Went Dog "Shopping" Today

[Carol Dee]

@Nyboy, I guess strays are a lot more likely to have heartworms because they don't get preventative treatment. I would think the dogs you deal with are given good medical care. In your area, do you give the heart worm preventative just as a matter of course, like vaccinations and flea/tick medications?

Just as a matter of curiosity, how old would you consider too old for a dog to be prime adoption material? There is this beautiful smallish black shepherd type dog at the pound that is 5 years old.

I know you asked Nyboy . But I would think 5 to be a great age. Past all the puppy hood naughtiness. And not yet OLD.

 

[baymule]

Ditto what Carol said.

 

[so lucky]

I was hoping others would chime in too, so thanks. I may go back tomorrow and give him/her another look. Some of the dogs there don't have the eyes that speak to me. This one does.

 

[seedcorn]

If the dog is less than 10, it could be just the animal for you.

When our son was 3, he was afraid of dogs. One day a stray showed up. He and dog bonded. One day saw scratches on both arms. I was concerned, so stood inside and watched. Son would run to front of house (not allowed as that was nearer road), the dog would gently grab his arm, lead him back to back yard. Son laughing all the way. Soon as he was back in yard, son would run to front again, laughing. The dog repeated his fetching over and over. 3 months later, just like he arrived, he disappeared. Best 3 months that changed our lives. It's not the amount of time, it's the amount of life changed.

 

[Nyboy]

Almost all dogs here are on preventative, people do have the money for medical care and medications. One of the problem workers face trying to adopt dogs out is age. Most people don't want to adopt dog over 3, so sometime dogs age is shall we say lowered. If dog is really 5 it is middle aged, pros and cons. If the dog had good training, by 5 you should have a calm well behaviored dog whose temperament is well set. Cons would be any bad habitats will be much harder to break. Much short time before old age.

 

[Nyboy]

I have a client who only adopts old dogs ( in their teens), she might only have them, a year or 2. She looks at it that she gets to have many great dogs instead of only a few. And gives home to dog no one would want. Some people would see that as to much heart break, she doesnt all depends how you look at it. 1 dog for 14 years or 5 dogs in 14 years.

 

[digitS']

DD's Waffles (Maltese) likes people, amongst other things .

He was a rescue from a puppy mill but had his little tricks he would do in the cage to get attention. She thought he needed a home.

He was 8, their estimate, and is nearly blind. Waffles will sometimes walk into a wall but he's willing to explore, going a little way and returning, a little further, returning, etc. He is playful and has fun tearing around once he figures out where everything is. But, he sleeps a lot.

She doesn't expect to have him long but enjoys his affectionate and happy nature.

Steve

 

[catjac1975]

I took my grand daughters to the humane society after school today, to see if they had anything interesting in. Cute little terrier, can't think of the breed right now; not for adoption, has heart worms and is going to a rescue org that will treat then adopt out from there. Saw a very pretty black with white blaze smallish shepherd of some kind, but she is four or five years old already. Then another cute small dog that also has heart worms. Then a tall Chihuahua which was said to have an aggression issue. Still lots of big non-descript lab and/or pit mixes. A beagle. A pretty large brindle colored hound of some kind. German shepherds with heart worms. Nice looking Doberman--big guy.
The ones I liked the looks of were not available.
Maybe the idea of the runt of the litter, or one undesirable for the standard of a particular breed might be the way to go.

 

[catjac1975]

I took my grand daughters to the humane society after school today, to see if they had anything interesting in. Cute little terrier, can't think of the breed right now; not for adoption, has heart worms and is going to a rescue org that will treat then adopt out from there. Saw a very pretty black with white blaze smallish shepherd of some kind, but she is four or five years old already. Then another cute small dog that also has heart worms. Then a tall Chihuahua which was said to have an aggression issue. Still lots of big non-descript lab and/or pit mixes. A beagle. A pretty large brindle colored hound of some kind. German shepherds with heart worms. Nice looking Doberman--big guy.
The ones I liked the looks of were not available.
Maybe the idea of the runt of the litter, or one undesirable for the standard of a particular breed might be the way to go.

I would never get any terrier related dog to be around kids.the are just too nervous and snappy. To be a dog must say woof, not yip yip.

 

[Rhodie Ranch]

Five is not old! Its not even middle age for some breeds. Go see and study and sit and reflect with that dog. His/her heart will tell you.