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The Great Puppy Hunt
Everywhere you look there are ads telling you that you must adopt a rescue pet or Sarah McLaughlin will come kill you in your sleep. Lord knows how many calls to suicide hotlines that woman has caused. If it isn’t an animal “charity” telling you that you need to adopt, it’s a celebrity (with a designer dog in their purse) or worse yet, those who have already “rescued” a dog.
There is a reason these people are compared to CrossFit fanatics.
We’ve been searching for the right puppy for nearly a year, so it’s not like we’re making a rash decision. This search has opened my eyes to all that can be involved with just the simple wish of wanting to add a dog to our family. I’ve taken so much grief from friends, family, and listeners over my somewhat “controversial” position of getting the dog I want.
Throughout this, I took heat that I’m certain will continue, however I have my reasons. I decided to share some of them with you.
Just this week I had considered going through the excruciating process of “adopting” a dog from one group. It was nearly $400 for this particular mixed-breed rescue, then deposits, paperwork, background checks, and even a home visit before they would even tell us if we’re “good enough” for these dogs — the ones who desperately need homes. Not all rescue operations are scams, but unfortunately many are. They take advantage of our love of animals and desire to help.
Point is, I’m a huge animal lover, I’ve had animals my entire life. Cats, dogs, fish, bunnies, even horses. None of them died due to my lack of care. So why is it when I follow the instructions given to “adopt, don’t shop,” I find many rescues charge more than the “puppy mills” they claim to detest?
Having said that … I’m buying a dog. Make that a puppy. Yeah, I said it. I’m researching and finding the best breed for my needs, as it will be My Dog. One problem I have with all the guilt associated with wanting a puppy, is the idea that somehow I should feel obligated to make up for others’ bad decisions.
I want a normal dog without baggage. Is that so wrong?
I realize that fact living in an area where the “pound puppies” are actually just old fighting or companion dogs. This is not the dogs’ fault, of course, but it’s not mine either. Our pounds are like “Oz” for dogs.
If you’ve adopted a fantastic dog, good for you. I’m buying a puppy because I have other animals and needs. Please don’t judge me and I won’t compare you to CrossFitters. Deal?
Published in General
I rescued the previous four dogs that I have owned. One from a house on fire, one from a sinking ship, one from a desert island, and one that had fallen down a well.
My current dog was rescued from Mars, like Matt Damon in the movie.
Racist!
30+ comments and no one has yet mentioned the The Jim and Mickey Show. Check out the pop culture podcast Mickey does with Jim Geraghty of National Review.
We got our first dog from a breeder. I did not investigate them too closely, but they had several puppies running around the house when I first went to see what they had. All of them seemed happy and while the house had a little bit of a dog smell to it, I assumed that was due to the number of (maybe not yet house broken) dogs running around. One little Scottie stood out from the rest and he became our families first canine pet. A couple years later, I read that the breeder was raided by local animal control and all their dogs were taken away.
When I lived in China I bought a Pekingese puppy from a puppy mill disguised as a pet store (only option I could find). I selected this breed because we were living in an apartment at the time. Turns out, I love the personality of this breed and when my Zoe passed away at 13 years I decided I wanted another Pekingese. I did my research and found a good breeder within a reasonable distance. I visited the breeder, met the parents of the litter and selected a puppy. I went back two weeks later and picked up my puppy when she was ready (at eight weeks of age). After a visit to my vet that afternoon, Gracie was given a clean bill of health. I paid $400 and in return I got a healthy puppy with no baggage or bad habits that needed to be broken. I don’t hold it against you for getting the dog you want. Good pet owners are not responsible for the glut of unwanted and abused dogs in this country and shouldn’t be made to feel bad about buying from a breeder.
Our first dog was a purebred Shi Tzu, bought for our daughter, who went away to school about 3 years later and ended up as Mom and Dad’s dog for over 15 years. After he died, I was determined to take at least 6 months off and see if my asthma got better absent the house being pelted with dander.
