RIP Bitty
on 7/11/08 12:43 am
Bitty, my ancient rescue dog, is gone now. She stopped eating and it was clear she was ready to go find her real momma who died several years ago, so I put her down this morning. It was peaceful and she was ready.
Sometimes cir****tances put really nice old dogs in bad situations. If you have the chance, offer your home up to one of this old souls. They don't ask much and they are very grateful.
on 7/11/08 1:14 am
Also, consider special needs dogs.
My Greta has a bad hip-she's in no pain but will always limp and isn't too active-although she can take a nice walk around the block and enjoys it very much. She and I recovered from surgery together-me in a wheelchair, her resting under the wheelchair.
Dottie, *****cently passed, had a titanium eye and a titanium knee-she was a bionic dog. Again, she wasn't an agility prospect, but a loving pet.
Lily is deaf. Training is a bit difficult, but not impossible, but she will sit in a lap and cuddle all day. (but no agility for her....)
Cody gets carsick-so he's a stay at home kind of guy. (Which is sad because I bought him for agility-it's a no go).
Oliver was deathly ill when I got him-and he's turned into a vibrant, healthy young dog and is my new (and only) agiity prospect.
Prissy is just terminally spoiled, smart, but I wouldn't put her up on a 6 foot teeter (although she'd go).
The animal shelter on SW 29th is just full of dogs-and they do preadopts on their strays-so if you want a smaller dog, go look in the "found" section too. You can put "dibs" on a dog.
Remember, match your dog to your lifestyle, not your ego. A dauschund is probably going to be able to keep up with most of us (there is one in my neighborhood who jogs with his owner).
ONEDERLAND!!!! FINALLY!!!! WHOOOO HOOOOO!