would love to hear how you all got your doggies...

babydolwv

I thought this would be an interesting topic as i love hearing stuff like this. . plus i wanted to tell the story of how we got our saddie......

ok so here goes....

we had been looking for a dog for a while... been looking in the paper (bad choice i know, learned that lesson already) and checking the shelter daily for any new additions that would suit our household..... i could prob go in the shelter and grab any pup and be happy with it... just cause they all look so cute and cuddely... but we wanted a pup and not one that already had its own habbits that we needed to correct... preferred to just start teaching from the begining. so we wanted to get a pup.... so anyway.....weve had a few dogs before, but under unforunate surcomstances we had to find new homes for a few of them..... so this time i was determine to do it right... and find a dog that suited us... so we had a few ideas on what we wanted to get, but it seemed we couldnt find anyone of them... tried looking for rescues but none were close enough that they would let us adopt them... so finally one day i went back to petfiner and was looking found a cute wire haired terrier... and told hubby about it altho we really didnt want a terrier as they have ALOT of energy to burn off. i told hubby its not like we dont have a nice backyard to let her run and play in and a nice neighborhood where i can walk her.... so we went to check it out... they actually had 2 on the site.. but it said 1 was not up for adoption yet...so when we got there to check the dog out it was very scared of us... and normally that wouldnt matter but i had to think of my kids and the first thing that came to mind was fear bitting and we didnt want that....so i talked hubby into looking around altho we already knew what they had as i had been to petfinder everyday for the last few months... ha ha... so anyway... we walked around the corner and there stood 2 black pups 1 looked like a wire haired terrier and the other looked like a lab... the terrier was abit of a whinny little thing and the lab was a bit playful.... so we went looking for someone to talk to about the pups for more info... he said all they knew was they were deff part terrier and from the look of the 1 dog prob part lab... so we got the 1 out that looked like a lab...they were both so cute... hubby then looked at me... cause he saw the look on my face everytime the 1 would whine... and he said ok get the little crazy haired thing out of there and lets get it home... and to this day the only thing i regrett about that day was not bringing her sister with us... had to leave the poor thing in that cage all alone...but things have turned out wonderful...she is a bit stubborn and she does have alot of energy, but so do the kids and the cat so that works out good for them all... ha ha... but 9pm i have to worn out children... and by about 930 or 10 i have 1 exhuasted pup... atho the children wish she didnt use them for a chew toy sometimes... they love her just as much as me and hubby do.... she is pregressing daily and learning soooo much... i am soo proud of her and myself as well for sticking to her training....

well thats my story... long yes i know, but i just thought hey what a good post to hear how every one found there doggies!

Sawyer

Holy cow! Is this your short version?

After resisting many irresistable faces I found my pup - had that feeling. We went to the shelter to meet him, I placed my children on the floor. When the pup came in he immediately sat next to my children to check them out and allow them to check him out. All the dogs we saw before were checking me out or sniffing around the room. But he wanted the kids. He was calm and inviting. It was as if he'd known them forever. That's all it took. I called my husband and said "I think I found our dog." He said, "you think, or you know, I'm not leaving work because you think." I said, "I know."

The rest is, as they say, history. He's my children's dog for sure...or should I say my children are "his."

Wimble Woof

While ignorantly blinded to the horrors of BYBing I set out in search of a puppy.... Found Meiko... He was cute, the full basis on my purchase of a Border Collie ( Man did I learn a valuable lesson!) After completely messing him up ( and trust me I did) we began working towards "fixing" some behavior problems cause by ME being an innexperienced Border Collie owner.
Kita, was a pup from a freinds litter, Love Rotties and Boxers so thats her story (I didnt mess her up)
Puppy, an elderly man who I met on the job site ( road construction) was telling us a bit about him and his dog was barking, so i asked him bout the dog, turns out, he (elderly man) feared passing on and Puppy not having a wonderful home, so I went to check the "beast" out and fell in love. Puppy and I still visit his former owner on a regular basis
Bailey, was a foster... he was with his buddy Charlie ( who had been adopted fairly quick) Bailey stole our hearts and refuses to give them back... he is now a permanent member of our family!

babydolwv

lol nope that was the long version.... ha ha! I was gonna do a short version and then thought nah i will just tell it all... lol

Snowshoe

awww! I love hearing rescue stories!!!

