Yes -- More bad news

[Monty's Mama]

Here I am again, and not with happy news. Quick refresher, we got the puppy back in April only to lose him 3 days later to a congenital heart defect. We've been working with another breeder and were eagerly awaiting her dog's litter this week. Well, the mama only had 1 puppy, a girl, and there was one woman ahead of us on the list for, guess what?, a girl, so there's no reason to think she wouldn't take her.
The breeder did tell me that she thought the mama was small and that the litter wouldn't be big, but she was sure hoping for at least 2 to help us out. She feels really bad, she knows all we've been through.
Now here's my quandry. I can't, for the life of me, understand why we are not meant to have a puppy. We have waited and waited, we'd be such loving parents, and it's disappointment after disappointment. The breeder told me that she got a call on Monday (the day the puppy was born) from a woman who has 4 doxies but has to give one away because I guess she keeps her females for breeding and the 2 males fight a lot because of that. He's a 3-year-old black and tan smooth (mini I guess) and he's supposed to be healthy and sweet, he just can't be with male dogs. Are we supposed to take this dog? Is this someone's way of telling us we aren't ready for a puppy and to get this guy instead? I've always loved the idea of getting a rescue, but I want a puppy so bad. What should we do? Any advice would be appreciated as I'm just beside myself right now.
Kelly

[Augie Dog]

If you meet the doxie and he comes up and accepts you, then *you* have a new owner. If he does not want any part of you, then there maybe problems down the road.

I'd do this with any doxie, they have to pick you.

But, it seems that you have not had good luck "meeting" the right pup. (or doxie) Are you only looking for regestered pups? We found Augie from a hand drawn ad in a supermarket. We asked if the parents are with the pups now, answer was yes. We checked them out, Mom was 6 dad was 1

<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm41.gif" border=0>

Augie and the rest of the pups were not planned<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm41.gif" border=0> The father came out to meet us and check us out. Augie wobbled this way out of the pile of puppy legs and tails and came to us, yawned and sat there. We were owned.

Then the "fun" begins, the chewing, teething, pee, poop.......... That's my boy!

Don't say no to a meeting with this 3 year old. He may not do well with other males, but maybe he is protecting what he "owns".

[Mickamack]

Kelly, I wouldn't take this AT ALL to mean that you were not meant to have a puppy. It's just that things haven't worked out YET.

As far as your discouragement is concerned, I can really feel your pain. My very first dog, I only had for a few months. She would never, never leave my side, but for some reason, she ran away from me the one day and got hit by a car right in front of my eyes. I just couldn't get to her. My last dog Buddy, I had for almost 4 years. He was my best friend, but he got very sick all of a sudden and then died.

There was a time when I thought, "I must not be meant to have a dog" The pain of losing 2 was just too much. I assumed all the blame. It was easy for me to think that I was the problem, even though I actually had little control over the circumstances.

However, my love for dogs won out and I'm so glad that it did.

It sounds like that circumstances are out of your control and your time for a puppy hasn't come yet, but that certainly doesn't mean you should give up that dream of a puppy. You WILL find one...when the time is right, you WILL find one.

But for that 3yr old male, I would check it out. You never know what you will find. It might not work out, but this little guy could steal your heart and change your life forever...I'm sure Amy can agree with that and her Owen!

Even though your heart hurts right now, let the love in your heart lead the way and I'm sure that it will lead you to the right puppers at the right time.

Karen

[dutchman]

Hi Kelly,

Don't rule this guy out he may be a very loving little fellow. I know puppy love is a big attraction and the thing I miss with my rescues is no baby pictures or memories of that clumsy play till they drop then sleep like a rock period. A couple of questions I would have (especially if this is your first dog, we won't county Monty since he was with you for such a short time) include first is this guy house broken. If he has spent all his live in a kennel run house breaking could be a major challenge. House breaking from scratch at that age could be a bigger challenge than with a puppy. You do have to remember any animal can have accidents in a new environment. Are you ready to spend the time working with him to overcome any behavior flaws he might come with? Is the aggression to other male dogs limited to his house mate, only in the presence of the females? Getting him neutered which I would recommend might also help to reduce if not eliminate this aggression. As I recall you and your husband are younger so I would like to see how this dog does around children. Even if you don't plan on having any children of your own you most likely have friends with kids.

