Do I, Don't I? new dog

twiggy2

twiggy2

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since losing my Lil lurcher (last week in April) I have been keeping my eye out for another dog, I knew I could not get anything else whilst my 2 old boys were still about but also knew that they were not going to be about for long (15 and 17yrs old), so my old boys went nearly 3 weeks ago and I have found myself with a foster dog (a tiny little ball of fluff that will be easy to home when she is ready).
Well when looking about after losing Lil lurcher I came across a lurcher in a local pound-something about her just kept drawing me back, she is still there and has been since march, she reminds me very much in temperament of my lost bitch, she has been in kennels since she was 3 or 4 months old and is now just over a year, she has (understandably) no manners, leaps all over people whilst mouthing when she gets excited which is frequent, she is a live wire/goofball/clown. she is what my bitch would have been if raised similarly.
Do I don't I, I have always been a person who prefers them from puppies but there is something about this one, my concerns are, will I be able to keep her in the garden (I will need to raise the fence but practically will I be able to make it strong and high enough? will my daughters be able to cope? they say they will, can I offer this dog enough?
She has my heart but I know that alone is not enough, I was going to continue fostering for a while rather than committing long term but but but...
I can see her being in kennels for ever as she is so full on when you bring her out of the kennel.

where is CAYLA when you need sensible dog rescue advice?
 
I rescued x bred in 2001, she is still with me! She was originally in a rescue in Wales. She hated being in kennels and was hyper active. The kennel owner had her loose as much as possible and chance to play with other dogs. No one wanted her during her nine month stay there in spite of being advertised in the local paper twice.
She moved with a consignment to Herts to a rescue that puts all its dogs in foster. At this time I was looking for a companion for my flatcoat who hated being an only dog when our lurcher died. Sadie had only been in foster for a week but the lady said she was brilliant, house trained, well behaved, loved other dogs, fine with the cat and grandchildren. So different to kennels.
I was so lucky to get her, yes full of energy but just brilliant. I resolved she would never be put in kennels again.
I am not saying your dog will be as easy but living in a home and bonding with someone can make a huge difference. Good luck and let us know what you decide.
 
I think you should Twiggy :)

She's still a puppy really isn't she? And there's a connection already...you're doomed I tell ya :)

Seriously, with the run you can keep her in while you're out, you know your lurchers, your kids aren't tiny so unlikely to be flattened - big boisterous dogs need homes like that and there aren't a lot of them to go round. In saying that, you've got to be sure that she's really what you want rather than feeling sorry for her. Time for a pros and cons list IMO.
 
Ohhh, do it! So sad that she has been in keennels for so long. She is still a comparative baby, I'm sure with a good home she will come round.
 
cbmcts I dont feel sorry for her, but I do know if my Lil had had her start in life noone would have given her a break because their worst side comes to the fore.
And yes I am doomed-I need to speak to a particular kennels I know of to make sure when I am away at the end of august they can take her (they deal with DD1 dogs so she should be a breeze for them) and if yes then I will take a huge leap of faith and go for a gamble on this one.
 
Go for it, or someone else will have her.I lost my beloved Lurcher in 2010 to cancer, she was barely 10 but like a 4 year old running around so it was particularly hard to accept. I didn't cope well and looked all round the UK at the rescue sites looking for another, although I chose a similar looking lurcher, I knew she wouldn't be the same as the last but she in fact chose me, something about this one jumped out at me. I drove over 160 miles to get her. It took a while to bond as at times I almost resented her for not being my old Jemma, then suddenly everything clicked, wouldn't be without her now and I know getting another dog so soon after losing one, for me, was the best thing I ever did.
Mine was about a year old and full of beans too, she still is 4 years on!
We had to rescue her from the rescue centre (another case of hoarding and neglect).
Having a new dog really takes your mind off losing others, I think you'll regret it if you don't go and get her, what are you waiting for?
Oz

Here's the little devil, usual place, on my bed
usualplace-1.jpg
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cremedemonthe said:
Go for it, or someone else will have her.I lost my beloved Lurcher in 2010 to cancer, she was barely 10 but like a 4 year old running around so it was particularly hard to accept. I didn't cope well and looked all round the UK at the rescue sites looking for another, although I chose a similar looking lurcher, I knew she wouldn't be the same as the last but she in fact chose me, something about this one jumped out at me. I drove over 160 miles to get her. It took a while to bond as at times I almost resented her for not being my old Jemma, then suddenly everything clicked, wouldn't be without her now and I know getting another dog so soon after losing one, for me, was the best thing I ever did.
Mine was about a year old and full of beans too, she still is 4 years on!
We had to rescue her from the rescue centre (another case of hoarding and neglect).
Having a new dog really takes your mind off losing others, I think you'll regret it if you don't go and get her, what are you waiting for?
Oz

Here's the little devil, usual place, on my bed
usualplace-1.jpg
[/URL]
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I have never felt the need to have a dog owning break before but after losing my lurcher I did want a break-what am I waiting for? I am not sure, part of me has enjoyed the selfish freedom of not having the tie of dogs but most of me has missed the companionship-I don't think anyone else will take her as she is so full on, I feel she needs a break and there is something about her, I am questioning if I am up to the task really I suppose.
 
twiggy2 said:
I have never felt the need to have a dog owning break before but after losing my lurcher I did want a break-what am I waiting for? I am not sure, part of me has enjoyed the selfish freedom of not having the tie of dogs but most of me has missed the companionship-I don't think anyone else will take her as she is so full on, I feel she needs a break and there is something about her, I am questioning if I am up to the task really I suppose.
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I think you are, you'll never know unless you try.
 
