Anybody Rescue?

[Pauline46]

I was wondering if anybody here has ever rescued a dog? What has been your experience? Was it a good experience and would you do it again?

[LoveMySiberian]

I rescued my dog from a neglectful and possibly abusive home that was going to put him down. I didn't know much about him really, except he was 9 years old and a Siberian Husky. Taking him in was the best decision I have ever made. He was nervous and a bit on the heavy side, and now today he is 10 years old, perfect weight and health, energetic for his age, and a very happy dog. It's almost as if he is showing gratitude, I am glad I made a difference in his life and gave him a second chance at life, because he has made a difference in mine. Couldn't ask for a better dog! I would definetly rescue again.

[City girl]

Kip was on the list to be put down at the pound, luckily I got there in time or he'd be dead today. I would definately rescue again.

[Doglover24-7]

Not that i remember:cool:

[Jpierce]

We got Hawk from the Humane Society, so I guess that qualifies as a rescue. Although being a cute puppy, I doubt there was any risk of him going unadopted.

In my area (CT, USA) there are surprising few dogs available for adoption. The puppies get adopted almost immediately. The local Humane Society actually imports dogs from southern states where the shelters are overflowing. Hawk came from North Carolina or maybe SC, I forget which. Before going to the Humane Society I called three local shelters, two had one dog each and one had none!

We were happy with the experience, and would do it again, but I would try to be more informed. I would try to get a better idea what breed (or mix of breeds) I was getting and what behavioral traits are common to it. I would also asked to see how he behaves with other dogs.

My middle child was the one who wanted a dog the most, so we were content to let her choose. Its funny because she said she would be happy with any breed, except a pit bull (having heard the myths). We walked out with a puppy whose paperwork said rotty/hound mix but we were told was actually a lab mix. After having him for several weeks, the consensus is he is indeed at least part pit bull. My daughter no longer cares, because she loves him, as do the rest of us.

[dlambertz]

Maggy is a rescue. She was being passed among breeders for the first 6 months of her life. I have never figured out the whole story but she was bred in Iowa, sold to a breeder in Nebraska who than sold her to a breeder in South Dakota who for whatever reason decided she needed a home. My friend actually knowing I have always a passion for dane and having had threed danes in my past, gave me a call and pleaded for me to take this beautiful young girl.
Maggy was so scared and timid that we had to tie her in the fenced backyard to get close enough to touch her and bring her in the house...

[snowmuzzle]

My dog was a rescue. He is a collie cross (you know how people get them because they want an intelligent pet and can't look after them? He's a prime example) It's a great experience, knowing that you've rescued a dog from a neglectful, unhappy life. Now he's happy and bouncy and full of life! I find it sad that so many beautiful, loving mongrels die for want of a home, while people turn their backs on them for a pedigree pup. It's overwhelmingly rewarding to rescue a dog and I recommend it to anyone who wants to make a huge difference to an animal's life for good! ;)

[pammydee]

My Pit Bull was a rescue. With the new bylaw coming in to put down or get rid of Pits in Ontario I found my little gem about a week prior to the implementation of the new bylaw. The people I got her from said she was 7-8 weeks at the time but the vet said there was no way she was over 5 weeks. She has turned out to be the best dog I have ever owned.

[MixedBreed]

Our dog was a rescue from the Humane Society. When I went to look at dogs there were something like 60 dogs at the shelter, 40 of them up for adoption :( (JPierce, can your Shelter import some of ours??) Cassie had been there for something like 2 months already. They don't put down dogs at the Humane Society here, but she had kennel cough and calluses on her front legs from lying in a concrete pen all day.

I would definitely rescue again, but I would do my own research on breeds and their temperaments. I didn't care what breed of dog I got, but I wanted one that suited us, so I consulted with the vet tech and met with Cassie. Just a forewarning for others planning to adopt: The dogs demeanour in the shelter is NOT a good indicator of what they will behave like in your home!! :eek: She was pretty frustrating at first but I would do it again.

[MyDogShelby]

I like to think that we rescued our first Shelby... she was in a cage at a pet store and we were told that she had been brought back a few times, and that they would probably be putting her down soon. I knew the first time I saw her that I had to have her; we saved her.

