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aaronandlizzz · Jun 29, 2008, 07:55 PM

I'm 19 and me and my wife want a dog. How do we go about getting our first puppy?
We want a staffordshire bull terrior. Can you help us? We live in Texas, right now I'm
In the USMC and in Japan. Is this a problem or will the puppy be OK with a lot of moving?

charlotte234s · Jun 29, 2008, 08:35 PM

The puppy should be fine with moving if it's loved and gets plenty of space or plenty of walks. You should visit your local shelter or humane society first, and try to adopt a dog or a puppy, as there are so many that need homes.

ChihuahuaMomma · Jun 29, 2008, 08:37 PM

A lot of times there are second chance shelters. Check those as well as checking other shelters. We have one here. It's where the dog was rescued from being euthanized from another shelter.

charlotte234s · Jun 29, 2008, 08:39 PM

If I had space for another cat or dog, I would go to my local HS shelter and get this one cat that's been there for 4 years since birth, I wish he could get a good home, but no one wants to adopt him because he's not a kitten. If he doesn't get adopted soon I'm just going to go adopt him anyway. I have too many pets but what's one more if I care for them properly and love them?

ChihuahuaMomma · Jun 29, 2008, 08:42 PM

LOL, I agree... I only have one dog, and I didn't get her from a shelter, I got her from a breeder. I love her just the same though. I have adopted from shelters before, and have volunteered over 2,000 hours between the shelter in my hometown and the second chance shelter here. I only have energy for the one dog.

charlotte234s · Jun 29, 2008, 08:44 PM

Good for you! I am a humane society member and an ASPCA member and all my pets were abandoned at one point before I found them and gave them forever homes. It's so sad all the animals that are thrown out and not cared for like society's garbage. They have feelings and needs too, even though they are not as intelligent or complex as people.

ChihuahuaMomma · Jun 29, 2008, 08:45 PM

I know, it's heartbreaking.

froggy7 · Jun 29, 2008, 09:28 PM

Are you planning on being in the military as a career? If you aren't, I would hold off on getting the puppy until you get out. A lot of places won't rent to people with dogs, and even fewer will allow a staffie (aka... pit bull) in their apartment. So that's going to make life harder on your wife if she is moving to join you. And taking pets overseas can involve long quarantine periods, which would not be at all fair to a puppy. The UK, for example, would require you to quarantine the dog for 6 months before you could have him in the country with you. And are you planning on having kids in the near future? Dogs and babies both take a lot of time, so consider that before you have them at the same time. And do you have the money to cover the staffie on your homeowner's insurance, and to carry the breed-specific insurance you may have to in order to meet some cities' legal requirements? Just some things to think about before you make a decision.

dog31743 · Jun 29, 2008, 09:35 PM

Froggys Answer Is Dead On! When And If The Time Is Right There Are Also Specific Breed Rescuers In Most States. Find Them Through The Aspca Or On The Internet. Good Luck, Just Don't Be In A Hurry.

starbuck8 · Jun 30, 2008, 04:29 AM

I would like to add, if you have not already considered this factor. Please make sure to get your pup altered. They have a much better temperament if they are, (especially with a Pit Bull) and you are not adding to the over-population problem.

Just remember, Pits can make wonderful, loving pets... but you really have to do your homework, and spend A lot of time in training and socialization! Just be sure you have got that time to spend with your pup, so he/she doesn't end up in a shelter because you haven't done the required amount of training and research necessary for that particular breed.

Good Luck!