Letter from inquiring adopter ...

[catstamm]

I wanted to share this email and response because I thought it was a great opportunity to educate....

This very nice woman has been in contact with us about adopting for a couple of weeks and filled out an application....
I talked with her about what we are about and what we are looking for, for our rescue doxies... and forwarded her more information to read and research...
At this point... many people disappear or tell us to #$^&*$ ourselves LOL..

But I really have to say I appreciate her email and the opportunity it brought....
On Tue, Sep 1, 2009 at 11:19 AM , XXXXXX wrote:

Hi Cat,
I just wanted to let you know that I went to your Facebook page and read more about dachshunds, and I am very interested in adopting Apollo. However, I am just not sure if we meet all of your requirements. I have to admit that I would still have him vaccinated at my vets request and I would feed him the same type of food that my dog eats (Iams). What I can tell you is that my famiy and I would provide a loving home for him and would walk him daily and take him to his required vet check-ups (and for any needed medical care). I also have a good size backyard for him to play in when he wants to go outside.
I hope you will still consider us for adoption, but I completely understand if you choose not to if we do not meet your requirements.

Thanks again, xxxxxx


And my response.....

Hi Mxxxx,

Our primary mission is not to make adoptions as difficult as possible. :-) Our primary mission is to improve the lives of ALL dachshunds (and dogs) through education about health, nutrition, and behavior.

While we really, really appreciate your honesty on what you would feed your dog, we don't understand WHY you would choose to feed a low grade kibble that has "corn meal" as it's second ingredient (when the corn meal has NO nutritional value and is simply used as a filler ) when you have better, healthier options available to you. I mean, if you were going to the grocery store to buy a chicken to roast for your family, would you choose one that was full of hormones and preservatives if there was a fresh, healthy, chemical free option available to you for just a little more? A high grade - no grain kibble is such a simple thing that you can do for your dog's health.

And the vaccines? You're saying that you would vaccinate your dog whenever you got a reminder in the mail, even though there is a TON of evidence from multiple sources and research stating that over vaccinating is unneccessary, unhealthy and can even cause death ? Even the veterinary medical association is publishing guidelines because vets are over-vaccinating pets! They (the VMA) recommend every three years and are working on 5 years. The best example I can think of is our children. They get their "childhood" vaccines, and then a couple of boosters as they grow, and they have lifetime immunity. We don't drag them off to the doctor every year before school for their shots or get shots as adults (unless we're going to a third world country, of course!)

We're not saying that your dog has to have home cooked meals and the finest cuts of meat and never get vaccinated. We're asking owners to educate themselves to they can make the healthiest possible choices for their dogs based on research done by people that know a lot more than we do.

We have no doubt that many people can provide affection and access to vetting. We just feel that part of loving a dog is making sure they're eating right and getting access to the right kinds of medicine - just like we would for our human children. :-)

Warm Regards
Cat

What in your dogs bowl?
www.dogfoodproject.com

Dr. W. Jean Dodds' Newest Vaccination Schedule
http://www.betterdogcare.com/?page=vaccines

"What Everyone Needs to Know About Canine Vaccines and Vaccination Programs".
http://www.ourdogsonline.com/content/drschultzonvaccines.pdf

Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats
Vaccination Guidelines Group (VGG) of The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA)
http://www.ourdogsonline.com/content/VaccinationGuidelinesVSAVA.pdf

Dr. Bob Rogers' website "New Vaccination Protocols"
http://www.newvaccinationprotocols.com/
Please note that the left-hand menu links are often broken - you can access all sections of the slideshow by using the "Forward" and "Back" links at the bottom of each page though.

A short FAQ on vaccines by Dr. Bob Rogers
http://www.critteradvocacy.org/FAQ's.htm


Hopefully there might be one more better dog owner tomorrow ...and a healthier pet :crsfnger::bouncy1:

[Tucker's Mom]

Can't say that she wasn't honest.:duh:

[Frzframe]

Since you won't adopt to her why not be helpful and send her to a local shelter that has a dachshund (or tell her to put her name on their list for when one comes in) that you don't have room for and a least save another life?

I mean really if the choice is being PTS or eating Iams and getting yearly shots I'd say choose saving another doxie life. Right? :what:

[catstamm]

Since you won't adopt to her why not be helpful and send her to a local shelter that has a dachshund (or tell her to put her name on their list for when one comes in) that you don't have room for and a least save another life?

I mean really if the choice is being PTS or eating Iams and getting yearly shots I'd say choose saving another doxie life. Right? :what:

Well I haven't refused her yet... She might read the email and see things in a different light :D

But if not... I'm really not sure where putting dogs down came into the picture??? :what: .... or that we wouldn't refer to to someone else that has a dog in need????

Of Course we would.... there are 100's of doxies and 1000's of dogs in need in CA....:faint:

Although if her response is one of ..."lack of funds or high costs"... then i don't think a referral would be in the best interest of the dog.... if you can't afford $10 more for a bag of better food...then you surely couldn't afford a dental or any of the other crazy expensive needs a dachshund has....

Adopting out a dog under those circumstances, there is potential that that dog might one day be recycled into the system when a major expense come up. !!!

[Double Trouble]

Frzframe, if that day came that we were forced to give up Skyler and Jesse, we'd probably be pickier than Cat is.

No Lepto, period. No vaccines for Skyler except the rabies mandated by law. Skyler had a near fatal allergic reaction and regardless of what the vet says about allergy prevention, I'm not interested in the risk. They would have to find a distributor for the food that we feed the boys because it's the best and they deserve only that.

Then there are the physical requirements. Skyler only gets short walks on GRASS not concrete. Jesse gets walks away from children and strangers AND at least an hour a day of fetch because he LOVES fetching.

[TessieMom]

I find that it is a lot easier to talk to people about food during the home visit. That way you are presenting information on a one on one basis and sharing information rather than telling them what they have been doing with all their previous pets is not the right thing to do. Same with vaccinations. Some are required by local laws... annual rabies vaccination is NOT my vet's idea, but is required by our City code.

[roxysmom]

How do you know that once a dog is adopted the people don't feed it IAMS? I always wondered how groups (especially all volunteer who are usually stretched thin) follow up and verify that the adopters are following their recommendations.

[catstamm]

How do you know that once a dog is adopted the people don't feed it IAMS? I always wondered how groups (especially all volunteer who are usually stretched thin) follow up and verify that the adopters are following their recommendations.

Well there are no 100% guarantees with anything.... but being and staying a small rescue helps a lot... our adoption process is quite lengthy (without giving away trade secrets) ;) .... if someone is a "fake" or "telling us what we want to hear" ...they are usually "busted" and/or their true colors revealed before they ever get a dog :)
As well as most of our adopters can't run to the store fast enough to buy the book suggested, better food etc.
They actually find the new information exciting :D

Every rescue is different, run different, has different by-laws, mission statement, and vision....
But they ALL have a great purpose ...to help dogs :D

[nina]

dachshunds everywhere are so grateful to the rescues who literally save their lives!
i don't think there is a thank you big enough to give the people devoted to the homeless dachsie's.
i can't help but take it personally however, that i was turned down for rescue.
i offer the best of the best when it comes to care and quality of life and have vet bills for the last 20 years and 3 dogs to verify it*.
admitting that i believe all dogs should be free to run offleash, (when in an appropriate area), was my downfall..i consider it truly astounding that i was actually looking for a granny dachshund and was told NO dachshund could be trusted offleash.
i would have loved an old gal.
my lola had just passed away at almost 13, i certainly knew what made her happy.
its very difficult to me to reconcile this rejection with the reality of dog heaven with me and i wonder who else would have offered a better home than i do?
i truly don't mean to be rude, but it is myth that dachshunds can't be trained off leash in the woods and fields; just ask nina who is ballistic when it comes to go go go. it is simply a matter of training.
i have a good friend who adopted a one year old female. the dog is fed premium food (nina is too) and lavished with love. yet, she has not been outside her own backyard for six months but for a vet visit; is not leash or potty trained, much less the basics in obedience.
my friend works 10 hour days, the dogs are home alone. (i am with my dog 24/7).
the dog lives with a male dachshund with behavioral problems and they scuffle often in dogfights.
when i think of the adventures nina and i have had in this same year, i cringe for the boredom and banality of this puppy's life.
i won't even touch the subject of fighting..my nina does not know what a bad mood is nor could comprehend a dog attacking her.
yet, that is an adoptable home and we are not.
i love my friend and her dogs but i would not consider that a positive adoption. my heart breaks for that little girl; she is (imo) being shortchanged a life of texture and beauty. without the proper training, she will encounter negative feedback all her life for potty accidents, she makes a racket on a car ride and visiting the vet and basically has not been taught any manners. her life is limited to her little house and backyard while my nina is an athlete going places and smelling everything; each day fresh with new discoveries and adventures.
i don't get it...

*paperwork i have on hand, haven't kept previous dog's papers

[digdug]

Nina.. Is it possible for a play for the friends's little female , or maybe you could be like a "benefactor Aunt " ? Your post rings true in that some boundaries of requirement for adoptions should be consider has not a "black & White " or written in stone for those whom choose to adopt.
yes ,it would be Fansatic for aniamls to get the premiun lifestlye for food ,shelter,medical care and Love and suport for their whole live. It should be a goal to more than aim for , but seek to achieve. thru educationing and being proactive.That being said, things can get in the way , and humanes do have set back .
Nina, and Cat you like many here are striving for the whole care package for the little fur ones . :thanx:



** If you are not learning you are not living ; living is by not pre judging = be open minded .**

[catstamm]

dachshunds everywhere are so grateful to the rescues who literally save their lives!
i don't think there is a thank you big enough to give the people devoted to the homeless dachsie's.
i can't help but take it personally however, that i was turned down for rescue.
i offer the best of the best when it comes to care and quality of life and have vet bills for the last 20 years and 3 dogs to verify it*.
admitting that i believe all dogs should be free to run offleash, (when in an appropriate area), was my downfall..i consider it truly astounding that i was actually looking for a granny dachshund and was told NO dachshund could be trusted offleash.
i would have loved an old gal.
my lola had just passed away at almost 13, i certainly knew what made her happy.
its very difficult to me to reconcile this rejection with the reality of dog heaven with me and i wonder who else would have offered a better home than i do?
i truly don't mean to be rude, but it is myth that dachshunds can't be trained off leash in the woods and fields; just ask nina who is ballistic when it comes to go go go. it is simply a matter of training.
i have a good friend who adopted a one year old female. the dog is fed premium food (nina is too) and lavished with love. yet, she has not been outside her own backyard for six months but for a vet visit; is not leash or potty trained, much less the basics in obedience.
my friend works 10 hour days, the dogs are home alone. (i am with my dog 24/7).
the dog lives with a male dachshund with behavioral problems and they scuffle often in dogfights.
when i think of the adventures nina and i have had in this same year, i cringe for the boredom and banality of this puppy's life.
i won't even touch the subject of fighting..my nina does not know what a bad mood is nor could comprehend a dog attacking her.
yet, that is an adoptable home and we are not.
i love my friend and her dogs but i would not consider that a positive adoption. my heart breaks for that little girl; she is (imo) being shortchanged a life of texture and beauty. without the proper training, she will encounter negative feedback all her life for potty accidents, she makes a racket on a car ride and visiting the vet and basically has not been taught any manners. her life is limited to her little house and backyard while my nina is an athlete going places and smelling everything; each day fresh with new discoveries and adventures.
i don't get it...

