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Molly600
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 Posted: 05/20/04 - 10:24 Post subject: second thoughts on pooch
Well, I'm so down today. I spoke to the foster mom of our prospective pooch yesterday and although he still sounds really sweet, we just aren't sure if he's really the right dog for us. One big thing that although it seems silly, is really a big thing with us.....she says he doesn't play with toys or fetch or really do much other than go on a walk with her every day. We really want a dog that's going to be active with us. One that will fetch, go swimming with us, play in the yard, and go running with us. It doesn't really sound like this pooch has that in his personality. And we didn't really even think to ask about it and didn't realize how important that is to us until we thought of NOT having a dog that does those things. And the foster mom says she thinks he may have some arthritis, although she said the vet didn't say anything about it.
We are just concerned and our "gut" feelings about this being the right guy for us have changed. We don't know if the activity thing should be a deal breaker, but if that's really the way he is I doubt you can change him to liking those things.
So we don't know what to think. I am going to try to talk to one of the contacts we've been dealing with and see if she has any good advice or thoughts. We are torn but want to do the right thing for everyone.
Heck, as much as we have been trying to avoid a much younger dog, once we get down to it we do in fact want a lot of activity. Our sweet Charlie was overly hyper at times and a handful, but we loved playing with him, fetching, swimming, running and all that stuff.
Anyone have any thoughts on this? Should we really go with our gut (I try to and that always seems to be the right thing, especially when you really have that "gut" feeling about something).
So I'm feeling very sad today that this maybe isn't going to work out. I have been soooooo excited!!!! 
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Posted: 05/20/04 - 10:37 Post subject:
I've never owned a dog so I don't have any profound words of wisdom but I hope you all find a dog that fits soon, be it this one or another...I know how excited you were 
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rolling rock
The Pinball
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Posted: 05/20/04 - 10:54 Post subject:
wow, that's a toughie. but i commend you for looking into this whole deal so thoroughly....that is the mark of a dedicated good pet owner Molly. there is an idiot on our street, a single man, in his 40s, who owns a very active dog, exactly like the one in your photos. he chains him to a tree on a 3 ft. cord, day and night. it breaks my heart.. this idiot claims that had he known this breed was so active, he'd have never gotten MAX. this man is the worst pet owner i have ever witnessed.
make it fit. it's so worth it.
i want to kidnap MAX. but i have two cats.
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bpdou
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Posted: 05/20/04 - 11:08 Post subject:
| rolling rock wrote: | wow, that's a toughie. but i commend you for looking into this whole deal so thoroughly....that is the mark of a dedicated good pet owner Molly. there is an idiot on our street, a single man, in his 40s, who owns a very active dog, exactly like the one in your photos. he chains him to a tree on a 3 ft. cord, day and night. it breaks my heart.. this idiot claims that had he known this breed was so active, he'd have never gotten MAX. this man is the worst pet owner i have ever witnessed.
make it fit. it's so worth it.
i want to kidnap MAX. but i have two cats. |
Sounds like Molly needs to cruise down RR's street... about 2 am... in a black van... with tinted windows... dressed in black... with a pair of bolt cutters...
Last edited by bpdou on 05/20/04 - 11:23; edited 1 time in total
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genie
Master of Prissface
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Posted: 05/20/04 - 11:16 Post subject:
"Go with your gut" is probably the best advice I've ever gotten, Molly. There will be other dogs to check out. You'll never replace Charlie, that you know, but if you want one that's more like him sounds like this guy, sweet as he is, will have to wait.
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airehead
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Posted: 05/20/04 - 11:26 Post subject:
My opinion: the right dog will find you.
My silly story: we had decided to get a second dog--we wanted a rescue, about two years old, male, not too far away, and a purebred terrier. We had searched the pounds for just the right breed and found one! One weekend, we went to visit him and fell in love with him--he was perfect!! We came back home to get Gracie (our Airedale) so she could meet him and see if they were compatible. We get home, leave the van running so Mr Aire could load up Gracie and the kennel--I of course had to make everyone wait so I could do a potty stop--when a neighbor who owned the only other Airedale on base chose that exact moment to stop by and asked if we would be interested in adopting her two-year old male terrier because they couldn't keep him. He's been part of our home now for two years. He's been perfect.
