Re: Asking for help. Dog related. (Not Georgia Bulldogs)

My wife lost a son about six months ago. He was on the wrong path, but that doesn't stop a mother from grieving what will never be. She's having a very difficult time. We've tried everything one traditionally does to deal with grief. Time is the best healer, but right now time is standing still.

She wants a dog. We (me) have been dog-less due to the fact that we have a house full of cats...all strays that we have taken in. Apparently, our location is ideal for cat dumping. Or, maybe word got out in the cat world that we offer room and board, vet services, and treats. And, I like to keep a nice yard. I like walking/working around without dodging "bullets".

For over a month I have been trying to find a dog/puppy. She wants a small non-shedding type...female...a Maltipoo, a miniature poodle, a Cavipoo, etc. CraigsList scammers have taken over that forum. Cute puppy dogs are ways to get emails, phone numbers, etc. I know because I never hear back from the "sellers" but I am inundated with spam calls and messages. Or, a legit animal gets gone quick. I do see some listed for $2500-4,000. We just can't put that in a dog considering the vet services that will be needed as well.

Does anyone have a contact that is "real" and can help me find a puppy or rehome an adult without breaking the bank? I sure would appreciate a push in the right direction.

HillBillyTiger

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Nov 5, 2021, 1:21 PM

I am so very sorry for your wife's loss, so tragic.

My wife and I are volunteers with a rescue group, Stepping Stones Canine Fosters WV. I have seen the good side of rescue and the seedy side. Not all rescues are created equal, most are good, but some are not. So be sure to check what former adopters say about them. I suggest a foster based group, where the dog / puppy lives with a family.

With foster based, the dogs are exposed to a family life style. The foster can observe how they are with other dogs, children and cats, etc. I also suggest asking how long the dog has been in care, we generally hold for at least 2 weeks. Any illness they came in with should have presented within the 1st 2 weeks. Also a rescue group that doesn't want you to fill out an application should be a red flag.

With cats, puppies who grow up with cats do very well. With adults it has been our experience cats soon put dogs in their place. The exception is dogs with a strong prey drive, for example many terrier breeds. Not that all individual dogs of a certain breed will have a strong prey drive, but as a rule most will. Our Aussie was a perfect dog in so many ways, but with cats he could not help himself from wanting to chase them out of the yard like he was shot out of a cannon.

Someone else mentioned petfinder.com, I'll add adoptapet.com. You will need to be patient and check on a regular basis. Like most rescue groups, we have no idea what dogs/puppies we will have until they show up, and desirable dogs go rather quickly. We place most of our dogs in WV and our surrounding states, but we have placed as far away as Canada, Chicago, CT, FL and states in-between, and adopters come to us.

TL/DNR Do your homework and good luck.

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Asking for help. Dog related. (Not Georgia Bulldogs)