We're getting a new dog - UPDATE WITH PICS!!

[redshoe]

Other Half signed the adoption papers on her yesterday, and she gets to come home from the shelter with us tomorrow. We're really hoping she gets along well with our Beagle, Buster, and that she's a good fit for our family. Other Half, who is one of those kind of people who can communicate with dogs on a level that most people can't, chose her. I completely trust his judgment, and I know that if he says she's the right personality for us, then she is. He was telling me about her last night, because I haven't met her yet, and when I asked him what it was he saw in her, he just said "you'll see it." I'm mostly just worried about her and Buster getting along. He does very well with other dogs, so it will probably be fine, but there's always that little worry.

We lost our very much loved Border Collie to cancer in the spring, so it is bittersweet to welcome a new pup into our family. But we're just not one-dog people. Buster needs a friend, and I need a running partner (a woman was badly attacked in our neighborhood several weeks ago, and I haven't felt safe running since). Buster, while he is a fantastic dog, is no good at running with me...too distracted by smells, and he woudn't mind a bit if someone tried to hurt me, as long as they'd be willing to rub his tummy first.

Wish us luck! We need this dog as much as she needs us, and I really, really want this to go well. I'll post pictures when I have some!

 

[SkippyPaul]

Hi there.
Good luck with your new family member. I think its great when someone brings home a friend from a shelter. So many unwanted pets there its sad. We were just there a few weeks ago to drop off some kittens we found in the woods behind our home. I practically had to blindfold myself to get out of there without an arm full of new friends.
I hope it works out great.

Happy Holiday
Rob

PPL if you have room in your house and heart for a furry friend, visit your local shelter. You'll be glad you did.

 

[aPiratesLife4Me]

congratulations on your new family member!!! Hope all goes well when the new puppy meets Buster. Pets are the best!! Best of luck!!!

 

[mikeyandscoobyx2]

Aww Congrats! Good luck on your new puppy

 

[redshoe]

Thanks, guys! I agree, Rob...the only way we get pets is by adopting them from shelters or rescues, or in the case of our beagle, when they find us at convenience stores and decide to keep us (after trying and failing to find his original family, of course!).

Our new addition is doing great. A few surprises, though. We thought that he was a collie-chow mix, which I'm actually glad he's not, and that he was about 18 months to 2 years old. Not so. According to the vet, he's a golden retriever-afghan mix, and I can totally see it. Also, judging by his teeth, he's under a year old. He's pretty mellow and very well-mannered for such a young pup, he's already house trained and is just about perfect on a leash. He needs to learn not to jump up, and he's tried to chew one or two things, but I'm not really worried. We can already tell that he'll be a magnificent dog. He follows me all over the house, and last night when we first brought him home, I had this very strong sense that I knew him. Like he'd been my dog before, strange as it sounds.

Also, the "he" part. I was THIS close to naming him Lily (not after the host, I just liked the name) when we noticed that, yeah...Lily just REALLY was not going to work for this dog.

Yeah. I named him Rhett. It seems to suit him.

He has a few health issues, but nothing major. He's tested positive and been treated for hookworm and roundworm, and was neutered 3 days ago. He keeps trying to pull his staples out, and nothing we do stops him from pulling at them except watching him like a hawk and telling him no. He's licked himself raw, also, and is on antibiotics for that and for an infection in his lungs. Also got treated for ticks, since he had a few on him when he was found, and some large burrs in his fur that had to be cut out. He's been through the ringer, but all of it is the usual stray dog stuff, and completely manageable. He'll be just fine.

He's getting along very well with our beagle, too! They were friendly and wagging tails when we first introduced them. No power struggles at all so far, although we've been keeping an eye out when they play because we're not sure Rhett understands that he's bigger than Buster. But they've been having a lot of fun.

So without further ado, I give you our beautiful new boy, Rhett!

 

[anya.sparrow]

Aww redshoe, congrats!

I think I can see what your other half is talking about just from pictures. Looks like Rhett has a kind soul. Something in his eyes.

 

[redshoe]

Aww redshoe, congrats!

I think I can see what your other half is talking about just from pictures. Looks like Rhett has a kind soul. Something in his eyes.

Thanks!

It's that, and some other things, too. It's the way he comes right up to you and buries his head in your chest asking for pets, and the kind, sweet eyes, and other stuff that really just can't be put into words, but it's there and we both see it. He's DEFINITELY our dog. He just is. Know what I mean?

 

[aPiratesLife4Me]

Oh red, he's beautiful!!!!!!! So glad he seems to be a good fit for your family and sounds like things are going pretty good. He looks like such a sweetie!!!

 

[anya.sparrow]

Thanks!

It's that, and some other things, too. It's the way he comes right up to you and buries his head in your chest asking for pets, and the kind, sweet eyes, and other stuff that really just can't be put into words, but it's there and we both see it. He's DEFINITELY our dog. He just is. Know what I mean?

I know what you mean when you can't put it into words. I am a total dog person. I love mine more than I can say. I love that he "just is" your dog! They're just looking for love, aren't they?

Woot! Sounds like a great addition to the family.

And you said something about being a more than one dog family. That pulls at me, since I have considered getting my dog a playmate. Sigh.

 

[Mcat]

All I have to say about her is awwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Horse]

redshoe, What a wonderful thing your family has done. He has such a kind and sweet expression. May you have many happy moments together.

This is A Rescue Dog's Christmas Poem. I'm sure you'll appreciate it.

'Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town,
Every shelter is full - we are lost but not found,
Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare,
We hope every minute that someone will care,
They'll come to adopt us and give us the call,
"Come here, Max and Sparkie - come fetch your new ball!!

But now we sit here and think of the days..
We were treated so fondly - we had cute, baby ways,
Once we were little, then we grew and we grew -
Now we're no longer young and we're no longer new.

So out the back door we were thrown like the trash,
They reacted so quickly - why were they so rash?
We "jump on the children:, "don't come when they call",
We "bark when they leave us", "climb over the wall".

We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed,
Now we suffer the consequence of the errors THEY made.
If only they'd trained us, if only we knew...
We'd have done what they asked us and worshiped them, too.
We were left in the backyard, or worse -let to roam-
Now we're tired and lonely and out of a home.
They dropped us off here and they kissed us good-bye...

"Maybe someone else will give you a try."
So now here we are, all confused and alone...
In a shelter with others who long for a home.
The kind workers come through with a meal and a pat,
with so many to care for, they can't stay to chat,
They move to the next kennel, giving each of us cheer...

We know that they wonder how long we'll be here.
We lay down to sleep and sweet dreams fill our heads..
Of a home filled with love and our own cozy beds.
Then we wake to see sad eyes, brimming with tears --
Our friends filled with emptiness, worry, and fear.

If you can't adopt us and there's no room at the Inn --
Could you help with the bills and fill our food bin?
We count on your kindness each day of the year --
Can you give more than hope to everyone here?
Please make a donation to pay for the heat...
And help get us something special to eat.
The shelter that cares for us wants us to live,
And more of us will, if more people will give.

 

[Blooch]

Rhett, like Rhett-knee-a like the thing in your eye?