*paperwork i have on hand, haven't kept previous dog's papers

Well I have to say Gillian... that was beautifully said..... and an excellent point made... and I totally agrees that that doxies is short-changed ;)
Not sure if that helps how you feel.... :(

There are always so many things to take into consideration.... and like I said.... no 2 rescues work in the same way. Don't give up... if your heart is open to a senior.....Lord knows a senior needs you :D

[catstamm]

Nina.. Is it possible for a paly for the friends's little female , or maybe you could be like a "benefactor Aunt " ? Your post rings true in that some boundaries of requirement for adoptions should be consider has not a "black & White " or written in stone for those whom choose to adopt.
yes ,it would be Fansatic for aniamls to get the premiun lifestlye for food ,shelter,medical care and Love and suport for their whole live. It should be a goal to more than aim for , but seek to achieve. thru educationing and being proactive.That being said, things can get in the way , and humanes do have set back .
Nina, and Cat you like many here are striving for the whole care package for the little fur ones . :thanx:



** If you are not learning you are not living ; living is by not pre judging = be open minded .**

AMEN my friend!!!!! :grouphug:

[nina]

i really appreciate your responses, catstamm and digdug.
this is such a touchy subject and i will not criticize dog rescue.
they are the actual ANGELS. how many dogs live in comfy homes with love because of rescue orgs that otherwise would be sent directly to rainbow bridge do not pass go..
the 'traditional' form gives my pal an A and me an F and that's before i even got a chance to explain we would be travelling by air and sea to the third world.
who am i criticize my friend who is as madly in love with her dachsie's as i am mine?
i did offer digdug, to take one or both dogs..i phrased it as a sort of boot camp this summer here, hoping that would sound amusingly sensible; saying i would do my best to help them both. (they live several states away). i don't know if i could have helped the old guy who is chronically maladjusted, (would have liked to try), but i've no doubt i would have potty trained the girlie.
my pal refused, saying she could not do without them for even a month.
i love my friend..:help2: so i will bite my tongue.
catstamm, i might very well find an old girl who would love us..lord knows nina could use the 'wisdom' influence :bouncy1: and i so miss a doggie who will cuddle and not fidget! :wonky:

[SusanF]

I have a friend who has a Dachsie that is a Field trial champion and comes from a long line of field trial/earthdog champions. These dogs are trained extensively to go after certain prey in all kinds of environments mostly open fields. While the majority heed their trainers commands I know of a couple of examples where they took off after scenting something and fortunately were found a few days later. No matter how well trained a dog is offleash there is that one time that can come up and the dog disappears. They are not always found alive or ever.

I know the Sheltie rescue we volunteer with does not adopt out to anyone who indicates they will allow the dog to run off leash. Shelties are herders and used to running free however even the best trained ones who actually work at the jobs they were bred for have been known to run off.

If you are lucky enough to have a VERY GOOD dog park nearby then by all means make use of it to run your dog(going when they are not busy to avoid a lot of dogs). This way they are contained but can still run.

[Ellies mom]

i really appreciate your responses, catstamm and digdug.
this is such a touchy subject and i will not criticize dog rescue.
they are the actual ANGELS. how many dogs live in comfy homes with love because of rescue orgs that otherwise would be sent directly to rainbow bridge do not pass go..
the 'traditional' form gives my pal an A and me an F and that's before i even got a chance to explain we would be travelling by air and sea to the third world.
who am i criticize my friend who is as madly in love with her dachsie's as i am mine?
i did offer digdug, to take one or both dogs..i phrased it as a sort of boot camp this summer here, hoping that would sound amusingly sensible; saying i would do my best to help them both. (they live several states away). i don't know if i could have helped the old guy who is chronically maladjusted, (would have liked to try), but i've no doubt i would have potty trained the girlie.
my pal refused, saying she could not do without them for even a month.
i love my friend..:help2: so i will bite my tongue.
catstamm, i might very well find an old girl who would love us..lord knows nina could use the 'wisdom' influence :bouncy1: and i so miss a doggie who will cuddle and not fidget! :wonky:


What about that senior in Kansas that today is her last day?!? She is a senior in need of you!!

[digdug]

that was my thought too (What about that senior in Kansas that today is her last day?!? She is a senior in need of you!! )

Maybe foster if it does not seem like a long term fit. Sorry do not know what area of the USA yo are in , up north I believe . Maybe Pilots -n- Paws can be of assit if it is a good distance from you .

[Frzframe]

that was my thought too (What about that senior in Kansas that today is her last day?!? She is a senior in need of you!! )

Maybe foster if it does not seem like a long term fit. Sorry do not know what area of the USA yo are in , up north I believe . Maybe Pilots -n- Paws can be of assit if it is a good distance from you .

This is what I was saying if we do not adopt out our rescues just because someone feeds Iams then one like this sweet senior DIES. :( I'm sure she would be happy to eat Iams instead of what her fate will be. Just sayin...:sorry:


:crsfnger: That someone has room for her.

[ADEE]

it sounds like a wonderful home, especially considering her honesty. It would be a shame to think she wouldnt be a fit home just based on the fact she follows her vets recommendations, and her choice of food. It isnt always about money but rather what the owner has done for years, its no different then having my first son. we did everything by the book and didnt believe or even know there was a safe alternative. "change" can be a very scary thing when its all youve ever known (getting all vaxs for instance and following a vets recommendations. after all were always taught "doctors are right, its what they went to school for). Although I do feed Dayley a raw diet because its "best" for her there were plenty of times i doubted my choice in doing so, even offering her a high quality kibble comes with some guilt when i chose not to give her raw in the mornings before work. with that said, there are still times I ask multiple people questions about just how good a grain free kibble is, despite seeing the proof there is always opinions given by others. my question for you is, if she agreed to feed a higher quality kibble and withhold shots (Which i think should be a very personal choice anyway) would you adopt to her? what stops her from throwing any information away and feeding what she wants and following her vets advise? I know that isnt what you *want* to happen but who knows?

Also, do you really reconsider a good home based on the refusal to follow your recommendations for vaxs. I would like to think (especially because i feel most people know me here) that I personally wouldnt be turned away because I chose to follow (pretty close at least) what the vet suggests in terms of shots. I cant guarantee down the road I will or wont continue to do rabies shots for the rest of her life anymore then I can guarantee I wont keep giving her bordatella since she is taken to the dog park daily. I dont think it makes me any less of a good home, if nothing else I would think it would make me a more responsible home, it isnt that i chose not to do it to save money anymore then i chose to do it to inject my dog with potentially dangerous chemical elements.... I just feel its an incredibly personal choice each owner (and parent with children) must make, based on not only their beliefs and feelings but because thats what they feel most comfortable doing. I would be a nervous wreck if I didnt have Dayleys shots done since I go to the dog park every day.. and once we start going other places with her (therapy wise) she will be exposed to even more "strange" dogs as for the most part the same people go to our park daily

i dont mean it as an attack to you as tone can not be determined or interpreted via internet im just curious how your rescue works and if you do/dont home a dog based on their choice to vax or not, choice of food or not if they fit the criteria otherwise... i hope apollo finds a good home either way. We tried to go the adoption route MONTHS before even searching out Dayleys breeder, I will say its really tough to be an adopter, it isnt the process of the paperwork its the "Catches" that turn people off or away and even worse when people who genuinely want to rescue a dog (Any breed) but cant because of those "Catches" ... Again, I would like to think we would be considered a "good" home, we raw feed, spend a ton of time with our dog, do training, are educated on just about every subject pertaining to our dog, the whole nine yards and yet just because I have "young children" who are considered a risk to the dogs well being we were turned away and dare I mention one of them is special needs, forget about it. The miami animal control down here didnt just turn us away because we had young children but because we disclosed that our youngest son was a special needs child they automatically jumped to conclusions that a dog would be in danger in our household.. anyone who "knows" us, either in real life or via internet knows how wonderful our children are with Dayley and she is anything but in "danger"... its sad that sour experiences can turn a person off from wanting to help a homeless dog, especially when thats something someone is so passionate about. My understanding is there is a dachshund rescue in our area down here (learned in another thread) I would love to get information as to how we can help and perhaps persue the adoption route down the road with them.. it just stinks that we supported a breeder because we got "caught" by red tape during our search for adoption I know what kind of disappointment comes with it. (this next statement isnt geared at Cat at all but rather rescues instead overall) I think rescues shouldnt try to get their adopters to fit to their mold of their perfect situation but rather take the time to get to know the family and see if the would be a good match, i know my children arent like typical kids in that they handle and treat dayley as though she was made of porcelain but know the next kid could really, really hurt her. even our children are capable of hurting her but thats why we make sure to supervise her at all times with our kids, yet another reason I feel we shouldve been considered as a home but because the rescue looked at our application only we were denied. If the rescue we did do our application through (and the miami animal control and others we applied to) took the chance to get to know us they would know our kids for example arent as dangerous as some might think just because they are kids.

For the record, Cat I think you do an amazingly wonderful thing. Both through adoption and educating people about the health of our dogs, dont stop what your doing in that sense at all.

[digdug]

Quote :This is what I was saying if we do not adopt out our rescues just because someone feeds Iams then one like this sweet senior DIES. I'm sure she would be happy to eat Iams instead of what her fate will be. Just sayin...
That someone has room for her.
__________________
Shonda, Ditto.

I had a Doberman pincher tha lived to be 15 yrs old eho had was a BYB and got parvo,then in 10083 got Hw+ , she passed in March of 1995 . She ate Dog Chow , times , food ,environment ,breeding has changed . My 1st dachsie lived to be almost 16 yrs ,passed in Jan 2002 . my dogs today do have the higher quality of foods. I hope if my crew is in a shelter they can be saved and even if they have to eat Iams ... they owner will educate themselves after they have Barfed a few time. ( tried lower quality foods -did not do well on them.)

I try to lay low in how and what I do for rescue. It not about me . it's about those that really give !!! I pop in when I can . I do know that if a few of the dachsies that made it out of a shelter , a O/S off a CL they would be :angel9: and not with me and many others that did give up theri T.V time and other events- like vactions. etc

Save lives ,it's a Good Thing
Thank You Shonda . RESCUE ON ,Girl !!!:cheer:

Well I late getting on the the road. head to "T" town

[longtimecouple1]

I don't think it's wrong to support a breeder if it's a good breeder, my breeder was very careful as to whom she sold to, and got references. I am very grateful for that, but her decision was based on our home life, our feeling that we would include our dogs in everything possible, and that we intended to fence in our yard, even though it couldn't be done immediately. It is now done, and has been since just before we got Murray.

