Dog Day of Summer

magenta321 · #1 07-19-2008, 10:39 AM

Kevin and I have decided to get a dog. I have a couple of options.

We looked on petfinder.com and have found several dogs that we liked on paper, but when we called about them, we decided they were not the right dog for us. We need a dog that is great with babies, children, and other animals. We also have plenty of area to walk the dog (side-walk lined complex, woods, park down the road, hiking trails) but we don't have a yard we can just let a dog run in.

Today I am calling about a dog that has stolen our heart. He's over an hour away in Ardsley. He's a 3 mo pug puppy. He must still be available, and I must have passed the preliminary screening, because I have a phone number to call. I am waiting a few minutes to do that.

I also might drive about 45 minutes away from me (in the opposite direction of Ardsley) to a place that is holding a pet adoption today. I hate that I will have to do it without Kevin, who is at work. If I go, my job is to narrow down the choices, and if there is a special dog or dogs there, I can set up an appointment where both Kevin and I can meet with the dog(s).

It's very exciting but very heart-breaking to look for dogs. I am glad Kevin shares my philosophy about adopting a dog that needs a home, and not supporting breeders or pet stores. I am going to have a very hard time if I go to that pet adoption place. I tend to pick the most pathetic animal to save. I can't help it, it's my nature

I'm going to go call about the pug now. His name is currently Onyx. I don't like that name though, so if we do get him his name will change. I'm so excited about the prospect of owning a dog.

(Yes, I'm aware of the work involved. Yes, Kevin is too. I've only owned 2 dogs, but Kevin has had 11!)

**hadassahchana**[$] · #2 07-19-2008, 01:43 PM

Whether you choose a dog from a reputable breeder or welcome a rescue into your heart, you'll have a wonderful time. Dogs are great!

magenta321 · #3 07-19-2008, 03:23 PM

The pug was a no-go. He was adopted this morning before I called.

I went to the SPCA today. Wow they had a lot of sad, sad dogs.

I met Tammy. She's a sweet little doggie. Here's her picture:

She's shy. She likes me but is a little nervous. She's "hiding" nervous, and not "biting" nervous, so that is good. I see her with the volunteers at the SPCA and she is great with them. She seems to do well with other dogs. She's just the type of dog that doesn't bark at strangers, she just goes in the other direction from them.

Kevin is at work right now. The lady at the SPCA is going to reopen the place tonight just so Kevin can meet her. It's very nice. I think he'll love her, but we will see.

**theworm**[$] · #4 07-19-2008, 06:40 PM

She's adorable!!

**jgibson2**[$] · #5 07-19-2008, 07:01 PM

She sounds like a great dog!

**lynnzop**[$] · #6 07-19-2008, 09:28 PM

She looks rather dingo-ish

Very cute, Margaret.

magenta321 · #7 07-19-2008, 09:46 PM

Well, Kevin and I are not dog owners yet. Kevin wasn't ready to say "that's our dog." The SPCA people really want to see her go home with us, but we're all nervous that she is shy and will feel nervous in a new environment.

She's actually sato, which I didn't know what that meant, but, they're wild dogs in Puerto Rico. That's where she came from.

On Tuesday, I will be at work and Kevin is going to go back to spend more time with her. He wants to spend some time alone with her to make sure she can trust him, and not just hide behind the people she already knows. He's fantastic with her already (took her for a walk and had her heeling) but I think he's unsure right now, which is ok.

The SPCA people love us, and really want to see Tammy go home with us. They've volunteered to bring her to our home on Tuesday if Kevin says he'll adopt her. 45 minutes away!!! They will help her transition into our household. I should be home by then, so I think it will work out well.

And I picked out a new name for her, which Kevin likes too -- Mimosa. I think it's the perfect name for her.

**Prepoia**[$] · #8 07-19-2008, 11:33 PM

This is a long term committment so don't be afraid to take your time. Sometimes the first we see isn't the best fit....sometimes it is.

*emeleel* · #9 07-19-2008, 11:58 PM

She's beautiful!

**pluckyduck** · #10 07-20-2008, 08:02 AM

Oh I love her.

I'm just another couple hours drive from them if............

Yeah. No.

(I'd have 20 dogs if the husband would do most of the work.

)

magenta321 · #11 07-20-2008, 08:59 AM

I didn't sleep at all last night. I just kept thinking about Mimosa and taking her home. Kevin admitted to me this morning that he's been thinking about the dog non-stop too. I asked him what he's thinking about her, and he said "how I can save her."

Did I mention that I already bought her a bowl, a collar, a leash, a toy and treats? And that I have plans today to research making my own food for her? Yeah... I'm crazy for her.

And Andrea, did you read my mind? I already made Kevin agree to do the majority of the work for the dog. It was in the "I want a dog" and "I don't want a dog" discussion days (when he wanted one but I did not). I really do want one, I miss being a dog owner. Talk to me when this thing pees on my carpet tho... or worse... :s

**lynnzop**[$] · #12 07-20-2008, 09:32 AM

Quote:

magenta321 said

they're wild dogs in Puerto Rico.

And dingos are wild dogs in Australia. See, she's a Puerto Rican dingo.

**lynnzop**[$] · #13 07-20-2008, 09:39 AM

Quote:

magenta321 said

I already made Kevin agree to do the majority of the work for the dog. It was in the "I want a dog" and "I don't want a dog" discussion days (when he wanted one but I did not). I really do want one, I miss being a dog owner. Talk to me when this thing pees on my carpet tho... or worse... :s

WOAH WOAH WOAH. STOP right there.

