Adopt-a-Pet

[Waterchikn]

Hey guys. I see this forum is more popular during this dry spell. Anyway, I was thinking about adopting a pet (dog) and would like to get info from people who may have been through the process before. What should I look out for and stuff like that. Any info would be great. Thanks!!! Currently I have a Black Lab that needs a buddy. You can see a Picture in the Pets Pics forum here..somewhere....

[michfan]

Waterchikn,

My wife and I recently adopted a dog from the humane society, it is a Lab/Bloodhound mix. It was one of the best desicions that we made about getting a dog. We already had one dog, a Rottwieler, and wanted to make certain that they would get along, so we asked if we could bring him in with us after we picked out a dog. It was really good to see how they interacted with each other. Instantly it was a success!!! They got along great so that was really the decideing factor.

If you have children, I would really suggest that you bring them along too. You need to make certain that the "new" dog and the children will get along with each other. The humane society is a great place to get a "new" dog or cat, because they make certain that they are curent of their shots and that they are "fixed". It's also really nice, because the dog seems extremely greatful that you rescued it.

Just my $.02, hope this helps -Aaron-

P.S. on Christmas Eve we ended up getting another dog. A beagal that was dropped off in front of our house. The good thing is, he's house broken and all the dogs get along great. Luckily, he likes cats too.... Good luck

[Plow Dak]

Excellent advise michfan

Waterchikn
I also got both my dogs from the "POUND".
They were mixed breeds and the best companions you could ever ask for.
Here in Maine all the available animals go through a physical and get updated on shots etc. (I would assume it's the same all over)
I would not hesitate to go and find another there. The proccess, if I remember correctly, was not hard at all. Just a few questions and look at how you interact with the animal. Most of the time it's a trial basis and no problems bringing the animal back if things don't go as planned. They are great at answering questions and only a phone call away. It was EASY !!!
Good Luck

[Arc Burn]

Getting my mutt back in may was like adopting a kid:p there was more paper work involved than a small business loan and then there was the references(of which they checked all 3)the only problem came when they checked the Vets record for my last dog,the Vet had just sold his biz and files were misplaced and my last dog was only on file for 1 visit(the shelter really frowned on that)the whole process took over a week but was well worth it,you couldn't ask for a better best friend;)

BTW-The 1 visit they found on file was for a recomendation to a specialist for an operation that cost me close to $1000 from start to finish so i was quick to point that out as being a "responsible" pet owner:mad:

[Waterchikn]

Well, thanks for all the uplifting info, guys. We are currently waiting for an "interview" where we both have to go with our current dog. Its cool that what these people are doing for the abandond pets. There are alot of people volunteering their time and it truely is a great program. I will keep everyone updated.
If you had a bad experience with the Humane Society, please let me know, but so far they seem outstanding...

Thanks again.

[michfan]

Good luck with the interview, really all that they really want to know is whether or not you'll enjoy having the animal as a companion. They also want to make certain that you'll keep the dog up to date on all vacinations and just really care for the animal like you would your own kid.

I'm glad to hear that your going to take your current dog with you. That will really help you in your decision. Good Luck!!

Aaron

[Honest Mike]

Thats great that you wanna adopt a pet. You are doing a wonderful thing! Dogs are such good animals and make an excellent pet. We have a female mini dachshund, and she is the cutest, sweetest dachshund you ever met. She is taken care of and loved like you wouldnt believe. She sleeps in bed with my parents every night, right in between them! :D When its raining outside and my mom takes her out, my mom takes an umbrella out and follows her around on the grass, holding the umbrella over her so she doesnt get wet! Sounds hard to believe I bet, but its true! If something was to ever happen to her, I have no idea how we would ever get through it, but being she is such a great, lovable, loving dog, we would DEFINITELY get another one JUST like her!! Mike :) :)

[Waterchikn]

Well, after months of looking around, we found a new little buddy. The animal control officer found him on a dock shivering, and he is now known as "Docker".

