Looking for a new baby...

[Jaime]

:pullhair: I'm hoping somebody out there can help me. I have 1 f s/h doxie, Gia,who needs a lot of attention and love. She gets more than her share from me but she still seems bored a lot, so I have been trying to find a sister for her, but am having a very hard time. She is 2yo, inside girl (of course) and I have always taken very good care of my animals, but every rescue/adoption agency wants us to have a FENCED YARD for adoption. We live in a gated community, here in the country in Alabama and Gia always stays in our yard or might visit the neighbors but that isn't a problem because there isn't any traffic through here. I understand them wanting to protect the dogs but I'm getting frustrated because I could provide a very good home to a poor dog who really needs it and they won't let me. Any ideas?

[Jacqueline]

The reason they want you to have a fenced yard is because doxies are faster than greyhounds when they decide they are on the move. What keeps your little one from running like the wind out of your yard? Do you keep her on a leash at every moment while you are outside? Regardless of how much traffic there is, there is more danger than just cars. That's one reason for the fence.

Other dogs who don't stay in their own space (like the nasty vicious pit bull across the street who keeps trying to attack me and mine) can have your dog in it's teeth in a heartbeat, and a fence will help. I have a fenced in backyard, and the kids are never outside in the front, even on a leash, since the last attempt said pb made, when one of them was with me.

Is there some reason you don't want to put up a fence, other than expense, which I know is considerable.

Other ideas.....local animal control, got my mini chocolate there. The local Humane society, got my beautiful piebald there. Both full blooded doxies, both owner surrenders. There are also no kill shelters in many areas. Also, check out www.drwp.net . I saw some Georgia entries there.

But if you have your pupper outside, please please please keep her on a leash.

[kpm_tex]

Yes it can sometimes be a frustrating process. The first thing to remember is that rescues are advocates for the dogs.. not the people who want to adopt them. Dogs in rescue get there for many reasons... turn in from puppy mills, dogs who have been in abusive situations, dogs who have escaped out of their yards and the owners don't want to reclaim them, owner turn in because they don't want the dog anymore for one reason or another. Dogs from well to do homes end up there just as often as ones from not so well to do homes. Rescues put a lot of time and money getting dog ready for adoption to forever homes... once adopted they don't want to see them in rescue again. Are some too strict in their requirements? Maybe, but if they are going to err it will be on the side of caution.
Having a fenced yard is usually a requirement because the rescue wants to be reasonably sure the dog they place is going to be secure. If you don't have a fenced yard then you should be willing to keep the dog secured on leash when out. It sounds like your current dog is not on leash when out and can run over to visit the neighbors. That would fail you in a heart beat with a rescue.
If you are unable to have a fence because of HOA rules... you might consider a radio / electronic fence. Sandi, OrchidCrazy, has an electronic fence for Buddy and that seems to work well.

Your other alternative is to check with humane societies/shelters in your area which are not usually as strict on their requirements.

[Lillie's Mama]

I don't have any ideas but I did want to tell you that I had that same problem when I was trying to find a sibling for Lillie. And I ended up going through want ads here in town, and also looking on rescue cites for somebody nearby, who wasn't going through rescue. Now trust me I would have loved to adopt through rescue, but it just wasn't possible at the time. So I went through a person to person deal instead. And I got Max, my sweet little :angel: I wanted to send some huge :bighug: and :rayz: hoping that you are able to find a sibling for Gia!! Sorry I wasn't much help!

[Julian&MistyMom]

Very same deal here, so I feel your pain. We too, live in a gated community, on a conservation area. Mainly elderly people here..no children. We too, couldn't adopt from rescue, as we aren't allowed to put up a fence. We now have 3 dogs. We got them through breeders, but still, they were not wanted any longer for various reasons, and we feel as if we rescued them. Don't dispair and don't give up. Keep applying with different rescues. I do know that some will make allowances.

