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I don't want to say anything that I will regret. But it was wrong for you to say "it is not a chat board" to me because you said to wonder Wondergirl "(Out of greenies but I'll bet you are/were great with kids. You have no idea how much I respect you. Honestly!)" so you used it as a chat board too. Please leave me alone now. Good bye.
P.S. I don't mean to be mean, so please don't think of me as a mean person.
Snowball, Judy has made some very good points about dog owning. She wants you and your family to be successful and give a dog a happy home where he or she is safe and healthy. Judy and I have known each other for a long time on this site -- thus her remarks to me. And yes, I'm a counselor -- plus a librarian and a teacher.Quote:
Originally Posted by snowball12
I just didn't appreciate her kind of being rude :(
Quote:
Originally Posted by snowball12
Don't attempt to dictate who will answer you and in what manner.
Good-bye? You are leaving? Mean? No, that isn't a word I was going to use to describe you.
Wondergirl - you're in charge! Call me in 6 months and let me know how things are going with the puppy.
She wasn't rude. She's scared for the puppy that might end up in a bad situation with people who haven't done their research and who don't know which end is up on how to care for him the best way.Quote:
Originally Posted by snowball12
We see way too many ignorant people here on this site who have destroyed their dogs (and other pets) out of ignorance and laziness.
Oh.. that's sad. I love dogs so much and I would never do that to my dag :) they are like little babies to me :)
I meant "dog"
But, snowball, you have shown over and over again how clueless you still are. Please continue to educate yourself and your parents, so you don't end up with a bad situation. Loving dogs is not enough. You have to know what you're doing and have money to be able to give good care to a dog.Quote:
Originally Posted by snowball12
OK.. do you want to educate me? You seem to know so much :)
What have I been doing for all these pages?Quote:
Originally Posted by snowball12
You said you checked out six dog books at the library. When you finish with them, check out more. Check out kids' books on dog care. You might want to buy a good book on general dog care, so you have one at home to consult.
The main thing is that you read up on dog characteristics and dog care. Books, Internet sites, and talking with dog owners will help with that. Have you narrowed it down to the type of dog you want? Just because a dog is cute isn't good enough.
What will the dog do while you are in school and your parents are at work?
My mom does not work and I am home schooled :)
How involved will your parents be with the dog?Quote:
Originally Posted by snowball12
Well.. I told them that I would take care of her but they would probably help me out a little.. plus they are paying for mostly everything!
The main thing is to do your research and reading now, so you are prepared when you get the puppy or dog. Do you know yet where you will go to find a dog?Quote:
Originally Posted by snowball12
I have to say, I haven't read all the posts on this thread. I have no time.
I'm going to post and hope that what I say hasn't already been covered.
Our shelter doesn't do home inspections. They rely on honesty. Be honest to yourself. What sort of dog can you handle? It's not about a breed/look preference. It's about the energy level, what you can do, what you're willing to do, and what the dog needs.
Any breed you're looking at needs to be researched by you. If you're getting a beagle you will need a fenced yard, know that you can never let the dog off leash, know that this is a working breed (it's ingrained in their DNA) and understand that this breed will be a lot of work. Don't judge a dog by its size, or it's looks. You need to judge any dog you get by it's disposition and energy/needs.
Questions most shelters will ask is what sort of home you have. Is someone home all day? What other pets do you have? How often will the dog be walked? Do you have an enclosed yard? Do you have experience with dogs? Etc. etc.
Be honest with yourself. Will you walk the dog every day for an hour or more? Do you have the funds on hand to cover any medical expenses? If you get a puppy do you have the money for the 3 sets of shots, neutering/spay, in the first year? Will this be a lifetime (dogs life) commitment?
Pick a breed that's suitable for your lifestyle. If you don't enjoy walking for 2 hours plus a day, don't get a breed that requires a lot of exercise. If you don't have a fenced yard then don't get a hound, or a breed that will leave your property, or dig. Research the breeds that fit your lifestyle. Don't settle for anything less. If you go just by looks, you're doing yourself and the dog a great disservice.
No, I don't... I think we will go to shelters and find the "best dog for us" but first we will ask questions, like, will it shed? How big will it get and all
Ask about behavior, personality, whatever history the shelter knows, any previous training, energy level, disposition.Quote:
Originally Posted by snowball12
OK! You are being MAJOR help for me!
Now, go and do more research and talk to your parents about what kind of dog you all can handle in your lives and at your house.
Report back now and then, and ask questions if you have any.
OK! So are we saying good bye for now?
I think we've covered everything for now. It's up to you to do your doggy homework. So, yes, we're finished today but will be here for future questions.Quote:
Originally Posted by snowball12
OK! Talk to you soon! And thanks!
Snowball, I got my first dog when I was 12 years old, somewhere along the line I made a huge fatal mistake. My "baby" was a 95 pound black lab, she ran 8-9 miles a day, ate 5 cups of food a day, and listened to every command I taught her. I assumed I had a great dog on my hands. One day I was outside playing with her (which I did everyday, every minute I was home) and she jumped the fence and killed a dog that a lady was walking by. Guess what? My dog was killed for MY actions, I had to hold her and tell her she was a good girl as her heart stopped beating, and her lungs stopped working, I cried for weeks, why? Because, in the end it was me who had failed her, I was the one who made the fatal mistakes in raising her, she was an amazing dog, with a strong need to please her owner, and I ruined her. Everyday I think "If i had given her to someone else and let someone else raise her she would be the most amazing dog" I had no idea how to raise a dog when I was your age (assuming your 10-11-12), no idea about alpha positions, nothing. I had no help from anyone. Shortly after she died I got a dog from my cousins farm, he's been a great dog, but since Tosha (my black lab), I learnt about the care a dog needs, if you go through my posts you will see the numerous problems I have with my dogs. Don't get me wrong I love them and wouldn't trade them for the world, but I admit I took on more than I should have, and am reminded everyday by the scars Hunter has left on my arm/face/neck/back/legs/hands. Please think twice about getting a dog at this stage in your life.
You probably won't listen to me, or anyone on here, but I thought I'd share my story, and help you learn that when this dog does something, it is YOU who has failed the dog.
I've added some pictures.
Attachment 36430
This here was my baby. Tosha.
Attachment 36431
This here was the dog she killed. Bubbles.
Attachment 36432
Here is where Tosha is now.
Emily - well said and heart wrenching. This will haunt me, and with your permission it's an experience I will tell to other people. Very moving.
I was put off by the "baby" language - these are not "babies." These are not fur covered children (as much as I would like to believe that). We are talking about animals - more specifically, dogs.
I see a reluctant family, probably tired of OP begging and nagging for a dog, ill prepared, not understanding the responsibilities, maybe ready and able to pay Vet expenses, maybe not. These are the dogs that don't get neutered/spayed, "get themselves pregnant" and then more puppies are without homes.
This thread haunted me all night. I am also well aware that OP is not going to listen to any of us and is going to blunder into owning a dog. It's one thing to know you don't know what you are talking about, to ask for info, to learn. It's another to admit you have no idea - and you have minimal interest in learning.
The good news is that the OP doesn't want her dog to get parvo. (Tongue firmly in cheek)
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