A few Random Thoughts
Animal rescues furry family friends
October 28th, 2008, 9:40 am · 4 Comments · posted by Gretchen Losi
Poop scooping, barking, shedding and walks. Chores I never felt a yearning for while raising my children.
Though there are similarities.
But now my daughters are married and in college and my boys are in high school and quite independent.
Maybe it’s early onset of “Empty Nest Syndrome.” But all of a sudden a dog seems palatable.
This was HUGE news to my family. They have wanted a dog for years — but not me. I blame bad pet owners for this.
We are bombarded with news stories about irresponsible pet owners whose dogs kill and maim neighbors and pets. Our local streets are filled with dogs running loose. I have neighbors who allow their dogs to bark, and bark and bark — 365 days a year —oblivious to the fact that there are families trying to live right next door. I never once have seen them take their dogs for a walk. I never hear them playing with the animals in their yard. They seem neglected and lonely and it leaves me to wonder.. “Why do people have dogs if they don’t bother with them?”
Not wanting to be that person, I made a point of not entertaining the idea of getting a pet until I knew I could care for it and give it the attention it so rightfully deserved.
So the years of my children begging and pleading for a dog, and their patience with my, “No’s” have finally paid off.
Mom is ready to take on a Fido.
First stop, checking out local no-kill shelters.
I logged onto Petfinder.com and while there was no “Love at first sight,” my heart did melt a little when I saw a few at <a href=” “>Wee Bar None Ranch, in Apple Valley.
The one I was willing to give my heart to, wasn’t “potty trained”.. So alas it wasn’t meant to be. Then I came across “Dax” at the <a href=”“>Great Pyrenees Rescue in Devore.
Dax is a four year-old <a href=”“>Wheaten Terrier/Chow mix.
I called Dottie, the owner, who invited us to come out and meet him. Me and Joe packed up the kids and we went to visit Dax… And just like that, we had a new member of the family.
Well.. not JUST like that. There’s this whole application process. Then he had to get groomed. Then he had to visit his Vet. And we had to go spend hundreds of dollars on food, a crate, toys, shampoo, leashes, pillows, doggy bowls and “How to” books.
We will pick him up this week, our own personal sweet, quiet, potty trained ball of fur.
Now I’m curious to hear from you with your pet stories. Are you a pet lover with advice? Are you an annoyed neighbor who has had it with barking? Maybe you have a great story about your pet you want to share?
Bring it on. I feel like I am one of you.. and want to know all about this world.
But by one of you.. I mean the one’s who truly love their pets.. not the one’s who view their pets as disposable members of the family and don’t give them the love, affection, attention and care they long for.
I want to hear from those who spoil and love and walk their pets. The one’s who know what food is best and shampoo is less irritating and can tell me where their dogs favorite place to get petted is. This is the pet owner I hope to be.
And as soon as I can figure out how to post a photo of Dax, I will. In the meantime, you can go to The Daily Press and post a photo of YOUR furry family member under “Publish your stuff.”
P.S.
Cat lovers, you can too!
As much as I complain about the hubby’s Black Lab, Trout, he’s actually very sweet and even helpful. For example, he just licked clean every dish as I put it in the dishwasher. I’m saving water with this guy! He wants to be right where we are all the time, even if that means attempting to climb in the tub with our son. And our other dog, Dolly, keeps me company all day long, even goes with us to school in the morning, that’s her all time favorite thing. Welcome to the world of having a dog as a family member! You’ll do fine, as long as you keep in mind most families are nutty, especially ones with dogs!
AS AN ANIMAL LOVER I WISH TO SHARE MY IDEAS OF PETHOOD.
YOU HAVE NOT TAKEN ON A PET OR A DOG YOU HAVE TAKEN ON A LIFE. ONE THAT WILL LAST A LONG TIME. I PRAY THAT YOU WILL TAKE TO HEART, THAT WE AS PEOPLE TAKE BATHS, GO FOR WALKS, REST, EVEN HAVE JOBS. SO DOES YOUR FRIEND. YOU MENTIONED THAT THE DOGS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD BARK ALL NIGHT LONG. THIS IS THE DOGS JOB. UNFORTUNATELY PEOPLE WON’T GET UP AND CHECK ON THE DOG THAT IS BARKING. JUST REMEMBER THAT THEIR HEARING IS BY FAR GREATER THAN OURS. A DOG DOES NOT BARK FOR NO REASON. ONE OF THE GREATEST MISDEEDS PEOPLE DO TO A DOG IS FEED THEM HUMAN FOOD. THE DOG FOOD COMPANIES HAVE SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO DEVELOPE THEIR FORMULAS FOR A REASON. HUMAN FOOD GIVES DOGS PARASITES. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT HTIS WONDERFUL LIFE YOU HAVE BLESSED WITH A HOME DESERVES RESPECT JUST AS YOU CHILDREN DO. I HAVE TRAINED MANY DOGS IN OBEDIENCE CLASSES AND HAVE SHOWN THEM FOR THE AKC. THERE IS NOT GREATER LOVE THAN THE LOVE A DOG WILL GIVE YOU FOR HE WILL HOLD NO GRUDGE AGAINST YOU HE WILL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR YOU.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE LOVED EVERY DAY.
ANDREA
Barking dogs mean one thing — they are pack animals, locked out from the rest of the pack, and want to be included in the pack’s activities — even sleeping. There are few dogs who exist well alone, mostly farm dogs who will sleep on a back porch and listen for trouble on the acreage. But most get lonely and wonder why they’re being punished by being excluded from the pack.
Caging at night in the bedroom is a good way to avoid mishaps, but, if it is a puppy, be sure not to make him or her hold her bladder for more than 5 hours. An old but wonderful book on dog ownership is “How to be Your Dog’s Best Friend” by the Monks of New Skete. Lots of insight into why dogs do the things they do, and wonderful tips on how to really train your canine.
An untrained dog is like an undisciplined child. Not welcome anywhere and looked down upon as an inferior creature. Who’s fault is that? The owner or the parent. It takes time and patience to be good at either job. Hope you have enough for a new family member.
I found Random Thoughts blog after posting comment on article in Daily Press on strays & barking dogs. I’ve been trying to find help for feral cats in unincorporated area of Victorville without luck–I’m not physically able to at least trap and transport cats to a shelter with non-kill policy or to vet with low cost fees for neutering (I’m not financially able to do that either).
Anyone out there know of local organization that can help the cats? I can’t have any pets myself…and I feel like I’m surrounded by a vast indifferent ocean, throwing messages in bottles that never get read!