I followed my vet's advice on food, along with people here on DBB and on my Dachshund Yahoo group, and my trainer, as well as reading up on things. I also follow my vet's advice on injections, I have their Bortadella done regularly, because if we go someplace, even though our dogs go with us, many hotels require proof of vaccinations, including Bortadella.

If I had gone immediately to rescue, we would have been turned down, on the fence thing alone, I tried, and was rejected on that point.
I didn't understand that because I walk my dogs regularly, my dogs were never in harm's way, just because I didn't have a fence, they were always leashed in my yard, and for awhile I had a Midwest Kennel for the older two, but that wouldn't satisfy the rescue either.

So I guess my point is, sometimes your home situation just doesn't fit into rescue, so I went to a reputable breeder, and it doesn't make me any less of a dachshund lover.
I do believe in rescue, it just didn't work for me.

[Frzframe]

Heck, I went to a good breeder too and if thats what anyone does I'm all for it. I am not anti-breeder. :) I should have said it differently. I should have said that I would hate them to go to a bad breeder or a pet store.

I also do not have fence standards. It all depends on the dog. One dog I required that the adopter DIDN'T have a fence as little Boomer was a fence climber. He could be out of a fenced in yard in 2.3 seconds. So, he went to a home that didn't have a fence and walk him around 3 - 5 miles a day. :)


I don't think it's wrong to support a breeder if it's a good breeder, my breeder was very careful as to whom she sold to, and got references. I am very grateful for that, but her decision was based on our home life, our feeling that we would include our dogs in everything possible, and that we intended to fence in our yard, even though it couldn't be done immediately. It is now done, and has been since just before we got Murray.

I followed my vet's advice on food, along with people here on DBB and on my Dachshund Yahoo group, and my trainer, as well as reading up on things. I also follow my vet's advice on injections, I have their Bortadella done regularly, because if we go someplace, even though our dogs go with us, many hotels require proof of vaccinations, including Bortadella.

If I had gone immediately to rescue, we would have been turned down, on the fence thing alone, I tried, and was rejected on that point.
I didn't understand that because I walk my dogs regularly, my dogs were never in harm's way, just because I didn't have a fence, they were always leashed in my yard, and for awhile I had a Midwest Kennel for the older two, but that wouldn't satisfy the rescue either.

So I guess my point is, sometimes your home situation just doesn't fit into rescue, so I went to a reputable breeder, and it doesn't make me any less of a dachshund lover.
I do believe in rescue, it just didn't work for me.

[catstamm]

So I guess my point is, sometimes your home situation just doesn't fit into rescue, so I went to a reputable breeder, and it doesn't make me any less of a dachshund lover.
I do believe in rescue, it just didn't work for me.

I agree it doesn't work for everyone...and it does NOT make you less of a Dachshund Lover ;)

[longtimecouple1]

I actually very much wanted to adopt/rescue. There was one rescue that I all but had and the owner changed her mind and kept him, as disappointed as I was for me, I was more than thrilled for both the owner and the doxie, that she found it in her heart to keep him.

I just think everyone's situation is different, and I know you weren't putting down breeders, I was just stating that a breeder worked better for me, in MY situation, rather than rescue. But I don't think that rescue is being too picky, and I'm sure if the right person came along, and maybe the situation weren't perfect, I believe the fosters would do what they felt was right for that particular dog.

I think what these fosters due is short of miraculous, they are angels on earth, and I admire them all greatly, and there is a good home for every dog, it's just like men and women finding each other, you just have to hunt for the right one!

[nina]

i do wish they were not so conformist but i wish lots of things that don't come true. let's hope rescues don't feel that euthanizing a dog makes more sense than compromising their criterion for adoption.
my friend's dogs will likely live to be in the high teens. do i think they have interesting or fullfilling lives? ..sorry, but i don't; in fact, i feel sorry for them.
my friend has an approved home.
equate her puppy with a human child who is a latch key kid in the third grade; illiterate, flabby and not toilet trained with a brother beating her up regularly and i would guess child services would intervene.
yet to a rescue, this is an ideal home.
"If you are lucky enough to have a VERY GOOD dog park nearby then by all means make use of it to run your dog(going when they are not busy to avoid a lot of dogs). This way they are contained but can still run."
its statements like this that really demonstrate just how subjective our views on dog raising are..dog parks in my limited experience are the RISKIEST place to take your dog; you are tossing them in with a bunch of untrained dogs of unknown temperament and basically hoping for the best.
the only time i felt i let my nina down was at the dog park when a big dog bullied her..i simply did not expect such bad manners to be tolerated by the owner.
i would guess more injuries happen at the dog park than any where else. if you cannot trust your dog off leash, the last place i would advise taking them is a dog park where they could be mince meat without a quick recall.
the idea of waiting for 'off hours' to quickly let my dog run free is hogwash to me.
i turned from rescue to a simple backyard hobby breeder. i am not ashamed of it..i did not want a pedigreed dachshund with their super engineered construction.
i looked very hard at the temperament and confirmation of the parents and believed i found a sturdy puppy from genial surroundings. only time will tell.
i hope everyone understands that i don't think MY criterion for a dog's good life should necessarily fall in line with someone elses.
its obvious we shall never agree nor do we expect the same levels of obedience of our dogs or offer the same freedoms.
i do feel my dogs live superlative lives and that it is a shame that rescue did not feel the same. i believe i could have offered a rescue dog a very sweet life.

[PetMother]

When my mom, dad and I were looking for a dog way back when I was still in grade school it took us forever to find the right one. We knew we wanted a Shih-Tzu since our last dog, Charlie, was a Lhasa and he turned out mean and my mom's uncle had a wonderful Shih-tzu who was the kindest dog. So we searched and found out one was a puppy mill, immediately we left. We found another one that was wonderful to her dogs and her puppies. Reggie turned out to be a crab butt for some reason and I was turned off by breeders after that.

When my hubby asked what I wanted for my birthday I told him a female LH doxie. He did his research and found a lady in his hometown that had a litter ready by the time we went to visit his family. I was a bit weary of picking out a puppy since Charlie was a mean cuss and Reggie has some aggression issues. We went down there and this lady was just AMAZING!!!! She had soo many doxies that I couldn't believe my eyes... She knew every single on of their names, who was related to who and anything you could think off. She showed us the two females mom and dad. Carefully I looked at them and took notice of their temperaments. I decided to give a breeder one last chance and I looked at the puppies. She had two females, both were soooo little and both were black and tan pies. Hubby had one picked out for me but I chose the other one, I don't know why, but I knew she was mine.

Sure enough I took her home and fell in love with her from the first time I saw her. She has no aggression issues, is too smart for her own good and is a lovey. If It wasn't for Justin, I don't know if I would have trusted a breeder again and then I wouldn't of picked Macy out. You just have to be careful of who you get the puppy from. I learned all breeders weren't bad that day.

[PetMother]

i do wish they were not so conformist but i wish lots of things that don't come true. let's hope rescues don't feel that euthanizing a dog makes more sense than compromising their criterion for adoption.
my friend's dogs will likely live to be in the high teens. do i think they have interesting or fullfilling lives? ..sorry, but i don't; in fact, i feel sorry for them.
my friend has an approved home.
equate her puppy with a human child who is a latch key kid in the third grade; illiterate, flabby and not toilet trained with a brother beating her up regularly and i would guess child services would intervene.
yet to a rescue, this is an ideal home.
"If you are lucky enough to have a VERY GOOD dog park nearby then by all means make use of it to run your dog(going when they are not busy to avoid a lot of dogs). This way they are contained but can still run."
its statements like this that really demonstrate just how subjective our views on dog raising are..dog parks in my limited experience are the RISKIEST place to take your dog; you are tossing them in with a bunch of untrained dogs of unknown temperament and basically hoping for the best.
the only time i felt i let my nina down was at the dog park when a big dog bullied her..i simply did not expect such bad manners to be tolerated by the owner.
i would guess more injuries happen at the dog park than any where else. if you cannot trust your dog off leash, the last place i would advise taking them is a dog park where they could be mince meat without a quick recall.
the idea of waiting for 'off hours' to quickly let my dog run free is hogwash to me.
i turned from rescue to a simple backyard hobby breeder. i am not ashamed of it..i did not want a pedigreed dachshund with their super engineered construction.
i looked very hard at the temperament and confirmation of the parents and believed i found a sturdy puppy from genial surroundings. only time will tell.
i hope everyone understands that i don't think MY criterion for a dog's good life should necessarily fall in line with someone elses.
its obvious we shall never agree nor do we expect the same levels of obedience of our dogs or offer the same freedoms.
i do feel my dogs live superlative lives and that it is a shame that rescue did not feel the same. i believe i could have offered a rescue dog a very sweet life.

When we go camping we let Sammy off leash. He doesn't run off and if he sees a squirrel or some other critter he will start scratching at our feet to let us know it is there and if he can go after it. Of course we don't, and he will just sit by our feet and watch it. He will explore to the boundaries we set and he will bounce back to us when we call. However, we cannot let Buddy have these same privileges. He will be off like a flash and return when he feels it is right. This is not acceptable! I have been working with him with a longer leash and the come command but when he some how gets the screen door open he will be off and will run away until

A. I catch him

or

B. He decides he should come back

I'm thinking he still has that mindset from when he lived with his other hoomom. I work with him constantly and I doubt I can ever let him off a leash without him taking off.
It greatly depends on the dog and sometimes training doesn't help.

When I got my lab mix, Scooby, I worked with him day in and day out so he wouldn't run off since my parents yard is not fenced. I worked with him so much that him and I could go on a 40 min walk and he wouldn't take off, even if a deer ran by ( they live out in the country, farm land heaven). When When i saw a car, I gave him the command to sit and stay until it passed by. I even had a guy complient on how well Scooby behaved when he walked his crazy poodle on the other side of the street and Scooby gave no notice to it.

Like I said, it depends on the mentality of the dog and how much effort a hooparent puts in. Sometimes training doesn't work and sometimes it might take forever... Not all dogs will run away and sometimes a dog park isn't the best. I let my Scooby run free in my uncles hay feilds and when I would call him back he would come in flash. Letting a dog run free isn't always a bad thing and I love how you let yours do it.

Not everything in life is 100%, but that shouldn't stop us from letting us and our furry ones from enjoying life even if its to let them run free.:D

[LUVMYGUNNER]

While I usually try to stay out of threads like this.....Does anyone in rescue ever wonder if the dogs go into a home... where there is Drinking and Drugs going on???? Do you check for that?......that would be more of a concern at this time.... than food,...... dinking causes more Abuse on animals than anything,,,,, it also causes accidents. JMO
Food to me is very important to my dogs--has been for over 6 years and I'm always researching it--but there are so many dogs that are being starved... cause of abuse---by owners that are drinking and do drugs--I would worry more about that,.... I have yet to see anyone in rescue mention this,,,,,, most mention a fenced yard, food, vet care...JMHO

[catstamm]

WOW.....Shonda
So now LeeAnne and I have blood on our hands and are responsible for a senior that might be put to sleep in Kansas....because we ask people to be open-minded to learning about nutrition...... ARE YOU SERIOUS??? :lol:

If we adopt to the woman that feeds Iams...will the dog be saved from death???

