LoisCroft Loc: Jonesborough, Tennessee

My wonderful dog died a few weeks ago and my daughter and son-in-law have offered to get me a dog for Christmas. However, the process is incredibly long. I understand that they are seasonally busy and that applications take some time to process but every time I see a dog I like, I send a query, then a week or two later they tell me that the dog was already adopted. Also, our local shelter insists on a new application for every dog that one might be interested in. Anyone know of a way to get something done a bit quicker? Am I doing something wrong here? Even a shelter that has had my approved application on file for over a year is very slow to respond.

I would much prefer a rescue or shelter dog but at this point my son-in-law said it would be much faster to go through a breeder.

tomcat

I agree. The shelters have become too maniacal and are run by do-gooders out to save the world. Far easier to adopt a human baby than to adopt a dog. Do what your son suggests

lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

Instead of the local shelter, try one of the breed specific, or independent rescue organizations.

JimBart Loc: Western Michigan

Food for thought... if you travel and stay in motels you may want to consider the hotel up charges for travelling with any animal35-75 addtl per nite. In addition consider the vet bills which you have had Cost of animal ownership is getting higher
Flip side... animal ownership provides a lot of companionship if alone. Decide what breed you want, large or small, and look for a REPUTABLE breeder. There are many out there who are mini puppy mills. Be careful and watch the temperament of the parent. This is if you want to train a puppy which can be fun
We just put down our Pomeranian/
poodle mix and started travelling. May look again come spring

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Sorry about your loss Lois. Be patient and you will find one that loves you and you love. Happy Holidays.Stan

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

I’m sorry for the loss of your dog. But there is something I can help you with on that regard. Please read the entire post.

Most breed specific adoptions are expensive. At least up in these parts. So think about that.

Wait a short while after the holidays. Perhaps a month or two. Most kennels are reluctant to set up adoptions around holiday time. They don’t want the puppy returned because “the child can’t take care of it” mentality. I know this is not the case but animal adoption agencies think that way.

My 20 year old son loved animals and volunteered his free time at Sean Casey’s Animal Rescue Center (SCAR) in Brooklyn. He wanted to bring a puppy home every weekend he volunteered.

About six years ago, my son passed away.
After being in therapy for several months (still are) we adopted a puppy from North Shore Animal League. Our therapist suggested we adopt a dog to help us through our PTSD.

North Shore-on Long Island had several puppies. One particular puppy was emaciated, and albino. We felt bad that this puppy needed a good home. We adopted him and named him Bentley.

A couple of months later, his nose turned black instead of pink. A couple of spots started to appear on his belly. We took him back to NSAL. The vet said his is a Labrador mixed with a Dalmatian. Now we have a white dog except on his belly, there are black spots.

We trained him to respond to people with PTSD. When we are upset he will lay on top of us while we lay down on a couch or bed.

Just getting a puppy may not really help replace the one you have lost. I suggest you adopt a puppy with the intent to train it as a therapy dog. The dog’s purpose will be for you to take it to hospitals and nursing homes because patients can’t have a dog there but definitely will benefit.

We adopted a puppy (Australian Cattle Dog/ Border Collie) about 12 years ago. We adopted her from Mustard Sandwich in North Carolina. She was trained as a therapy dog and we took her to hospices and nursing homes. Lucy stays with my older son in Virginia while he is doing his PhD dissertation.

Dogs are trained by the owner through Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dogs International. Virtually every state has some similar agencies.

Now for something unexpected. When my son, Brian passed away, my wife and I created a Foundation in his honor. The Foundation is www.BGMFoundation.org. We have created a dog run. It is named Brian’s Bark Park. The residents of a gated community in Pennsylvania appreciate a place where they can bring their dogs.

When I lost my son I endeavored to create a memorial to him to be hung on the wall. Several years ago, a fellow hogger lost their pet. I suggested they do the same. You don’t really need much woodworking skills. A short time ago, I posted a thread titled, A Photograph That Can Tell Time.” Try looking in the Search function for this thread. If you have difficulty you can private message me.

I am sorry about your loss. Many people don’t bat an eye when you tell them your pet passed away. But that animal is a part of your family. It learns every thing about you. Your habits, your place where you live and it feels right at home. Try to let your dog sneak away, it won’t because it knows where you are. I believe I bought me house and live for the comfort and convenience of my dogs.

