We are adding a new member to our family tomorrow (hopefully).

[JerseyJanice]

We are scheduled to meet with two puppies tomorrow morning, and hopefully, will be taking one of them home.

We have been wanting a dog for a while now. Since I won't be working anymore after next Tuesday, the time is right. We were deciding between paying big bucks to get a purebred or adopting a mixed breed puppy.

On Monday, my son and husband were at home while I was at work. They took a walk to the park, then decided to go to the bakery for a treat. On the way, they passed a gas station that had a sign up advertising free puppies.

While my DH was writing down the phone number from the sign, the gas station owner came to tell him that the puppies' owner is his mechanic, and he could talk to him in person.

The mechanic came out, and DH told him that we were thinking about buying a labrador retriever. The man said, well, this is your lucky day. The free puppies are mostly labrador retrievers. There is maybe one great-grandparent who isn't a lab, but he says that the puppies look and act exactly like full bred labs.

After checking with me, DH phoned him and made plans for us to meet him tomorrow morning. There were 8 pups in the litter; two still need homes. They are both black males.

The mechanic will bring them and their father (so we can see what he looks like) to work tomorrow, where we'll meet them.

As long as the puppies look healthy, one of them will be coming home with us.

 

[Blondie]

Great news JJ! I'm sure you'll just fall in love and want to bring them both home!

I think that was fate that you DH and DS just happened to be walking by and noticed the sign! One of these little guys was meant to be yours!

 

[PandyPaws]

Aww...how wonderful Sounds like the perfect puppy is waiting for your family to take him home, Janice

 

[mickeyfan1]

When we got ours, it was the best thing we ever did, they love each other, keep each other company, and do everything together. Eat, sleep, and p**p at the same time, sleep in the exact same positions, it is funny to see them. Since you will be home anyway, it should be easy to housebreak them together, just think of all the fun you can have.

Lucky you, Labs are great dogs. Mine are what my fatHer called "mostly" dogs, part of lots of kinds, and I love them more than just about everything!

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

Awwww, it's always nice to have a baby in the house.

 

[wvjules]

Congrats on the new puppy, JJ.


Just remember they need more care and attention than fish.

 

[luvwinnie]

Let us know all about him/her!

 

[ByTheSea]

Oh I am so excited for YOU and especially your DS!

Every kid should have a dog (JMHO of course)

Can't wait to see puppy pictures!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Our dog before this one, Rudy, was half black lab. DH still says he was the best dog we ever had. He was very smart. Make sure you have a kennel for the first few "chewing" months when you aren't home or you may lose some furniture or toys!
Robin M.

 

[Tony-NJ]

thats great JJ! I want a puppy SO bad! But Chris is allergic!!! - but I'm working on it! Maybe he says we can get a small one! And since you won't be working, maybe we will have to have a dis lunch when the weather gets a bit warmer in the park, so you can bring the "baby".

 

[jipsy]

Just thought I would share my new baby:

Part lab, part chow, part ? We think hound dog.

He's my baby

Good luck Janice. Check the eyes, the ears, the nose. All should be clear. Make sure to ask about the mother; since I don't see that you are going to see her? Also, maybe ask about the bloodline, just to kind of make sure there is no weird breeding.

Show us pics too!

 

[JerseyJanice]

Yes, Tony, we can meet for lunch one of these days. I'd like that very much.

We really can't take both puppies. I haven't had a dog in over 20 years, and I think one will be as much as I can handle (hopefully not more).

That's why I was so hesitant to buy a purebred. Heaven forbid that a dog doesn't work out for us, I'd feel bad enough. If I sunk a grand into it, I'd really be upset.

DH, though, is asking everyone we know if they want a puppy. I guess he's thinking the two brothers can have playdates if somebody we know adopts the other one.

 

[newmousecateer]

Congratulations Janice! Hope you all have tons of fun with your new addition.

 

[Deb in IA]

Labradors ARE great family dogs. Very gentle, wonder disposition with kids.

One of the people I work with owns and runs a puppy training school, and I consulted her when we got our Lewie. Her advice was to be sure the breeder was reputable, and is honest with you regarding the temperament of their dogs. Also, Labs, being bigger dogs, are prone to hip dysplasia, so you might want to check to see if the breeders have had the parents' hips X-rayed.

Congratulations on your newest family member!!

 

[JerseyJanice]

Jipsy, what a pretty baby! What did you name him/her? DS wants to name our dog Max Pal (for some reason, he thinks our dog needs a middle name).

I don't know why the owner offered to bring the father, but not the mother. My husband was who talked to him, so I'm assuming the mom belongs to someone else.

The owner says that other than a white streak on the puppies' chests and one white spot on some of their paws, they look exactly like labs. He's had the pups to the vet's office already for deworming and their first shot. He's also supposed to give us some kind of certificate from the vet's office.

Speaking of which, the puppy is free, but we want to give the man something, especially because he already paid for a vet's visit. How much should we give him? Will $50 cover it?

 

[Jenzebelle]

Make sure you get a copy of the parents' vet records, as well as the puppies.
You don't want a puppy that could have a genetic disorder and you also want proof the owner took excellent care of the parents and the puppies.

 

[jipsy]

I'm glad to hear he's bringing vet certificates.

We named our puppy Rebel, since he is a Tennessee dog. We got him on the way to Alabama around Thanksgiving.

That's nice of you to offer $50.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Rebel is a cute name! DS picked Max because it's the Grinch's dog's name. (We watched that cartoon several hundred times this month.)

We decided, too, that if the guy won't take the money from us, we're going to donate it to an animal rescue group. $50 is a bargain price to pay for a puppy. If we adopted a puppy from our local shelter, we'd have to pay double that price.

And that shelter isn't very helpful to folks who want to adopt puppies. They told us the demand for puppies is so great that all you can do is check their website every day to see when they get them, and then rush in to adopt them. They won't call you when puppies come in nor will they give the info out if you call them.

 

[marlasmom]

wvjules - can you explain your remark. I assume that Janice had a fish that died. That is soooo unusual - fish never die. Did you have a purpose other than raining on her parade (her pleasure in adding her furry baby to her family)?

 

[snoopy]

Awww, that is terrific JJ!

I know your little boy is going to be so happy! Will this be a surprise for him?