The point of this thread was an "opportunity to educate"....
I'll try another angle...

Would the IAMS woman or Gillians friends lifestyle, nutrition offered, and/or level of care, be what I would want for my Camelot...or Carlee...or Cooper????
Would I "settle" or "compromise" where they are concerned?

NOPE....and I will not compromise or settle where our rescue doxies are concerned either...we love them and care for them like we do our own personal dogs..if leaving our care means they have to down-grade their level of care, exercise, or nutrition...they will stay with us forever.
That's just what we believe, are passioate about, and how we do it!

You might not agree...but that doesn't make it WRONG!

as stated in the original email response to the adopter...
"We're not saying that your dog has to have home cooked meals and the finest cuts of meat and never get vaccinated. We're asking owners to educate themselves to they can make the healthiest possible choices for their dogs based on research done by people that know a lot more than we do."

[Camilla]

I think this poses a great educational post. I may not have met all standards for all rescues....because we didn't have a fenced yard at the time....but my rescue Cletus could not have been luckier than to land in my home...and Brenda (Harmony HOunds Rescue) saw that. My dogs are the 3rd and 4th kids around here, and have the best food, best care and most importantly, more love than they can even handle! :D I think on a case by case basis, maybe Cat can educate her, and she can make a greater effort with food....etc. Some people need certain vaccines to get their dogs into doggie daycare, etc. I wouldn't get all of them so my dogs aren't elligible for doggie daycare (which is fine b/c cletus hates all other dogs). I guess sometimes 95% is good enuf, but when I became educated here over the past almost 4 years, I am probably now closer to 99%. :) Maybe this honest woman can get closer to the high 90's and adopt that darling boy!

[DixieDoodle]

THANKFULLY when we adopted our first dog 18 years ago from our local shelter, they didn't mention the brand of food we should feed him,ask if we had a fenced in yard, and they actually gave us a schedule to follow for his immunizations (by the vet who was the vet for the shelter)!
We followed the vet's recommendations for the injections and fed him Pedigree dry and wet dog food his entire life (he lived to be 16y.o. and very HEALTHY), and put in a fence a year or so after we got him. Until that time he was not allowed to run around in the yard off of a leash because we were on a busy street.
He turned out to be the best dog we ever had (until Dixie:D of course). He was kind and gentle with the kids and never knew a stranger. He welcomed everyone at the door and was very polite about it.
I know how most people on here feel about kibble and {gasp} Pedigree kibble let alone Iams....but the fact is that at that time all of my family and friends dogs ate REGULAR grocery store dog food and lived LONG happy healthy lives. I hadn't even heard of designer/premium dog foods then. It is hard to understand how healthy our dogs were and yet fed what some think as junk food. None of our dogs had allergies, problems with any organs, skin problems, etc. and yet they ate grocery store bought foods.
I sometimes wonder if allergy problems came because of all the ingredients that are now put in premium dog foods (beets,potatoes,carrots,and all the supplements,etc.).
Again, I am just very thankful that adoptions were much easier then because if they hadn't been....we would have never gotten the chance to share in Champ's life. I can't imagine he would have been any happier or healthier with us just because someone made us feed him a premium dog food and ignore the vet's recommendations on his vaccinations.

Cat, I understand your passion for wanting what is the best IYO for your dogs. I can't understand how not feeding a premium dog food would prevent you from adopting one of your dogs to a loving and caring home just because they feed IAMS. What do you feed them at the shelter? I would think if you are feeding a premium or RAW diet...it would be very expensive unless you don't have many dogs there. If people donate bags of dog food there like we do here.....do you refuse them if they aren't what you want? I'm not trying to be confrontational.....I'm really trying to understand.

It just makes me sad for the families who are great candidates otherwise and that food thing stops them in their tracks. They might have been the best choice for the dog and yet not get the dog.

THANKFULLY our adoption with our first dog went well and we ended up being one big happy family for 16 years before we had to say good-bye to him.

[Frzframe]

Not in Kansas but in CA. If we adopt to the woman that feeds Iams...will the dog be saved from death??? If it opens up a spot in your foster home and you take one from a kill shelter. You do the math. It's like you don't even care about those who die each year in shelters. I know thats not the case but it comes off that way.

It is heartbreaking to walk into a shelter which has to pts due to lack space. They try so hard to find rescues to take in their adoptable dogs but when the rescues are full they have no choice. I'm sure its the same way in CA. That is my point which you are totally missing.

Education is great but just because you believe its the correct way to go doesn't mean it is the ONLY healthy way.

I guess working to help my animal shelter puts me in a different mind set and I urge anyone who can volunteer for a week in a kill shelter to do so. Be there when the dogs/cats are put down and see what a difference one brand of food over another will be fed to them makes. :sorry:

I'm getting to emotional about this so I'm done. I can't be here trying to answer the phone when it rings while I'm crying because I'm seeing those beautiful soleful eyes asking why its being muzzled. I was warned NOT to look into their eyes but I couldn't help myself as I had to tell him I was sorry and that I loved him even though everyone had failed him while he went to sleep forever because the rescues were full and the shelter was full.



WOW.....
So now LeeAnne and I have blood on our hands and are responsible for a senior that might be put to sleep in Kansas....because we ask people to be open-minded to learning about nutrition...... ARE YOU FREAKING SERIOUS??? :lol:

If we adopt to the woman that feeds Iams...will the dog be saved from death???

The point of this thread was an "opportunity to educate"....
I'll try another angle...

Would the IAMS woman or Gillians friends lifestyle, nutrition offered, and/or level of care, be what I would want for my Camelot...or Carlee...or Cooper????
Would I "settle" or "compromise" where they are concerned?

NOPE....and I will not compromise or settle where our rescue doxies are concerned either...we love them and care for them like we do our own personal dogs..if leaving our care means they have to down-grade their level of care, exercise, or nutrition...they will stay with us forever.
That's just what we believe, are passioate about, and how we do it!

You might not agree...but that doesn't make it WRONG!

[LUVMYGUNNER]

Shonda you have some VERY good points. You do an awesome job with all the rescues and you certainly have saved a lot of dogs.

[PetMother]

My husband raised Dachshunds starting in his teens. His Aires was fed on Ol' Roy and she lived a healthy and happy 15 years. She was put to sleep because her heart was giving out. Was it because of the food? Nope, it was genetics (she was born with it and had to be dealt with her whole life). She was never over weight, never had health problems until her older years with her heart. Most allergies happen because of genes not because they feed IAMS or some other non-premium dog foods. Sure the allergies can kick in with certain ingredients, but it can happen with premium foods as well. Justin says why should the food matter? As long as the hooparents feed them so they keep healthy, have regular check ups(vax if need be) and have a loving home to be in. I agree with Irma, I would be more worried if they were to be beaten, starved, or neglected.

My cat, Molly, wasn't fed a premium food ever and she lived to be 14. She passed away because of feline melanoma. Was it because of the food, NO. It is a rare cancer in cats that is from sun. She was never outside but she was a sucker for the sunny spots in our house.

We have a German Shephard who is a police dog. He was a rescue and is currently retired because he is NINETEEN. He isn't fed premium food.

FIFI, my hubby's grandparent's pompom, was fed on cheapest dog food because they were poor. She lived to be 23 and passed away this March.

My hubby's friend Schnauzers were fed the most expensive premium food, they lived to be 12 and 11. The average life expectancy is 15!

If this isn't proof that premium food isn't the best, I don't know what is.

[ADEE]

wow Jami, thats crazy!!! Ive often wondered that myself... especially since Dayley is the first dog we have ever fed premium dog food to. hmmm

[catstamm]

For those that always bring up the dogs that lived to be 15 and ate pedigree etc!
20 years ago , even 10 years ago.... those foods were NOT what they are today... their quality was much better....
Remember clothing 20 years ago?...it was made well enough that they became hand-me-downs...(I know some of you remember :lol: We are lucky to get 10 washings out of the crappy quality of clothing today. :(

Hell growing up as a kid, my dachshunds lived outside, were fat, ate table scraps and gravy train, never had a dental, and vetting was a vaccine clinic ! and yes, they all lived to be 15+ years! ...does that mean it was OK? Does that mean they were happy, healthy and pain free until they took their last breath?
OR were they in pain and miserable for the last 5 years of their lives.... do they tell you? NO!

I'll use Cooper for example....
This poor dog was passed around for 5 years of his life...SICK! ... he lived with a 5mm liver shunt, 90% of his blood was never filtered by his liver., so toxins ran through his body and wreaked havoc on his 11lb body, his teeth were green and rotten with roots exposed, his bladder had 2, 1/2" size stones that banged and cut the walls of his delicate bladder.....
The day I pulled him from quarentine at the shelter, other than being skinny, the simple taste of freedom made him the happiest dog in the world....
NEVER a complaint.... and amazingly NEVER a symptom of what was going on inside his tiny body.....
They are dogs.... their instinct is to survive, showing pain is weakness which means death!
I want to go to bed every night and believe my dogs feel GREAT and are happy and healthy and I will do whatever and learn whatever I have to to know that....

[BeauBuddy]

Was it because of the food? Nope, it was genetics
If this isn't proof that premium food isn't the best, I don't know what is.

I think I've found a bias in your conclusion. It's not reasonable to say on one hand, it's genetics, and then say a dog lived to xx years, and give credit to the food. Maybe it was genetics as well.

From what I've seen in my in-laws habits, table scraps was an everyday thing, from "treats" of oven roasted chicken, beef or pork, to veggies in their bowls. I know for sure our Basil 'cleaned up good' underneath their table from mashed potatoes and gravey, peas, and what have you, cause the kids decided to 'clean their plates' onto the floor.

I think this is a separate discussion, but I had to throw that in. Your deduction has not considered all variables and I'd hate to give credit to substandard food.

[DixieDoodle]

For those that always bring up the dogs that lived to be 15 and ate pedigree etc!
20 years ago , even 10 years ago.... those foods were NOT what they are today... their quality was much better....
Remember clothing 20 years ago?...it was made well enough that they became hand-me-downs...(I know some of you remember :lol: We are lucky to get 10 washings out of the crappy quality of clothing today. :(

Hell growing up as a kid, my dachshunds lived outside, were fat, ate table scraps and gravy train, never had a dental, and vetting was a vaccine clinic ! and yes, they all lived to be 15+ years! ...does that mean it was OK? Does that mean they were happy, healthy and pain free until they took their last breath?
OR were they in pain and miserable for the last 5 years of their lives.... do they tell you? NO!
OR were they HAPPY and HEALTHY for the last 5 year of their lives...do they tell you? NO! Of course they don't tell us things but when you LOVE your animals.....you just KNOW when they are happy and healthy or in pain and miserable. At least I can tell when something is wrong and I can tell when their world is good.

