Adopting a dog

[nancielle]

Thanks for all of the kind words. I'm going back out to the shelter today to walk/play with him. Yesterday, when I first met him, I had to wait to get close enough to the display area because so many people were there. He'd been lying down on his dog bed just kind of watching everyone. When I finally got close enough he jumped up, cocked his head to one side and started waggin' his tail as if to say "I've been waiting for you. What the heck took you so long?"

There's just one snag in the process: verification that the landlord said it was ok to have him. I gave them a note from him but when checking the city's homeowner database it showed (inexplicably) that my old landlord still owned the building (the new one bought it a year ago.) I spoke to him when I got back home yesterday (he has an apartment in the building) and he said he'd talk to them.

Now I have a list of things my dog owning friends have told me I should have. I feel like an expectant parent putting together a nursery.

[sandra]

Thor is wonderful! How wonderful of you to rescue him. He will reward you with love.

[Trek420]

Now I have a list of things my dog owning friends have told me I should have. I feel like an expectant parent putting together a nursery.

What size is he? I have a doggie life jacket my shelter Mutt has grown out of. Should fit a 40-50 lb dog if you plan to take Thor to the beach.

[nancielle]

What size is he? I have a doggie life jacket my shelter Mutt has grown out of. Should fit a 40-50 lb dog if you plan to take Thor to the beach.

He's 60 lbs. Dang. It would've been perfect as a friend of mine lives right on a lake and her beast (Danger Dog) is always in the water (we take her out in my friend's boat to some shallows which apparently are the doggie hang-out/socializing/networking spot ) I do appreciate the thought though.

Heading out to the shelter now to take him out before the thunderstorms roll in (Hmm, I read "Marley & Me" last weekend. Maybe I should hang around and see how he responds to thunder & lightning.)

[TrekJeni]

Thor's going to be SOOOOOOO happpy. Way to go. If thunderstorms are an issue, there are several things you can try. Good luck.

Although I would have probably named him Vino

Jeni

[Trek420]

Heading out to the shelter now to take him out before the thunderstorms roll in (Hmm, I read "Marley & Me" last weekend. Maybe I should hang around and see how he responds to thunder & lightning.)

Consider staying there during, it probably would be a comfort to him vs. you come there, play, you go and then thunder.

If it's the opposite; there's thunder or it's pending (dogs know) and suddenly you appear to "rescue" him. This will aid in the bonding process plus you get to see how he reacts to thunder.

Shelters are incredibly stressful for dogs, many don't eat or don't eat well. If you can hang around or arrive then it's be good.

Don't know if that meets your schedule.

Well, off to walk my mutt

He's 60 lbs. Dang. It would've been perfect as a friend of mine lives right on a lake and her beast (Danger Dog) is always in the water (we take her out in my friend's boat to some shallows which apparently are the doggie hang-out/socializing/networking spot ) I do appreciate the thought though.

Well, let me know if she wants it. Mae needs to loose weight but I don't think she'll make it into that vest again.

[crazybikinchic]

When we were looking for our dog, I always said that we would not pick our dog, that our dog would pick us. He did, and it has been a great relationship.

Sounds like he picked you

[KnottedYet]

My shelter-mutt fell asleep in my lap in the "meeting room." I had to wake him up eventually, because other potential adoptees needed to use the room. I went back and visited him again, and he cuddled right up to me again.

5 years later, he still always wants to be near me. And he still sleeps on the foot of my bed.

I don't know how I would have survived the last 5 years without him.

Shelter dogs can be so incredible and wonderful. Be ready for seperation anxiety. High protien diet really helped my shelter-mutt deal with his anxiety, and the shelter warned me that it might be an issue for a while. Anxiety just means he REALLY loves you!

[HappyAnika]

Congratulations! What an adorable dog. How exciting to have a new best friend!

I don't know about the anxiety thing, my shelter dog has never had any separation anxiety (although she did eat like a pig for the first couple of weeks after I brought her home). My pure-bred from a breeder-dog (aka spoiled, never had a hard day in her life-dog), had severe separation anxiety. I couldn't leave her in the kitchen to go take a shower without her wailing like she was being tortured. She'd never been alone in her entire (7 week) life up until that point. I think shelter dogs can often be more well adjusted due to their life circumstances.

Either way, have fun. There may be a few rough spots at first, but they'll smooth out and you'll have many happy joy-filled years together.

[KnottedYet]

He'd been lying down on his dog bed just kind of watching everyone. When I finally got close enough he jumped up, cocked his head to one side and started waggin' his tail as if to say "I've been waiting for you. What the heck took you so long?"

Perfect!

My shelter doggie sends furry hugs and doggie kisses to both of you!