Misty Dawn, arrived in our lives May, 1980, died April, 1990.
Cassidy Briannon, arrived in our lives September, 1990, retired October 10, 1999.
Glory (no middle name decided upon yet), presently training with Mrs kaylasdad99, introduced October 13, 1999, will graduate October 31, 1999.
All three Golden Retrievers, all three mellow angelic puppies (I got to meet Glory last Sunday :)), and as you may have guessed, all three guide dogs.
We have a purebred Border Collie, name of ‘Lucy’. She’s just a wonderful dog, and adores our two year old daughter. They follow each other around the house, playing games that they each make up and which grownups and non-dogs can’t understand. She tolerates the typical toddler abuse with good grace. She’s maybe the best dog I ever had, and I’ve had a few. She’s never chewed anything she shouldn’t, never so much as growled in annoyance at anyone or anything, and in general is just a treasure.
Kids and the right dog are a great mix.
We have a 2-year-old beagle named Brando (hence my username). Beagle!?!? Yes, we knew what we were getting into. From stories I’ve heard, we got a “good one” or raised him right, or both. He’s quiet (he only barks or bays at play) and he doesn’t have the wanderlust like most hounds have. He has some disgusting habits we can’t break that I won’t go into, but it’s easy to forgive because he’s so cute and he’s our baby.
You can see a photo of him at http://users.burgoyne.com/porters
Scroll down and he’s the first image. He’s also on the “Puppy Kindergarten” page.
Brando
Ooooh, Brando is soooo cute!
I had a neighbor once who had a beagle named Jake. I called him “Jake the Snake” - the only time he’d bay was when I’d call him “Snaaaaaaaaaaaaakeeeeeeeeeeeey!”
I just wub doggies.
We have two Dachshunds, both miniature red smooths. We got both of them from Dachshund Rescue. Conan just celebrated his 12th birthday, came from a home where he was the spoiled rotten center of the universe (his former owner has called me from her nursing home to suggest that I make a spinach suffle for him, from scratch - didn’t happen, BTW) and is both totally neurotic and bursting with personality. Sadie is something between 10 and 13 and always has her own ideas. She seems to have been left on her own a lot, because, for a dachshund, she’s very independent. They are the most wonderful dogs in the world, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.
Frankie, Bull Mastiffs are excellent! I don’t have one, but if I didn’t live in the city, I would get one. My sister has one, his name is Magnus, and he is the best dog I’ve ever met - funny, dopey, loveable, loyal and obedient.
One weird thing about him is that he is totally in love with my feet. When I visit, he either wraps himself around them to sleep or places all of his toys on them.
I had a German Shepard/Collie mix (his name was Jek) and he was a great dog, too, but a little dumb. I also had a Beagle named Lou (ha ha!!) who got me through my teenage years. Aren’t most dogs better than most people?
We have two big dogs. Watson is a Border-Collie Black lab mix we got by accident. He is a wonderful, smart and loving dog.
I’m not much for pure breeds, but I have always wanted a St Bernard. I finally got one three years ago. Her name is Stella, and she is so loving and affectionate. She weighs 150 pounds, but thinks she’s a lap dog.
I think that having two dogs is much easier than one. We had Watson for 3 1/2 years before we got Stella and he really enjoys having her around. Plus, we let them outside and they tire themselves out when we don’t feel like taking them for a walk!
I don’t mean to be a downer here but I would like to say something to al the people here considering getting a giant breed dog: please keep in mind that giant breeds do not live (for the most part) nearly as long as smaller dogs. Mastiffs, Danes, and the like are old by the time they are about 6. If you get a giant breed, be prepared to lose them sooner.
“Love given when it is inconvenient is the greatest love of all. Kindnesses that are shared at a high cost to oneself are the most dear.”
Don’t know who said it, but I like it.
Michelle,
I knew this about St Bernards. But, they are such loving and calm dogs that I was willing to take the good with the bad. I will be devasted when she’s gone, but I will treasure the time we’ve had.
Michelle, you might know this but I just want to warn you: Don’t get too attached to an old person or a sick person because they can die soon!
My tone should be read as more sarcastic than bitchy.
Jeremy…
I can think of no more stirring symbol of man’s humanity to man than a fire engine - Kurt Vonnegut
Punkyova: What is the Dachsund Rescue? I have heard of Greyhound rescue, but never Dachsund. I love my Nathan and have been considering getting another to keep him company while I am at work and my kids are at school. Thanks in advance for any info you can share. I don’t know about larger breed dogs having a shorter life span, or if that is something to base what dog you adopt into your family. I know MY desision for not having one tho. Big dog=Big shit.
so you found a girl who thinks really deep thoughts. what’s so amazing about really deep thoughts? Tori Amos
Psycat90 - I think that every breed has a rescue organization. Basically they get dogs from shelters, vets, or people who can’t keep them anymore. A lot of times they work with the dogs to overcome behavioral and social problems before re-homing them. Dachshund Rescue has a website at http://www.drna.org/ that has information about who they are, what they do, etc. Sadly, there are always Dachshunds needing new homes available. There is also the Dachshund Underground Railroad, which helps to transport Dachshunds to their new homes, if the new owner cannot afford to go get them or have them shipped.
As you can probably tell from my Member Name, I’m a Weimaraner owner and fan. I currently have two, and I wouldn’t trade them for any other breed. I especially recommend them for those who suffer from allergies, like me. They may not be suitable for those with young children or city-dwellers, though, as they do tend to be a bit…ah, lively.
Two dogs, each of their own breed. Robin we got 1 day after we were married, when I said that I would not spend another night in our new apartment without a dog. She is now almost 6 years old. Poco we found 1.5 years ago in a parking lot – she was only 7 weeks old! I went all around the nearby neighborhood looking for her owner, but no luck. We called the SPCA to see if anyone was looking for her, searched for signs, did everything we could. I figured that once I took her to the vet for a check-up (a week later), she was ours.
She has changed Robin’s life 100% for the better. They play together and happily go down to the 100 sq ft. outdoor pen where we leave them every morning before work. At night, they cuddle together on our bed. I hope never to be without 2 dogs again.
I can’t imagine how they’ll react to the human mutt that will be entering our lives in 1 month.
Eissclam
Oops. Thats 1000 square foot pen (large), not 100 (tiny).
We’ve got an appointment to meet with the basenji breeder! She has to check us out before she’ll let us have a puppy. I’m so excited!
I was at the vet’s office yesterday evening (the cats were boarding there for the weekend) and there was a 9-week-old Great Dane puppy there for her shots. She was so little! and she was so cute!
My mom had Great Danes when I was growing up, and I’d forgotten how little they are at that age.
Never attribute to malice anything that can be attributed to stupidity.
– Unknown
I recently moved into a new apartment, and found that I can FINALLY have a pet 
Do I want one or just keep the stuffed boxer “Rocky” that stands guard on the couch? I think, for now, I’ll keep the one that is easy to maintain.