Here's how I got my pup:

My grandma got her first keeshond from a petstore. Then, when I was in fifth grade, she bred him *yes, she was a byb, LOL!* and I got pick of the litter. "Cuddles" was only 7 weeks when we took him home.

When she passed, *to make a long story short* neither my dad or mom wanted either of the dogs, so both were given away in a newspaper ad "2 AKC dogs for free."

When I finally got old enough to get a dog *out of college w/ my first bachelor's degree and living with my bf* I knew I had to have one again.

After reasearching online, I realized that my grandma didn't go about things in the "right" way, and I didn't want to go the route that she had. Plus, I was interested in showing, so I called everyone in a three state radius who was a member of the keeshond club of america and finally found a breeder of keeshonden that I really liked, and who, ironically, lived in the state that I did.

I told her what I wanted, she told me when a litter was due and said that she was interested in mentoring me and that she would give me a very nice puppy.

The pups were FINALLY born this past March, and she picked out Orchid for me and my bf to take home.

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Curbside Prophet

It all happened very quickly from what I can remember. It had been at least 7 years since I had a dog, and I was finally at a point in my life where I felt as though I needed a non human buddy. I bought a few books on schnauzers, and chatted with a few schnauzer owners online. I had always admired bearded dogs...don't know why, I just thought it made them look sophisticated and smart. Being an active person, living in a small home, I thought the mini schnauzer was right for me. I didn't once consider buying from a breeder...I felt like I didn't know enough about breeding, and somehow I would end up getting duped. I didn't want a puppy either, so I thought a purebred rescue was my ideal choice for an adult schnauzer. I called my local mini schnauzer rescue only to find out none were available for adoption...bummer, I would have to wait. In the mean time, the rescue gave me a few names of breeders they considered to be reputable. I did manage to add my name to a waiting list from one breeder, but a week later the lady at the rescue called me and said, "I have your new pup." I was like what? I just placed my name on a waiting list...I know a little about the birds and the bees, and I knew it couldn't happen that fast...(I'm talking about the whole process here, not the actual...um, well you know, being fast...that's a whole other story...maybe I should quit while I'm ahead.) Anyway, as it turns out, another lady at the rescue drove all the way down to Missouri to rescue Elsa and a couple of her siblings from a puppymill, and brought them home. I never saw her siblings, but from what I was told, they weren't as well off as Elsa. Why I was fortunate enough to have her, I still don't know, but I thank my lucky stars everyday that I do.

