Stella's brother-to-be

prose

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Say hi to Murray! He arrives next Tuesday (from Ecuador
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).

He has passed all his behavioural tests with flying colours, and is good with dogs, cats, and small kids. My husband is so excited--he runs four miles before work every day, and will now have a speedy companion to keep him company.

Murray is a Golden Retriver/Spaniel, and he only weighs 38lbs.

Any tips on introducing Stella to Murray? I was planning on having them meet outside, on a quiet street, then taking them for a brisk walk, before putting Murray in his crate for the night. I will obviously feed them separately at first. Should I feed Murray in his crate or might that encourage guarding behaviour?

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He is very cute....I would meet on neuteral ground aswell and take them for a little walk....and place him in the crate for the night....I always leave the food in the crate....he may not feel like eating in a strange environment and may have a little munch later in the night when everything is quiet.
It also allows him to assosiate a positive with his crate.i.e the food.
Good luck...keep us updated
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He's lovely.... Looks like spainel in retrevier coat Bless him... how old is he?

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He's eighteen-months-old.

I am so darn excited. The poor credit card has taken quite a hit buying various bits and bobs
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He looks lovely! Why are you getting him from so far away?

Haz

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I had been looking on Petfinder, which is a central database for all the shelters and rescue groups in the US. I thought he was with "Stray from the Heart", a well-known group in Manhattan, but turns out he was with their sister group, in Ecuador. It's just about the craziest thing I've ever done, but the group is so professional (vet checks, home visits, interviews--the lot) and they take great care in matching you to the right dog. The adoption co-ordinator--a tax lawyer, who somehow manages to do this in her spare time--raved about him, saying that he was the best male dog in their care. We are having a six-week foster period, to ease the pressure all round, with one of their long-term fosters ready to step in, should something terrible happen (can't think what, but I like the idea of them having a well-though contingency plan). I don't mind a housebreaking refresher (sounds like he'll need one) but I wanted an easy second dog, one who is good with everyone and everything. He fit into that category. I know there'll be a period of adjustment, but he sounds like a complete sweetie.

The city shelter in NYC is 85% Pit Bull, sadly, so that wasn't an option. Most of the no-kill rescues tend to be Pit heavy, too, so I jumped when I saw this guy. We had thought about pedigree rescue, but most are based outside the city and will only adopt within a certain radius.

So, Murray from Ecuador it was!
 
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