Originally Posted by Frosty (Post 9205193)

I had the same experience. I just didn't have the experience or patience to deal with it so we had to take him back (fortunately, someone else adopted him). I ended up buying a purebred Aussie from a local breeder and she has been an awesome dog. Unfortunately, she's over 14 years old now so we'll probably be facing this sooner rather than later. :huh: Other than being deaf now, though, she's in great shape.

Aussies are "dogs for dummies" as they are so smart and easy to train. They are also active, so you have to have a decent sized yard. I would like another one when she's gone but may go with a different breed so we can get something smaller.

Originally Posted by htismaqe (Post 9204840)

I love the idea of rescuing a dog from the pound.

But I wouldn't recommend it at this point.

I got a 7-month old Catahoula in Maryville MO last summer.

He digs, he chews, he tries to bite, he hides under the porch whenever you get close...

He's mentally damaged and despite professional training and a lot of one-on-one time, he's nearly impossible to manage.

Originally Posted by htismaqe (Post 9205396)

It's not the genes with my dog. It's the fact that he spent the first 4 weeks of his life under a deck, with mange so bad that one of his siblings died from it, and then spent 7 more months in a 3x3 cage with another dog.

For the first week I had him, he went under the porch and never came out, at least not while we were around.

Originally Posted by LOCOChief (Post 9205588)

We'll probably have to put down Pete our 16 year old Jack Russell this week. We got him for our sons 6th birthday. The last couple of weeks have been really tough on ol Pete with back and neck pain. He pretty much has stopped eating the last couple of days so we can't keep him here much longer- probably say our goodbyes tonight. He's been a great boy and we love him and will miss him very much.

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning (Post 9205592)

Don't get a dog from the pound.

Get one from a licensed breeder.

They're far more likely to live longer and have fewer problems.

Originally Posted by Rausch (Post 9205318)

Amazing how they become a part of you.

When I lost my place and scratched out a GoChiefs living in Mom's downstairs her lab pissed on the corner of the couch where my head was for the first week.

EVERY SINGLE DAY woke up with the strong smell of about 2 gallons of dog urine right below me.

He never did that before. Apparently he did not approve of the new male (his old master, my mom's fiance had recently passed) and he displayed as much.

I lost my temper one night and punched the $3it out of him while he was marking his territory by my face.

That night I came home and sat in the garage having a beer or 12 and a smoke. Apparently the dog loved to go down there in the summer and lay on the cold concrete.

That night we "bonded" and he never pissed in the house again. Every time I came home he'd come down and scratch at the door if I didn't let him in the garage. I'd come home from the factory smelling like bigfoot's d!ck but as soon as he heard me pop a top he was at the door.

There was many a night I sat there and drank with him before I showered up while me and the Mrs. were separated.

I miss that dog...

Originally Posted by Phobia (Post 9205342)

There's no doubt. Another dynamic is that my boy, Zane was about a month old when the old dog died. The emotional people in the house were too busy with other, more important issues than an extended grief period over a dog we've suspected could die any day for years.

Originally Posted by Rausch (Post 9205613)

I've "had" 3 dogs.

A yorkie that lived 12 years, a Lab/pit/Shepherd mix that lived 14, and a pure lab that lived 12.

We got all we could expect from all of them...

Originally Posted by htismaqe (Post 9205655)

We got our Yorkie from a local breeder. She was vibrant and healthy.

But nothing could have saved her from being a Yorkie. Most annoying ****ing dog I've ever seen. But my wife just HAD to have her.

Originally Posted by Rausch (Post 9205671)

They've got ears like you can't believe. She could tell the difference between the sound of my grandfather's truck, dad's truck, and mom's car blocks away.

You could tell by the way she was circling in front of the door who was about to be there...

Originally Posted by htismaqe (Post 9205685)

Yep.

Was yours mean?