Topic: Dog Advice Needed: ADOPTED DOG w/PICS

[burmashave]

My attendance here has been pretty spotty as of late, mostly because I had to put my Lucy down about three months ago. I've been through it before, but this time it was devastating. (For those who don't already know, I suffer from severe depression. Lucy was the one thing in my life that was always wonderful and loving.)

Anyway, I'm finally ready to find another dog. I've visited all the shelters within a very wide radius. Unfortunately, I've found three wonderful dogs that I want to take home. I have only two preferences. I want to adopt a dog that is harder to adopt out. Didja know that black dogs have a much, much, much harder time being adopted?

Second, I'd like a medium to large size dog. Also, folks say I am a very good judge of dogs,  and I know that I can find a wonderful dog underneath a scruffy exterior.

So here are the three:

Magic: Magic is a 2/12 year old Black Lab mix that doesn't know how to behave when folks take him for a walk. He jumps around everywhere and then pulls like a maniac. On the other hand, I took him for a walk, starting out with a firm short leash, and he responded by calming down. He'd need a lot of obedience work and exercise, but I've done that before, and I can tell that he'd respond. I'm guessing that potential adopters would be put off by his behavior.


Hawkeye: Hawkeye is a 3 year old German Shepherd Dog/Golden Retriever mix. Of the males I walked at that shelter, he was the least "alpha." He didn't pull hard, and he was happy to follow my lead. Hawkeye has the coat of a German Shepherd; however, he has the heart of a Golden. I got him to sit, and as I gave him a petting, he just melted. That's very cool because I might like to train a therapy dog. Both Hawkeye and Magic are in the 60 lb. range. Hawkeye had just arrived at the shelter, and I wonder if his personality might make him more likely to find a home in short order.


Petey: I don't have a picture of Petey. He's an 8 year old mystery mix -- I'd say he's about 70 lbs. He's what I refer to as the American Black Dog breed (some folks will believe that's an actual breed). He was brought in abused, neglected and completely emaciated. He's almost completely filled out now. He is described as an "old gentleman," and that's what he is. He's gentle on a walk and isn't fazed at all by other dogs, etc. His tail is always wagging, and his previous life was so hard that he *loves* being at the shelter. I really would like to adopt Petey, but I worry about going through another painful loss in 3-5 years. On the other, other hand, I have a visceral feeling about betrayal, and I think there's a horrible, horrible betrayal in casting an old dog to spend potentially years in a shelter.

Sorry this is long, but I know there are dog folks here, and I'm absolutely agonizing over a decision.

[my78k]

Hawkeye won't last long...

My thought is to grab Petey and Magic if at all possible. I suspect Petey might help with Magic's behaviour and be a good example for him.

Do you have the means for 2 dogs right now (especially given that there might be vet bills approaching with an 8 yr old with unknown and likely neglected background)?

Dennis

[Duke McDukiedook]

I hate to quote Cesar but he is right about this- Get a dog that matches your energy level and personality.

[burmashave]

I can only adopt one dog now. Mebbe another later.

[CafeDawg]

I can appreciate your dilemma on many levels.  A dog (Otis) helped me get through a tough spot in my life so I know the positive affect they can have on your day to day existence.  I also understand the loss as I Otis died last year.  I now have two new dogs, just couldn't live without that "presence" in my house.  The choice is a difficult one, I've worked at shelters and it is tough not to bring many of them home.  You have to search and think carefully about what you are capable of handling emotionally, physically, economically.  If you can provide for two dogs I would second my78k's idea of taking the old gentlemen and the young upstart.  I would also agree that Hawkeye would be the first choice for most and therefore will go home soon.  If you can only take one dog I might suggest Magic.  One because of the difficulties others see in him, two because he is a project and gives you a lot to focus on other than your loss, and lastly as you say Petey is probably going to be with you the fewest years.  I lost two dogs back to back in a 2 1/2 year span, it doesn't get any easier as you seem to already know.  Not to walk both sides of the fence but also consider that Petey will probably be the easiest to acclimate to your day to day routines, no chewed furniture, no obedience training, just someone who'll be their as if he always was.  Lastly you've me the dogs, so which one did you have the best rapport with?  If it's Hawkeye (great name by the way loved M.A.S.H. ) then he could be the one.  Do what you can and be content in the knowledge that you gave at least one of them a great home.  You can always make a donation or sponsor one of the other dogs to help take care of them until they find a home.  Best advice is go with your gut.  Good luck and thanks for taking in a shelter dog, their are none better.

Respect
CD

[jamesb]

sorry to hear about your dog we have a lab mix he's about 115 pounds now very large.we just found out he has cancer in his front leg.he has been the most loyal dog we ever had very good with kids we got him from the pound my hats off to you for going to your local shelter and looking at pets. at least your giving a pet another chance in a good life.my choice would be with one of the first two.although the third needs to live out the rest of his life in a good place. i suck at picking out dogs at the shelter i want to give them all a good home.

