Choosing a Dog.

[Optimist]

Perhaps some of you dog owners can help. Just put down my Lab of 13 years due to bone cancer , looking for a new Lab I thought I would go through http://www.labradorrescue.net/ & look for a young pup of 3 months or less. My concern is since history is unknown do you think this is wise and is what should I look for in choosing a new lab? I have E-mailed about Jon-Jon located near Orlando but I haven’t found the time for the drive just yet.

[pluckyew]

our 9 year old black Labrador died of Lyphloma cancer. we still have our Cheaspeake Bay Retriever. Labs are great dogs. A puppy purchased from a farm breeder or household breeder that's begun "housebreaking" is the best. we're also considering rescueing a Lab. or Cheaspeake puppy or adult dog.

[FLfinfan]

Sorry for your loss. I have a friend who lost his pointer 2 years ago and said he will never get another dog. When my boy Shula starts to go I will get another dog before he is taken by God so he can pass his love on to the new pup. My family has always done it that way so that the dog that is going gives alittle bit of himself to the dog that is coming into our lives. Seems to work pretty good. Good luck with your search.

[37L1]

Originally Posted by Optimist

Perhaps some of you dog owners can help. Just put down my Lab of 13 years due to bone cancer , looking for a new Lab I thought I would go through http://www.labradorrescue.net/ & look for a young pup of 3 months or less. My concern is since history is unknown do you think this is wise and is what should I look for in choosing a new lab? I have E-mailed about Jon-Jon located near Orlando but I haven’t found the time for the drive just yet.

I have a yellow Lab myself. I have had several dogs in my life but a Lab, what a great soul, words fail me.

I am so sorry you went through that. Makes my day yesterday (truck ding) pale by comparison.

I guess you could play it safe and get a bred Lab whose disposition will be pretty much guaranteed. But there is something to be said about taking on a rescued animal.

The only test that will matter is how you feel when you meet the puppy. It could be mutual love at first sight.

Kinda of like the first test drive with the TITAN!!!

Good luck and again, so sorry for your loss.
37L1

[Farmer Fred]

Oh Man, I thought this was a thread about getting a non-Titan pickem up truck.

My Mom has a yellow lab in his golden years. What a sweety. Good luck finding a companion.

[Doghouse]

As much as you should expect an interview with the seller, I would strongly recommend that you visit the kennel and see the conditions. Also check the line for repeat breading, NOT GOOD! Mother to Grandson type stuff, this can be trouble.

I have taken part in the Gordon Setter rescue and picked up my current ***** from them. She is very nice, but you can tell she was abused. She remembers the difference in the households and you would not believe how she will not allow my dog to get out of line. If he starts to get into trouble (trash, plants, towels...), she will grab his ears and pull him till he stops.

You should / will be allowed to interview the dog and they WILL check you out before releasing the dog to you. Most rescues want to make sure this will be the last placement for the dog.

PM me if you have any questions, I know that I am not too far from that day myself. It should be a couple of more years, but than again, the sound of a puppies paws clicking on the floor is priceless.

[dman]

Originally Posted by Optimist

Just put down my Lab of 13 years due to bone cancer.

Sorry to hear this Optimist. Nothing is harder than making that kind of a decision on a friend and close companion. I hope you find the dog you are looking for.

[jd1973]

I'm in Orlando and my neighbors have adopted several dogs (maybe five)from that group. All but one of the dogs was fine. One had a problem with skin, thought to be just dryness. Seemed the medicine fixed it.
All were good dogs. One was from a home where he was mistreated but he came around in a few months also.

Who abuses a dog? I guess the same one who abuse spouses and kids.

My neighbors have recently moved down to Miami.

I have had several dogs over the years including Boxers, Dalmations (mine was dumb as a box of rocks) and Rhodesian Ridgehounds. Love them all.

I also have a Galaxy/graphite KC but alas only an SE. Love these trucks.

[Optimist]

Wow. Thanks for the responses!; and although difficult I’m fine “keeping the natural course of life in perspective, while appreciating the memories”. You hate to see an animal suffer so what option do you have sort of thing and from what I understand Bone Cancer is about is painful as can be. Anyway, I think I will at least try to save two birds w/one through the rescue service, I’ll make sure to add my friends picture if it all works out!