Within about a week, I had found a 3 year old Shi Tzu on line that was in a shelter looking for his third home, rejected twice- once after 2 years- for reasons not his fault. We adopted him, and it is clear, even 6 years later, that he was scarred by his early experiences. The shelter we went through- a couple in a house full of orphaned dogs charged $150, which was actually not bad at all, because they had had to groom him and have full vet workups and vaccinations, not to mention feeding him.
I think that is about the right level. More than that, it is clear that the shelter is not a dog charity, and more intrusive than that, it is governments and The Administrative State run amuck, even if it is a non-government organization acting like a government agency.
She looks like a very sweet girl. I see a little hound in her. Does she bark like a hound?
I was once walking on the beach of Bald Head Island with my two dogs. The next thing you know there were 7 or 8 more dogs and their owners . One smart Alec made the remark that ” all we need is one more dog and we could open a Korean restaurant ” , he was loudly booed.
The unofficial mascot of the Steelers is an Irish Wolf Hound.
Makes perfect sense. (?????)
Wasn’t Carnegie Scottish?
Steelers Owner Art Rooney
She’s a sport! What a cutie!
Thanks for listening to #TJAMS!!
I have found myself drawn to Black puppies!
Then you’ll probably want to purchase a gold pet jersey.
To be clear I never said “Pure Bred”. In fact I’d rather find a shepard/lab mix. I just want a puppy so we can raise it with our family and that’s what I’m going to get.
Have you considered a baseball playing cat with a tie?
Nope!
#NeverCasey
She was my sweet Carri for 13 years. Ex-wife had a male Yorkie. Wanted to breed him (said he was from champions.) Bought my sweetie as a just weened pup and raised her. Bred her the 2nd time she came in heat. Had one pup. Wife left. Took male and pup. She never liked my Carri (short for Little Bit of Charm and Charisma). She (the dog not the wife) was the epitome of a fine tempered pet. Lord, I mess her (the dog not the ex-wife.)
Our 15 year old, the last of the 4 dogs we arrived in NV with 13 years ago, didn’t come home from the vets mid February. After a day of being dogless, we were lucky to find a 4 year old, 20 pound black poodle/terrier mix at the Humane society for $50, I think. Many shelter dogs here are large and/or pit mixes. He had been through some trauma, but after 2 months with us, he is running around the house mornings with his little tail wagging. He is a sweetheart, and is slowly growing back his curly hair after the necessary buzz cut at the pound.
I like dogs, I don’t love them. A lot of dogs are just boring or annoying. Therefore if I were not allergic I would buy a dog that is breed to have the temperament I am looking for. Because you can only due that with dogs not people.
Barks only to let us know someone is at the door. The looks don’t match perfectly, but she exhibits many border collie behaviors including “the stare.”
I love the idea of a Husky but they are so high energy.
Since someone brought it up, I love TJAMs and am missing my weekly dose. I save the podcast to listen to on the day of the week I have a ton of photocopying, and laugh my way through my least-favorite chore. Thank you Jim and Mickey!
Back to the topic at hand: I don’t have dogs of my own (cat lady here) but I’ve had the displeasure of being the neighbor of several well-meaning people who brought home rescue dogs without being prepared to deal with their emotional baggage. One left for a week’s vacation a month after bringing home a dog with separation anxiety. That dog barked for hours on end and they had to surrender him back to the shelter due to all the complaints. I thought it was terribly cruel to the dog to not think ahead. They were just mad their vacation was impacted.
Adopting a pet is like adopting a child. They will be with you for a very long time, have a HUGE impact on your life and home. Finding one that suits your family is a big choice. So no apologies needed – find a breeder who really loves their animals and takes joy in raising them.
And apparently you don’t have a sense of humor. ;) I just assumed Basil was from Venezuela…
This process has been exhausting. I appreciate those who understand why I want my own puppy to raise with our family including other animals.
MerryKate, Thanks for the kind words. A new #TJAMS will be out this week.
Call it kismet, fate ‘the secret’…. I found my puppy!! More like he found me but more on that later. I’m smitten.
Nice to meet you, Smitten.