She was probably about 4-5 mos in age when we got her, and I don't have a pic stored on my computer of her at that age, but here is a pic of her full grown.
http://members.core.com/%7Efsteffan/ShelbyLooksatCookie.jpg
She's no longer with us, as we lost her to cancer a few years ago, but though she is gone, she will never be forgotten.

[Sabledog]

my female was a rescue, and i guess you could call my basset mix one too as he was living in a filthy pen with 7 other puppys not getting any proper care ect. the thing you need to keep in mind about rescues though is that they probably have some sort of behavioral issue, like food agression (often from being starving) not being house broken, lack of obedience, seperation anxiety, make sure you spend alot of time asking about the dog AND spending time with it outside to see how it interacts with you, make sure its not avoiding you, or trying to be over playful find one that meets your energy requirements, and size, both of us having collies before, i know how big they are so im sure size doesnt matter that much to you, but keep in mind not all dogs are the same, rescuing is very rewarding, and much better if you find the right dog for you, dont be quick to adopt the first one you like, look around and research if that dog will do best with your lifestyle. hope i helped a bit, good luck with finding a new dog!!! And thank you for rescuing!!!!

[milenia]

Both my dogs have been ex racing Greyhound recues and i wouldn't get a dog any other way but they can be a bit more time consuming depending on the background of the dog but you persevere and you get a great dog, puppies always get homes but older dogs dumped through no fault of their own get over looked.

[golden-lover]

Tafi: People up the street had 4 kittens. They had them all declawed and spayed then left them out in the yard. 3 died, I went right up and took Tafi. She was almost dead by the time I got the nevrve to go up and take her in the middle of the street.

Cougar: Someone left in in a cat box wrapped in a sheet on te side of the road.

Cookie: From foster home

Amber: From kill shelter

Cracker: was given no attention in the store where we got in from. He was in a small rusty cage, and had no socialization.


Yeah, I'd do it again xD
They all re[ay you in someway. :3

[Mom to Lil Buddy]

When I lost my Schnauzer I searched petsfinder, local shelter and researched the rescue groups. The problem I had with most of the rescue groups they wouldn't even talk to me, because I didn't have a fenced yard, and this for a under 20# dog. It was the local shelter which found Max for me, a woman was giving him away because she moved into an apartment which didn't allow dogs. I still cannot understand how anyone could have given him away! I would live in a tent before I would do that. Yes, he has issues.

The second dog, had been a breeder, was sold and then given up after 9 months to a woman who fostered her. She tried to place her and had her returned twice. Once, they decided they didn't have time for her (even though she is 6, you have to start as if she is a puppy), the second because the woman said she had to many "issues" (the man returned her with tears in his eyes).

I say all this, because I believe if you expect you dog to be a wonderful pet they probably will be, but you will have to learn to both work with and accept their issues.

Max, was obviously hit to break him of jumping on the furniture. Approach his head from above and he will shy away from you, approach him to fast and he will try to defend himself (bite). It is my job to prevent these two things from every happening to him, and to continue to work with him to change his behavior.

Koko was mistreated with the leash. It is my job to teach her that she no longer has nothing to fear from the leash, and to never allow her to be mistreated with a leash again.

Would I rescue another, no, only because my husband would not be happy with another dog! If it was only me, yes, probably a couple more.

[happydog]

no problems with a rescued dog about ten yrs ago i had a rescued Rottie she had only ever been used for breeding and was in a terrible state when i had her i had 2 springers at the time who she soon become very good friends with,i had her about 4 yrs until cancer got the better of her and left me with a massive hole in my life, and as i lost a rottie last tuesday i went to the animal shelter and had one from there yesterday he's about 3 yrs old and fantastic and gets on with the other great , i would sooner have an unwanted dog any day as puppies will always get a homejust because they are small and cute but older dogs sometimes have to be put to sleep because no one wants them.

[vagreys]

All of my dogs and the ones I have fostered have been rescues. Most of our cats have been rescues. Some have had more problems than others, and required more work and training. Some have been trouble-free. Only once have we had to return a dog that was simply too dangerous to have in the home, but we knew it was a troubled, abused dog, to begin with, and we tried.

