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I have this dog (it's easier if I show you (the pictures are out-of-date)). Anyways, we're separating from the Air Force in May and we can't keep him for various reasons. It basically boils down to us not being able to care for him the way he deserves. I love this dog like crazy and wish I could REALLY trust someone to care for him for the rest of his life.
I need to vent my frustration/sadness/angst etc. We'll probably give him over to the Utah Golden Rescue, but I wanted to know the pros/ cons of giving a dog to a rescue. I guess I fear that there might be some loop-around policy that will allow them to euthanize him.
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Most purebred dog rescue groups have a no-euthanasia policy for the dogs they receive. It's certainly a much better option than leaving the dog at a shelter or even advertising in the paper, because the rescue groups are very careful about the homes in which they place dogs. I'm really sorry you have to go through this...I know for experience how hard it is to give up a dog that you love.
Posts: 1225 | Registered: Feb 2002
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I didn't read their site (and I will once I finish this paper I'm procrastinating on) but in the five years we've been involved with Indiana Sheltie Rescue, they've euthanized six dogs, out of several hundred placed, and all three of those were because of ill health, the other three because of temperment problems that the experienced foster homes couldn't cope with (the one I know about the best was a young male who killed a pet bird, attacked his foster mom, several other shelties, and was never comfortable with anyone). Most likely the way you are describing your dog, he'd be placed almost immeadiatly, into a wonderful loving home.
If there is no way you can keep the dog, and you don't have a friend that it already knows it and wants it, rescue would be the option I would go with.
Posts: 5362 | Registered: Apr 2004
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I have never known a true rescue group to euthanize a dog, unless there was a temperment problem that would make the dog dangerous to others. I think he will be in good hands, and find a loving home, if you let them take him.
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*hugs* That is always a tough decision to make. But yes if you give him to a golden rescue group and he doesn't have hip dysplasia they will probably find a home for him in a heartbeat.
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He's a purebred, no hip problems or anything. He's exactly the dog I would want if I were looking. The only problem is that he's not neutered (on the advice of the breeder). He is the sweetest, most gentle dog I've seen. I trust him regularly with the baby and he loves our cats. He's got a thick coat and loves to swim, fetch and do tricks (as long as there's a treat or a "Good Boy" afterwards). I don't see any reason he'd be sitting alone for very long.
Posts: 1660 | Registered: Jan 2000
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Well definitely talk to your breeder as well. There may have been something in the contract saying that you have to give right of first refusal to them, and it is the polite thing to do either way. They may have homes available without going through rescue.
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I'm so sorry scott, if I had a house and actually lived in Utah I would care for him in a heart beat! As long as you didn't mind the possibility of my toddler pulling his ears.
Posts: 1417 | Registered: Aug 1999
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I wish that I was out of college and lived in Utah. I would rescue a dog like that in a hot second.
Posts: 473 | Registered: Sep 2001
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I love goldens...and we've been thinking about getting another dog. Maybe I could talk to my husband about it. Anyone know how much it would cost to have a dog transported from there to Tulsa?
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It would probably be cheapest to find a cheap fare, fly up, and escort him from the nearest airport.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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I wound up finding the perfect person for him.
It turns out that a girl that works downstairs was actually looking for a Golden that was already grown-up. He was perfect for her.
This is an email conversation with her:
quote:
ALLISON:
Hi, I have a quick question. Do you still have the Dog house? If you do, will you sell it? Also, did you contact the Vet? Guess what, he is no longer allowed to go out unattended J He found a space between the house and the fence that he fits perfectly through. I have to get some cinder blocks to block it. He got out last week while I was at work so my neighbor (who has a golden) took him in. He had so much fun playing with her dogs.
ME:
Yes, we still have the dog house, but I don’t want to sell it. My intent was to give it to you, but the Exercise last week put a stop to any plans I had. Let me know when you want to get together and I’ll bring the house by.
That’s funny that he got out. Did he actually run away?
He got out of our yard a few times when the wind knocked down a part of our fence, but he didn’t go anywhere, he just found his way to the front yard and sat down under a tree.
ALLISON:
Oh, ok. Yeah, I didn’t participate in the exercise. Anytime is good for me. No, he didn’t run away. My neighbor just found him walking around the yard. He got out yesterday while Devynne and I were out in the front. She went in the back to play with him and he ran around to the front. They are so good together. I don’t think he realizes how big he is compared to her. She was playing “Stay and Go” with him yesterday. She would go in front of him and take his Kermit, then tell him to stay. She would walk backwards telling him to stay until she got to the other side of the yard. Then she would yell “GO” and he would just run as fast as he could and almost forget to stop. She just loves him so much! Thank you a million times!
So, you can see how happy this makes me. I couldn't stand the idea of giving him back to the breeder or to a rescue.
Posts: 1660 | Registered: Jan 2000
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I should also point out that "Kermit" is a Kermit the Frog doll that Peanut won't let out of his sight and knows by name.
Posts: 1660 | Registered: Jan 2000
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Scott, ethically you should inform the breeder of a change in ownership. If you bred the dog, wouldn't you want to know?
I hate to say this, but this reinforces my decision as a breeder *not* to home my puppies with anyone who has small children. And, it is this sort of situation cropping up again and again that is making responsible breeders so paranoid about who they place their puppies with.
Having said that, I'm glad you found the dog a good home.
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AJ, I have some issues with the breeder. I don't think she was in it for the breed itself, I think she was doing it for profit. Right after we took Peanut home, she pulled her phone number from the listings and refused, flat-out, to send us his paperwork. Basically, I don't think the breeder cares about her dogs, which really upsets me.
I know that Peanut is in a better situation now then he would be in any other situation. I've met Allison on many occasions and know that if something were to go wrong, she would default to a common-breeder-friend we both share.
Posts: 1660 | Registered: Jan 2000
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Ok, that makes sense. If she didn't give you proper paperwork and seems fishy she has no say in anything. I'm just acutely sensitive to this topic with ten little fuzzballs at home, that will be going to new homes in a few weeks.
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Man, this thread is like a good book. It went from tragic to very happy in very little time. I'm glad everything worked out.
Posts: 1711 | Registered: Jun 2004
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I'm glad it all worked out! My mom's work people all love dogs. One of my mom's boss' actually resuces dogs, she has like a dozen of them now. Some of these dog rescue people can be the nicest most caring dog people in the world.
Personally I can't handle that many dogs, my 10 year old cocker spaniel is a handful!
The pictures of your golden remind me of my best friend's dog, Dizzy, she looked almost exactly like that when she was a pup, and she's the cutest coolest dog in the world now.
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Mt dad just took my dog, Penney, to the pound last week. She wa there for less then 4 hours, then someone abopted her.
At least she wasnt' put down, but I really miss her a lot. I was suppose to go down to my dad's house for Easter, but I passed this year because I wasn't suer I could bear to be in that house without her.