Rescue Dogs

[Golfman25]

Ok since someone said they had enough of the virus threads, I'll start one on dogs. My baby passed away mid Feb. after 11 years due to congestive heart failure. The last year was difficult has she started having a series of issues. Admiral and I agreed we would hold off on getting another because we where empty nesters and wanted to travel and do things without obligations. Well here we are about 2 months later looking at dogs -- since we are basically shut in and there is an emptiness in the house. Our plan is to look at rescue dogs, which seems to be the hot thing these days (our first 20+ years ago was one, but man have things changed). Unfortunately, many that we call on have issues which the admiral can't really deal with (she's definitely not a pack leader). So here are the questions for disucssion:

1) how to find a "good" one? From a good organization (I swear some look disguised puppy mills).
2) Need one that is boat friendly.

 

[Thornton69]

Sorry to hear of your loss... Hang in there. I bet there will be an overwhelming amount of dogs needing rescue after this home isolation blows over. Sad, but thinking a lot of individuals in isolation will need a friend now but not have time for them later.

 

[Garintheair]

Ok since someone said they had enough of the virus threads, I'll start one on dogs. My baby passed away mid Feb. after 11 years due to congestive heart failure. The last year was difficult has she started having a series of issues. Admiral and I agreed we would hold off on getting another because we where empty nesters and wanted to travel and do things without obligations. Well here we are about 2 months later looking at dogs -- since we are basically shut in and there is an emptiness in the house. Our plan is to look at rescue dogs, which seems to be the hot thing these days (our first 20+ years ago was one, but man have things changed). Unfortunately, many that we call on have issues which the admiral can't really deal with (she's definitely not a pack leader). So here are the questions for disucssion:

1) how to find a "good" one? From a good organization (I swear some look disguised puppy mills).
2) Need one that is boat friendly.

I went through this myself 2 years ago and I still haven't fully recovered despite having only four German Shepherds since birth-prior to the two rescues I have now. They all lived longer than usual lives, except for my last-and special-one who died abruptly and unexpectedly from hemangiosarcoma just after his 10th birthday.

I'm not a kid, and should know better, but when Hunter died I actually fell into a state of depression and didn't even want to consider another dog. It took about three months but a friend pushed me-kicking and screaming-to a rescue group to see if I could help another dog. It took another two months before I could bring myself to consider fostering a dog as they could not find enough fosters. The first one I took home to foster fit in like she was born here. I adopted her and a sweeter shepherd I never had. The second one was a two year old male-a ham but a very loyal dog-which my son and his GF fell in love with. He couldn't have gone to a better home. The third one, and the second one I adopted, was a puppy from a litter which was seized. He just turned two, is HUGE, and is a gentle giant with an awesome personality. Both he and the original female get along great and are entertaining to watch together.

I would try to find a rescue group who will allow you to foster a dog-with the boat in mind-even if you end up placing it in another home. I was a foster failure three out of three times but they all worked out well and I am glad that they're here. I am still not fully over the death of Hunter but these guys do help to ease the feeling of loss.

 

[El Capitan]

Sorry to hear you lost a member of the family. We have 3 rescue dogs.
About 2 years ago we had to put my beloved lab down. Ella was the type of dog that was with me everywhere including on my bed sleeping next to me.

It was sudden and I cried like a little baby. It’s still hard. I gulp every time I see a picture of her.

I know, I’m a wuss. I still miss my friend.

 

[Gofirstclass]

I can't help with a source for a rescue dog but I'd suggest you check with your local dog pound or animal shelter to see what's available, then pick one you love and he'll love you right back.

We had two Pugs that we had to put down a couple of years ago and (I) had decided we didn't need another dog because they just don't work out well on a boat with a fly bridge.

But then last June an older black Lab showed up in the neighborhood. http://clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/weve-been-adopted.93392/

Long story short, after a couple of weeks of trying to locate his prior owner with no luck, and the dog working his way into our hearts, we decided to keep him.

So here I sit now with cancer and going through chemo treatments. Sailor has become such as big part of our family that he has essentially become my therapy dog. His unconditional love for both of us is amazing.