I'll use Cooper for example....
This poor dog was passed around for 5 years of his life...SICK! ... he lived with a 5mm liver shunt, 90% of his blood was never filtered by his liver., so toxins ran through his body and wreaked havoc on his 11lb body, his teeth were green and rotten with roots exposed, his bladder had 2, 1/2" size stones that banged and cut the walls of his delicate bladder.....
The day I pulled him from quarentine at the shelter, other than being skinny, the simple taste of freedom made him the happiest dog in the world....
NEVER a complaint.... and amazingly NEVER a symptom of what was going on inside his tiny body.....
Cat, You told us there were symptoms....he wouldn't gain weight, he didn't look good, you knew there was something wrong....you could feel it. Those symptoms were probably there all along...it just took you to come along and thankfully recognize them.
They are dogs.... their instinct is to survive, showing pain is weakness which means death!
I want to go to bed every night and believe my dogs feel GREAT and are happy and healthy and I will do whatever and learn whatever I have to to know that....Yes, I also feel that way about Dixie and the rest of my family and friends.

My responses above are in RED:hug2:

[Camilla]

I think this went off topic somewhere. The idea was education. I said before I came here without much dog knowledge, and now feel so grateful for all the info that I have received and the education I have had, and continue to have.

I now am completely devoted to rescue, financially and actually helping, and have adopted myself. I worked in nutritional medicine for 7 years, for PEOPLE, and a lightbulb went off in my head that dogs are similar to people. Do people who eat high fat diets with lots of trans fats and refined carbs all die at 65? NO, some live to 100 or more, but if you take AVERAGES, those who eat better food, and are on a better diet live longer and have less medical problems. I am pretty darn sure that the same holds true for dogs. I learned so much and went from average food to Raw, and my dogs are less constipated, have more energy and have better coats. I think if we take infomation in the way it was intended, perhaps there would be less controversy!

Cat was there for me when Camilla ate my son's Hersey Bar (on a Sunday night), and when Cletus was obstructed, and I was awake at 2am when he went into surgery. When it counts, she always gives me all the education I need. It's a good thing she isn't close by or else I'd have a HERD of doxies, fostering all those awesome babies she rescues. I'd probably adopt them all too! Then my dh wouldn't be able to fit in the big bed anymore! :laughitup:

[PetMother]

I think I've found a bias in your conclusion. It's not reasonable to say on one hand, it's genetics, and then say a dog lived to xx years, and give credit to the food. Maybe it was genetics as well.

From what I've seen in my in-laws habits, table scraps was an everyday thing, from "treats" of oven roasted chicken, beef or pork, to veggies in their bowls. I know for sure our Basil 'cleaned up good' underneath their table from mashed potatoes and gravey, peas, and what have you, cause the kids decided to 'clean their plates' onto the floor.

I think this is a separate discussion, but I had to throw that in. Your deduction has not considered all variables and I'd hate to give credit to substandard food.

I'm not giving credit to the food, I'm saying that premium isn't as good as a lot think it is. Sure it might be different than what it might have been years ago but most of my examples come from dogs/cats recently.Scooby, my lab mix, never had premium food and he is very healthy and happy! He is 7. His coat is beautiful until he gets into the dirt.:lol: Chico is 3 and wasn't raised on premium because my parents can't afford it.They put money away in case of emergency so the fact they buy non-premium doesn't mean they can't afford vet bills. Just because someone can't afford premium doesn't mean they don't have the money for unexpected vet bills!

[PetMother]

My responses above are in RED:hug2:

Amen Cathy!

[catstamm]

Cathy... Cooper did NOT have ANY classic signs of Liver disease... He was thin...and because I know what I know working with so many dogs.... the fact that he wouldn't gain weight and ate a lot concerned me and so I looked into it!

If you look up all the symptoms of Liver disease ...cooper had none for the stage and seriousness of his condition (other than the appetite and thinness, which BTW from my experience, most people would have thought nothing of)...including the 5 people that had him before me, they thought he was grouchy and skinny....nothing more :)

[DixieDoodle]

Cat, I'm not saying you knew it was liver disease....I'm trying to say you just KNEW something was not right with him....you could sense it. That's what good hooparents do! We just know! And you did something about it and he will be better for it!
You are a good hooparent...no one doubts that. I have to say though....there are always two ways to look at things and sometimes I think you and I BOTH lose track of that. Maybe we could all meet in the middle somewhere?????:please: We should never lose sight of why we are all here....for the love of our dogs....right???

[BeauBuddy]

I'm not giving credit to the food, I'm saying that premium isn't as good as a lot think it is.

Your numerous examples were about dogs fed cheap food and lived a long time. Then you said premium isn't as good as a lot think it is. The 2 don't follow. Dogs fed cheap food and living a long time is giving credit to cheap food. That wasn't your intention as you've stated, but it's implied by the way you wrote it, at least that's how I read it, maybe others too. I'm glad to give you the opportunity to straighten out what you meant. :D

[PetMother]

Your numerous examples were about dogs fed cheap food and lived a long time. Then you said premium isn't as good as a lot think it is. The 2 don't follow. Dogs fed cheap food and living a long time is giving credit to cheap food. That wasn't your intention as you've stated, but it's implied by the way you wrote it, at least that's how I read it, maybe others too. I'm glad to give you the opportunity to straighten out what you meant. :D

Ya, sometimes I get caught up in what I write and had hubby talking to me and wouldn't hush LOL

[DixieDoodle]

Ok....I know I'm not the one who you are referring to but I do want to say that JUST MAYBE....there isn't as much difference as you would like there to be when it comes to Pedigree/IAMS/Eukanuba vs. Designer/Premium foods. I will NEVER say that one of those is better than the others....we simply don't know for sure in dealing with dogs. So called EXPERT animal nutritionists cannot agree.....so what makes us think we can be correct?!?

[PetMother]

All I can say is that we won't know for sure what is really in our furkid's food unless we make it ourselves.

[Sadie'sMom]

Reading this entire thread I want to say that I whole heartedly believe that no matter what people feed their dogs, the majority love their dogs just as much as I love mine.
I feed raw, but other than Ashley, I have not met anyone else at the dog park, who would even consider that. They all think it's gross or just can't be healthy for the dog. They are just as convinced they are feeding their dog the best way, as I am convinced I am.

One more thing, the dog park..... I have been taking my dogs to the dog park since they were 12 weeks old. The park is the only place Saidie can ever run "free", because even if she were trained expertly, because she is deaf, I would never let her off leash anywhere else.
We have a group of regulars at the dog park and we know most of the dogs that come there. Our side is the 25lbs and under side, although we have a couple of dogs that are larger than that but just too gentle for the big side.
I have never felt that my dogs were in danger and I have been to many other dog parks as well. Again, it is a matter of opinion, but mine on this subject is, denying your dog the dog park because they could get into a fight is like not letting your children play on the playground because they could get hurt.
Again, our dog park has a small dog area and most owners there keep a watchful eye on their dogs. Mine love it and I would never deprive them of the opportunity to run around with their "friends" and play frisby and ball without a leash attached to their neck. The thought of a dog never being off leash, especially since I don't have a large yard, saddens me.

[Jacqueline]

I have three dogs, one on the way, and yes - from a rescue. My girls go to the vet regularly (funny, I don't have a regular doc, but they do). They get rabies, distemper, checked for hw, fecal floats, etc. No lepto, and except for when I took Daisy up to St. Louis with me, no bordatella.

I have a fenced in yard, but since I also have idiots who own pitbulls and let them run off leash, not to mention hawks, eagles and some other large raptures hanging out,....my girls are never out there off leash, and never without a parent.

I feed them Merrick, because the Chinese have no contributions to it. Daisy snatched every piece of Purina kibble she could from my dil's dogs dishes while she was up there. It was a challege keeping her out of it. THey get carrots (and if you think they totally digest those, think again). Also yogart, and pumpkin if they need it. The occassional scrambled eggs show up for them. That is the extent of people food, unless I bake cookies for them.

As far as corn goes, I don't think a little corn in their food hurts them. Yeah I know they don't digest it. Neither do we.

I never want to say to any animal, "sorry, you can't have a forever home because they might feed you food that I don't like". Right now, too many doggies are losing their homes because their owners can't afford to feed them at all. I would love to see them picking up the big bags of Purina. And at least Purina is trying to help these people feed their pets. Are all these REALLY GOOD FOOD companies doing that?

I like LuvMyGUnners coment about the booze and drugs. I chase mine out of the kitchen because I don't want them to get burned while I am cooking. They really would like to stay underfoot in case I drop something.

Most rescues are thrilled to find people who are willing to keep their pets up to date on their shots and see to it they are cared for. If you don't want to let people adopt, why not just put it out there to start with.....THESE ARE THE RULES....IF YOU DON'T AGREE 100 PER CENT, DON'T APPLY HERE.
It would save everyone's time and their disappointment. You have a right to refuse them, but why let them get excited and then turn them down? Just let them in on your views to start with.

[Double Trouble]

Here's my thoughts, for what they are worth.

If we know there is a better quality food out there than what we are feeding our pets, why WOULDN'T we buy it? When it comes to our pets, after all those MASSIVE recalls...why in the hell would anyone EVER risk using one of those foods again? So the situation is fixed (for the time being), just the fact that it happened on such a huge scale makes it too risky for me.

I swore by the food I fed Skyler, until the day it hit the recall list. Now I buy him Innova.

[LUVMYGUNNER]

While food to me has always been very important... and I do a lot of research on it constantly--my passion....I would be more concerned if the dog will be fed, slept outside, or will live in an abusive home, due to drinking and drugs,--which now a days is very common....Most people will not admit there is a problem, or if they have one.....People will say anything, one wants to hear... just to get the dog...No one realy knows how they will treat the dog.. what is fed to him...
I grew up in a home where both my parents where alcoholics...that says something for its self...where there is drinking there is abuse.....trust me, I lived it...

[roxysmom]

I don't think she was saying she would deny her the adoption. I think she was saying that she wanted to see if the adopter was open to hearing about a better quality food. I am guessing (if I'm wrong, I apologize Cat) that what Cat was saying was this was an opportunity to let someone know about better quality dog food. She is assuming that the woman is feeding Iams because she doesn't realize it's not a good quality food rather than it being a cost issue.

BTW: Before I joined DBB 6yrs ago I used to think Iams and Science Diet were "premium" foods. Now, I know better.

People talk about the dog food not being as good a quality as 20yrs ago. Look at most of the dogs that come into rescue, they are from BYB's and puppymills which are out there in larger numbers than 20yrs ago. So, dogs due to overbreeding and inbreeding (especially popular breeds like dachshunds) tend to be more prone to health issues. Combine that with lower quality dog food and who knows what can happen.