I would classify Zen and Lily as retired racers, rather than rescues, because they were in good shape, well cared for, and happy when they retired from track life and entered adoption. Damiri was rescued from a kill shelter. There are racers that are rescued from irresponsible kennel operators and tracks, and I have fostered some of those and nursed them back to health. I have also removed hounds from abusive situations and found them permanent homes, elsewhere. I also transport hounds that are being moved from one part of the country to another for adoption. Folks in the neighborhood also bring me the occasional stray and ask for help getting it returned to its owner or into a no-kill shelter.

Eventually, my wife would like to breed Welsh Springers, but I can't imagine a time when I won't be involved with pet rescue.

[RJL2016]

We had dogs for 22years and previously purchased puppies.

In 2006 we found ourselves kidless as well as dogless.

Our most recent dogs were a Boston Terrier that raised our daughter and a Jack Russell Terrier that raised my son.

We decided on adopting 2 dogs because it was a nice thing to do ...but also because you know exactly what you are getting in terms of weight (I like to carry my dogs easily...sometimes both at the same time) and personality..and both dogs came housetrained.

We started our search on www.petfinder.com (http://www.petfinder.com) the biographies and photos are very helpful and usually supply a contact for further information.

We found a little 14lb sweetie in a county shelter. When we walked into the kennel all the dogs charged toward us barking (within their cages)- accept the sweetie who just quietly walked up and licked my hand through the cage. The previous lady owner filed out a check list of info about the dog that was very useful to us.

A few months later (after we adopted the first dog and got her into our routine) we found a 18lb male temporarily living in a foster home. The advantage of a foster home is that they can often give you lots of first hand info about the dog.

Both dogs were 2 1/2 yo, all shots, healthy, and pretty well obedience trained. We strongly recommend adopting a dog...!

The worst part of the experience is filing out the lengthy applications (each organization requires their own...)...be patient with the application process and a home inspection (if required) because it's worth it. The volunteers in the rescue programs are doing it out of love and desire our support.

[skunkstripe]

Zircon was a pound puppy who has never known anything but kindness from humans.
Sophia on the other hand was a rescue-a former momma in a puppymill.
She came to use through an all-breed rescue run singlehandedly by a woman whom I can only describe as a saint.
The first night we had Sophia she woke up about 10 times, each time I got up to join her on the floor and lay there with he until she fell asleep.
She would throw herself to our feet every 90 seconds. Mostly she hid under DH's desk in the farthest corner of the house.
She ate about 15 pieces of kibble and three greenies (it was the only things she would eat) the first three days we had her.
Sophia did not know how to go up and down stairs. she did not know what toys were and when we gave her a BONE she did not know what to do with it.
I could write a novel about watching a scared, skinny creature become a healthy happy DOG (and how much Zircon taught her about how to be a dog, that was a plus as far as the rescue was concerned) but I should save it. Even today whenever we get outside, she runs in zoomies like a silly puppy. It is as if she is saying, "they cooped me up in that 10 ft concrete kennel. Now I can run as far and as fast as I want to, so I will.'
She lets us know every day how grateful she is to have humans to love. I find this amazing, considering what humans did to the first 20 months of her life.
I would only get a rescue now.

[Pauline46]

These are all such wonderful stories about what rescuing can do.

I got a call from the Sheltie rescue because I applyed for a sheltie. I got a call, but we just got our collie puppy. Our breeder gave her to us to replace Cody who died. I told her that when Gracie is older we would consider getting another dog.

I think all these dogs deserve so much love and kindness. It's nice to know there are some really nice people out there that care! ;)

[alibob238]

We got Sparky from rescue. I don't know her full story but I think she was dumped when she was pregnant. I think they would have put her down over there, but like I said, I don't know for sure, this is just what I'm guessing based on what I've been told. They bought her to England from Ireland, but all her babies died, I don't think she wasn't strong enough for them to survive. Then a couple of weeks later we took her in. And I can honestly say, even though she is hard work and she needs a lot of training, I wouldn't have it any other way!
We did look at buying a puppy, but then we thought we should rescue, there are loads of dogs out there without a home. It breaks my heart to think she was thrown out/dumped whatever, she is an absolutely gorgeous doggy and generally very cute, well behaved and sweet! She can't do tricks or know many commands, but she is usually a pretty good little girl