[Waterchikn]

Here is another Picture of him. We were ready for everything that a puppy can deal ya, except for the all the spring mud he can find. WOW. The carpet cleaning bill is going to be crazy! All is great so far.

[lbgirl]

OMG hes adorable!
That's great! I love to hear about animals being saved and adopted. I can't have dogs where I live, but I've had some cats, and have one now, and I got them all at the local shelter, run by the Humane Society. We have a lot of strays around where I live and I have brought many an animal in to the shelter for rescue. I definitely say go to a rescue and not a pet shop. Best of Luck with your new friend!! :grinz :D :grinz :D :grinz :D

[Adams Plowing]

Nice looking dog...

[Waterchikn]

Thanks, he is doing alittle better today, learning some basic commands, the shelter has been awesome, we can't go in there too often, or else we would have 100 dogs! Anyone who can afford to donate any thing to these spectacular organizations should, they are doing a great thing. I will post more pics of him as he gets "bigger". Not sure how big he will get:huh

[lbgirl]

I agree about the donations. Anything you can give may be just the thing that keeps one animal fed and alive basically. It's hard for me to go there and not take them all home as well, so I send them a check, so I dont have to go in! LOL
We had gotten our family dog, a mutt(lab, husky mix) from the Animal League, and we had him 16 years, best pet we ever had. The cat I have now was a rescue and he still seems jumpy and frigtened at times, so those first 8 weeks must have been terrible for the poor little guy.
Ummmmmm just MHO...but Docker looks like hes gonna be a big boy!!! Not too big, but big! LOL

[Honest Mike]

Thats great news! You did a great thing! Im sure he is very happy and comfy in his new home. Good luck! Mike :)

[Waterchikn]

Here is a pic of my 2 dogs together...they are finally getting along now!

[lbgirl]

Sweet! :D :D

[Honest Mike]

Aww, good to see they are getting along. My sister has 3 dogs and none of them get along, so she has to keep them separated at all times, gets to been a pain in the butt. She has small dogs though, a Maltese, Bichon Frese or something, and a Pomeranian. Thats good news. :) Mike :)

[Waterchikn]

I didn't want to post this, but feel I needed to for some reason, but recently my adopted puppy was killed, he ran out in front of a car and had to be put down. I replaced the fence that he could jump over with one that I didn't think he would be able to jump,and was wrong. I honestly feel for people who lose pets this way. I am leaving myself responsible because I guess its easier that way. Sorry for the bad news, but I figured I would post it now so it didn't come up later.

Its time to move on and think about plowing some snow this winter!

[speedracer241]

So sorry to hear about your dog. Really makes it hard when they are part of the family.

I'm not looking foreward to the day when out German shepard/Husky mix passes on. We have had her for about 11 years and she's probably 14 or so. Her favorite time of the year is right around the corner. She just loves the snow,acts just like a puppy when it first snows. Its so cute.

Hopefully you can find a replacement,
Mark K

[Honest Mike]

Very sorry to hear that. Its a very tough thing to have to go through, losing a pet. I could imagine it being even tougher losing the pet to those circumstances. :( Not much else really to say, its just plain sad. Hope you can get through it alright and possibly make a nice home for a new little puppy. Mike

[Alan]

That absolutely SUCKS! We lost a truly wonderful Lab to a car, no words truly explain the hurt.

[lbgirl]

Ouch :( I almost wish I didn't read this. I am so sorry to hear about this. What a shame. Atleast he had good days with you and had a good home while he was here.
I know the pain of having to put a pet down, my heart goes out to you.

[sdpsd99]

I adopted a female Black Lab about 2 months ago. She is now 16 months olds. She has a seat belt harness for riding in the truck. In CT. there is a Labrador Rescue organization which was who I got her from.:D

[Waterchikn]

I appreciate all the responses to this, it has been a very difficult situation. I almost wish this thread wasn't here. Maybe I will ask for it to be deleted.....thanks again everyone for their support and thoughts.