I Want A Puppy For Christmas!

Flyer and Gilligan ^ | December 13, 2001 | From the heart

[Flyer]

I want a puppy for Christmas!

Okay, I don't really want a puppy for Christmas. Yes, I do want a puppy, but not quite yet. My last three dogs have come into my life as adults. I haven't had the joy (and aggravation) of raising a puppy since 1986.

I had four dogs until just a couple of years ago.I had to put one to sleep due to trauma injuries, and another that was old with failing health. A third I put to sleep just about six weeks ago. She had severe spondylosis, but lived 3 - 4 years longer than the vets had expected. I cherished every extra day we had together.

I have mentioned here before that I used to work with dogs (and cats), up until a year ago. I worked at an animal shelter for 3 years, a veterinarian for 6 years and 2 years at a first class boarding kennel. During those eleven years I touched the lives of about 10,000 different dogs. That's not an exaggeration. I crossed paths with about 100,000 dogs, but I'm just counting ones I, in some way,  have touched their lives. (yes, much of this was from the work at the shelter. We took in 35 - 40,000 animals a year) Of the ten thousand there were probably 500 that I knew very well from seeing them over and over at the vet and the boarding kennel. I loved them as my own dogs and they loved me as their own 'person'.

My new puppy will be a Golden Retriever named Re-Boot, in hopes of filling the shoes (paws?) of the Golden I recently lost. My remaining dog is a Golden and yes, they are my favorite breed. There any many other breeds I like, though. Border Collies are very smart and I will probably have one some day. Corgi's have taken a piece of my heart, too. I will probably never own a Standard Poodle but they are very fun dogs once you get to know them. Over the years it was quite an experience spotting the common traits in the different breeds.

I want a puppy for Christmas. So why don't I get one?? Raising a puppy properly requires time and money. The time I have now. The money - I don't. So I will wait. My puppy will be there when I am ready. (and please reconsider if you are thinking of giving a pet as a Christmas gift - but that's a chapter in itself)

So why am I posting this frivolous little story? Because I hope to get the attention of all of you that read these animal threads and ask a favor of you. Lately Tabitha Soren   has been a pest on these innocent, "G" rated animal threads. I want to ask you to join me and just ignore her and not give her the dignity of a reply. I know, she gets us all PO'ed, but if we just ignore her she will lose the satisfaction of the attention she gets, and she won't have replies to reply to.

BTW. . . post your pet stories here and we won't let this warm and fuzzy thread get hijacked!

 

Merry Christmas,

Flyer and Gilligan

[HairOfTheDog]

NO DOG? That is too bad. Don't go to long without one... Everybody's ego needs a dog from time to time. ;~)

[mafree]

This thread makes it a tempting idea but I live alone, I work all day, and sometimes have to go to meetings, etc. in the evening. Poor dog would be alone too much.

[EnnisExile]

Your kind thoughts are balm to my breaking heart. I'm holding my Brunna close tonight in my dreams. Maybe I'm deluding myself but I seem to feel peace coming to me from him. Like a promise that he'll never leave me...really.

[NYCVirago]

That is so incredibly sad. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

[Flyer]

That is probably one of the few 'still' shots you will ever get of them spotted pups.

[Flyer]

but we are out to change that image by putting animals first

I would have to see this place with my own eyes before I believe it. I have a friend in a high level at the HSUS. I may ask her what she knows of this place.

[Flyer]

This could save you on the money factor.

Good suggestions, but I'm at a point where a new pair of sneakers is a major purchase. I don't want to have to think twice about a trip to the vet. My puppy will wait for me.

[AKA Elena]

30,000 square feet -- can you imagine? Sounds like a vast building, but it is the average size of a warehouse, really -- it has to be a he**hole for the poor puppies.

About the size of three large building lots.

The puppy "hauler" who left the 50(?) puppies in the box of his truck last year was employed by the Hunte Corporation.

The contracts on our puppies (and many other breeders) have a life-time return to us clause and are guaranteed to be free of debilitating diseases. They come to life in our hands and are our responsibility for life.

These people are also part of the network of puppy mills in the midwest who object to the AKC's "Frequently Used Sires" program, which is a DNA registry so that some "Champion's" name cannot be used as a selling point for some unknown breeding (whether in the mills or in someone's kennel). They threatened to start their own registry in protest. Why??? Probably because they could not prove the integrity of registration.

