I am getting a doggie, I am getting a doggie

[commander bunnypants]

Well after I build my fence. It is all in the works. Going for a Golden Retriever pup. It will also be a rescue animal. I am psyched.

DDQM

[Lady Freedom]

1. COOL!

:)

[underpants]

2. Cool why don't you give the name of the newest DU'er

CaptainScum

[Lady Freedom]

3. NO!

Try someting cute, like Hero!

[commander bunnypants]

4. My puppy gets to pick his own name.

He/She will let me know

DDQM

[Runesong]

5. Don't do it !!!!!

I have a basset hound. It's horrible. You can't go anywhere, you can't do anything. You have to roll out of bed and take them out a 3am just so they can bury their squeaky-toy in your flowerbed. You can't go to parks, camping or the beach anymore unless you board them in a kennel. Then they will be mad at you and crap in your livingroom every day for 3 weeks just to get back at you!

Dogs are a major pain in the ass. Don't do it.

[underpants]

6. Welcome to DU

Wow in fifteen minutes you have come out against puppies AND volunteering in your community.

I'm not trying to "pick a fight" but the combination is at least bold if not brazen.

Seriously Welcome to DU :hi: your opinions are of course welcome and definitely eye-opening.

[THUNDER HANDS]

7. basset hounds are a pain in the ass

those things have tails like aligators. My aunt's almost knocked me over once with it.

Those are weird looking dogs anyway. They're like a car whose tires have been stolen. Really large body...iiiity biiity legs.

:)

[Gato Moteado]

12. huh?

i have a rat terrier mix and my experience is exactly the opposite. she's smart, clean, and her schedule is totally flexible. she never craps or pees in the house.

the problems regarding traveling, etc are going to be there no matter what breed you have. i agree that having a responsibility like a dog can complicate matters if you need to travel, but everything else you've said is totally the opposite of my experience. maybe basset hounds are like that, but not all dogs are a major pain.

[Shrek]

16. Crap in your living room???

What is the dog doing indoors, if I may ask?

[catpower2000]

19. Wha?

Why don't you give your poor dog to someone who will love him, instead of keeping him and hating him?

I'm sorry, but you sound like a heartless person.

Cat

[Rainbowreflect]

8. Golden Retrievers are the best.

I have a 2 year old Golden named Cody. I have had 2 other Goldens in my life and they have all been so sweet, loving, and fun. You will need to give them room to run and lots & lots of love, but you will get it back x 1,000,000,000. There is nothing better than coming home after a hard day at work and seeing those smiling faces and wagging tails waiting for me.

[primavera]

18. Goldens are great!

But there are a lot of genetic pitfalls thanks to overbreeding of this popular breed: dysplasia, atopy, aoeric stenosis, cataracts, you name it, the poor Goldens get the lot.

Rescue dogs are also often a bit of a gamble. Depending upon their background, they can often have fairly serious personality problems which can take years of tender love and care to heal. It's a great thing to do and I'm a firm believer that one is rewarded a hundredfold for the effort, but one should go into it with eyes open to the possibility at least of having to be a bit of a rehab therapist for your dog, lest you get frustrated and give the dog up for adoption, thus adding yet another destabilizing event to the dog's life.

[ProfessorGAC]

9. Good For You!

I love my doggie to pieces. Have fun!
The Professor

[papau]

10. I have had two rescue Goldens - and miss them very much

They were family - so smart - with amazing personalities.

Super prozac on 4 legs! And unlike prozac, you not only do not feel bad - you feel really good around them.

But they have issues if they feel ignored - not a dog you can leave outside for a week with feed - and play with or hunt with on the weekend.

You are getting a new member of the family - just remember you are top dog (they will check your status daily)!

[ontheMark]

11. I did the same 3 months ago

I got an older dog that had a slight case of heartworm, cateracts and was underfed. The HS wouldn't take her, unadoptable with health problems. She was brought to me by the gal that was suppose to put her down 4 days before.
Best dog anyone could ever ask for. The neighbors were standing around yesterday with their rowdy purbreds, when "Babe" came out to meet em. I told her to sit and stay, she did, while their dogs had to be held onto. I'm so proud of her. They asked the normal questions. How old is she? Not sure. What kind of dog is she? I think she's a Golden Nonretriever, she won't chase anything you throw, let alone bring it back. My cat that hates other animals even smooshes with her, after a week of hiding under the bed. A girl from the pound saw her again for the first time after being adopted and said she couldn't beleive it was the same dog.
Hope you'll be as happy as I am.

[Gato Moteado]

13. i'm glad to hear you're getting a rescue dog...

my pup came from the animal shelter in austin and she's the coolest and most affectionate dog i've ever seen. she's unbelievably smart too.

[short bus president]

14. nice!

:thumbsup:

Doggies are the best people.