I would say you and your husband should go ahead and meet him just be prepared to bring him home. He may be very charming and win you over right away. The breeder may not let you bring him right away unless you have provided her with references prior to the meeting. I would be looking at several issues like a health guarantee and then have him checked out by your vet ASAP. Check to make sure he is current on all his health care that he has been heart worm tested and is on heart guard (I think that is a brand name). You can always add a pup to home as a second dog down the road unless this guy proves to be aggressive towards pups. The majority of rescue's are not puppies so if you really want a rescue and a puppy it could be a very long wait. I know I didn't think I wanted a standard or a male but Frank is both and he won me over immediately with his outgoing personality (of course he was only six months old and caught me at a weak moment just a week after loosing my little girl). I now have a second male in my home Tanner who is a mini male under two years old adopted from rescue. Tanner would not come to me immediately but I knew going in that he was reported to be shy. Aggie my little girl puppy mill rescue was extremely shy. Tanner despite his general shyness bonded to me within twenty four hours. Shy dogs can be a real challenge and require extra time and effort if you want to get them socialized so that both you and they can feel comfortable in public settings. I would be reluctant to recommend a shy dog to someone as a first dog. In many ways I think my being single helps make adjusting to the new home a little easier for these shy little guys. They only have one person they have to get to know immediately to help take car of them.

You don't have to give up your dreams of a pup. The breeder you were working with should know other breeders that she could refer you to who may be planning on breeding a dog coming into season in the near future. I know you have had more than your share of hear ache first with Monty and now with this littler only producing one pup. Go to some of the dog shows in your area and talk to the people showing dogs they may be able to refer you to another breeder. If you have questions about how reputable a breeder is you can ask the breeder you were dealing with if they know anything about this new breeder or often dachshund rescue people in your area can tell you if the breeder has a bad reputation. We can't tell you and your husband what is best for you there is no one answer that is right for everyone. I've been lucky with my last two guys Frank being in the shelter at just the right time and Tanner being available through Dachshund Rescue when I filled out my adoption form. Colorado Dachshund Rescue requires you fill out an adoption form before they will start to discuss any available dogs. They knew my experience with Aggie so they felt very comfortable asking if I would consider Tanner and I heard back from them less than 24 hours after I filled out my adoption form. Tanner was delivered to my home for a one week trial foster prior to formal adoption in just four days. He had been in foster care for 2.5 months just waiting for the right home. With Aggie I spent about a month searching out rescues on the web (she came from Hearts United www.hua.org). (http://www.hua.org).) Then after I picked her out they found out she had been breed right before rescue and I ended up waiting another four months for her to have her pups wean then, and then for her milk to dry up so that she could be spayed.

Good luck and dachshund kisses from Frank and Tanner.

Tom

<font color="#00FFFF" font size="1">[This message has been edited by dutchman (edited August 17, 2000).]</font>

[Owen's Mom]

How can I not extoll the virtues of getting an older doggie? <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm30.gif" border=0> What I'd suggest is meeting this 3 year old. Don't limit yourself to a puppy.. though, like Tom, I sometimes pine away for puppy breath and puppy pictures... But you know what? I didn't have to housebreak him, He was old enough to be crated safely while I was at work, his little bladder wasn't teeny tiny, so he wasn't suffering, except for the being alone part.

He's my baby boy! I would never trade adopting an older dog for the world. Maybe for your first dog, this one will be perfect, because you're doomed to end up with two anyway. You can get a puppy the next time, and you won't feel that "rushed" need to get a doggie, 'cause you'll already have one.

Come on.... How could I not take this puppy home? This is our first meeting and first kiss <IMG SRC="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=628165&a=4582128&p=21196930&Sequence=0" border=0>
I was actively looking for an older dog though. I knew I couldn't be home enough, with a full time job, to be fair to a puppy, and I knew there were older dogs who needed rescueing. Again, meet the doggie and see if he's a heart stealer, then go from there.

~~Amy & Owen http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/facelick.gif~~

[Monty's Mama]

Well, we're going to meet Klaus the black and tan tonight! My husband and I both spoke to the family, they seem very nice, they're just in a bad spot with the males fighting for the female's attention. I will post on Monday to let everyone know how the meeting went.

[Wienergal]

Kelly, best of luck to you as you make your decision! With all the good advice you've already gotten, I'll just concur with what Amy said: Farfel was two years old when I got him, and he is my TOTAL baby boy! Housebreaking went so fast, he was used to being left alone, he already knew how to walk on a leash, etc. I actually think it might be better for you to start out with an older dog, and then--when you experience the inevitable desire to have two dogs--you can get a puppy. You'll know more by then and might even be a better pup mom!

I really hope this works out for you tonight! I'm excited for you!

--Pamela

[pluto'slanie]

http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/wavey.gif Kelly, Let me add my good luck wishes to you. I adopted Pluto when he was 7 (he's now 11). He's a dream dog <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm38.gif" border=0>. I've always taken older dogs off the street - so I'm all for older dog adoption. You've done them a favor and they are forever grateful. Good Luck again!

[Wienergal]

So, Kelly....how did it go????

[Dolly's Mom]

So did Klaus CHOOSE YOU??? I have to agree with everything Augie's Doggie Daddy said. If they choose you, you can consider yourself OWNED!

Sandi