Daily Dog Question #34 12/3/07?

Question

So, folks here's the question:

What lead you to the dog you have? How did you determine he/she was the one?

I'm curious to see how each of you ended up with your dog or dogs.

This question is for ALL of us to enjoy. No blocked users, no thumbs down, no name calling. It will also be educational. If you'd like to see a question of yours posted, please email me.

=)

Answer 1

My first current Dog (Tess) was advertised in the local paper for $50.00. I wanted a dog with wolfhound she was wolfhound x mastiff. She came from pig hunters, she was the quiet one and she had a small hernia from her cord thats is why she was reduced to $50.00, she was riddled with fleas, unvacinated but pretty healthy looking and wormed. I looked past the faults and gave her a home. Never ever regretted anything about getting her THE BEST DOG.
My second current dog (mixy) came from my Dad, while visiting at Xmas 2 years ago he had a litter, mixy use to come and sit under my chair while we were visiting so I took her home to be a companion to Tess and my kids absolutly love her I do too but Tess is my dog Mixy is the kids. She would have been culled if someone did not give her a home. Just the way it is done in the bush.

Answer 2

I got hacked off by the rescue home - it has been said before, but it has got to be easier to adopt a child than a dog. Anyway, there was an ad in the paper - 2 Dalmatians. My sister took one and I took the other. They were - and are - VERY hard work. So, then I got another one, this time from a breeder that I know. I saw Ruby a couple of times a week from the day she was born until I took her home at 9 weeks. Although I am devoted to both dogs, I have to say that the pup from the reputable breeder is a lot easier to manage than the poor old boy from the paper. Sorry Toby!

Answer 3

My choice in dogs seems always to come down to the "bleeding heart". My first dog was a puppy mill dog, who was purchased at the evil "pet store". It was a whole litter of tri shelties, about 10 of them, and they were all just heaped on top of each other in the very back of a concrete pen. They were so scared they didn't have the guts to get anywhere near people. The smallest one, a runt, got pushed out in front because she didn't have enough weight to get back in the pile, so she stood out front, shaking like a leaf with terror in her eyes. Of course she was the ONE. I took her home and never regretted it a day in her life.
Ever since then, I have looked for the ones who need the most help, and are the most challenging. Haven't been burned yet! My girls are mostly all rescues, and some had health issues, others had behavior issues-they are all great dogs.

Answer 4

Our cocker, Zoe, was selected for us by the breeder. Zoe is the grandaughter of my late champion dog named Tailor. I wanted something related to him and this was the last litter from his daugher Hannah. I was confident in the breeding because I knew the pedigree and the breeder had done this breeding before. I liked what was produced by the two parents together....it was a good chemistry. I told the breeder I didn't want anything show quality and I preferred a female, but that I would take whatever she decided. She selected Zoe for me because she was afraid she was going to be too big (she ended up being just right) and she was mismarked (white spots on a buff cocker is a disqualification in the show ring). So, we drove out to the breeders house on a friday night when she was 8 weeks old and bought her sight unseen. When we got there, we took one look at her and we fell in love. She was just what we wanted. She was just as sweet as anything and I thought she was beautiful...white spots and all! She has been a great family companion. She's our best buddy!
Our dachshund, Hannah, selected us. When I took a look at the litter, Hannah was the first to look up at us and she instantly wanted us to pick her up. I knew the breeder was going to keep one of the boys, so I focused on the girls. Hannah had the sweetest expression and she was so waggy tailed and outgoing. She has been this way ever since...she's a clown and sometimes makes us laugh so hard. She is perfect for us.