They take a whole week to check out the health of the puppies they warehouse ... how disgusting, as the little babies are starved for attention when they get there and probably pass the temperament tests with flying colors.

Dogs (animals) should NEVER be an impulse purchase! Pet Shops make big bucks from that kind of human emotion ... the purchase often ends up in "Rescue" when the novelty and cuteness wear off.

About your title and topic -- we have never allowed a "Christmas sale" even to those who have been waiting for a puppy ... the timing is off and waiting for a week or two is required. A picture of their chosen puppy or the litter is the "wrapped" gift.

[steve-b]

Just remember- Puppies grow up to be dogs!

Remember -- Irish Setter puppies who sit on laps grow up to be Irish Setters who think they're lap dogs.

[BibChr]

You are a blessed man!

My chances of a laptop are slim to none. Ah well, but I have ZERO material complaints, so... wants are one thing, needs another. All my material needs are generously met.

Dan

[Geezerette]

Are you able to access PAX TV? It's not cable. It's a family channel, and they have a weekly Monday evening hour-long program called, "Miracle Pets". They also have another program, "It's a Miracle!" on Thursday evenings.

On both these shows, which depict true stories related by the people involved, I have seen cases where a dog or pet has passed from this life, and the owner continues to sense or actually felt the presence of their beloved pet. I don't feel like this is blasphemy to one who loves God, because I firmly believe God sent my Bea to me. She and your Brunna are GIFTS from Him. Why wouldn't He continue to let them love and comfort us?

There is a thread here on FR this AM, "Do Animals Have Souls", or something like that. I haven't read it yet, as I wanted to respond to you. I believe they do have spirits, if not souls. They would give their lives for us ... many have. That takes something really special. On this one, I have an open mind.

g

[EnnisExile]

Yes, Geezerette, I've been following the thread "Do Animals Have Souls?" today (first time I've seen it so I assume it began today - Thank You God!).

I know my Brunna was a gift from God. When I got him at 6 months old his name was Cavendish and I waited a while before renaming him. Although my own surname is NOT O'Dea, I called him 'Brunna O'Dea' because that translates loosely in Gaelic (Irish) as "Gift from God".

People on FR, such as yourself, have been a source of great consolation at this dreadful time - something completely unexpected because I think I've posted only three times since I registered back in '98.

Thanks again and a prayer of thanks for this great site.

[texgal]

I've been waiting for YORKY to come up, I want a Yorky so bad, but don't know much about them. My last pet was a peke-a-poo, 7 - 8lbs, and 15 yrs. when I lost him. I like small furry dogs.

They're great companion dogs. They're fiercely protective and think they are dobermans. Piper was our first Yorkie, he was small about 4 lbs at his heaviest. When I took him to obedience class the first night he introduced himself to a german shephard by leaping up and grabbing the shephard by the throat and would not let go - no matter how hard the shephard tried to shake him loose. He didn't hurt the shepherd, but it was clear that Piper earned his respect that night. The shepherd never came close to him after that.

[Jefferson Adams]

Right now I am currently owned by three Pugs.

Pugs are handy, because when they're being obnoxious you can always just stand them on their faces in the corner :)

[katykelly]

So, I guess you don't travel much :-)

[katykelly]

SMARTEST dog I ever had was a sheltie. She voted early and often.

[alaskanfan]

His name was Fred, killer dog of the north. The most amazing dog I have ever seen on the face of the earth.

[austingirl]

My sincere condolences to you. What a shock. I lost my ten year old greyhound, Bryant, unexpectedly to cancer (massive, quick-growing on his heart) just four weeks ago. I have two other dear little terriers to help me through my grief. Take care.

[summer]

Re your post #125 - I like Mutts too. :)

[maxwell]

Get a Rott. I always wanted a Rott-- don't want to raise it though... Anybody in south-eastern US got a well-trained mid-aged Rott for sale? Has to like running. I need something that'll keep up with me. Oh well my apt's small enough with just my big a$$ in it...

What's up with "Tabitha Soren" and G-rated animal threads? She some kinda perv or something?