ACK!

I was waiting for my daughters to get out of dance class today and
overheard a woman asking another about her puppy. Second Woman
responded that they didn't have the dog any more because it had grown
much bigger than it was supposed to and was "mean to the kids." She
had bought it at a pet store, who had charged her 350 dollars for what
was labeled a chihuahua mix and was supposed to only get to be 8-10
pounds. Her daughter piped up to tell the other woman that they were
going to get two puppies for Christmas. The woman explained that they
wanted their next dog to have a playmate. I had to interrupt at that
point, as you might imagine. After explaining some things about pet
store puppies and raising two puppies at the same time, I offered to
help the woman find a good dog in rescue that was good with kids and
housetrained if she decided she wanted another dog and if that worked
out, to help her find a dog to add to the family a year or two down
the line.

Another woman piped in to say that she was very happy with the dog
that she got from a local rescue. She was especially happy that they
let you return the dog if it didn't work out. The first dog they got
was not good because "you know, the kids would pull on its feet as it
went up the stairs and stuff like that that kids do and the dog would
turn around and bite them!" (exact quote with shocked emphasis on the
dog biting when kids do things like pull them out from under their
feet as they are going up the stairs) But the next dog they got from
that rescue was "great with kids!" I wonder if she told the rescue
the whole story for the return. I wonder if the first woman will end
up with Christmas puppies because they are so cute. I wonder if I
should wear earplugs to the dance studio so I just don't hear these
kinds of conversations.

bethgsd...

I usually try to snip to appropriate parts, but I couldn't decide on
that for this. It is so reminding me of my visit to the vet yesterday.
As I'm waiting with Trip, annual checkup, I hear one of the other vets
telling some people what their "registered maltipoo" will most likely
look like. I thought I could detect a hint of sarcasm with the
"registered maltipoo" comment.
Then as I was waiting to pay, there was a young woman with a brindle
pit bull puppy. The woman sitting near her, holding a spitzy looking
thing asked what kind of puppy. No lie: " I bet your neighbors aren't
happy." "My neighbors like all of my pits." "Well, I'm glad I don't
live in your neighborhood." "I'm glad you don't either."
I had to go over and ask if I could pet the viscious killer puppy.
Young woman looked a bit surprised until I told her that I have
shepherds and go through the same thing.
Paula, you wear earplugs at the dance studio and I'll wear 'em at the

Lynne...

Several years ago, my neighbors got a Jack Russel Terrier puppy. One
night, the pup escaped their fence and they found her the next day dead
in a culvert. She wasn't hit by a car, she probably died of
hypothermia. Within a week, they had another JRT. They started
chaining her in the back yard when they couldn't be with her so she
wouldn't escape. Aside from that, they were very good to her. She was
indoors most of the time and the kids played with her. She is now 2
years old.

Last weekend they gave her away. The wife decided they don't have time
for her. The husband and kids were not happy about this, but mama
rules the roost. Now she wants another dog, but a "lap dog."
Basically a dog who doesn't require too much energy or attention
apparently. So they are looking at other small terriers...

I have had several talks with the husband about this situation. I
can't help myself. We have discussed various breeds and the need to
research them. I've also talked to him about rescue and all the
wonderful dogs available. He would love to go that route and find a
grown dog who has been fully temperament tested, housebroken and who
would fit their lifestyle, but he has absolutely no say in the matter.

vet.