[1blackx]

I'm sorry for your loss. That is the worst thing to have to do, my family had to put our Great Dane to sleep in January. I would never thought it would be as hard as it was. Good luck with your search.

[rrumaner]

My brother just lost one of his Samoyeds. She was 6 years old and had an extremely agressive cancer take her in less than 2 weeks. Her heart just gave out in the vet's office last Sunday morning.

If I were to recommend a dog, I would go with a Samoyed. They are the biggest fluffyest ball of white fur you are ever going to find.

[Optimist]

Thanks again guy’s. I’ll tell you what has happened since. Jon-Jon the lab I had my eye on was picked up by someone else & I found one named Duke right here in Miami, well Duke was adopted as well. In the meantime a girl who has been looking (she sounds hot!!), anyway the girl looking for a new dog for me I was supposed to meet with today. Get this! I was putting my Banks system on, without a jack without a lift on level driveway & two dogs wonder in the yard and start helping me in the garage for about an hour and ½. Both mixed look like Yellow lab & G. Shepherd one older about ten or so & the younger “male” looks like her litter, both have rabies tags & one has a invisible fence shock devise. I walked them up & down the street to find out if someone is looking for them. To cut to it I fed them & they are fenced in my backyard until I can call the rabies# on Monday & see if we can track down the owner. So right now I am not looking until I find out who owns these dogs! This is just too strange.

[royr]

Originally Posted by Optimist

Perhaps some of you dog owners can help. Just put down my Lab of 13 years due to bone cancer , looking for a new Lab I thought I would go through http://www.labradorrescue.net/ & look for a young pup of 3 months or less. My concern is since history is unknown do you think this is wise and is what should I look for in choosing a new lab? I have E-mailed about Jon-Jon located near Orlando but I haven’t found the time for the drive just yet.

I am sorry for your loss. Loosing a dog is very similar to loosing a member of the family for many that love them like children.
It had been my recent experience that a dog just may choose you. Keep an open heart and an open mind, and you may find a rescue animal in a situation that the dog needs your home as much as you need a new dog. I have had great success with obviously abused and "un-addoptable" dogs over the years. Time, love and patience will reward you with the best possible companon dog if you have the time to invest. I recently went out looking for a lab puppy - and came home with an American Bulldog rescue out of Atlanta GA. My new "Dawg" Chance (named for his second chance at life) is doing great after the initial $1700 2 week stay at the vet hospital to fix all his "owwies". When I got him he was skin and bones, (39 pounds) had heartworm, and was covered in sores and ticks. Now he is a magnificent animal that draws compliments everywhere we go in our Titan LE (Dog loves the truck!) Just my experience, I hope it helps you.

Roy

[dhammond]

Originally Posted by Optimist

Thanks again guy’s. I’ll tell you what has happened since. Jon-Jon the lab I had my eye on was picked up by someone else & I found one named Duke right here in Miami, well Duke was adopted as well. In the meantime a girl who has been looking (she sounds hot!!), anyway the girl looking for a new dog for me I was supposed to meet with today. Get this! I was putting my Banks system on, without a jack without a lift on level driveway & two dogs wonder in the yard and start helping me in the garage for about an hour and ½. Both mixed look like Yellow lab & G. Shepherd one older about ten or so & the younger “male” looks like her litter, both have rabies tags & one has a invisible fence shock devise. I walked them up & down the street to find out if someone is looking for them. To cut to it I fed them & they are fenced in my backyard until I can call the rabies# on Monday & see if we can track down the owner. So right now I am not looking until I find out who owns these dogs! This is just too strange.

Last update in 04' . Any updates Optimist?

[Optimist]

Not really. The dogs I found, “that found me” belonged to a neighbor & were reunited & as far as I know all is well. Meanwhile I have been traveling Sarasota /Miami so the timing just wasn’t right but I think things are about settled. I have a few projects left in Rotonda FL. “lots“ but the housing market has clearly turned & thus so has my reason for travel. It’s ironic this post even popped back up since just the other day I started searching the animal rescue data base again.