He or She is a Rescue .... - Page 3

I feel it is particularly special when an Oldie is given a new home.  A couple I know well, recently took into their hearts and home an 11 year old dog, after his elderly Owner sadly died.


Vixen

Agreed. My son w/Slim, 12+ yrs. old. Not sure how old, but his microchip was implanted over 12 years prior to the date I dragged him home from animal control after he was left there because his owners lost their home. 

Jenni,  Lovely message and photo.  How awful for the previous Owners - Hope they knew that their dog was given a new home to settle his paws with.

Hope your family will have many happy moments and memories to enjoy together.


Regards,
Vixen

Here's my latest happy ending. I don't seek out rescues, but I do my best to help those that come across my path.

This 11 year old husky or malemute came into the kennel because his 90 year old owner had fallen and broken her wrist and had to go into a nursing home. The nephew, who took on responsibility for the dog, couldn't keep it at home because his GSDs would pack together and attack it.

The young man who was helping a contractor do renos on my place took a liking to the dog, and decided to take it home. He's doing great, and one of the nicest things about it is the nephew has promised to provide food and veterinary care for the dog for the rest if its life! That's good, because the new owner just got married, and is still trying to find his feet finacially.

I've also said I would take the dog back at any time if things go sideways.

Wow where are you guys finding these people. Ive done alot of rescuing over the years and rarely do I ever get comments like these. I will say though that some "holier than thou" people who think that breeding dogs is like the plague but I remind them that a responsible breeder takes back its own and usually you wont find those dogs in rescues.

Ive taken in some really nice dogs over the years and I proudly tell people that I got the dog from the shelter. I want people to know that well bred dogs end up at the shelter same as mutts and with some training and love, they can have a dog just like me.

Sunsilver, this is also a great example of people working together with compassion for a needy animal, that might sadly be over-looked because of his age.     


Vixen

I have 4 dogs, a beagle who we bought as my daughters first dog(she is now 12) my GSD who I compete with in Schutzhund and we have two poodles who we rescued. Each are as much of the family as the next and I am proud of our Poodles since each is as well mannered and trained as any dog I have ever owned. I tell people about our rescues to let them know the dogs who come from rescues are not just throw aways, but can be great family pets. Some dogs have issues but a lot of TLC and training goes a long way for these guys.
I have run across those who treat me like crap since I bought my Beagle and GSD and have had them say I support puppy mills since I bought a dog. As I age I am less tolerant of "stupid" and am getting more vocal with this crowd. They usually do not come back around for a second conversation!!

I use Slim as a way to refute those people who want a puppy when they really need a dog...I tell them about a good young dog I may have that would be perfect and they say "but it won't bond like a puppy will." Slim is the perfect guy to show them how wrong they are! No one believes I haven't had that raggedy mutt since he was a puppy; he is soooo attached to me (borderline separation anxiety, but not quite) and has been that way since our car ride home from animal control. It's like old dogs just KNOW you've done them a big favor and are so appreciative. 

Vixen, I told AC to give them my info if they called to ask about him. I would've loved to talk to them but AC can't release their info, though they can give them mine since I gave permission. 

(Strange too, how the impression is often that every dog from a Rescue seems to be regarded or assumed to be from a Doom & Gloom Abuse background - when this is not always the case).


You are absolutely right. Sometimes the dog just has a weak temperament, but in other cases the dog has truly been mistreated. Sometimes it is hard to tell.  In my dog's case, she was skin and bones, picked up off the streets by animal control in Kentucky. When I first got her if I picked up a rope-like object, such as a leash, or broom-like object, she would instantly drop to the ground in terror. Once I gained her trust and she understood I meant no harm, she was fine with those things. A good therapy dog can't be fearful of people, new environments, surfaces, smells, objects or noises. She loves meeting new people and is never phased by anything new in her environment. So, I'm pretty sure that her behavior in the beginning was due to being mistreated. 

 

Margaret, yikes, that person sounds like they have Munchhausen's by pet proxy...I started volunteering for my first shelter when I was 15 officially but had been walking odgs there since I was 11 and have seen the crazies who want to be patted on the back for saving the abused puppies...Bad nerves-they were beaten, biters-they were beaten...You know the type I am sure all of you. The you can save them all people...

I've had rescues I don't think I ever marketed as such and fosters and adoptees since I was 13. They DON'T KNOW they are special, sad or fancy or abused mostly. They live pretty much in the moment. 

We have a nice 'rescued/adopted' husky here who is a right pain in the butt. His owner died and he didn't mourn her just took over the house. He also almost bit someone who was drunk and who came up to my husband and shioved him trying to be tough after only being here 2 months.