We are getting a puppy!

[Ava]

It's a Christmas surprise for my little sisters. They asked "Santa" to bring them one.
He's about 3 months old and as cute as can be! We pick him up on friday! :woohoo:

[NC_Nurse]

1. Aww...so sweet!

Congrats! :)

[Ava]

2. thanks

we are getting him from a local animal shelter

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

3. Sable German Shepherds are my favorite!

That looks like a pet shop though. The absolute worst way to get a dog, especially a breed like a German Shepherd (major temperment and health issues).

Be careful as all fucking hell. That is a puppy mill dog.

[RebelOne]

4. Read her post above. She's getting him from a shelter. n/t

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

5. Ah, okay. That's great then. I didn't see that post. nt

[Ava]

9. yeah.. we don't get our pets from stores or breeders

:P

[Ava]

7. nope, it's from an animal shelter

a very good one with a no-kill policy

[hfojvt]

6. Omigod, he's hugh!!1!!11!!

he looks like my dog's 'brother'. You may not have seen the picture of my puppy that I posted a few days ago, but my puppy from July is hugh now too. I'm sirius.

Nice of you to rescue one from a shelter though.

[Ava]

8. he's a sweetie

he's not very big.. he just looks it in the photo. he will be though!

[Wcross]

10. Awwww. Thank you for NOT "buying" a dog!

There are too many good dogs put down every day to encourage breeders to produce more. I wish people weren't so vain as to HAVE to have a pure breed dog.

Thanks for saving his life Ava.

[Ava]

14. we never "buy" animals

like you said there are too many good ones out there without homes. ;)

[mopinko]

27. it's not vanity

it's knowing what kind of temperament/abilities you want or need in a dog, and getting them. there is nothing wrong with doing your homework, and getting the dog that is right for you.

[Wcross]

41. So Paris Hiltons little purse dog is for what?

People that have to have dogs that are considered mean and tough are not trying to compensate for something they lack in themselves? Maybe if you need a working dog you should consider a breeder.
It is possible to acquire a pure breed dog without supporting a breeder, there are rescue groups for just about any breed out there. You can often find pure breed dogs at the pound.
It breaks my heart to know there are hundreds of thousands of perfectly good dogs being put down every year. Unless specific abilities are required get a mutt from the pound, they know they have been saved. They tend to be very loving and loyal dogs with minimal health problems.

[mopinko]

43. i have had a lot of mutts. and my boxer is from the pound.

i tried to get a terrier from rescue, but there are so many nuts doing that. not all, of course, but most of the ones i ran into. i gave up on them.
my kids are big now, but i always wanted a good, well bred boxer that i knew i could trust with my kids, and with the other pets in the family. i have 3 terriers that let me get away with not having to poison the local vermin. there are many outdoor cats around here, and i have seen them after eating a poisoned mouse, and knocked on doors looking for the owner. not something i want to do again soon.
i do not vilify breeders, tho. i think that the development of dog breeds is a great accomplishment of mankind. today's breeders hand that gift down to the next generation. yes, there are assholes. but most of the breeders i know are as dedicated to their dogs as most people are to their kids.
reliablitity. that's what i want, and need. there is nothing wrong with that.
and btw, there are breed rescue groups all over, supported by breeders, dedicated to their breed. please examine your broad brush there.

[Wcross]

45. Ok, maybe I shouldn't use that brush.

Yes, there are good breeders and there are people in it soley for the money. I just wish people would;
1) Get their dog (and cats!) spayed or nuetered.
2) Think about adoption from the pound rather than a breeder.
3) Be responsible pet owners.

[ThomCat]

11. I love German Shepards. They're wonderful dogs.

I hope you've been told that they are very intelligent, active dogs who absolutely must get training. Give him things to learn and things to do. Let him please you by doing things right. You'll all definitely end up with a happier dog.

And besides, it never hurts to have the family learn more about the care and handling of dogs too. :)

[Ava]

15. yeah.. i love 'em too

very loyal dogs

[dropkickpa]

12. Congrats! What a cutie!!

:toast:

[Ava]

16. isn't he!

i can't wait till he comes home!