Answer 5

I work in a pet store (only as a commissioned groomer) that sells puppies. I always swore I'd never buy from a petstore, I know all the things that tend to go on and where the puppies tend to be from, etc. But we got one little puppy in that was there for several weeks, and got overlooked by everyone. I used to call him by what is now his name, because I didn't like calling him 'puppy', and by the end of his stay, he knew me and used to perk up whenever I walked by and loved me to hold him and pet him. He knew he was my dog before I did; he NEVER showed that much interest in any other person that came into the store, even the other employees. So I finally decided that pet store or not, that little puppy belonged with me, and I was taking him. I've never been disappointed, he's a beautiful, intelligent, loving little pup. Of course, in addition to swearing I'd never buy from a store, I also used to swear I was going to adopt a large mutt from the shelter, and instead I have a tiny tiny purebred... but my living situation doesn't support a large dog right now, so I still have plenty of time to get my big hairy mongrel later in life. :-)

Answer 6

Have always had strays or unwanteds from neighbors and friends until a few years ago. I had always wanted a husky and never had the room or time until a few years ago. I was determined that I was going to have one for a landmark birthday so my son and I began searching the shelters in our area. 2 days b4 my bday, he called and said he had found one. I left work to go see her and although there were several people visiting that day, she would howl whenever my son and I walked away. Needless to say she came home with me 2 days later - I went to pick her up after her spay and there was a big male malmute that I couldn't resist adopting also. We have been rescuing them ever since and I still have my original 2 as well as 2 other abuses plus 1 deaf older guy that will have sanctuary with us for as long as they live. Love them all like crazy!

Answer 7

I saw my first Golden at a dog show my aunt took me too. He was the most beautiful dog I'd ever seen. I was awe struck. I watch him move in the ring and looked at him like I'd never seen a dog before. LOL I was 15 or 16 years old. After the show my aunt took me over to met the dogs owner and the handler. I had a million questions and he was just wonderful. On the drive home which was 4 hours I talked about nothing else except that dog. My aunt then said that the next show she brought her Collie to I could come and meet some more Golden's and their owners and Handlers too. From that Dog show on it has been my breed of choice. I've now owned and showed and bred Golden all of my Adult life! They are just the most amazing dogs to me!

Answer 8

I've always want to have a dog but my parents do not like to live with pets. After my husband and I move to our house, it happened that my neighbor is a breeder of shelties. I always play with her dogs whenever I'm available. Later on when she had a litter, she's nice enough to put me as the first one on her list. I promised her that I will show her. That's my first dog. Later on, she didn't turn out to be a nice show dog. I obtained my second show dog from my breeder as a puppy and a year later, I had another show dog. It just happened in the right time. Both of my show dogs are pointed. One has 9 points and both majors. My first dog is a happy pet at home. I'm going to work with her for a CGC title.

Answer 9

Well, I knew with someone long ago that liked to "hobby breed". (Don't worry, they don't do it anymore! Thank GOD!)

Her 2 AKC registered Shih Tzu's was going into labor and I was called over for assitance. Out came 1 girl and 3 boys. That first girl wasn't breathing and we all had to help. Everyone thought she was gone, even the vet, but I kept trying. Seconds later, she started to breathe. I felt a connection between me and this dog.

Over the next 8 weeks, I was there everyday .. Seeing these pups grow up.

After 8 weeks, she couldn't sell this girl, the one I had saved.

She wanted to take this girl to the shelter! (She was a horrible 'breeder', I'm so happy she stopped.)

I said, "No, that's not going to happen." And, I took that baby. I knew I had a connection. I love her so much.

Now, she's a happy 9 month old Shih Tzu. :)

Answer 10

I had a Min Pin and a Chow. They both passed away and I loved them both so much that I wanted to get another dog, but combination of the two. I figured a Pomeranian was perfect because it would be small like my Min Pin and really hairy like my Chow. Not to mention, I have wanted a Pom for many years and this was a perfect opportunity for me to get one.

I knew she was the one the second I laid eyes on her. She was the most adorable delicate little fuzzball and has a face to die for. (to some, probably a face only a mother could love)

My other one was given to me by my SIL and it was like I had always had her - she fit in to the family like a glove and there was never any aggression with the two. Seems like they have always been best friends.