Maril

I'm not sure anyone really wants to hear this, but here goes...
Caeser is my 9 year old Red Dobie, bought from a BYB when I went to "protect" a friend buying a puppy. (I, the experienced ex-breeder, shower of Champion Danes, showed an Irish Wolfhound, English Bulldog, bred, showed and raced Jack Russell & Patterdale Terriers). Fell in love with and brought him home at 4 weeks. He is my constant companion, velcro dog. 120lbs. of gentle, loving friend. Nutmeg, 9, BIG Boxer given to me as a pup by my equine vet when she was abandoned at his clinic after her brother died of Parvo and they skipped on the bill. Puddin', Yorkie, a fine example of the puppy mill trade, long, undershot, rotten teeth, bad coat, on seizure meds, had to be neutered and treated for heartworm and have half his teeth pulled. Elderly and starving when he wondered into a friends farm five years ago. Patch, 5, AmBull, found at 6-7 months old wondering beside the road, so emaciated when he wagged his tail at me his back legs would give way, scarred, full of fleas and ticks, staph infection, passed bloody stool with kethup packets and styrofoam for a week. Now 110 lbs of quivering love. Dixie Belle, 4, Bloodhound, adopted at 5 months from a shelter by a person who kept her for one night and brought her to me because she was too loud. She knew what a sucker I am, and she wouldn't be disturbing neighbors on a 200 acre horse farm. Her beautiful belling voice is a joy to hear, unless she's close to your ear when she decides to let go. She can really rattle the windows in the house. Abbey, lovely little Boxer girl I saw online at PetFinders when I was looking for a dog for a friend. At a kill shelter, they wrote 'hyper, not suitable for children.' After seeing her still there after 3 weeks, I took two of my dogs and went to meet her (a two hour trip), and of course, adopted her. When I picked her up, she was still knocked out from her spay, green globs coming out of her nose, emaciated, and didn't wake up till 9 that night. Took her to my vet first thing the next morning, grade 4 heart murmer, radiographs revealed CardioMyopathy so bad her heart was resting on her sternum, she weighed 39 lbs. Vet said she couldn't imagine how she lived through the spay. She was 3, vet gave her a year or two to live if she made it. This Valentine's Day she'll start her fourth year with us. Loving, wonderful happy dog who is the best kid's dog you could ever find. She maintains at a sleek 51-53 lbs. Shiloh, picked up and brought to me from the traffic island down the highway, skinny Beagle, so terrified that she would go catatonic when picked up and scream horribly if you just moved toward her, hid in closets, and only wanted to eat garbage, didn't know what dog food was, has a bulging eye, vet said probably from being kicked in the head. She is now a happy loving girl, just a little shy around strangers. Age, unknown, maybe 5-7? Been with me 4 years. Bear, at least 14, adopted by kids, passed to a friend, passed to me 12 years ago, Border Collie/Chow, claustrophobic, but happy living in the barn with the horses. Phantom, drifted in from the woods as a young adult, would sleep in the round bales in the paddocks, then disappear (hince, her name), took about a month before she would let me touch her. Also had to be treated for heartworms. She's my other "barn dog." Looks to be a BC/Australian Shepherd mix. Cleopatra, blue Doberman, 4-6? found in a cow pasture on the way to the feed store. The farmer was feeding her, she was drinking out of a puddle (March, cold, rainy) said he hated to shoot her, but no one could get near her. Took me 9 days and Caeser to finally get her in the car and back to the farm. The most abused and neurotic dog I've ever dealt with. She went insane at the vet's when the male vet tech tried to take a fecal. If you touched her behind the shoulders she would scream and jump away, at the sight of a leash she would run in terror, and if you leaned over her she would fall down and cower and wet and defecate. When a vehicle started or moved she would whirl in tiny circles and bark like a lunatic. She's the only dog I almost gave up on. She was bleeding from the rectum and vulva, and terrified of men... You put it together. Almost 2 years later, she is the sweetest most loving girl, can't stay close enough or be petted anough. She has even learned to be socialized with my pack (that was a tough one) and lives happily with the others, cleaning each others ears, and even playing tentatively. She is friendly with all size and gender of humans now, but will still yelp and jump away if someone she doesn't know well leans over her and touches her body. The latest, a young Jack Russell I named Parson, I found last summer on a blistering day trotting down a country road, about to pass out from the heat, thirsty and hungry. No response to ads and signs, so he stayed. A Norwich Terrier with a breathing problem the show breeder wanted to disappear without a trace, Clara is a little love, except for bossing Caeser around. She's technically my husband's dog. Ha. And the incredibly sweet elder Brittany Spaniel, we buried 3 days ago with the other 8 sweet souls buried on the farm. I found her beside the road, no tags, unclaimed, skinny, heartworms, nails so long they curled in a circle. We were blessed to have this lovely girl for almost two years. She was almost totally blind and partially deaf. My vet said she had to be 15 or 16. We called her Brit, and a kinder, better behaved, sweeter dog you could not find. We love all our dogs passionately. They are all spayed or neutered, on heartworm preventative and Advantic every month, and get their yearly physicals and shots. Which is why my Jeep is old and my truck ancient, and we're so rich in love. How can people throw these lovely souls away???? It's why 20 years ago I vowed to never breed another dog, and urge everyone constantly to spay, neuter, adopt! Well, if you made is this far, you must be really patient and a real dog lover. Dogs are family, and forever. God bless you if you believe that to be true, and I hope there's a special place in Hell for people who abuse any animal. Gee, that sounds fanatic enough, I guess. P.S. (In case you weren't counting, that's an even dozen; 10 house dogs, 2 barn dogs.)