[xchrom]

13. ...

A DOG'S PRAYER
Treat me kindly , my beloved master,
for no heart in all the world is more
grateful for kindness than the loving
heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick,
for although I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and
understanding will more quickly teach
me the things you would have be do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is
world’s sweetest music, as you must know
by the fierce wagging of my tail when your
footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me
inside, for I am now a domesticated animal,
no longer used to bitter elements.
And I ask no greater glory than the
privilege of sitting at your feet beside
the hearth. Though had you no home,
I would rather follow you through ice and
snow than rest upon the softest pillow in
the warmest home in the land, for you are
my god and I am your devoted worshipper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water,
for although I should not reproach you
were it dry, I cannot tell you when I
suffer thirst. Feed me clean food so
that I may stay well to romp and play
and do your bidding, to walk by your
side, and stand ready willing and able
to protect you with my life should your
life be in danger.

And beloved master, should the Great Master
see fit to deprive me of my health or sight,
do not turn me away from you. Rather,
hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands
grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest...
and I will leave you knowing with the last
breath I draw, my fate was every safest
in your hands.

--- Beth Norman Harris ---

[Ava]

17. nice

:hi:

[xchrom]

18. back atchya!

:hi:

[FunkyLeprechaun]

19. I now feel bad

You said about not buying a dog. I got a dog from a private person, not a breeder (whose own dogs did the nookie with each other... a Welsh Springer Spaniel male and a German Wirehaired Pointer/Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix female). Kennedy's such a sweet dog but if I had realised there were free animal shelters close by, I would have gone that route.

We ARE thinking about buying pedigree but my niggling conscience tell us to go to shelters. Next dog's going to be nsmrf Clinton, or Johnny (Johnson, I like the name.. it's Democrat but the Vietnam war weighs on my mind].

In my part of the UK I will think about adopting from a shelter not answering an ad with the cheapest dog in it (most of the ads were £200 or more for a certain pedigree. I'll have to look at the rehoming place up the road and see how much they are to sell now).

Kenny's not one of my regrets... I absolutely love him!

[Ava]

21. hey that's fine... kennedy needed a home too

i suggest getting one from a shelter next time though. the adoption fee goes towards helping more critters find good homes.

[onecent]

20. He's a beauty.

[Ava]

22. i love him already!

;)

[wildhorses]

23. he is gorgeous!!

merry christmas :hi:

[Ava]

24. thanks!

:pals:

[wildhorses]

25. --

:hug:

for you and wishing i was there...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l333xjfSlR4

[Ava]

26. thanks

:hug:

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

28. Yay for you! He's adorable

You'll love, love, love having a pet!

[Ava]

30. thanks

i know i'll love having another pet because we already have some ;)

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

32. Ruh-roh!

:blush:

[Ava]

34. haha, lol

i can't wait till we get him here to his new home!

[BarenakedLady]

29. how cute

:loveya:

Congratulations on your new pup.

[Ava]

31. thanks!

:hi:

[graywarrior]

33. A German Shepard? I had a few of those in my lifetime

You are lucky. He's very cute.

[Ava]

35. thanks

we had one before

[graywarrior]

40. I got one of mine from the Monks of New Skete.

They have a great training book, although I think the monestary is gone now.

[LuckyTheDog]

36. GREAT. Now two words for you

Puppy class.

[Ava]

37. puppy class?

nah. we've raised puppies before.

[LuckyTheDog]

38. Well... OK...

...we found that taking a puppy class was time very well spent. But if you know what you are getting into, that's good, too.

[Ava]

39. yeah, we've raised a german shepard before

;)

for the most part just loving them and keeping them happy will help them turn out alright ;)

[gr8dane_daddy]

42. What a cutie pie!

Congrats...dogs rule. My dane was the runt of her litter, but the greatest joy in my life.

Did you have a name picked out yet? Maybe start a thread for suggestions?

[Ava]

44. thanks!

he already has a name, but we may be changing it. :hi:

[photogirl12]

46. He is so cute!!!

Thanx for sharing!! You will love having a dog. I love having mine!!

[Ava]

47. thanks

we pick him up tomorrow!