Rescue -- Just Not Into It?
- Thread starter Absolute Peril
- Start date
That's exactly what happened to me. I always had pure bred dogs from puppies because I wanted to know exactly what I was getting and shape them into just what I wanted. I don't regret getting any of those dogs. They were all wonderful. I loved them and they loved me back. But just like kids there are no absolute guarantees. My lab Goldie for example was a surprise in several ways.
I have two GSDs now, Sammy and Bella. Sammy came from a 'good' kennel and had a great pedigree. He was 5 months old when we got him. He was quite skittish and had not been properly socialized but we took him anyway. I felt that he needed us. The AKC judge's kennel was a mess and I don't think Sammy had been especially well-treated by the person who did the actual work in the kennel. The owner was probably not a bad breeder at one time, just an elderly lady who couldn't keep up with things. But I didn't get him out of pity or guilt, I got him because I had one of those moments when you just know. He sat next to me for the better part of a week and still follows me wherever I go. He has given so much of himself and I have never regretted taking him home.
Bella came from a horrible situation. She was 2 years old and had been through several owners. When I first saw her she was chained to a fence without any kind of shelter and did not have a name. The breeder who wanted 'to get rid of her' (do I ever hate that phrase) was afraid of her and not without reason. Anyone who treats a German Shepherd like that is stupid and cruel and deserves to get bitten. I was not unaware of what I was getting myself into but leaving her there just wasn't an option. Still it wasn't pity. We had an instant connection. I looked into her pretty face and her name just popped into my head. She was my dog from that moment on.
Both of my dogs have reactivity issues. Bella since day one and Sammy since his kidneys started to fail. We worked with a trainer for quite a while and made very little progress in the strangers and other dogs department - though they do walk great on a leash (until they get triggered). We have a new trainer now who specializes in reactivity and I have high hopes for them. They are fantastic with us and are my best friends in the world. I always thought you had to get a dog as a puppy to form a really strong bond but I now know that is completely untrue.
So what do I think about rescuing dogs? Going through a rescue organization is relatively fool-proof and IMO you know exactly what you are getting. Doing it on your own is a little different but if you are selective and know dogs it's not a bad move. I wasn't selective as most people would define it however and I have never regretted it. Bella and Sammy are two of the best things that ever happened to me. Yes there are challenges but the really great things in life are rarely the easiest.
Getting a dog from a breeder isn't wrong. I did it for most of my life and I understand why people do it and would never condemn them. But on a personal level, Bella changed me forever. It's hard for me to even imagine moving on without Sammy and Bella in my life but I know that when it comes down to it, I will. For me it will always be the dog without any options. How many chances does anyone get to be a hero? If you haven't done it you just don't know what a gift it can be.
I agree with ihartgonzo. Some things are meant to happen. I don't encourage people to take dogs on a whim however and you have to be willing to accept that if you get a dog privately or from a shelter you may not have a support system when the going gets tough. I'm not saying don't do it - I think it's great when people do put themselves out there like that - but you must be committed.
For many people a rescue is the best way to go and it is wonderful thing to do with very minimal risk. Yes you are taking a dog who is already safe but you are also making room in a foster for another dog who is not. If you need a working dog, I don't know because I don't have experience with that. But I would think that it's not impossible to get a rescue dog who has had training or can learn a lot. Some service dogs are rescues and if the dog is not reactive it's my understanding that they can be taught. As someone else said (more or less) you get what you give. But isn't that always the case?
I have two GSDs now, Sammy and Bella. Sammy came from a 'good' kennel and had a great pedigree. He was 5 months old when we got him. He was quite skittish and had not been properly socialized but we took him anyway. I felt that he needed us. The AKC judge's kennel was a mess and I don't think Sammy had been especially well-treated by the person who did the actual work in the kennel. The owner was probably not a bad breeder at one time, just an elderly lady who couldn't keep up with things. But I didn't get him out of pity or guilt, I got him because I had one of those moments when you just know. He sat next to me for the better part of a week and still follows me wherever I go. He has given so much of himself and I have never regretted taking him home.
Bella came from a horrible situation. She was 2 years old and had been through several owners. When I first saw her she was chained to a fence without any kind of shelter and did not have a name. The breeder who wanted 'to get rid of her' (do I ever hate that phrase) was afraid of her and not without reason. Anyone who treats a German Shepherd like that is stupid and cruel and deserves to get bitten. I was not unaware of what I was getting myself into but leaving her there just wasn't an option. Still it wasn't pity. We had an instant connection. I looked into her pretty face and her name just popped into my head. She was my dog from that moment on.
Both of my dogs have reactivity issues. Bella since day one and Sammy since his kidneys started to fail. We worked with a trainer for quite a while and made very little progress in the strangers and other dogs department - though they do walk great on a leash (until they get triggered). We have a new trainer now who specializes in reactivity and I have high hopes for them. They are fantastic with us and are my best friends in the world. I always thought you had to get a dog as a puppy to form a really strong bond but I now know that is completely untrue.
So what do I think about rescuing dogs? Going through a rescue organization is relatively fool-proof and IMO you know exactly what you are getting. Doing it on your own is a little different but if you are selective and know dogs it's not a bad move. I wasn't selective as most people would define it however and I have never regretted it. Bella and Sammy are two of the best things that ever happened to me. Yes there are challenges but the really great things in life are rarely the easiest.
Getting a dog from a breeder isn't wrong. I did it for most of my life and I understand why people do it and would never condemn them. But on a personal level, Bella changed me forever. It's hard for me to even imagine moving on without Sammy and Bella in my life but I know that when it comes down to it, I will. For me it will always be the dog without any options. How many chances does anyone get to be a hero? If you haven't done it you just don't know what a gift it can be.
I agree with ihartgonzo. Some things are meant to happen. I don't encourage people to take dogs on a whim however and you have to be willing to accept that if you get a dog privately or from a shelter you may not have a support system when the going gets tough. I'm not saying don't do it - I think it's great when people do put themselves out there like that - but you must be committed.
For many people a rescue is the best way to go and it is wonderful thing to do with very minimal risk. Yes you are taking a dog who is already safe but you are also making room in a foster for another dog who is not. If you need a working dog, I don't know because I don't have experience with that. But I would think that it's not impossible to get a rescue dog who has had training or can learn a lot. Some service dogs are rescues and if the dog is not reactive it's my understanding that they can be taught. As someone else said (more or less) you get what you give. But isn't that always the case?
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