Do you see why uninformed idiots should never be allowed to buy dogs? Can you imagine someone seeing a well-groomed, well-behaved Newfoundland and deciding to take one home, not realizing what they are in for? You would not believe how many of these gentle loving giants have to be rescued every year. Luckily, it is rare to find them in pet stores, usually you have to go to a breeder, which weeds out most of the potential bad owners. Breeders of Newfs sometime even have applications for prospective owners to fill out, asking about dog owning history, house size, family structure, lifestyle, travel habits, etc. If they don’t like your answers or don’t think you have the experience or lifestyle to suit a Newf, they won’t sell you one!
I just want to say that I think that this is a great idea. I wish that more dog breeders would do this. I know a family, they have four kids and two St. Bernards living in a two bedroom house with a tiny yard, that is paved. No grass. It is horrible. I feel so bad for those poor dogs. It is too bad too, cause the people are really nice. They have always like St. Bernards, and always had them, but I guess they just didn’t think about that when they moved into the new house. They got both of those dogs after they moved there (Well, technically, one of them is the daughter of the other. You should have seen that place when there were a bunch of SB puppies around. Ack!)
I’ve resisted the urge to buy a dog when walking past the pet shop at the mall with all the cute puppies in the window. The bunnies howeever, did me in. A year later, I have a miserable rabbit who would probably wish me dead if he could talk. Anyone want a bunny?
I whole-heartedly agree. Too many dog owners either have purchased the wrong dog or shouldn’t own a dog at all. If you aren’t going to provide the dog with exercise, love and understanding, and discipline the dog, then you shouldn’t be a dog owner. You need to be honest about your lifestyle and buy the dog that fits it. If you are going to sit on the sofa every night or are away a lot, a cat or goldfish could be the answer.
My dog is adorable. He is. He’s the cutest thing on four legs, I swear.
I get people coming up all the time asking where I got him, how much he cost, etc. I am not ashamed in the least to say I had to import him (not true) and that I paid $1500 for him (not true either), that I have to spend one and a half hours every day grooming him (not true) if I for some reason suspect said person (or persons) are just looking for a cute dog that seems harmless enough. Especially if they have 3 little kids who keep poking my dog and keep whining about wanting a puppy.
People need to realize that dogs are more than living toys. They’re real, and they need their pack to feel good. There is no such thing as a loner dog. Sure, some dogs want to be an only dog with their human(s), but they do not want to be all alone.
He wants a monkey for a pet? And admitting it might be an impulse buy? Holy crap.
It was just awful, as he was only about 6 years old. Now, giant breeds, especially Newfs, have a very short life expectancy, usually no more than 8 years max and probably more like 5-7. We knew this going in, though that knowledge didn’t make losing him any easier. It was leukemia, very rare, diagnosed on Thursday after a week or so of general lethargy, and he was gone by Saturday. (Special thanks to Tranquilis and his sister for their help with treatment options and information!)
There is a point to this- if we had gotten this dog from a pet store or puppy mill, we never would have known. We would be horrified that such a young dog could just drop dead like that.
Soda, I love what you said. Except that almost everything you said about your dog that wasn’t true, is the truth about my dog, except that grooming him should only take about 20 minutes per day!
Nothing like buying a living creature as a fad toy.
When my wife and I were still in school, we were living in a small apartment. One day a stray dog showed up. It was dirty, starving and looked terrible. It was a German Shepard/Chow mix. Looked like a German Shepard except for black gums and a curved tail. Anyway, I brought her in and bathed her and fed her.
She was the nicest dog. She seemed to have had some training, obeyed well and had no problems with living in our apartment. In fact, one day soon after we took her in the maintenance man came by when my wife was at home alone. Now, this guy was a druggy and a thief, and my wife felt something was wrong that day. He wanted to enter our apartment until this dog locked on to him. My wife said the dog huffed up and growled at him. She said the dog worked him back to his vehicle and forced him to leave. She would not calm down until I got home and called to her. My wife feels that it was fortunate this dog was there that day.
Now, what makes me hate people who throw away pets are that once we took this dog to the vet we discovered a lot of information. This dog was barely an adult, and the vet guessed she had been dropped off due to the fact she had just had puppies and they were wanted more than she was. In fact, since we fed her and she wasn’t starving her anymore, she start to produce milk again.
What my wife and I really hated was that this poor girl had heartworms. The doctor’s recommendation was to have her put down before her weak and diseased heart ruptured.
Even thinking back to this makes this grown man want to cry.
It should be said; that just like children, animals should not be brought into your life unless you are fully prepared to take full responsibility for them. And those that abuse the harmless and weak should be made into a harmless and weak person.
but oh, well, here is the story this rant reminds me of.
A while back, I was searching for a job. Since my only experience had been as a veterinary volunteer, I tried to apply for work at a pet shop. While waiting for the cashier to talk with me, there came this customer with a puppy in her arms to pay. The boyfriend(it seems) came quickly to her and handed her a book about caring that type of breed. The cover had a picture of the adult dog. It was one of those breeds whose skin folds and the dog looks as if it needed an ironing. Her response? "Is he going to become that?!?! She was about to buy a puppy without seeing how it looked as an adult! :eek: And worse, it seems the adult dog was not pretty enough for her! :eek: Maybe it was a good thing I never got the job, I can not deal with such people very well.