I wouldn't think twice about it - of course you should :) rescues can be challenging occasionally but all they need is love and clear parameters showing the behaviour expected of them - it's worked every time with the lurchers and greyhounds I've had :)
 
You are so experienced with dogs you will be fine. She will be challenging in training ways but I bet will be a pleasure to be with. It is a shame she missed out on her easy training period but she is still only a pup really.
I got my lurcher from the pound as an un housetrained adult with zero recall, just a kind nature and a pretty face, she has been no trouble at all...well now she is old I forget quite how much trouble she may have been sometimes...
Can't wait for pics!
 
I think a better way of deciding is to say what if you don't get her? Will you not mind? Will you wait for another? Why? If you're drawn to her, you have the experience and time/resources, then do it (and can we have pics, please?!)

The only thing I would say is that I would also have a pup at the same time, treat them the same, I like two at a time. Or will you end up keeping the foster?
 
I have the contact details of a girl who we know very well and who's one of the very few who manages a lurcher rescue in a proper manner. She's called Tracey Beauchamp(sp?) and she comes from near Lowestoft which isn't that far from you, I'd have thought. She has some cracking and well mannered dogs come in, and many could make for super re-homings. If you'd like her contact details, then PM me. I can't recommend her highly enough which is praise indeed!

Alec.
 
Ok time for an update; I lost track of this dog in the rescues various reasons I was not able to take her previously-I ended up with a foster dog from work and the a nearly dead kitten (followed by a second) from cats protection, the kittens had giardia which meant in reality taking on another pet would have been foolish. So when holidays were over and fosters gone I checked the rescue sight the dog had been moved on... it has taken a couple of months to trace her but I received and email friday night to say she had been found, I went to see her Sunday and pick her up Wednesday. So it has taken a while and all along I was saying if they find a home for her before I can take her it was not meant to be but here we are and I can't wait.
 
Clodagh said:
I am so pleased. That is wonderful news.
How is the little foster dog with the skin problem from mastitis?
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She is fine, her allergies have settled since she has been in her new home-she is on a chicken and beef free diet and fed raw and no skin or ear issues at all now, all her wounds healed a while ago and she lives with three colllies. I see the new owner every 2 weeks at work so get regular updates.
 
twiggy2 said:
She is fine, her allergies have settled since she has been in her new home-she is on a chicken and beef free diet and fed raw and no skin or ear issues at all now, all her wounds healed a while ago and she lives with three colllies. I see the new owner every 2 weeks at work so get regular updates.
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Great news.
 
Alec Swan said:
I have the contact details of a girl who we know very well and who's one of the very few who manages a lurcher rescue in a proper manner. She's called Tracey Beauchamp(sp?) and she comes from near Lowestoft which isn't that far from you, I'd have thought. She has some cracking and well mannered dogs come in, and many could make for super re-homings. If you'd like her contact details, then PM me. I can't recommend her highly enough which is praise indeed!

Alec.
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How strange you should mention Tracey, we were thinking about getting another one a couple of weeks back and Tracy has been incredibly sensible and easy to deal with. We've put it on hold for a little while as my OH has just changed jobs and we are having work done on the house, so not quite the right time. She does have a couple of lovely dogs at the minute though. And despite being miles and miles away, she regularly drives up and down the country so was happy to meet us somewhere sensible
 
an update for you lovely people.. no photos as I cannot find my camera so not even getting to the stage of stressing my brain to put them on here....
the lady is here, she traveled well but is not sure about getting in the car and tries to come out like a rocket, does not look like she will be a counter surfer, has not tested the furniture (which is good cos dogs are not allowed on it here, slept all night without a peep, she is a bit frustrated that she cannot pick up the carpet to play with it (she throws any loose dog bedding about and keeps dragging the blankets off the back of the chairs so I think this may have been here stress buster in kennels) and she is not convinced the moving talking screen is to be trusted.
CAYLA please can I have a crate training guide? I will PM for it too
 
Ha ha, well done Twiggy, not a bad start for a dog that has been in kennels so long. Good luck,we will be thinking of you and look forward to updates.
I am with you on the photo trouble,wish it was as simple as facebook.
 
She is lovely. Do you think she is wastage from a badger baiting bred litter? Staffy x longdog? Love her, what a lucky girl.
 
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