Dog Adoption / Rescue ~

[A-Jay]

  In another thread I was asked to pass on some info regarding dog adoption/rescue. I linked this response in that thread

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/258477-i-took-my-dog-back-to-the-rescue…/?do=findComment&comment=3031619

but believe this could be helpful standing on its own.

The initial discussion revolved around some of the challenges associated with finding the right dog from an animal shelter.  

 

         Right off the bat, I am not promoting the below information as anything more than my own personal experience. All of which is from simple dog ownership, as well as working with, fostering & placing/re-homes dogs for a local animal shelter and various dog rescue entities

over the course of the past 25 years.

 I totally understand that everyone has their own dog ownership experiences & beliefs many of which may totally differ from mine.  And I have zero problem with that.  So that said, here’s what I got . . . . . .

 

  Over the years, my wife & I have gotten Great dogs from pure bred AKC reputable dog breeders, animal shelters and dog rescues.  And with some effective research in advance, we believe most anyone else can too.

 

 It all boils down to finding the Right Dog For You & your specific situation.  This is where it really pays off to first be completely honest with yourself while having realistic expectations about what you can offer the dog.  As well as what you expect from him/her.   Being knowledgeable about a specific breed of dog and knowing what to expect is key.  Animals have free will, a mind of their own and specific Breed characteristics/reputations are a real thing. 

 

  As for breeders, shelters and dog rescues, they may all have pro’s & cons and some have a better track record than others.  AKC Breeders usually deal in puppies.  While Dog Rescues have all ages and often depend heavily on foster homes to keep the dogs while waiting on adoption.

Both are routinely very selective when it comes to the application process; which is a good thing.  Animal shelters may have any age/breed/mix and are often less selective. Meaning an application to a reputable breeder and or dog rescue might be denied.  Where that’s a rare event at most animal shelters.  

 

 Speaking of the application, the best places have a thorough one, because they care about you & the dogs.  Many are several pages long and ask a ton of personal info.  You might even need to have your home ‘visited’.  Meaning a human designated by the entity will actually come to   and check your home, property and situation to ensure that they are safe/appropriate for the dog.  We’ve actually participated in a few of these.  Both as an owner and a representative of the local animal shelter.  Seen some stuff.  Either way, don’t be put off.  Instead be open & thankful for the process which can help get a new best friend.

 

  Searching Long distance and even out of state Dog Rescues digitally, can seriously widen the selection opportunities.  And something that many folks don’t know about, is that most all of these places participate in dog ‘transports’.  So the way it works is some wonderful, generous dog loving volunteers will safely transport your new dog state to state and right to you, often from anywhere in the country.  My current two dogs started out in Texas, were transported to a Rescue in Wisconsin and then shuttled to us in Michigan.  Ask about it if the need is there.

 

 Little doubt that there’s a lot to this however I am going to end with what we call “the animal shelter experience” and “The Rescue Story”.

  Looking at pictures of a dog, reading about it on line and even talking to those who know about a dog might not prepare one sufficiently for an actual visit to the animal shelter.  Especially those facilities that are entirely indoors.  If one has never been in a building with 20, 50 or even several hundred stressed out, over excited, barking dogs, it can be incredibly intimidating. (and smell bad)  It’s important for prospective owners to understand that most of what we see behavior wise at the shelter, is a direct result of being there in the first place and often does not reflect what any particular dog is actually like after just a few days with the right people in a new home.  Simply taking a dog out of that environment for just a brief period can often provide a glimpse of what to expect.  That’s why we really believe in the power of “A Walk”.  Do it, take your new friend for a couple of laps outside around the shelter if you can.   Will probably pay huge dividends.

 

 We’ve learned quite a bit about these processes from multiple fosters,

especially when we screened applicants and rehomed dogs ourselves.

The rescue story is always the deal. Every rescue dog has one and perspective owners, including me, are very interested in knowing what the situation was before the dog got to where it is now.  Sometimes it’s known, sometimes not and sometimes it’s totally made.  Yup, made up to attract people to the dog.  Does it matter ? I say yes and no.  I want to know what I can about a new dog but it rarely changes much of what I do when I get the dog home.  Both the dog and I are in a new situation and we’re both starting from scratch.   Rarely does the dog dwell on it’s past,

regardless of how ‘bad’ it was.  Not sure I could tell for sure anyway.  Most are all about where they are now, living and loving in the present.  

Hope this helps.

A-Jay

[Susky River Rat]

Great write up thank you for posting it! I had to do meet and greet, home inspection, criminal/ child abuse background checks.  They also contacted my references. 
 

I would also like to add which I experienced when you rescue a dog it may look more like this or that breed. Without a DNA test it is only speculation and as @A-Jay pointed out breed characteristics are very real.  

[Mike L]

Excellent Andy!

My family have always owned Great Danes. We got our first in ‘78 and have had 5 since. 
My daughter has rescued 2 from the

Big Dog Ranch Rescue here in Florida which advertises itself as the “Largest Cage-Free No-Kill” dog rescue in the country
 

If anyone is interested in adopting a “big boned” friend 😄

That’s the place 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

[A-Jay]

12 minutes ago, Mike L said:

Excellent Andy!

My family have always owned Great Danes. We got our first in ‘78 and have had 5 since. 
My daughter has rescued 2 from the

Big Dog Ranch Rescue here in Florida which advertises itself as the “Largest Cage-Free No-Kill” dog rescue in the country

If anyone is interested in adopting a “big boned” friend 😄

That’s the place 

Mike

Thanks Mike ~

I don't have any ownership experience with the "Apollo of Dogs".

However we have nice neighbor who has had a pair for as long as we've lived here. 

He's on one of our "walk routes".

So we've had several up close & personal opportunities with them. 

Big Dogs for sure and they would make our 100 lb malamutes look pretty small.

Tall and imposing but seem easy going and super friendly.

Must make wonderful companions and serious guardians for your home & property. 

He feeds them outside (on his front porch), they look like ponies from a distance !

Happy Holidays from our pack to yours.

A-Jay

 

[Mike L]

 

Mama and son..

Walter and Payton

 

 

Butkus 1

 

 

Once people give them a chance and get past their size, most just fall in love with them. 
Danes are one of the most loving animals there are.

 

Because of their size there are a few things unique to them that owners should learn to help them live a long and healthy life. 
But what you get back will last a lifetime. 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike