My brother needs a puppy

[John Gervais]

Hey y'all,

My brother's Wheaten Terrier (Murphy) recently died from some sort of cancer, about a month ago.  T'was just a tad over 10-years old and was a heck of a dog.  Although suffering, he never let it bother him and a week before he died, had tree'd  a racoon in their treehouse and tore it up something fierce.  He'd routinely demolish squirrels and was the eternal puppy.

His Basset Hound, Daisy, had also died from cancer 10 years prior, and said that 'they' are now discovering that puppies that are 'spayed'/'neutered' as youngsters have a greater likelihood of cancer complications.

Well, I spoke to him last night and the mourning period is over - it's time for a new puppy.  This time, though, he's looking for an Australian Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Golden Labrador - something like that, even open to a 'mix', as long as it's not got any terrier of any sort - especially the macho pitbull mixes - no thanks....  Not too big, not too small, but must be able to jump into the truck and go anywhere, not be too challenging and must be lovable and cuddly.

My brother lives in Rhode Island - and said that 'nobody' has puppies at home anymore.  I asked something to the effect of "what about like was common in the '70's - '80's, an ad in the local paper where The Smiths' dog had a litter and were giving them away".  He told me that THAT doesn't happen anymore, all dogs come from 'the south' nowadays because they're the only ones not neutered/spayed - and cost between $1200 - $3500 - which after having 4 screws and 2 titanium plates in his back - that hasn't healed properly - he simply can't afford.  He even said that he was prepared to drive to New Joisey to pick up a mix from a shelter, but they'd found someone more local at the last second. 

I can't believe it - therefore I'm throwing an oar into the water. 

Does anyone know anybody who's sister's friend's cousin's neighbor's dog has a nice, friendly puppy?

[MiniDave]

Awww, I'm glad he's ready to welcome a new fur friend into his life......but I can't believe he can't find a pup to his liking at a shelter somewhere. Mixes are the best tempered dogs and most loyal you'll ever find, and rescue's are even more so! Tell him to just be patient, the right dog will find him.   77.gif

[John Gervais]

I agree - he said that the shelters in his area haven't anything which was why he was inches from driving from Rhode Island to New Joisey - he's even got his veterinarian looking for him!  I'm puzzled - it used to be that you could pretty much get a puppy from someone down the street.  What happened???

Personally, though, I'd like to see him get either a Golden retriever or maybe a yellow Labrador.

[MiniDave]

People are spay and neutering their pets, and not letting them run wild in the 'hood anymore.

I also know that our local shelter was absolutely cleaned out of both cats and dogs in March, I expect some of those to boomerang back now that people can be out and about again....but maybe they won't?

[John Gervais]

That's what he said too - the shelters were bare.  I just find it incredible that in 'suburbia', nobody's family pets have puppies anymore like they did back in the '70's and '80's.

Anyways, if anyone knows anyone, lemme know?

[tsumini]

My neice who lives in Denver is big into rescues and fosters and has contacts everywhere it seems. She likes rottweilers and has two.
I could have her check out Rhode Island and vicinity if you like.
Goldens seem pretty popular (lots of videos show they are pretty mellow). Australian shepard I understand needs to be working most of the time and high energy.

[Jims5543]

I wish I could help, he has a pretty selective list that pretty much discounts using a rescue.

This is how we found our 2 rescues.

https://www.petfinder.com/pet-adoption/dog-adoption/

Be warned all rescues neuter all dogs it is non negotiable. So if that is a problem for him, then it might not be his best option.


We had no criteria, we fostered a couple of dogs for a week before committing to them to make sure they were going to be a good fit.   We had two misfires before we found our first one.

The second one, we knew a lot more about what to look for plus it was a small puppy, we knew we could make him work. Crazy as it sounds, we got him weeks after weaning and are still working to undo bad habits by the forster home.

Ironic this comes up, our two are heading to dog boot camp tomorrow for 2 weeks of extensive training, they are great dogs, both have a few bad habits we want to work out, we hired a pro to help us out.  We are not sure the older one will ever be an off leash dog, the little guy shows a lot of promise and we think this 2 week deal will be the trick to get him there.

[John Gervais]

Thanks for the help, guys - any tips are welcomed; he's not opposed to driving and is continuing to scour the shelters.

I personally think that a Golden Retriever or Lab (or a mix featuring one of these) would be the best for him, considering that he's barely mobile, walks with a cane, can't sit for long periods, etc...  I think he needs a physical rehab and cuddle-buddy, and I suspect that he got a bit enamoured with the characteristics of different breeds instead of considering what HE's capable of.  He's not a teenager any longer.  They've also got a 16-year old cat (Lucy) - I don't think she'd appreciate a Rottweiler's physical mass.

So, if you hear of anything, or anything that y'all think might be good for him, I'll pass his contact info along - 

Thanks -

[94touring]

Send him Primus's too many puppies.

[MiniDave]

I think a golden would be a good choice for a cuddle bunny, but can he lift one if he needed to get it to the vet?

How does he feel about shedding? Goldens do shed.....so do a lot of other brands.

I still think a good ol mutt is exactly what he needs, and not a puppy but one that's a couple years old.

Try this....petfinder.com

[John Gervais]

Thanks, I'll pass it along -

[John Gervais]

It looks like my brother might be getting his new puppy next Saturday!

He found the pooch on petfinder.com and since there apparently aren't any available in New England, let alone Rhode Island, he's adopting from a shelter down in Alabama.  The puppy will be arriving at a pet shop in Hartford, CT.  The shelter 'Google Earth' checked his house to make sure he had a fenced yard, called his veterinarian and other references, he's been approved, paid the adoption fee and just needs a proper pick-up address.  The address he's been given so far turns out to be a Dunkin' Donut shop and the pet shop is further down the road.  So he wants to be sure before he and the boy drive out.

This is the pooch - a Clumber Spaniel/Labrador mix, 13 weeks old.

He had my nephew's girlfriend's beagle over yesterday, gotta love those floppy ears!

[BruceK]

Both look like great dogs.

[John Gervais]

From what I'm told, the beagle is super sweet; we had one when we were kids, though 'Ringo' was dumber than a box of rocks.  Hers is apparently a real sweetheart.

Bill's got mixed feelings on the puppy's tail being chopped - I don't understand 'why' they do that, but it's done, so it is what it is.  And, like other shelter adoptions, they arrive 'fixed' or 'neutered'; he'd rather have waited until the pup was at least 6 months old, as he's heard that 'too young' can lead to cancer.  He's lost 2 dogs at around 10-11 years old to cancer, but he's hopeful that everything will be ok.

[Jims5543]

Congrats on the finding a match!!



We get our pups back tomorrow after being gone for 2 weeks. The trainer has sent occasional video updates of their progress.  The video we got this evening blew me away. What a transformation!!

They were good dogs before, they are amazing dogs now, off leash walking and healing.  In all sorts of settings, from parks to busy stores. (pet friendly stores) 

We have a meeting tomorrow to get them back and get a 1 hour human training session. I miss our pups and we are looking forward to continuing this training.