[nina]

Maybe we could all meet in the middle somewhere?????:please: We should never lose sight of why we are all here....for the love of our dogs....right???

exactly.
and we are all so diverse!
what really rankles one 'owner' seems completely acceptable to another.
we are all here because we are nutz for dogs, no one else would even bother with a forum like this! :Sun2:
i do wish with all my heart i could be a person who 'agrees to disagree'..i'm just not that ameniable. when i know i'm right, i'm right!:flowerysmile:

[Petey's Mom]

In my opinion, raising/owning dogs is a lot like raising kids. You can read and hear all sorts of advice. Some is right, some is wrong, some is subjective. You can drive yourself crazy second-guessing your decisions. Take the information that applies to you and your babies, make informed decisions, and let the rest go. As long as you know in your heart that you're doing the best YOU can for YOUR pets, that's what matters. Not one person reading this board would ever intentionally cause harm to their pets. I'd say we're all doing the best we can, and being a member of DBB shows that we're interested in educating ourselves about dachshunds and their well-being :flowerysmile:

[Dogmother]

As for feeding Iams check this out www.iamscruelty.com if someone seriously checked into this they would never support that company again.

Terri

[blazeman]

Terri... iamscruelty.com is owned by PETA.... I take everything they say with a grain of salt...

[Dogmother]

Terri... iamscruelty.com is owned by PETA.... I take everything they say with a grain of salt...

I certainly do also but I also received mailings about it before I ever even had the internet from some one other than Peta probably HSUS and they are nearly as bad but either way because of the mailing I quit feeding Iams way back in 1991 and will not use it ever again. I am not entirely certain who I received the mailing from but it made a huge impression on me and then in later years after I got online I was sent the web address that is owned by PETA, and while I am certain they exaggerate alot there must be a grain of truth to it because the story has been around alot longer than the Peta site about it.

Terri

[Travmakar]

Perception is ALWAYS completely different to everyone. We ALL love our dogs and want to do what is best "in our eyes".

Before I joined DBB I had NO clue about raw and vowed I would never feed my dog uncooked food. Well over a year later the little bugger is on NV raw chicken medallions and loves every bite. I KNOW some cannot feed their dogs raw for various reasons due to health or finances.

Let us all agree to disagree not everyone will completely agree with how we should each raise our doxie. All I can say is I have LEARNED a ton from all the DBB members, the good advice with the bad.

Cat is trying her best just like Shonda is. Both are very passionate about dachshunds and both have different viewpoints.

IMO each dog is different and each case cannot be painted with a broad brush stroke. If a dog is in a shelter and could be PTS then heck yeah get him out and try to find the best possible adopter. If you have time and foster homes available then you can choose to be very selective. In the end it is for the good of the dog along with timing and circumstances with each rescue.

[henrylove]

I wanted to share this email and response because I thought it was a great opportunity to educate....

This very nice woman has been in contact with us about adopting for a couple of weeks and filled out an application....
I talked with her about what we are about and what we are looking for, for our rescue doxies... and forwarded her more information to read and research...
At this point... many people disappear or tell us to #$^&*$ ourselves LOL..

But I really have to say I appreciate her email and the opportunity it brought....
On Tue, Sep 1, 2009 at 11:19 AM , XXXXXX wrote:

Hi Cat,
I just wanted to let you know that I went to your Facebook page and read more about dachshunds, and I am very interested in adopting Apollo. However, I am just not sure if we meet all of your requirements. I have to admit that I would still have him vaccinated at my vets request and I would feed him the same type of food that my dog eats (Iams). What I can tell you is that my famiy and I would provide a loving home for him and would walk him daily and take him to his required vet check-ups (and for any needed medical care). I also have a good size backyard for him to play in when he wants to go outside.
I hope you will still consider us for adoption, but I completely understand if you choose not to if we do not meet your requirements.

Thanks again, xxxxxx


And my response.....

Hi Mxxxx,

Our primary mission is not to make adoptions as difficult as possible. :-) Our primary mission is to improve the lives of ALL dachshunds (and dogs) through education about health, nutrition, and behavior.

While we really, really appreciate your honesty on what you would feed your dog, we don't understand WHY you would choose to feed a low grade kibble that has "corn meal" as it's second ingredient (when the corn meal has NO nutritional value and is simply used as a filler ) when you have better, healthier options available to you. I mean, if you were going to the grocery store to buy a chicken to roast for your family, would you choose one that was full of hormones and preservatives if there was a fresh, healthy, chemical free option available to you for just a little more? A high grade - no grain kibble is such a simple thing that you can do for your dog's health.

And the vaccines? You're saying that you would vaccinate your dog whenever you got a reminder in the mail, even though there is a TON of evidence from multiple sources and research stating that over vaccinating is unneccessary, unhealthy and can even cause death ? Even the veterinary medical association is publishing guidelines because vets are over-vaccinating pets! They (the VMA) recommend every three years and are working on 5 years. The best example I can think of is our children. They get their "childhood" vaccines, and then a couple of boosters as they grow, and they have lifetime immunity. We don't drag them off to the doctor every year before school for their shots or get shots as adults (unless we're going to a third world country, of course!)

We're not saying that your dog has to have home cooked meals and the finest cuts of meat and never get vaccinated. We're asking owners to educate themselves to they can make the healthiest possible choices for their dogs based on research done by people that know a lot more than we do.

We have no doubt that many people can provide affection and access to vetting. We just feel that part of loving a dog is making sure they're eating right and getting access to the right kinds of medicine - just like we would for our human children. :-)

Warm Regards
Cat

What in your dogs bowl?
www.dogfoodproject.com

Dr. W. Jean Dodds' Newest Vaccination Schedule
http://www.betterdogcare.com/?page=vaccines

"What Everyone Needs to Know About Canine Vaccines and Vaccination Programs".
http://www.ourdogsonline.com/content/drschultzonvaccines.pdf

Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats
Vaccination Guidelines Group (VGG) of The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA)
http://www.ourdogsonline.com/content/VaccinationGuidelinesVSAVA.pdf

Dr. Bob Rogers' website "New Vaccination Protocols"
http://www.newvaccinationprotocols.com/
Please note that the left-hand menu links are often broken - you can access all sections of the slideshow by using the "Forward" and "Back" links at the bottom of each page though.

A short FAQ on vaccines by Dr. Bob Rogers
http://www.critteradvocacy.org/FAQ's.htm


Hopefully there might be one more better dog owner tomorrow ...and a healthier pet :crsfnger::bouncy1:

Hello everyone!

How is everybody doing? I would just like to comment on this original post First, I would like to say that I do appreciate rescues, and I do believe that they have a place in the dog/animal world. But I do not like how many rescues have turned into legal animal hoarding situations. No rescue should suspect a person of being a careless pet owner based on their food choice or vaccine schedule, unless their is evidence to prove that these prospective owners neglect or abuse their currently owned animals. These prospective pet owners should be evaluated, yes, but not insulted, and damaged by a rescue's control issues. People and families should be granted a pet if they are suitable for a pet, by reasonable guidelines, and show no reason why they shouldn't be allowed to have a pet. Given, the pet won't be given to the family and the animal will continue to live in a small #@$%^ kennel, or bounce around in a foster home until the rescue finds the "suitable" family for that pet, by this time the animal is old, unhealthy, and no one will qualify to adopt because they will not meet the money requirements for vet bills. So, most rescues and I mean most need to let go of their control issues and stop keeping animals when so many good homes are available. If this cruel cycle of "maybe you can adopt the dog, but you probably won't qualify" doesn't stop, I at least hope that the rescues stop raking the pounds for the purebreeds, and then stop re-selling them for near breeder prices. At least, a family can just rescue a dog from a pound with no problems or insults. There is no guarantee on anything, no matter how much research one does, you will never know all about any one subject, person, or thing. This does not mean that rescues should not check, but they should consider the life of the pet, and I can guarantee you that this dog/cat/whatever does not want to be a floater the rest of its life.

Please note that I am not pin pointing this poster, I am just stating a fact. I know many people who have been refused pets from rescues for very unrealistic reasons. :pull_hair:

Anyways, I hope I did not offend anyone, but this is a forum and we are allowed to speak our minds. We are all here for the love animals and especially dogs!

:bflower:

[JayLu]

I agree with you Henrylove wholeheartedly - having worked in Labrador Ret rescue as both a foster and as one who did home visits - our main goal was to place dogs in solid, safe loving homes and save them from euthanasia in pounds or to save them from puppy mills. There are those of us within our group who believe in vaccinating fully and some like myself who do not do the yearly vacs - I get rabies as required by law for my dogs but the rest only every 3 or 4 years depending on titers. But that is my choice and I know some of our dogs have gone to homes where they get annual vacs. That is a personal choice and for those who truly love a breed perhaps a bit like asking to change their religion. Our main goal was to rescue dogs and save lives and find quality homes.

[Jacqueline]

Two of my girls are from shelters, and while I know it is not the case everywhere, if you want a doxie here, you have to be pretty darned fast to snap one up out of the shelters. Taffy came from the animal control, a kill shelter, and Daisy from the HS, a no kill shelter. They were not lingering there, believe me. And both checked vet references, made sure that I was not a criminal by checking police records, etc., before they turned them over to me. I did fill out long questionaires for both of them. And both are purebreds.

Mindy is from a rescue. So is the one on the way. But if I wanted another one from a shelter, I would have to be there almost the day they became eligible and placed out on that area. I would hate to have to compete with some rescues, in addition to all the other people down here that love and want doxies. Rescues should rescue....and I think some don't know the difference. Most are absolutely wonderful.

[BeauBuddy]

Please note that I am not pin pointing this poster, I am just stating a fact. I know many people who have been refused pets from rescues for very unrealistic reasons. :pull_hair:



What are the unrealistic reasons that people have been refused pets? I'm curious.

I know breeders state that they can refuse selling a puppy simply on a gut feeling. Pretty subjective.

[DixieDoodle]

What are the unrealistic reasons that people have been refused pets? I'm curious.

I know breeders state that they can refuse selling a puppy simply on a gut feeling. Pretty subjective.
I feel it is unrealistic to not place a pet because the owner does not have a fenced in yard. We didn't have a fence until Champ was a year old. We walked him instead of letting him loose in a fenced yard. Besides, if they are so worried about not having a fence....why doesn't that include a FRONT fenced in yard...not just a fenced backyard. In my experience my cats and dogs are more likely to run out the front door when our kids friends go in and out if I'm not right there to answer the door or watch the pets.
I don't even know anyone who has a fenced in front yard:innocent: and yet we all have dogs.
Another thing is the food issue. MPO is that the shelter/rescue should not dictate what food I feed the pet as long as they will be fed regularly.

[BeauBuddy]

If there's no fenced yard, would you be OK with the dog being tied up outside for an afternoon? Lots of folks do that.

[DixieDoodle]

If there's no fenced yard, would you be OK with the dog being tied up outside for an afternoon? Lots of folks do that.
OF COURSE NOT!!! OMG...I hate it when I see that!!! Just as bad...the kennel thing outside for them!!! That is NOT being a responsible pet owner!!!!!!!!!

[BeauBuddy]

I hate that too. With a collar yet, not a harness, which will wreck their neck. Plus, without a fence, bigger dogs can come in, looking for food or to mark territory. That's trouble.