[HondanutRider]

You really should go with two dogs if you have the capacity.  They can be great companionship for each other (as long as they are compatible) and its much easier on you when one goes.  Believe me I know!  We lost our 12 year lab/border last July and although it wasn't easy, it seemed a lot harder losing her husky companion exactly six months later.  Right now we are anxiously waiting for some summer commitments to clear so that we can adopt another (maybe two. ) and we are thinking of mixed breeds from adoption organizations. 

I like the descriptions of Magic and Petey.

[fmctm1sw]

Do you have kids?  Based on my research a while back, labs are supposed to be good family dogs as are German Shepards.  The GS can be protective (overprotective?).  It sounds like you care though, so I think any dog would be in good hands...

[Duanob]

Depends on how much energy level and time you have to put into training an unruly dog. I think hawkeye sounds like a winner. Petey if abused will be a handful and could expensive if he attacks other dogs or bites the mailman. magic would be the second choice but if he obeys you then he might be a good fit if you have time to walk, run, or ride with him to keep his energy level from building up to exploding levels. My neighbor has a rescue dog that although he says is mostly lab I think he's bordercollie by the energy level and obessive/compulsive disorder this dog suffers from. @ 5 years old he is still way out of control. It's worse when the dog sits home all day until the owner gets home to play fetch with him.

[scrapvalue]

I would go with this dumbass, looks a lot like mine.

[scrapvalue]

Here she is looking a little more intellegent. ( I was holding an egg roll).

[scrapvalue]

But seriously, probably the best friend I have ever had.

[333]

Find a way to take two.  They will need each other.  And when one goes( I don't need to remind you that dogs don't live anywhere near long enough) you have the other one to share grief.

[burmashave]

Thanks so much for the input, folks. It helps. Adopting two dogs right now is prolly out of the question, but I'm going to think hard on it.

[Stev-o]

Petty is too old. Go with Majik..

[burmashave]

Thanks for all the input. I went to the shelter today fully intending to bring home Hawkeye the Golden/German Shepherd mix. I brought Bella, the other dog in my house. She's a 50 lb black Lab mix. Hawkeye and Bella kind of got along, but Hawkeye is much bigger, and he wanted to play rough. It wasn't going to work.

I asked to see Petey the senior dog again, and he and Bella hit it off immediately. Petey is just a gentle love of a dog, and so I decided to adopt him. I must admit, I agonized over the decision and took into account what you and others said. Thanks for the input. I really appreciate it.

Petey was rescued from horrible, horrible abuse:

http://wnep.com/2012/04/03/dogs-removed-from-hop-bottom-camper/

He was first taken to a shelter in PA; however, there was a chance he might be put down, so True Friends Shelter in Montrose PA brought him there. When he arrived, he was literally skin and bones. He's been putting on weight and is nearly normal now.

Petey has scars from fighting over food with the dogs in the camper. He isn't the most aggressive, so he didn't get as much food as some other dogs trapped with him. Given how sweet and gentle he is, he's a testament to amazing resiliency. He now has a forever home where he'll be loved, and I have a new friend. His tail is always wagging. :-)

[BobbyR]

You did good on a lot of levels. I put my dog down in July, it was the second time I had to do that is 32 years. My son's girlfriend wanted to get him a dog. I said all I will have in my House is rescue Dogs. I do not support puppy mills.

We just got a Jack Russell mix puppy out of a kill shelter in Kentucky.

[Stev-o]

Looks like you made the right choice. 

[CafeDawg]

burma that's awesome congrats on the new addition.  Great that you gave him a second chance and important for Bella to get along with the new dog.  Great to see him in his new home.  Somebody smart once said "it's not the years in your life but the life in your years"  he'll give you everything he's got for the years that he's with you.  Happy for you, Bella and Petey. 

Respect
CD

[boatsdickson]

Congrats on your new son. Hes such a handsome old man.

[Terry in Australia]

Well done mate, I'd decided on Petey and was a tad disappointed that you were leaning towards the other dog, but was pleasantly surprised that you chose the old guy, it doesn't matter if he only lives a few more years, it's how he spends those years that counts, and he deserves a break. You gave him one, and I'm proud of you. Cheers, Terry.

[HondanutRider]

So you already had another dog, Bella.  The pair you have now look beautiful and by your description should make a wonderful pair and companionship - for you and for them.  Congratulations and well done.  Proud to know ya.

[BobbyR]

Well done mate, I'd decided on Petey and was a tad disappointed that you were leaning towards the other dog, but was pleasantly surprised that you chose the old guy, it doesn't matter if he only lives a few more years, it's how he spends those years that counts, and he deserves a break. You gave him one, and I'm proud of you. Cheers, Terry.

Well put.

[burmashave]

Thanks for the kind words. Petey's getting settled in just fine, with the few hiccups that you might expect from a dog that never really had a normal home life. He's getting over some initial shyness, too. Can you believe that I walked him about 1/2 mile this morning and he never peed? :-O But as I said, he's settling in. He and Bella were out running around in the yard a little while ago.

[Stev-o]

Poop?  (oh sorry, this isn't the SSDB?)