single, working dog owner

[crazycanuck]

Badger, which doggie would you like? I would like to adopt another doggie friend for Yukon but would feel guilty about which one from where etc. I'd like to bring all of them home

The tripod doggie would be nice as it would feel loved as no one wants it as it's "different".

You're a good person either way & thank you for taking the time to even ponder a shelter doggie

[badger]

I honestly don't know, and I'm sure I'd be happy with any of them. But I do want to help out the one that won't likely find a home easily, you know?

Thankfully I'm not bent on a particular breed so I would never get a dog (and especially a cat!) from a breeder; all I'm looking for is the right fit to my home/cats/lifestyle.

It's so hard. I wish all animals had a forever home.

[crazycanuck]

Badger, when we first got yukon, it wasn't about which doggie from the dog refuge (www.dogshome.org.au) was the coolest & we weren't picky. The rules at the dog refuge are that they suit the dog to the person's home/lifestyle not the person to the dog. Do the doggie homes there do the same thing?

Yukon wasn't suited to a family with younger children so it made sense to us to adopt her. We don't know her history but we are aware she's not an "open" & friendly doggie to strangers. I have a feeling a male human wasn't kind to her before

There'll be a doggie at your home in the future

[tulip]

What about a greyhound?

They match pretty much everything you're looking for - low energy, low key, adult rescue and lots of them do well with cats. And most are crate trained from the track.

They're really great dogs and spend most of their day snoozing!

I second the Greyhound. My mother has two and they are very calm, big, well-trained, and full of humor. There are many Greyhound rescue organizations around. They are known as good apartment dogs.

[grey]

I love this one, she just made me grin:

www.badrap.org/rescue/img3/squeeks_smile.jpg

http://www.badrap.org/rescue/adoptions.cfm

I'm not looking for a third dog. I've only considered it because sometimes my 5-year old still wants to play and the 7-year old doesn't... but she either runs around the yard like a crazy thing or we play with her instead. Or both.

Good luck on your search! It's fun, really.

[badger]

interesting you post pit/staffordshire. I've always had a soft spot for them, and lingered on her ad http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/dis...petid=13711370

and I'll look into greyhounds. We don't see them around here much.

[Biciclista]

I hope you own your own home then. Lots of landlords won't allow that particular breed of dog because of insurance issues.

[berkeley]

interesting you post pit/staffordshire. I've always had a soft spot for them, and lingered on her ad http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/dis...petid=13711370

and I'll look into greyhounds. We don't see them around here much.

Here's a list of Canadian greyhound adoption groups.

http://206.67.60.188/directory/list....okup.StateName


You could also try Washington state.
http://206.67.60.188/directory/list.cfm?usState=wa

[badger]

I've pretty much decided on this girl http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/dis...petid=13479236

The only problem is that my boyfriend (who currently lives in England but will be coming here next year) doesn't think I should get another dog. Not while I live in a condo and work the hours I do. Which basically means I shouldn't have a dog for a VERY long time. We have plans of moving out of the city, but that will be at the very least 2-3 years, and that's being optimistic.

He said I can do whatever I want, but it's hard when I know he's expressed his opinions and think I shouldn't. And while I can do whatever I want, he will be a part of my household that will contain the dog.

He's said I can foster. And here's the clincher: I have an opportunity to foster 2 dogs (from separate organizations).

I'm kind of torn. While I do like the idea of fostering, I don't like the fact I'll be passing up a perfect dog for me. And this IS a 12+ year commitment, whereas a foster will be limited.

[MartianDestiny]

What are his objections to your owning a dog now that are alleviated with a foster animal?

It sounds from your post that he's concerned about the condo (I'm assuming size and lack of yard) and your work schedule.

A foster animal is NOT the solution to these issues. Most of them have issues of varying degree and need far more attention than a dog you own that is comfortable in your house, etc. It's a rewarding, but sometimes heartwrenching, experience; however, if you don't have the time, space, or commitment to a full time pet chances are you don't have the time, space, or commitment for a foster animal even if it is supposed to be shorter term. They just need work.

Find the dog that is right for your living situation and enjoy him/her IMO.

Fostering is a great experience if you have the time and stability to do it, but you do need the time.

[PamNY]

What a lovely girl she is, and what a dramatic story! I love rescue stories. I've heard that the Basenji has a high activity level; combined with terrier, you should have your work cut out for you if you adopt this angel. I would definitely consider a mid-day dog walker or (even better) day care. I'd also touch base with people in the breed. You never know what a mixed-breed dog (or any dog, for that matter) will be like, but it's good to be prepared for the most challenging possibilities.

Good luck with your decision. Fostering lets you find out how dog ownership will work in your particular situation. As far as the bf, I'd want to know if he has specific, fact-based concerns, and I'd address those. Does he have concerns about this dog in particular, or dogs in general? So much of what people believe/hear about dogs is utter nonsense. Not saying this is true of your bf, but it does happen.

Pam

[smilingcat]

+1 with MartianDestiny

Having a foster animals can be very rewarding but it does take time, patience and lots of love. Older foster animals frequently have issues. Sometimes they are the sweetest thing. So its not that they all need lot more attention. It's just that some do and you don't know until you've had the foster for a day maybe even a week or two.

The other thing about foster is that if you really like the dog, you might just go ahead and adopt the dog. Many of the rescue group will allow you to adopt the animal you are fostering. I don't know of any group that will not allow you to adopt a foster animal you are taking care of.

[badger]

I've fostered dogs before. They're good and they're bad. I took Chevy home as a foster-to-adopt. Even though he had the best personality, he had a lot of medical issues that made it hard on me sometimes. He was a lot of work and he was at times a burden, and that's primarily what I think my boyfriend doesn't want me to go through again.

Fostering would be a temporary "fix" to my need/want for a dog. I know fostering's not "borrowing" a dog for the fun of it, they have issues and needs that may be beyond what I can offer.

One foster is a schnauzer with a broken leg. He'll find a home just like *that*, so I won't feel bad returning him after the fostering period. The other one is also from Taiwan, and again, I won't mind giving her up knowing she'll go to a good home.

this is partly why I want Larissa. I've done a great deal of research and have been in touch numerous times with the clinic who has her. They want the best match for the dog as well, and in over 100 dogs they've placed from Taiwan, not one has been returned or have been deemed a mis-match.

[andtckrtoo]

Larissa is adorable!! And her story is heart breaking! I'd love to see her go to someone who will love her as she deserves to be loved.

I second the idea of doggie day care a few days a week. My Aussie goes twice a week - Tuesdays and Thursdays - and he sleeps all day on Wed and Fri. He's simply exhausted. Plus most day cares offer overnight boarding as well - and it's nice to know that your pup will be playing all day when you're not there to be with her.

[GLC1968]

Wow, Larissa looks like an amazing dog!

And a third vote for doggie day care if you've got a good one near you. We had one when we lived in NC and our dogs just LOVED spending the day there. It was an amazing place...I think they liked it better than being home with us!