new life

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 11:38 am

as many of you know my much loved pupster (lia) went to sleep aged 14 at easter, since her passing my house has never been the same, my life is not the same, for those of you who have never befriended a dog i cant even begin to explain the pure joy of having a pupster at your side, for those of you who do know, you know my pain at her passing

im 40 years old & of those 40 years 39 of them have been blissful dog companion years to 4 of the most amazing, precious, beautiful, intelligent & devoted friends a person could ever hope to even be in the presence of let alone share thier life with

anyway after much debate with myself ive come to realise i will never have a dogless life & feel ready to take on the responsibility of another

so my question is - what breed?

to help you im not fussy as such, ive had 2 cross breed & 2 pedigree & have loved all of them equally

from last to first

lia - cross - flat coat retriever/collie - 14 years r.i.p

jet - pedigree - rottweiler - 3 years r.i.p

sindz - pedigree - yorkshire terrier - 13 years r.i.p

cheeko - cross poodle/unknown - 9 years r.i.p

so as you see its a varied mixture, i see what i want in the pups eyes, my question to all you is what characteristics make your dog special? is that common to the breed or just your dog? help me choose a new friend :-4

please dont anyone suggest going to an animal rescue centre as its far too painfull to chose one from there, i dont have the strength to do that, the mix breeds i have had in the past have been through a friend or associate having heard of a single dog requiring a new home

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 11:49 am

buttercup wrote: as many of you know my much loved pupster (lia) went to sleep aged 14 at easter, since her passing my house has never been the same, my life is not the same, for those of you who have never befriended a dog i cant even begin to explain the pure joy of having a pupster at your side, for those of you who do know, you know my pain at her passing

im 40 years old & of those 40 years 39 of them have been blissful dog companion years to 4 of the most amazing, precious, beautiful, intelligent & devoted friends a person could ever hope to even be in the presence of let alone share thier life with

anyway after much debate with myself ive come to realise i will never have a dogless life & feel ready to take on the responsibility of another

so my question is - what breed?

to help you im not fussy as such, ive had 2 cross breed & 2 pedigree & have loved all of them equally

from last to first

lia - cross - flat coat retriever/collie - 14 years r.i.p

jet - pedigree - rottweiler - 3 years r.i.p

sindz - pedigree - yorkshire terrier - 13 years r.i.p

cheeko - cross poodle/unknown - 9 years r.i.p

so as you see its a varied mixture, i see what i want in the pups eyes, my question to all you is what characteristics make your dog special? is that common to the breed or just your dog? help me choose a new friend :-4

please dont anyone suggest going to an animal rescue centre as its far too painfull to chose one from there, i dont have the strength to do that, the mix breeds i have had in the past have been through a friend or associate having heard of a single dog requiring a new home

I could fed ex you my american eskie for free

ahhhhh Butter what a decision ahead of you... I completely understand your thoughts on the animal shelters, my first dog in my married life came from there and we were blessed she was a mere puppy and in a special glass cage up front like a show piece this spared me the grief of seeing the unwanted ones behind bars.

What makes my eskie special, Ohhh his bark, his bite, hehehehe his cute little teddy bear face and gorgeous perky ears. Snow white fur that floats about the house when not attached to him.

His absolute and utter joy at seeing us first thing in the morning when we wake up (even if he has slept with us that nite), and his pure joy at seeing us when we get back home every time, we have even gone out the front door and round to the back and into the back door and he spas's all over the place. He is such a cool dog. Is this all special to his breed sure most of it is except for his loyalty, we treat him like royalty and we get his unconditioned love 100%...plus he loves our cat

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 11:56 am

I think when the times is right, and where ever you go to choose a new companion, the dog will choose you...you will know when the karma is right.

911 · Post by **911** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 12:34 pm

I've had bulldogs, dauchunds, golden retrievers and a mutt (part Jack Russell and part lab, he looks like a miniture black lab).

I suppose it depends on how much room you have. If space is not a problem then a Jack Russell is great but a tad hyper and it will kill most anything that comes in the yard except maybe a cat. Mine will kill snakes, rats, birds and he can hear, dig up and eat Cicada larva.

OK, he's a little weird. . . .

My golden is the total polar opposite of my first golden, so breeders do make a difference, even if they are not full blood breeds. I have found that a breeder that exposes the pups to the outside a lot cope better than those primarily raised in a house around people.

Bulldogs are extremely bright and can be trained to do most anything. And yes, even pit bulls. But if you don't want a bunch of freaky neighbors, Id stay with the boxers or english.

Dauchounds are hard to house break in my opinion and they have very fragile backs, but are sweet dogs and can be very playful.

Well, those are the only ones I am intimately familiar with and I suppose I would prefer a golden or a jack russell (I love their energy).

Have fun looking and if you are getting a breed you are unfamiliar with, please study them, some can be really strange and finiky.