People without fences don't think of stuff like that. I'm not saying that potential adopters would do that but I would wonder if I had a dog looking for a home, if I would sleep at night wondering if they were doing that, because walking a dog twice a day got bothersome. Or they got too busy, or whatever.

Sometimes it is a gut feeling by the person. It is a big decision to make for the rest of that dog's life, and they want to make a good one.

I would want to sleep easy at night, not worry about that "I gotta bad feeling".

[Travmakar]

I do not have a fence and we were accepted to adopt Ty. He gets walked 4 times a day and if I am outside or keeping an eye on him he is outside with a harness on a 30ft tie out.

We are looking to fence in our yard to make things easier, BUT when I adopted him I promised myself he will be walked and exercised daily no matter what. We are fastidious with making sure there is no harm done to him. Also the little bugger LOVES to be in the car with the windows down and take his 2-3 hr naps. :Sun2:

[red&black]

Our rescue has certain set in stone rules, but we judge each adopter based on the dog they've chosen. It has to be a match, a fit.

Yes we prefer fenced yards. But if it can be proven they're reliable dog walkers they'll be considered.

Any tie-out of dogs is forbidden. We even confiscated a dog adopted from us that we found was being kenneled outside (that was the only confiscation I was involved in).

Some have issues with small children and use an age cut off point. We say we'll see if the dog is good with kids, and if the kids are good with dogs. Teeny tiny dogs though do not go to homes with small children - much too breakable.

They refer potential dachshund adoptions to us - we can tell if an adopter is suitable for this breed or not. I've spoken with potential adopters, and the director says she can tell if my gut is for them or not based on how much I tell them about the dog. Basic info, lots of question asking, the dog will be downplayed. The right family though - they'll get all info on the dog I can give them (and we give all good AND bad info - no surprises).

[Travmakar]

Any tie-out of dogs is forbidden.


Really? What are the reasons?

I think it is fine when I am outside so he does not see a rabbit or squirrel and run after it. I would rather have that then he run in front of a car running after a rabbit?

He wears a harness and knows hiw limit on the tie-out. I never leave him out unsupervised or when I am not hanging around. If I am cleaning or will be busy around the house he comes in or takes a nap in the car.

[LUVMYGUNNER]

As long as the dog is walked that should be the main thing--remember I grew up in Germany... and most people in those days lived in Apts....very few had houses....so most dogs were walked to go potty.
While food should be a concern, I would worry more about vet care, great loving home. I know lots of people that feed an odd brand (a brand that some don't approve)... but they take their dogs to the vet and they are very loved, have a great family...
One thing that would concern me is...is the person abusive?? is there drinking, drugs going on in the house---which a lot of people hide...I have seen dogs being thrown all over the place... by drunks and kicked, I have even talked to someone about it at our dog shelter...Some people think its funny... to abuse an animal.
I remember when I first came onto some of my boards... a little dog that was fed nothing but cigarett buds... and the vets tried to safe him and he died---to this day... hubby and I haven't forgotten that dog.... Any dog food would have been better than none...JMO

Right now my best friend and I are buying food... for a pack (about 50) stray cats that has multiplied and multiplied and there are a few organizations that are trying to help feed and neuter/spay them. The cats are grouped into one area so it makes it easier for them to be fed and caughed and neuterd/spayed and vaccinated....Most likeley it started with one cat and has come to this...

So there is always a way for a person to help animals.... :) I personally have paid for the adequan series for a few dogs on different boards.... because I strongly believe in it....

[BeauBuddy]

I think the food issue really got people worked up.

When we were going to bring Engli home from the breeder, she said, Do you have an airline approved kennel for her to ride in the car? Well, no. We had a kennel, but not airline approved. Those are the good solid ones. She said...

You are not taking my baby home with you unless you get that kennel.

So guess what? That was darn easy to go get one. No big deal.
If she had said, I want you to feed one of these 3 brands of dog food because I looked into all kinds of dog food, and you can't take my baby with you unless you do that. She will be healthier, likely have less vet bills, and maybe a longer life, if that's the cards that are dealt for her. We would have said, No problem! Thank you for doing the homework and giving us this recommendation! That's great!

I don't understand why someone would refuse something that is of benefit to the dog they want to adopt and take care of.
If they refused, wouldn't you wonder why? It's a small thing, no problem, yet they won't. Hmmm. That would leave me wondering what was really going on there. If this small thing is not happening, what about the big stuff?? More Hmmm's

[LUVMYGUNNER]

You can give people advise... but its up to them... whatever they want to do with it...
When I got Petunia... her foster mom recommented Eagle Pack and Petunia had the worst coat ever--took me a few years to get it nice and silky--at the time Gunner was on Innova's Evo and she got the same. I am Not a fan of EP...So who is to say whats good...Most people that adopt pets want the best for them... and will do their own research....I know when I go to the Hay and Feed and people always see me discuss food, treats, with some of the sales clerks--they will come up to me and buy what I buy...its the matter how you approach people...
I know that some vets here recomment Pedigree....why I don't know...I was shocked when my boss told me that...she had just gotten a new Golden Retriever and I had given her a puppy basket with good stuff in it..so i don't know if she ever used the good stuff again or not....
I think most of us take people's suggestion... because most of us do reseach also and belong to different doxie/dog boards--to someone that doesn't belong to a dog board all that advise... is FOREIGN languange...:) So I don't think there is anything going on when people don't want to take advise--just a matter of educating yourself... All of the dogs I had before G&P were outside dogs-to this day I feel guuildy about it, but it was the way I was raised.
I know that even raising babies nowa days is so different...I have given Regina advise and she just looks at me--she always has to aske her pediatrician for everything...

[SuziQ]

I think the food issue really got people worked up.

When we were going to bring Engli home from the breeder, she said, Do you have an airline approved kennel for her to ride in the car? Well, no. We had a kennel, but not airline approved. Those are the good solid ones. She said...

You are not taking my baby home with you unless you get that kennel.

So guess what? That was darn easy to go get one. No big deal.
If she had said, I want you to feed one of these 3 brands of dog food because I looked into all kinds of dog food, and you can't take my baby with you unless you do that. She will be healthier, likely have less vet bills, and maybe a longer life, if that's the cards that are dealt for her. We would have said, No problem! Thank you for doing the homework and giving us this recommendation! That's great!

I don't understand why someone would refuse something that is of benefit to the dog they want to adopt and take care of.
If they refused, wouldn't you wonder why? It's a small thing, no problem, yet they won't. Hmmm. That would leave me wondering what was really going on there. If this small thing is not happening, what about the big stuff?? More Hmmm's

Ding ding ding....we have a winner! I totally agree.

[catstamm]

I think the food issue really got people worked up.

When we were going to bring Engli home from the breeder, she said, Do you have an airline approved kennel for her to ride in the car? Well, no. We had a kennel, but not airline approved. Those are the good solid ones. She said...

You are not taking my baby home with you unless you get that kennel.

So guess what? That was darn easy to go get one. No big deal.
If she had said, I want you to feed one of these 3 brands of dog food because I looked into "all kinds of dog food, and you can't take my baby with you unless you do that. She will be healthier, likely have less vet bills, and maybe a longer life, if that's the cards that are dealt for her. We would have said, No problem! Thank you for doing the homework and giving us this recommendation! That's great!

I don't understand why someone would refuse something that is of benefit to the dog they want to adopt and take care of.
If they refused, wouldn't you wonder why? It's a small thing, no problem, yet they won't. Hmmm. That would leave me wondering what was really going on there. If this small thing is not happening, what about the big stuff?? More Hmmm's


I don't understand why someone would refuse something that is of benefit to the dog they want to adopt and take care of.
"If they refused, wouldn't you wonder why? It's a small thing, no problem, yet they won't. Hmmm. That would leave me wondering what was really going on there. If this small thing is not happening, what about the big stuff?? More Hmmm's"

BINGO!!!!
you hit the nail on the head!!!!
Over 1,000 views ...and there it is in a nutshell :yahoo:

[BeauBuddy]

I don't understand why someone would refuse something that is of benefit to the dog they want to adopt and take care of.
"If they refused, wouldn't you wonder why? It's a small thing, no problem, yet they won't. Hmmm. That would leave me wondering what was really going on there. If this small thing is not happening, what about the big stuff?? More Hmmm's"

BINGO!!!!
you hit the nail on the head!!!!
Over 1,000 views ...and there it is in a nutshell :yahoo:

Where's my cookie??? :bouncy1:
After all my posts, I was due for one Bingo. You made my day. Thanks to SuziQ too!

[catstamm]

Where's my cookie??? :bouncy1:
After all my posts, I was due for one Bingo. You made my day. Thanks to SuziQ too!

Damn you might just deserve a rescue tote for that :lol:....

[Louise56]

I’m on the fence here> I Think if anyone is even considering a rescue dog their heart is in the right place.
So easy to go to any newspaper and find a backyard breeder or a puppy mill selling puppies. The cost is about the same!
So does turning a person down not contribute to the problems of puppy mills?

I’m sure they get upset and just go buy a puppy.

Of course I fully understand placing a dog in the right home and making sure it gets the best care after it has been mistreated etc.

Like I said I’m on the fence............

[LUVMYGUNNER]

Louise56
I realy think most people will do research because they want the best for their dogs....I know when I got Gunner he was 7 weeks old and I thought Iams was supposed to be good--at the time you could only get it in the Pets Stores--once I had him home a few weeks... I deceided I wanted the best in everything for him... and I joined dodgers list where I realy learned a lot about nutrition, care, back problems and from there on started my search for a good food--thats almost 6 1/2 years ago. The lady that I good Gunner from was feeding him a food from Walmart and thats what she recommented to me...Her dogs were very loved and well taken care of, had vet care etc, etc....her house was clean.
Just because someone feeds a cheaper brand DOES not mean that person neclects their dogs--thats an insult to the person. There are a few people here... that don't even like to post what they feed... because of issues like this...I know these people.... and they are taking good care of their dogs.....

[Louise56]

My old girl Lacey is 16 ½ and after several attempts to put her on a premium dog fail I gave up and put her back on pedigree dog food. Within days she’s up and running and acting like a puppy! Guess she’s just tooooo old for a change!

[LUVMYGUNNER]

There are a few people on here... that have said they don't even want to say what their dog eats... because it cause a controversy... and that they are made to feel linferior... because they don't give what someone considers the best....yet these dogs have a excellent home and great care--what food someone feeds...... has NOTHING to do with anything...On another board one of my rescue friends has a dog... that cannot digest these premium foods...(yes she has tried raw) so she has a cheaper brand he does well on.... and he gets supplements to go with it...She loves her dogs like WE all do...My BF I have preached to her for years, about good food for her cats--sometimes she gets it... sometimes she gets what she considers is a grocery stores best food, if she belonged to a cat board I know it would be different.....Yet her cats have the best medical care--she just spent over 1,300 dollars for tests and medication for her 15 year old cat---she is also the one, that donated a big sum of money to Bandits Rescue and paid for 3 months of kenneling service for him....Most people that feed a premium food.. wouldn't do that :) for a STRAY. or even have the money to do all that.....
She just donated a large sum to "Border Animal Rescue" here.. It just depends on what people consider their priorities--without people like her for donations---rescues would not do that good. She also donates a lot to the Animal Shelter here...She has been my best friend for almost 40 years. :loveshower: I don't know of ANYONE... that does for humans and animals what she does.....