Bottom line: trust your gut. You know your house, your needs, your wants.
Another silly story if you can stand it: When we adopted our first rescue, Buster, the Wire Fox, I told my husband: I will know he's the perfect dog if he plays with our son. (Our son was three at the time) So far, none of the rescues we had visited had even approached our son. My husband said it would be ridiculous for a dog to be so friendly when he knows he's being given away. Anyhow, we got there for a visit. My son sat down on the floor. After a couple of minutes Buster brought over one of his dog toys and dropped it in our son's lap and waited for him to play with him. He was an amazing dog.
Trust your gut. And good luck!!!!
Sorry for the long stories!!!!
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Posted: 05/20/04 - 11:37 Post subject:
| airehead wrote: | My silly story:
....
Another silly story if you can stand it: .... |
I want a dog!!!!
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MechEngDropout
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Posted: 05/20/04 - 11:43 Post subject:
If you really want an active dog... you almost have to get a puppy. We always had dalmatians, and they're hyper as heck for the first 2 years or so then they settle down a lot. Right now we've got 2, a puppy, Chance, of about a year and an older one, Xe (she's about 7). Chance has an incredible amount of energy and always wants to play, while Xe kinda snaps at him and says leave me alone, I need a nap.
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gretriever
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Posted: 05/20/04 - 11:50 Post subject:
If this was in one of your earlier threads about this, Molly, excuse me for asking again. Does the current owner of pooch have children? A change of scenery, so to speak, might bring out that side of him. Could you arrange to dog-sit for a week. That would be tough for your guy if he gets attached to the dog, but it may be a way to find out.
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rolling rock
The Pinball
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Posted: 05/20/04 - 11:54 Post subject:
| gretriever wrote: | | If this was in one of your earlier threads about this, Molly, excuse me for asking again. Does the current owner of pooch have children? A change of scenery, so to speak, might bring out that side of him. Could you arrange to dog-sit for a week. That would be tough for your guy if he gets attached to the dog, but it may be a way to find out. |
great idea!!!
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airehead
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Posted: 05/20/04 - 11:55 Post subject:
You're right, Steve.
We were told our two y/o Airedale would only play with one thing, ever. Now at our house, (He'll be four this year) he plays with everything and anything. He's not destructive, but will bring you your running shoes when he decides he wants to walk. He'll steal a cardboard box out of recycling and run across the yard with it. If you're trying to make the bed he'll grab the comforter as you're fluffing it and try to run off.
Can you bring him for a home visit to see how he behaves?
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Molly600
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Posted: 05/20/04 - 11:55 Post subject:
Hey, thanks for all the great input.
Now my gut is torn. Got another email back from the foster mom answering my questions about him. She says that he seems like he'd do great with more activity and that he played with and fetched with a golden downstairs in her building before. I wonder if maybe he's just adjusting to her activity level? She said her vet deals with lots of rescue dogs and says a lot of times if they haven't been taught to play with toys, they will usually learn once in a secure home and they are taught.
Maybe we are being too critical?? I don't know. Maybe we need to just go down and meet him. It makes it more annoying that it's a 4 hr drive to meet him as opposed to he's just here in town. It would be great to have a week with him to see, but the out of town thing makes it hard, too.
I'm torn at this point.....I can definitely tell you I will be spending the day thinking about this! I really just want us to do the right thing!
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gretriever
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Posted: 05/20/04 - 11:59 Post subject:
| Molly600 wrote: | | She says that he seems like he'd do great with more activity and that he played with and fetched with a golden downstairs in her building before. |
We tend bring that out in other dogs as well as people.  | Quote: | | I'm torn at this point.....I can definitely tell you I will be spending the day thinking about this! I really just want us to do the right thing! |
And you will, I have no doubt.
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airehead
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Posted: 05/20/04 - 12:00 Post subject:
This is a very hard decision. I would at least go meet him--otherwise you'll always wonder about him.
Good luck!!!
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Noley
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Posted: 05/20/04 - 12:04 Post subject:
I'd go meet him as well.
He may just have some of the traits that you are looking for and needs the right kind of people to "pull that out" of him. Your excitement and enthusiasm will be something that he'll sense for sure and it's worth a four hour drive to see if he picks up on all of that.
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