[LUVMYGUNNER]

I know rescue has rules, but some of these little guys miss out on great homes cause of the yard rule. JMO

[caseyb523]

I'm sorry you are having so much trouble! I foster for Midwest Dachshund Rescue (IL/WI) and we do not require you have a fenced yard. It's definitely a plus. I have an underground fence for my own dogs and I highly recommend them. Your current doxie might not be a runner but I think quite a few of them are. Mine would chase bunnies until she passed out! Good Luck in your search!

[LUVMYGUNNER]

If Beckie wouldn't have let Petunia come to Az she would have missed a good home. She does have a big yard a brother-lots of love and is spoiled rotten.

[Jaime]

I do understand why the rescues have to be so careful placing these babies and really I am glad they are. I guess this is just something I have to deal with living in a gated community. You all had some great ideas and I was actually looking at some Adult females that are being retired from breeding that are beautiful and that may be the way to go. I do have a couple of leads here at our humane society also so maybe something will work out. I just really want Gia to have someone to play with and cuddle with. Especially when I'm not at home. And yes Gia is watched very carefully when outside, not only by me but the neighbors also. We all have small dogs here so we are able to watch each others "kids" which is fun. Gia actually likes to play with the tiny Chihuahua next door as much with the huge Labradoodle on the otherside, so I think she will benefit emotionally as well as physically from having a sister. Thanks again.

[LUVMYGUNNER]

You could do the invisible fence thing--that supposedly works great but does not keep other puppers of your property.

[maddoxies]

I have been allowed to adopt without a fence (live in an apartment). I do have my babies on leash when they are out. (an ex-pen could be an alternative, as it allows them outside, but is not a permanent structure).

So many rescues are strays, that we do have to insist on fencing or on leash outside. As others have said, they are SO fast.

I got a 6:30am urgent email today. After 5 days, someone finally caught a stray doxie with a stick impaled in her chest. When she was turned into animal control, the shelter was going to pts (not claimed after 3 days). It is ok, we have her in rescue and she is going to our vet for a full check up. But just another example of needing a secure area or leash when they are out.

Former puppy mill dogs may be velcro doxies, but will frequently bolt faster than lightening if they see a garden hose (even neighbour watering lawn). So many mills just blast the areas with hoses to "clean" while the dogs are still there, that mills dogs especially, will bolt at the sight of an innocent garden hose even several doors down the street from their new homes. Garden hoses are one of the things we have to warn adopters of former millers about.

hang in there, the right dog and right circumstances will come along, but PLEASE reconsider leash, or invisible fencing, ex-pen or some other form of protection for your baby(ies)

[LUVMYGUNNER]

We needed a new fence and when we got Petunia we put out 10 thousand dollars for a brick wall and custom made wrought iron gates so they can't escape-LOL.

[tpatrick]

I wish you were not so far away!!!!!I have a f- dachie, black & TAN. i LOVE HER SOOOO MUCH. My husband says all 3 of mine must go. It is so hard to find a home i will trust them with. They are spoiled rotten, and this really hurts. You sound like you would be the perfect home and she wouldn't be alone......this is going to be sooo hard finding a home for them. I sure wish you were closer.

[Irminsul]

I wish you were not so far away!!!!!I have a f- dachie, black & TAN. i LOVE HER SOOOO MUCH. My husband says all 3 of mine must go. It is so hard to find a home i will trust them with. They are spoiled rotten, and this really hurts. You sound like you would be the perfect home and she wouldn't be alone......this is going to be sooo hard finding a home for them. I sure wish you were closer.

You are still giving up your dogs? That is so sad!!! :sorry: Please, try and place them through rescue. As you can see, they are really picky about who they give dogs to.

[Dackel-Mom]

Well - there's always the possibility of putting the dachsies on an airplane...... ;) Something to consider.

[tpatrick]

They would be so scared on a plane, I wish i could get they a home close so i can see they are safe, warm and fed, and very loved.