Good luck!

Kisses to you for your loss xxoo

LilacDragon · Post by **LilacDragon** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:00 pm

My heart dog was a rottweiler that I lost last March. And I see that you have had one before.

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:14 pm

I know you don't want to go to the animal shelter but...call ahead and say, "This is going to sound crazy but I want the ugliest dog that is about to be put to sleep because noone will adopt it. I want to see it only only it. If you are sincere about wanting to find these animals' home, then do it my way and give the animal a chance". Sounds weird, but my husband has done it. It goes for the unadoptable because the cute ones have a chance of adoption.

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:19 pm

Peg wrote: I know you don't want to go to the animal shelter but...call ahead and say, "This is going to sound crazy but I want the ugliest dog that is about to be put to sleep because noone will adopt it. I want to see it only only it. If you are sincere about wanting to find these animals' home, then do it my way and give the animal a chance". Sounds weird, but my husband has done it. It goes for the unadoptable because the cute ones have a chance of adoption.

Peg, what an interesting idea!!

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 2:36 pm

In my opinion a Golden Retriever is one of the finest animals around, you do need energy for them though. They are intelligent, very very playful and very loving. They love everyone. Not to mention their beautiful red coats. I highly recommend that as a pet.

On the other end of the spectrum you cant beat a German Sheperd for loyalty and owning a genuine friend. One of my favorite dogs though is an Akita. Theyre majestic and poised and big ! Very big but in a chiseled way. Truly an exceptional animal and a very good guard dog. Good luck ! :-6

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 3:02 pm

Peg wrote: I know you don't want to go to the animal shelter but...call ahead and say, "This is going to sound crazy but I want the ugliest dog that is about to be put to sleep because noone will adopt it. I want to see it only only it. If you are sincere about wanting to find these animals' home, then do it my way and give the animal a chance". Sounds weird, but my husband has done it. It goes for the unadoptable because the cute ones have a chance of adoption.

aww Peg that touched my heart, many years ago, we decided we wanted another dog, and friends found out about this and his girlfriend was training at the "farm college" they were wrapping up for summer break and had one big pup that no one wanted, he was a newfoundlander retreiver cross. Friends called and asked if we would take him, I could not resist. He grew to be a monster, at the time of his passing he weighed 150lbs. He gave us 10 years of love and loyalty, and laughs and tears when we found he had cancer.... I think Peg your idea is truly lovely

:-4

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 3:02 pm

Nomad wrote: In my opinion a Golden Retriever is one of the finest animals around, you do need energy for them though. They are intelligent, very very playful and very loving. They love everyone. Not to mention their beautiful red coats. I highly recommend that as a pet.

On the other end of the spectrum you cant beat a German Sheperd for loyalty and owning a genuine friend. One of my favorite dogs though is an Akita. Theyre majestic and poised and big ! Very big but in a chiseled way. Truly an exceptional animal and a very good guard dog. Good luck ! :-6

I luvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv a border collie, oh the energy and brains mmmmm sigh.

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Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 3:07 pm

PEG! Are we related? This is exactly what I was going to suggest! Call the animal shelter and speak with a volunteer or staff member. Explain your situation and ask THEM to choose a mixed-breed female for you.

Trust me, you'll get the best they've got and you'll have a new companion of the heart!

Shelter dogs seem to know what you've done for them!

Best dogs on earth!

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 3:09 pm

minks wrote: I luvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv a border collie, oh the energy and brains mmmmm sigh.

I grew up with a collie, a regular one ??? Lassie type

She was the best :-4

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 3:12 pm

Nomad wrote: I grew up with a collie, a regular one ??? Lassie type

She was the best :-4

Oh such a beautiful dog, I always wanted a Lassie Dog as a kid, but I settled for a cocker spanial and a few mutts here and there.

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:09 pm

Nomad wrote: I grew up with a collie, a regular one ??? Lassie type

She was the best :-4

Lassie dogs are rough haired collies. My parents used to own one and she was a beautiful dog with a beautiful temperament.

Butter, I'm so glad you're thinking of getting a new dog. You were obviously devoted to your pupster and a new dog would obviously have a wonderful home with you.

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:23 pm

Of course, you could always pick one who looks like you! These folks did! hehehe :wah:

911 · Post by **911** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 10:48 am

Nomad wrote: In my opinion a Golden Retriever is one of the finest animals around, you do need energy for them though. They are intelligent, very very playful and very loving. They love everyone. Not to mention their beautiful red coats. I highly recommend that as a pet.

:-6

Ain't that the truth! They are the sweetest dogs on earth and anyone can walk all over them, at least until they've had enough and that takes a lot.

My first was a true retriever, he used to bring me the sink trap if there was nothing in the sink. If he brought a glass, you could hear it clinking against his teeth. He had never been trained as a bird dog but he had a naturally soft mouth.