Why not think about rehoming?

[martin]

I tend to avoid new year's resolutions, but there is something I feel worthy of mention - thanks to the downturn, animal rescue centres are even more awash than normal with unwanted pets, so it may be just the time to look at giving one (or more) of them a home. Many of the dogs available are Staffies, and having taken on a rescued one early in the year following the loss to ill-health of a Jack Russell, I cannot recommend them highly enough  - they've had a bad press thanks to the eeejits who'd bought them because they wrongly imagine they're "tough", and rapidly become disillusioned when they find out that they're sociable, affable, and frankly "soppy".........
The Kennel Club says "Extremely reliable, highly intelligent and affectionate, especially with children." - mine is wonderful with my 15 month old grandson, loves being pulled about by him, and nearly wags her tail off when he arrives - http://www.battersea.org.uk/dogs/staffies.html  - (there are other rescue centres!)
A couple of months later we added another rescued Jack Russell to keep her company -  they are the greatest of buddies!

Here they are relaxing having been getting up to mischief (with a dirty face!)

[Cornish Dragon]

Martin very well done indeed.........
I  would like to add Dobermans to the list too.....
Although we don't have a Dobbie at the moment we
have previously rehomed them over many years...
They are nothing like the media portrays them 
Again lovely intelligent dogs, bright and happy when
looked after properly......
The Dogs stay young at heart all their lives and the
Bitches will defend you, your  family and your home
till their  last breathe....
I am happy to work and train any abused Dobbie  or
give advise on them. PLUS the lovely advantage of the
Doberman they don't normally like to go walking in the
rain or go swimming.... and their hair is short too....

CU
CD

[biff]

she on the right was re homed with us when she was 14mnts and the baby on the left was adopted by her when he was 6mts old the pic was taken almost 15mts ago when he was quiet small now hes adopted all of us


rotties are generally a most placid dog,pretty territorial and very loyal,nat on the right had been badly treated.it was difficult to lift a brush or stick because she would dive for cover.she also had learning difficulties.daily visits to the bog where she could exercise herself almost to the point of exhaustion(not a good thing) drove out her demons and restored her self esteem and confidence.walks and talks with the four legged biff who she adored made her belong here and finally she faced down xena gently but very firmly which made her top dog.she immediatly adopted dee,s on his arrival and some very robust games still go on between them.he makes her feel young at heart and is the perfect foil for her stuborn nature.
  dee,s was specifically bred by a trainer/doghandler.he would be fairly smart but biddable,he a very gracefull powerfull dog,maybe not a beginner dog but by the time he is 2yrs old will be one of the most relaxed confident characters about,he adores my wife and is extremely considerate and gentle.i try not to compare him with biff.i deliberatly shut out any comparison. biff came from another time,i still talk to him and the roses still florish on his grave when everything else has gone from the garden.
                                       biff

[Rick O Shea]

There do seem to be a lot of Staffies in the Dogs Trust homes at the moment. About three years ago Mrs O'Shea and I   got a staffie-collie cross from  the Soreham Dogs trust. It was a very  long but worthwhile process they take a fair bit of effort to make sure that you and the dog are matched.   It took a while  for Olive ( the Dog) to sort us out but now she has got us trained  she is a beautiful adittion to the family.
good with children  not so keen about the re-homed chickens, good with the postman. perfeck.

 

 

[rondurrans]

"Your Pet Is a Global Warming Machine".................http://www.utne.com/Environment/Pets-Global-Warming-Machine-Dogs-Cats-5680.aspx - I think we have been here before!  

[biff]

errrrrr
      i clicked on the link and it came up as a bad request,,??  wot,,??
                                                                    biff

[rondurrans]

Mended I tink...............

[spaces]

And if you really want to care for them - and avoid vets' bills later on - try to give them real food rather than the ready-made, profit-oriented packet/canned stuff. Whole grain rice (cheap if bought in bulk) with scraps of meat and other leftovers (avoiding dog-unfriendly food) are ideal and often much cheaper. On having filled up at an Asda petrol station when terrier the younger was still little, I was very proud when he eagerly took the Asda biscuit offered by the cashier, then having rolled it around his mouth carefully spat it out!    

[stannn]

Ron
To be fair, a decent size dog also gives off quite a few watts to help with the house heating and its a safe, mobile heater. Take it to bed if you want to avoid filling a bottle or turning on the electric blanket.
Stan

[martin]

Absolutely - a brilliant device that turns "waste food" into heat, gives protection from foxes and burglars, is probably one of the finest exercise devices known to man, and above all else helps soothe the soul, and puts a smile on your face!

[biff]

and there is also the surprise element,
                             we get some surprise when our dee,s lets one go.i mean its serious stuff and i say"hey dee,s,,jeeze thats a bit rough and head for the door,".i recon its part of his training programe for training us.
                                      biff

[rondurrans]

I think the 6,000+ people who were admitted to A & E last year because of attacks by dogs may have a different view...............


(did I hear someone blame the owner(s)) 

[martin]

To extrapolate that argument, one could point out all those who end up in A&E having had accidents with underpants, socks, lavatory pans, light bulbs, knives, saws etc etc or continue to hasten their own demise by smoking, eating or drinking themselves to death, using the roads, or breathing polluted air........

I'd guess there are more "Wii" accidents.........

[rondurrans]

I must admit I have an innate fear/dislike of all dogs (apart from working dogs) and truthfully do not see the point of them! When I walk along the beach near us with my five year old you can more or less guarantee some dog owning halfwit will allow their dog to charge up to us and frighten the living day lights out of us (never mind the turds hanging from the bushes in plastic bags on the bushes on the way down to the beach – I suppose I should be grateful that they picked them up at all really!)

Your comments, I am assuming were a little bit tongue in check, we do not have enough ‘waste food’ to feed a dog(s) and if I am a bit chilly I put a jumper on…………not heard of any people around here being attacked by foxes and as for burglars I thought that is what we paid the police for……….I certainly do not need a dog to encourage me to stay fit…….soothe the soul my backside, cost money, makes the house smell, have to think of every move you make RE: hols, work, etc……more like a noose around one’s neck in my humble opinion and on top of all that they ADD to global warming! 

[martin]

"I must admit I have an innate fear/dislike of all dogs" - nuff said, I feel the same about football...........

Having had a great many dogs over the last 50 years I've never had the slightest fear of any of them, and would deem life bleak and empty without them  - smell? - winter isn't complete without the whiff of something like a soggy Springer in front of the fire. We keep chooks, and have found a Jack Russell one of the very best "anti-fox" devices - they are also wonderful as ratters, and it'd take a brave soul to try anything untoward towards us or our property with a vocal Staffie...... (Police, round here? - we saw one police car last year - if there's a burglary they just give you an "incident number" over the 'phone, and don't condescend to visit). Like all things, life is a balance - I don't fly, so I'll put any slight expense at keeping the dogs against that - in return I have the devoted companionship of a couple of excellent characters who make me laugh, keep me company and ensure they take me out for some much-needed exercise, whatever the weather! (far better than using an electrically-powered exercise machine)

Holidays? - no worries, we live in an area to which people come for holidays, so we have a friend who comes and house/dog/cat/chook sits for us........