Tess&Coco

Wow! Respect. Lucky dogs to have found you, in spite of their various horrible experiences.

Tessy was from Cardiff Council pound, had been found straying, starving and with torn pads. She'd clearly been with a family (probably with young children as she always gravitated to them) and had been dumped or ran away and they didn't bother to try to get her back. She will have been with us 7 years in Feb.
Coco was advertised in the vets as the result of a "mistake" breeding - pedigree mother (choc lab) and other family pet (german shorthaired pointer). Happily the "breeder" was prepared to keep the pups until they were weaned so we brought her home at 8 weeks. She's a darling, responsive and bright, full of energy, and loves her "big sister".

Tamara

We always had dogs (and other animals) when I was growing up. After I finished my MSc my husband and I decided we could finally have one. He had never had a dog (poor guy) in fact the only pet he ever had was a gineau pig.
We decided we would get a rescue dog and went to Battersea Dogs' Home. Yes I am a wimp - I cannot go into the cages area - I immediately start crying. Husband went in with instructions to shortlist 3 he liked and bring them into the Greeting Room where we can meet our potential pet. Five minutes he appeared with a 9 week old Basset and said "I want her". Our Lula was left in a box on the step of the shelter when she was around 4 weeks old. I too instantly fell in love.
We decided for our second, Isabel to find a reputable breeder. After going to shows and visiting a handful of breeders we decided which one and put ourselves forward for a pet Basset (not interested in showing yet) and thankfully we were allowed to have Isabel. One of the greatest things is that we have become very good friends with her breeder and hopefully will be able to get another when our house and garden grow bigger.

jcarm24

My fiancé and I wanted a puppy but we were certain that she was allergic. so we bought all the things we could to reduce the dander in the house (hepa filters, new vacuum, brushes, covers, etc). since we weren't sure if she was allergic or not, we didn't want to get a dog and have to give it away. so we decided to foster a pup from our local SPCA. we figured we'd be helping out the SPCA, and if it didn't work out, it wasn’t like we were giving anything away.

we went to the spca and picked out the only puppy who wasn't barking. she was a collie / chow-chow mix. interesting thing - she barely sheds. she's great with my fiancé’s allergies.

so after a week of fostering her, we couldn't give her up. we've had her since October and it's been terrific.

since then, we've decided to continue fostering to help out the spca. we have another dog now (beagle / shar-pei mix). she needs a lot of work to build her confidence, but we're sure we can find her a nice new home.

mom to lil buddy

Koko, min schnauzer mix, was left with me on a temporary basis only by my daughter when they moved. She roamed our farm, and had no inside manners. Before they could come back and get her, she was attacked by a coyote. A huge vet bill later, I was informed "this dog can no longer be an outside dog, her abdominal mm is tissue paper thin and could rupture with the least strain".

I almost lost her on Walmart's parking lot at 6 am, trying to get her in a crate I just bought. She was running and I screamed like a banshee, It was the only time she every cowered, but it was enough for me to catch her. I had her for 11 years, 5 of those she had diabetes. She traveled over 26,000 miles with us, and was my shadow and my friend. I will always miss her.

Max, was given to me by a woman who moved to an apartment where they didn't allow dogs. He is my buddy, the most laid back, relaxed outdoor lovin dog. Even the ice and sleet didn't deter him. I can't imagine anyone giving him away.

Koko I just got, she was a breeder for 6 yrs, and then for 9 months lived in less than desirable circumstances. She comes with lots of issues but she is overcoming them, one by one. She too will be my shadow.

Virginia

peabody71

Our little Sunny dog was actually dropped off by my cousin for us to watch "temporarily". Well, we fell in love with her and my cousin never came back to get her. She's what we call a rotweiler-dachshund, she's deffinetely the runt but may not be exactly those breeds. Anyway, we boxed her up and presented her to the kids for Christmas and told them we could keep her. SHe's been a fantastic addition to our family.

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