This screams at me that YOU are not ready for a dog.

You want KEVIN to do "most of the work"? What does that mean?
"Talk to me when this THING pees on my carpet"? That's bullsh!t.

If you're not ready to work with a dog, the good, the bad and the ugly, you're not ready for the lifetime commitment of having one. Sorry Margaret, but you're showing an irresponsible and immature attitude with this statement.

I just spent hundreds of dollars on vet bills and hours cleaning up sh!t, puke and what have you when Rex was sick this summer. That could be you. Better think this through some more before you bring home a cute little puppy or dog who actually requires some "parenting". Especially one that sounds like she has special needs.

magenta321 · #14 07-20-2008, 10:00 AM

Heh. I made him agree to do everything, so that he'll do something

Let's face it, I'm cooking for the dog, so I'm the one feeding it. We both work different shifts, so I'm the primary care giver when he's not there. It always winds up that the female in all the examples I've seen does all the work with the dogs, and that's not what I want. I wanted to make sure he was willing to do ALL of it so he will do some of it. Maybe that doesn't make sense, but it does to me.

I've already come to terms with the work involved. That's why I didn't want it at first, and why I finally changed my mind. The thing I'm most icked out by is having to pooper scooper after it. Yuck! But I'm ready. We've discussed every aspect of this, and we're ready.

**hadassahchana**[$] · #15 07-22-2008, 09:13 AM

One of our board members here had a bad experience with a sato. I think it was Tina, but I'm not sure. Just make sure that she really will be gentle in any situation. She really is a pretty little thing. And, like Lynn said, make sure that you are willing to do all the work if Kevin slacks off after a while. A dog takes a lot of work.

magenta321 · #16 07-22-2008, 08:58 PM

"Tammy-Mimi" as I'm calling her right now, is home. We stopped at the vet on the way here, and she has a clean bill of health, except her ears need to be flushed for a while.

She is doing very well in my busy complex. She's not interested in other dogs, even at the vet's office, and here too. She ignored a large group of loud boys. Kevin and I were walking her. I held the leash while Kevin had a convo with a neighbor, and there was no problem there either.

So far though, she's in her crate, and hasn't really come out. I show her food, but she usually only eats in the morning, so I get why she's not into it. I show her a toy, but so far, she is too nervous to be interested. We'll see. I'm sure she'll come around once she gets used to us and her new schedule. I wish I could be playing with her right now though!

**theworm**[$] · #17 07-22-2008, 09:05 PM

Quote:

magenta321 said

She's actually sato, which I didn't know what that meant, but, they're wild dogs in Puerto Rico. That's where she came from.

Sato isn't a breed. It's slang for "stray". There are planes that fly from PR to the mainland several times a week bringing the stray puppies here for adoption.

She's very cute. Do you have any idea what breed she is - probably mixed, but can you tell?

magenta321 · #18 07-23-2008, 07:17 AM

Not really. If I had to guess, I'd say she has beagle and corgi in her. They listed her as a beagle daschund mix, but I don't see much of that in her. She has those big dopey ears that so many satos have. I love them!

She's pretty cool. We were worried how she'd be towards my neighbors and other animals. We've put in a lot of miles with her already, and so far, she just ignores everyone but us. We're glad. She walked by groups of big boys playing, teenage girls play-fighting, etc. all with no problems.

She's still shy. She likes to go back to her crate, but I've been leaving the door open mostly (only closed it when we went to bed). She explores when she thinks we're not paying attention. OMG, right on cue, she just came out.

She has basic obedience training but we still need to work on some commands. Oh, and she likes my cooking. Yay! I mixed in my food I made her with the food she's been eating at the SPCA, and she loved it.

I've got a busy weekend, but I'm really hoping I can squeeze in a visit back to the SPCA this weekend. They really bonded with her because she was there for so long. I know they would love to see her, and I think she'd like to see them too!

mtbat · #19 07-23-2008, 08:25 AM

I'm glad you got her

don't you have cats? or am I mixed up-if you do how are they adjusting?

magenta321 · #20 07-23-2008, 10:57 PM

I had a cat at my parents. He was 21ish and disappeared this past fall. My parents have a dog that was mine too when I lived there. It's confusing when I say "my dog" now, because I mean both the one that lives with me and the one with my parents. The one with my parents sadly can't come here because he's too attached to my parents, his routine, and country life. He barks at every little noise. He is not good around other pets. He would not work out in a condo, sadly. Luckily, my parents love him lots!

Mimi is adjusting well. We've gone on about a gazillion walks. She's walking with Kevin right now. We took a trip to Petco today and she was overwhelmed but happy. She has encountered dogs off leash at my condo (bad owner!

) and children who don't listen when you ask them politely not to touch your dog because she is new and you don't know how she will react. She reacted surprisingly well to all of this. Very frightened, but not snippy, thank god!

She is great in her crate and hasn't had a single accident. We're all having a lot of fun together. I wish she would come out of the crate a little more, and spend a little more time with us, but, I think that will come in time.

mtbat · #21 07-24-2008, 08:12 AM

she sounds like a great dog, once she gets used to you guys she'll hopefully come out more-maybe try to tempt her out with toys and attention? she may be trained/used to being in the crate all the time-she may not realize it's okay to come out and hang out with you.