Bentley comfortably at home watching TV

(Download)

incognito

Try your local animal control officer. Ask them if any dog is going to be euthanized very soon and see if they will give you the dog instead of killing it. I know over the years things have changed but I used to do that with good success.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

I am sorry for your loss Lois
I have found adopting from a shelters of all kinds to be very long and drawn out, and quite expensive, and just about as bad dealing with breeders.
Through out my life I have Had many dogs, most being mongrels and a lot of those have been strays that just appeared, a trip to the vet with a stray is much cheaper than adoption.
I lost my last pal 6yrs ago just a week after my Wife passed away. I have been looking for a new buddy, but I am looking for one of two specific breeds, so unless a stray shows up and adopts me this could take quite awhile.
I do prefer Adult dogs to puppies, I just don't have the patients to train a puppy anymore.
Good luck on your quest
Frank

Thistletop Loc: East Tennessee

Come check out the shelter in GreenEville.

2Dragons Loc: The Back of Beyond

Couldn't agree with you more. Many of them won't allow older folks to adopt cats or dogs because they figure the animal will outlive the human, and who needs companionship more than an older person living alone?

Leo_B Loc: Houston suburb

You might have much better luck adopting a cat. That's usually possible just by checking neighborhood info sources like Nextdoor.com and saying I'll take one.

G. Crook Loc: Linden, TX

I travel frequently with two Aussie's and have never had an upcharge of more than $15.00 for both dogs. Often times no upcharge at all. As mentioned, go to a breed specific shelter. My dogs, almost without exception, have been rescue dogs, even a couple of "mutts". In 70+ years of dog companionship I cannot think of a bad dog experience.

LoisCroft Loc: Jonesborough, Tennessee

Thank you everyone for your very kind comments and helpful advice. Please accept my condolences to those of you who have lost best friends and family members too.

Training her as a therapy dog sounds like a wonderful idea. When my children were young we used to visit seniors homes and the kids would sing, play an instrument etc. I miss those visits! This will bring back some wonderful memories too!

I have looked locally (Greeneville, TN too!!) and we are also checking Kentucky, North and South Carolina so I'm sure we will eventually find her. I'm not usually picky about things but this girl will be a very close member of my family so it's really important that I find the perfect dog for me and my small herd of cats.

I understand the facilities concerns about giving a dog to an older person, that may be part of the problem with being able to move forward on this. My daughter and son-in-law have already offered to care for her should something happen to me. Maybe I should mention this on applications.

I was reluctant to "replace" my Abby until my son-in-law sent me this. I still haven't been able to read it through without a tear or two but this is exactly what Abby would have wanted.

Before humans die, they write their last will and testament, giving their home and all they have to those they leave behind. If, with my paws, I could do the same, this is what I’d ask…

To a poor and lonely stray, I’d give my happy home; my bowl and cozy bed, soft pillow and all my toys; the lap, which I loved so much; the hand that stroked my fur; and the sweet voice that spoke my name.

I’d will to the sad, scared, shelter dog the place I had in my human’s loving heart, of which there seemed no bounds.

So, when I die, please do not say, “I will never have a pet again, for the loss and the pain is more than I can stand.”

Instead, go find an unloved dog, one whose life has held no joy or hope, and give my place to him.

This is the only thing I can give…

The love I left behind.

nicelifter Loc: erie,pa

i would pick a dog over kids any day ...the cost of a dog is nothing when you think about it ..my girlfriends son cost her about 5 grand a yr in stuff that he thinks she should be giving him then he tells her ...you dont do anything for me .my dog has never been arrested for being some where he didnt belong like her son has been ..plus no matter how bad of a day i was having my dog has and always loved me .when my dog passed away i cried for days but i cant say the same for her son leaving

Rusty Lens

My wife & I work, volunteer, for a breed specific dog rescue organization here in Michigan. Most of our dogs come from breeders(puppy mills) and most are damaged physically & emotional and require extensive vet work. A good healthy young dog comes with a price tag of approx. $300 to $350, older dogs are less depending on several factors. That price doesn't even come close to paying the vet bill for 99% of our dogs. Imagine a 7 yr old dog so frightened that it can't be touched, with bad & broken teeth, heart-worm disease, mange, fleas etc. Now imagine that same dog a yr later made whole, up for adoption at $200. Cheap at twice the price. Our first dog we fostered was frightened of grass. She had never see grass & couldn't stand to have it touching her. She had sired 5 litters & was no longer of any value to her owner. Her fate was "rescue" or "death". She now lives with a loving family in Wisconsin. ADOPT FROM A RESCUE