[patty23]

When my oldest d. was here for a visit last July I got talking to her about dog food as she feeds hers purina. I told her that is not a good brand food and she said, oh mom my vet said as long as meat is listed first its just fine. Well, I am not going to argue with her, shes very stubborn for one thing. Her choice of food is certainly not due to a lack of money for better quality. Thats just her choice. It surprised me that her vet told her this, I mean I am far from an expert or even close when it comes to dog food. All I know is what I have learned being on dbb. I was just wondering if this made sense to anyone else. I just thought it was a good time to bring it up since there is so much being said here about it.

[LUVMYGUNNER]

Patty23... just because they don't feed... what WE consider a good food--does not mean they are not good hooparents.... When you do a lot of research, on different foods... who is to say what is a good/perfect food---no one realy knows.... Nutritionists can't even agree----they all recomment something else.....
I got a link the other day from someone that also does rescue and has for many, many years... that says just because "we" think our kibble is the best--most are all the same...Unless you cook for your dogs--who is to say---then you might get tainted meat/veggies also...which is scarry..
One of the real good vets here recomments Pedigree. I told my friend I would go to a Golden Retriever forum and see what they recomment.

[patty23]

That is very interesting Irma. I know my d. is a very good mommy to her 4 furkids, I was just surprised her vet said this thinking she would suggest something of a higher quality. Billi loves pedigree, been on it since a pup and will not change, so that is nice to hear.

[LUVMYGUNNER]

Hey-- I was surprised when the vet (he is one of the best here) she has recommented Pedigree--I didn't think any vet did anymore...Most recomment Science Diet...

[Louise56]

I cook for my dogs too, since I think kibble is boring I cook a mixture of ground turkey-carrots-green beans-peas-brown rice-and add pumpkin>(think that’s it) I mix with the dry and they love it!
It’s a big batch so I freeze it up in smaller containers.

[Louise56]

That is very interesting Irma. I know my d. is a very good mommy to her 4 furkids, I was just surprised her vet said this thinking she would suggest something of a higher quality. Billi loves pedigree, been on it since a pup and will not change, so that is nice to hear.

Patty your Billi Jo is on pedigree too? I will never attempt to switch Lacey again!

[LUVMYGUNNER]

If you are cooking for them... I would also give a multi pet vitamin with it... to make sure they are getting everything they need.

[patty23]

Patty your Billi Jo is on pedigree too? I will never attempt to switch Lacey again!

Yes, we put her on it when we first brought her home, I guess she has been on it to long to give it up now. This is what she wants so this is what mom gives her. Dont know if I mentioned she is almost 13 now.

[LUVMYGUNNER]

Patty what an awesome age--bless his heart, your dogs look so good. I realy think a lot of it is genetics. Gunner has... always except the first few months... been on what everyone considers, a premium food, he has always had vitamins, good vet care and he now got a staph infection and 300 hundred dollars later, I told the vet how it should be treated.... :) I did some research... took Gunner back to the vet, and told him what I found and what we should do, and he agreed I did a good job....First he thought Staph infection but using the black light, he thought Gunner had ringworm and we treated it as such--what he gave me didn't help... so I did my own search... and its a staph infection....He is doing a lot better now..... He asked me what I did for Gunners back... and I told him all the stuff he took and he said--you got everything covered..

[patty23]

Isnt that something, we do the best we possibly can and they still get sick. Today I was watching tv and our local network had on a nutritionist, they were saying how you should beable to see your dogs ribs and feel them, if not they are to fat. I cant see my dog ribs, but I dont think they are fat either. I thought they looked really good,no one ever says they look fat.

[Louise56]

If you are cooking for them... I would also give a multi pet vitamin with it... to make sure they are getting everything they need.

They still get dry food so do I still need to add a vitamin daily? I did it for awhile but ran out here recent.

[Louise56]

Had people tell me Casey is skinny, so I ask my Vet and she said he is very fit (perfect).
Still can't see his ribs through but I think he looks good!

[LUVMYGUNNER]

If your giving try food also you are fine--there is such a thing as overdoing stuff...Vitamin C and a probiotic wouldn't hurt though...

[LUVMYGUNNER]

My vet has a chart of how a dog should look. Gunners neuro said he would rather see them to skinny, than heavy...Your dogs look pretty darn good.:hug2:

[catstamm]

oooops....

[catstamm]

Had people tell me Casey is skinny, so I ask my Vet and she said he is very fit (perfect).
Still can't see his ribs through but I think he looks good!

Lean dogs and humans are much healthier..... people tell us our rescues, lee annes doxies and my doxies are too thin all the time....
We just smile and say this is how doxies are suppose to look....
Most people are use to seeing over weight dachshunds, not lean and fit dachshunds. :what:

[Jacqueline]

My GS pretty well let us know she would rather starve to death than eat what we would consider "THE GOOD FOOD". She wasn't joking, either. So, she got what she wanted, and she also got table scraps, which these girls don't. I cook with spices, sauces and wines. Imagine them waddling into the vets office eating that. Not to mention the onions would not be good for them.

If I get another dog who isn't doing well on what I am feeding now, I will switch to something that works for them. Just like I would stop feeding my dh what he is getting now if it was a matter of keeping him healthy. When my mother had health problems, I had to kiss all my favorites goodbye to keep her alive.

One of these days someone will come out and inform us that we are all feeding our dogs the wrong stuff now, because they have discovered this and that. But if the dogs are healthy, happy and living well, I think we should do what we are doing best....giving them good homes with lots of love, and the right amount of food.

[DixieDoodle]

One of these days someone will come out and inform us that we are all feeding our dogs the wrong stuff now, because they have discovered this and that. But if the dogs are healthy, happy and living well, I think we should do what we are doing best....giving them good homes with lots of love, and the right amount of food.
I think we have another BINGO here!!!!:stars:

[catstamm]

I've come up with a FABULOUS idea!

Since many of you to know what is best when it comes to placement, care, etc., and what is best for a dachshund in need....
Perhaps you should start a rescue! Wow think of how many new rescues that would be :D

You could help the rest of us, that actually rescue dogs ....with tips on how it should be done!:yahoo:

Wow imagine how many homeless doxies would be saved then :party011::party011::party011:

[Travmakar]

Exactly! While people will do their own thing personally I would havetaken the suggestion knowing it was for the good of the dog. BUT I would also research the food to make sure.


I think the food issue really got people worked up.

When we were going to bring Engli home from the breeder, she said, Do you have an airline approved kennel for her to ride in the car? Well, no. We had a kennel, but not airline approved. Those are the good solid ones. She said...

You are not taking my baby home with you unless you get that kennel.

So guess what? That was darn easy to go get one. No big deal.
If she had said, I want you to feed one of these 3 brands of dog food because I looked into all kinds of dog food, and you can't take my baby with you unless you do that. She will be healthier, likely have less vet bills, and maybe a longer life, if that's the cards that are dealt for her. We would have said, No problem! Thank you for doing the homework and giving us this recommendation! That's great!

I don't understand why someone would refuse something that is of benefit to the dog they want to adopt and take care of.
If they refused, wouldn't you wonder why? It's a small thing, no problem, yet they won't. Hmmm. That would leave me wondering what was really going on there. If this small thing is not happening, what about the big stuff?? More Hmmm's

[LUVMYGUNNER]

Hey... rescue is something down the line for me and my children... with a dog boutique---I haven't posted a lot of my sewing stuff on the board for that reason... when my daughter retires from the military.....she has a medical background-which will be awesome...A friend of mine that was a vet tech is going to be a vet, she will help... WE will see......I would take the ones that are hard to place--that is my dream.

If we will be lucky and win the lottery... I will set a special person up also....for her own rescue

I have helped so many rescues over the years... from different boards--not all doxie... I don't come on this board everytime I do something good... and say what I did....I think I have done my parts to rescues....More than most----while a lot of people can't help financially--I'm lucky that I can....
I have transported,,,, I have rescued strays-- paid for their medicals needs----helped financially, given to dog shelters---you realy don't have to be a RESCUE to help...Thats giving the wrong idea to people!!!!!....YOU can help NO MATTER what!!!...There are many, many ways to do this...You can be a ONE person rescue if you have to.....My BF and I have done that----she helps the cats...I'm the dog lady- I love them all....
No matter how small the gift..ideas a person has help....EVERYTHING helps... I'm not just talking about doxie rescue here.....

I don't think I will tell people what is best though, I will leave that up to others---who know what is...I will do what I think is the best.....:D If they ask for advise...... I will give it, but thats it...In the boutique we want to sell great premium foods (at least what I think is) so people might get the idea...(hopefully) Thats MY PASSION.

I have helped many, many people with harnesses, sent the patterns to different RESCUES, that have asked for them , when I first started making them, that was 5 years ago, the first year when I came up with the pattern... all I and a few other people on this board did, was sent out 2-3 patterns a day with instructions---look at all the rescue and the harnesses they make and they are making money from this...While I printed directions for them... also posted it on the boards, so they can put one together....do I tell them my sewing ways... are the only good way and perfect way...NO...however they want to put it together is great. I have gotten pointers from my VET and Gunners NEURO about harnesses--does that make a perfect harness...NO,,, There is none.. :( Every dogs needs are differnt, even in harnesse...

I think everyone can learn from others,,, if they want...That is up to the person...There is no perfect way, no right way, no only way, in anything!!!!!. I know we all LUV our pups, have a great passion for them--I have seen people that don't have a lot of money.. sell household items, so they can get back surgery for their dogs, sell their cars, I have been on here a long time know a lot of people well .....JMO

[Jacqueline]

I've come up with a FABULOUS idea!

Since many of you to know what is best when it comes to placement, care, etc., and what is best for a dachshund in need....
Perhaps you should start a rescue! Wow think of how many new rescues that would be :D

You could help the rest of us, that actually rescue dogs ....with tips on how it should be done!:yahoo:

Wow imagine how many homeless doxies would be saved then :party011::party011::party011:

You would no doubt be shockingly surprised if you knew just how many of us on here are deeply involved in rescues, but haven't made big issues of it here. One of the members here, and I think you know just exactly who she is, gives her time, money and heart to it without hesitation. She just never asks for recognition.

I have personally placed a few dogs myself this year, as well as adopting another one. I have contributed funds for the critical care for a few. And let me tell you without going into detail, MY critical care debt has been tremendous this year.

So, my dear.....you are not the only one who helps. You are just much more vocal. I am more than willing to say....

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO DO WHAT THEY CAN, AS THEY CAN, WITHOUT LOOKING FOR REWARDS OR PRAISE.

That is all.

[blazeman]

I think this thread has run it's course. Nothing more can be said that won't turn into another argument... and with that I am closing this one down...