[commander bunnypants]

15. I also believed pets were family members.

Sebastian Cattbutt sleeps with me. Paws off my dinner plate. I am constanly eating his fur. He is a Maine Coon. I dont believe in staking a dog outside. That is why I am waiting to get the fence first. I dont mind claning up puke or fur or changing the litter box. They are my family memebers.

DDQM

[nini]

21. I HAVE A MAINE COON TOO!

He's the biggest darn cat I've ever had - people that see him for the first time can't believe his size. Poor ol Fluffy is not liking this heat!

[underpants]

23. Me too

and it is CRAZY.

[geniph]

27. I have three Maine Coons

one of mine scared the Mormons off when they came to the door to proselytize! Seriously - he jumped up on the back of the couch by the front door to greet them, and they backed hurriedly off the porch. One said, "Is that a CAT?!" Yup, the friendliest cat in the world, but he looks like he could eat you for breakfast! :D

GOOOOOOD kitty!

[nini]

30. LOL...

I've had similar reactions from kids coming by selling stuff.

Haa.. they can't believe he's a cat once they get close enough to get a good look..

:-)

[Richardo]

17. Mazel tov! And if I may be so bold....get two if you can

...especially if they're puppies. They tend to keep each other occupied and that minimizes damage to furniture, shoes, homework, etc.

And as far as travel, there are many places nowadays that accept dogs, and many books are available in the travel section of your bookstore that identify these enlightened establishments.

Congrats!

[geniph]

28. I strongly believe that dogs should always be adopted in pairs

they're pack animals, they need a pack. If you're not home a lot, or if you don't have kids who'll be around them all the time, they need other critters to form a pack with. A solitary dog is a neurotic dog.

[nini]

20. I LOVE Golden Retrievers..

I am so jealous Demman.. I want one too but I don't have a yard.

do you live in So Cal? Can I borrow him? :-)

[commander bunnypants]

22. Used to line in San Diego in the late eighties

Ex-navy. Worked at Balboa Naval Hospital. Cush job. My Maine Coon weeighs about 15 lbs now. How bout yours?


DDQM

[nini]

24. He's about 14 pounds or so.

3 of that is probably hair. :-)

He's starting to get old, but still doing well. I'm glad I made him stay in the house after he got in a couple fights at my old house. He's not much of a fighter.. He's actually kind of dumb. ha

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

29. LOL Demman I'll bet I know some of the docs you knew.!

:D

[Booberdawg]

25. Good for you!

I rescued my "Boober" from the shelter 10 years ago. He's still as affectionate and loving as the day I got him and I've never regretted it.

Yeah, dogs are a pain in the butt. But so are kids. The rewards outweigh the inconvenience.

Good luck!:D

[commander bunnypants]

26. kick

I plan to crate train .

Thoughts?


DDQM

[retread]

31. As the "owner" of two rescues, I've found they take time and

patience but the rewards are well worth the effort.

[flama]

32. My best friend is on the floor

He's the German Shepherd I inherited eleven years ago. His owner was going to enlist in the Army and asked if I would watch his dog while he was gone. He died before he made it to the recruiter's office and I ended up with Bruce Springsteen.

My mother sort of inherited a Golden Retriever when her sister-in-law moved to California. Alabama Queen was too old to make the trip from Chicago. She was definitely too old for the trip to Florida when my parents moved three years later. Queenie was so good with rbnyc when she was a baby and a toddler! They shared ice cream and bananas and walked around the house together as if they had an invisible leash.

Dogs are pack animals and do have a pecking order. Bruce is the Alpha male in the house. I'm the Alpha female. My poor SO is the Beta male and can't eat in peace unless I eat with him. Heehee! He doesn't need to snack any more than Bruce or I do.

Ma

P.S. Used to have a Maine Coon, too! He weighed 32 pounds in his prime. The cat named himself. He was Col. John Hamish Watson II, M.D. of the Ninth Northumberland Fusiliers. (That's a warning to anyone who wants to let their pet name himself. ;-)) Watson could talk. (Most of the words ended in "ew" or "o.") Does your Maine Coon talk? Watson died in my arms at 15. He was almost skin and bone (his hair had been shaved so the vet could get through it) and still weighed 11 pounds. Sure miss my talking cat!

[proud patriot]

33. We have a goldie too ... Great Dog

Congrats ..and hurry up with the fence ;-)

[thebeaglehaslanded]

34. I rescued a beagle, and he was seriously abused before I got him.

Took several years of just plain ole love and attention, and now he's terrific. All hounds--including bassets--can be great pets, but you've got to be the alpha dog, stern but not frantic. And crate training is wonderful for both of you. Both of my dogs sleep in their crates at night (though the couch is the day bed of preference). Good luck with the new pup. It can be one of the best decisions you'll ever make.