Rescue Dogs

[MrsC]

Please take one if you are considering getting a dog, please!!!! Even since getting my 2nd little Shih Tzu 3 days ago I can see the improvements already! It really is worth it

[quark1]

I heartily agree with trying to give a rescue dog/cat a home.

Have read some disgraceful stories of people who have returned dogs to rescue homes with lame excuses such as 'he clashed with the colour of my curtains'. Houseproud woman - not young - 50's - truth should 'probably' read that it did its business all over her pristine white carpets.

Please take account of your circumstances - family, home, finances etc and make sure you are prepared for the early days of training and accidents.

But the rewards.........

[Strawberry delight]

.... i agree

[vicky]

We tried to but they wouldn't let us as the boy is 4 years old...

[MrsC]

My little new addition wasn't in the sense of RSPCA etc, but she was a rescue, unwanted, kept in a crate for 3 yrs, had a litter of pups only 9 months ago!!!!!! Please don't think that rescue dogs only exist in RSPCA centres. They don't and it's wonderful to start to see the change and yes a 3 yr old who has to be housetrained again but worth it. I won't line breeder's pockets, not the puppy farms as seen on whatever channel but the ones that exist in next door's house. They exist and it's not right. Just glad I have her now

[Florence Fennel]

Well done Mrs C, it's nice to hear that an unwanted dog has found a loving home.

[OverWyreGrower]

We tried to but they wouldn't let us as the boy is 4 years old...

If you've been turned down by a larger resuce (RSPCA etc), maybe try one of the smaller local rescues, or a specific breed rescue... they are often a bit more personable and willing to talk things over

[arpoet]

We wanted to adopt a rescue dog back in the early 1990s, and asked a local dog rescue to come and have a look at our huge back garden and tell us what to do to make it dog safe. Alas, they came unanounced when we were out and left a note to say it was unsuitable.
We then went to the dog warden kennels and came back with a cute 9 month old stray mixed breed dog and learnt the hard way how to make the garden dog safe.
2 Years later we took in a stray mongrel pup found wandering in the park.
Both dogs lived long happy lives and died within a month of each other 2 years ago.
We are now not able to commit to another 15 years of dog walking due to age and illness, and dont half miss them.
Roger

[Glutton4...]

Our last dog was an unwanted pet - luckily, someone I knew, knew the owner, so I got to hear about it. I've been looking for ages, recently, and unless I want a Staffie, there's not a lot about here.

Our pup comes from a lovely family pet, and the sire is another family pet. Neither owners are Breeders or puppy farms. I definitely wouldn't support them.

I'm so glad it's working out for you, MrsC, life is so much better with a dog in the family.

[northepaul]

I had two rescue dogs back in the late 80's/90's - the first from the PDSA (incidently my son was only a baby but they let us have him) was a staff cross boxer and looked like a pitbull but without the temprament issues - he loved other dogs and kids but at the same time was a good guard dog.
Unfortunately he got run over when enthusiastically chasing a ball down by the river and some idiots were riding scooters on the beach (unseen)
Second one came via staffy rescue and battersea. She had been chucked out of a high rise window when a younger dog and had left stray and had severe problems with her hip. She was so loving and sweet except with other dogs!!
She died of old age 2 years ago.

I wouldnt have another dog at the moment - I work too much and we (in our dreams anyway) like going abroad. This probably sounds terribly vain but I also dont relish having my furnature ruined and covered in hairs again!!

However I would recommend anyone to get a rescue dog.

[Mikey]

We've looked at getting a dog, but to be honest I don't think that I have the time.

We looked at a local rescue centre but they won't let their dogs go to homes with children younger than teenagers. I know that the dog would become my companion because of our work circumstances, and I'm not ready for the commitment it will take.

Sometimes it's just better not to.

[SunnyU]

Our two were kind of rescues too. Again, they didn't come from the animal shelter or anything but the first one was an unwanted puppy (husband brought her home and wife who was busy with toddler and a newborn said it had to go) and the other one was 18 months old when we took her off a guy who lived in a bedsit. She had been beaten, never been walked outside, was covered in fleas and had never seen a vet in her life. She is now a proper little character and we would be lost without both of them.

[Hilary B]

Gemma was a rescue, as is Lady OH's dog (misnamed, she's a proper little Madam!). I am hoping to find another one soon (last visit the rescue place only had pups, and OH reckons we haven't got the time for that). Our local rescue centre will only allow dogs to go to experienced owners, but the only check they do is with your previous dog's vet.
If nothing 'right' comes in there, I might have to resort to NCDL (now renamed 'Dogs Trust', I preferred the old name, this one is a bit gimmicky).

[MrsC]

My furniture isn't ruined and I don't have dog hairs, Shih Tzus don't moult like other dogs and there are a few breeds out there that don't, good for allergy sufferers as my son is. They do take time and commitment and check out the dogs for sale on internet advertising, it doesn't take long to check out who breeds and then sells once they have had a few litters, they tend to put mobile numbers on which when you check (not just googling it) pop up on loads of sites. Sad really, good at telling a tale though when you ring them though! Amazing what people do for a few hundred quid. My little addition wasn't free I paid for her and she is worth every penny and more!

[bobleponge]

My old boy is a rescue. I probably do have some hairs around the place, there is definitely mud and stuff about the place, he sits on his own settee when I'm in the room, and mine when I'm not, he jumps on my bed whenever I'm not in the house, but I am dreading the day he no longer does that.
I got him from a rescue home in Norfolk, that let me take him home the same day. He had already been taken by 2 other families who bought him back, without giving reasons. It took him a little while to settle in with me, but that was over 13 years ago and he is now such a massive part of my life.
He will be leaving me in the near future, next couple of years probably, but I will absolutely get another rescue dog once the pain of losing my old fella goes.