keep looking at them, the dog warden never came today so I rang the rescue centre and they said they were off with it being bank holiday, I hope they ring tomorrow but I think its a bank holiday too so it might be the end of the week at this rate! Anyway, we have decided to go and visit tomorrow and take her for a walk to try to get to know her a bit more (yay!)

I must say, all the centres seem different in their rehoming criteria, I asked if there was any way I could prove where I live such as a council tax bill and photos of our house and id such as passport etc but they said no, no wonder people give up on rescue dogs and get one from a breeder (I know many people who have done this for this very reason).

Still I have made my mind up and will perservere, I couldnt live with myself otherwise, I feel so much happier than I did yesterday! Fingers crossed...

hethmar

Well, I dont think its just a case of proving where you live, but having a chance to talk over the implications of a new dog within the family whilst in the family home. They will want to see the garden and surroundings are safe for the dog and that all members of the family want the dog and also answer any queries you may have about taking the dog into your home.