"The construction of Europe is an art. It is the art of the possible."Jacques Chirac
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Celebrities Discover The Amazing Chihuahua!
Celebrities Discover The Amazing Chihuahua!By Bill KnellSome say it started with the Taco Bell dog. A five hundred million dollar ad campaign featured a talking Chihuahua which continually repeated the slogan, “Yo quiero Taco Bell,” which is Spanish for ...
Children and Toy Dog Breeds: Fact Verses Fiction
Because my wife is a toy dog breeder, it isn't unusual for her to get several calls a week from people who practically beg her to sell them a puppy. They cite their financial and social ability to care for the puppy and often try and avoid the question of ...
Dogs - Puppy Housebreaking Made Easier
How to Housebreak Your Puppy Housebreaking is the most indispensable thing your puppy must learn. Common sense should tell you why. Do you want your house to stay spic and span? Handle your puppy's housebreaking well. Aside from the maintenance of your ...
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Ever had a hankering for a certain breed of dog? Not an obsession, mind you not the sort of longing that would send you rushing to a breeder, thousand-dollar-bill in your sweaty palm but just a gentle appreciation for the virtues of the Poodle, Pug or Pyrenean Mastiff?
Let's say you have -- but you thought buying a purebred pup was a less-than-ideal use of your family's resources. If that's the case, it might be time to look up your local Dog Rescue organization! Dog Rescues are organized by breed, so prospective parents can sign up to be notified when new poodles or pugs come in.
What's the advantage of adopting a rescue dog, instead of a breeder pup? A rescue dog isn't always cheaper than the breeder's (though it usually is). The main difference is this: your money equals a new life for a dog that completely lost out on his first roll of the dice.
*How do I adopt a Rescue Dog?
Dog rescue organizations are volunteer-driven, and loosely organized. Your best bet is to 'Google' for the one nearest you, using the breed name. So poodle lovers can search for 'Poodle Rescue' or 'Poodle Rescue Florida,' if they live down south.
Once you find an organization, you'll want to apply as an adoptive parent. This may involve a down payment. It also usually involves a form in which you describe your history of animal ownership, and supply references. You'll provide some information on your beliefs about dog discipline, your house and yard, and where you plan to keep your newest family member.
The dog rescue foster moms and will want to talk to you in person, too, to get a feel for your compatibility with their particular pup.
*What will I pay for a Rescue Dog?
On average, you'll pay between $200 and $300. If you thought "rescue" adoption was cheap, this might seem like a lot, but the fact is it simply covers basic procedures to bring the animal back to health. Most dogs arrive at the Rescue with skin problems, tartar-coated teeth, out-of-date vaccinations, possible parasites and other issues.
*How will a Rescue Dog differ from a breeder or pet store dog?
In a number of ways. Your new adoptee is likely to be:
Older. Few dogs are rescued as puppies. A few are 'adolescent.' The vast majority are middle-aged.
Cautious. Your adoptee may have a lot of fear and yes, grief, to process. If he felt like a part of his former family, he may be grieving his sudden "ejection." He may need time and patience to take an interest in food, play, or his general surroundings. If he was starved or kept isolated, he'll need time and patience to learn to socialize.
"Readable." Buying a puppy means taking a wild guess at the eventual adult. When you rescue a grown dog, you get a much better idea of his personality. It's easier to make the perfect match.
*Am I the right type of owner for a Rescue Dog?
An important question! You, the owner, are the last and most crucial link in a chain. The chain's only purpose is provide a "happily-ever-after" for a dog
that desperately deserves one. Can you be that happily-ever-after, even for a dog that may have some rough edges?
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do I really care what color the coat is, what sex it is or how many pounds it weighs?
If so, you really want a puppy from a breeder, not a rescue. Rescue dogs rarely conform to an exact type.
- Am I looking to save money?
You may not save money buying a rescued dog, even though the initial cost could be $700 or $800 less than from a breeder. Rescue dogs often need more medical care because of the abuse and neglect they suffered before.
- Is my life relatively stable and my household relatively quiet?
All abused creatures, whether dog or human, crave and need an unusually organized household. Many people can be good parents to a rescue dog. But perhaps the best potential parent of all is an older person or couple whose children are grown, and who has time and patience to devote to the dog's mental and physical healing.
- Can I provide regular medical care and regular grooming?
The deepest wish in the heart of the Dog Rescue folks is each of their dogs never has to go through another minute of hunger, discomfort or pain again.
When dogs are starved, they sometimes have incontinence problems that heal only slowly. They may need more regular teeth cleaning than a continually cared-for dog. Some need a house training refresher when former owners didn't bother. Most were never clipped or groomed, even in the non-shedding breeds. Do you have the time and resources to keep your dog totally safe and comfortable?
- Can I consider the need and adopt a boy rescue, or an older rescue?
For reasons not entirely clear, many potential adopters go for girl dogs. There's no logic to this: all rescue dogs are spayed or neutered, and boys are as intelligent, witty, loyal, well-behaved and loving as their female counterparts. Perhaps it's just that the rescue impulse leads us to think of "damsels in distress"!
At any rate, that adorable boy that needs a home really deserves your attention. Someone less educated might pass him by for reasons they don't fully understand.
The upshot is, a rescue dog can make the best pet you've ever had. He understands exactly what you're giving him, since he didn't have it before. Your newest family member will offer you an overabundance of loyalty for the rest of his days.
*How can I help with Dog Rescues?
Dog Rescues are always looking for help. Of course, they need financial contributions, and kennel and medical supplies. They also need 'foster moms' who perform the difficult task of patiently rendering a dog adoptable, then giving it up to its final owner! So if you have skills in this area and want to help, contact the small and amazing group of volunteers that make up your local Dog Rescue.
About the Author
Blake Kritzberg is happily Mom to a rescue dog, and proprietor of Poodle-oo: Fashion for the Toy Dog Breeds. http://www.poodle-oo.com/
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 Think pink: Galapagos' rosy lizard is new species - Associated Press
QUITO, Ecuador (AP) -- Hard to believe a giant, pink lizard could be overlooked for almost two centuries. Charles Darwin missed it during his 1835 study of the Galapagos Islands that led to his theory of evolution. Park rangers ignored the pink and ...
Only lost, never found - Mid Day.com
That is the case with most stolen pedigreed pets in the city. Rita Ghose finds out why getting them back is next to impossible Goregaon resident Parag Patel is doing everything possible to get his kidnapped pug back (see box), but the dognapping on ...
N.C. man with dismembered animals arrested - Greensboro News & Record
GOLDSBORO (AP) — Authorities say a man who had dozens of dismembered animals at his eastern North Carolina home has been arrested on animal cruelty charges. Wayne County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Ellen Grice said Wednesday that 28-year-old ...
Young Flint boy, Taron Diehl, offers lesson for adults and animals ... - Grand Rapids Press
Ryan Garza | The Flint Journal Taron Diehl, 8, of Flint looks back as his mother, Kristen Saumier, helps carry items to donate into the Humane Society of Genesee County. He asked for the donations instead of birthday presents. Note: The date and time ...
Mass. Man Accused In Stabbing, Chemical Release - WCSH
NORTHAMPTON (AP) -- A Sunderland man has been charged with stabbing another man at the home of his ex-girlfriend, then releasing some kind of chemical in the apartment. A judge ordered 23-year-old Keo Bun to undergo 20 days of evaluation at ...
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