[cubbysan]

The past couple weeks we have been searching for a dog to rescue.

There is a big shelter here. We went last weekend and nobody caught our eye.

This weekend they are having a big adopt a thon. It has been on the radio and TV all week. There was one dog they had listed on the web site that caught our eye. A 2 year old border collie. We went down there, the whole family, kids and Brady.

When we got there, she was not there. So we asked if she had been adopted, no, it ended up being that they kept her in quarantine because they thought she would be too scared. They warned us about her being special needs because she was afraid. They did not think it would be a good idea for her to be with children. We told them of our experience rescuing a neglected/fearful GSD, and what we went through the first year, and refused to give up. She became an awesome dog. Also, my kids are dog smart.

My husband and I first met her. She was shy the first two seconds, the second I started talking puppy talk, she was all over me. Loved hugs and kisses. After they saw how comfortable she was with my husband and I, they agreed to let her meet my kids - as long as they were quiet.

My kids walk into the room, she sees my 6 year old, runs across the room, stands on her hind legs, and gives her tons of kisses. She goes to my other kids, and loved them. Then she sees a ball on the table, goes to get it, and brings it to my 6 year old. They play fetch, and then she plays fetch with all of us. The woman was amazed. She says that obviously we are the right family for her. Her ears are perked up, she is loving the hugs and attention.

Then we introduce her to Brady. We walk them down the hall together, Panda is in front of Brady, no problem. They take them in a room without us. After about a minute, they say "No, she doesn't like Brady. Brady acted like a gentleman." They said she growled at him, and then Brady then walked away. The woman kept saying "You guys are the perfect family for her. I guess we can't adopt her to a family with a dog."

We are crushed. My husband said he saw so much potential in her. I don't think they gave her enough of a chance and because they have her hiding, it hurts her chances of being adopted. All the other dogs had these bandanas on to look there best - she didn't.

I know there are 100's of other dogs out there, but we are looking for that one dog that grabs our heart (and is not a terrier mix, pitbull mix).

 

[Heidi36oh]

Awww.... I would go back and let Brady and her play outside, insist on it!

Usually they do well of leash and on neutral ground, better yet send someone else in to get her out of there

 

[BeauShel]

That is too sad. She sounds like she would have been a great addition to your family. If it was me and you really want her, then I would contact the president of the rescue and ask if you can meet with her again with Brady and you stay in the room with both of them. If she doesnt like him then you have seen it for yourself and hopefully the right family will come for her.
Good luck and I hope you find your furever pup. She sounds like a wonderful girl and it is a shame that the rescue is not bringing her out to meet everyone.

 

[Bogey's Mom]

If you are in Missouri have you checked out: www.dirksfund.com. Some of the great volunteers there are forum members.

 

[momtoMax]

I agree with Beaushell, if you want her to be a part of your family - then fight for her. Brady didn't hurt her, she didn't hurt Brady. They can build a relationship. Not every shelter worker knows best.

 

[GoldenJoyx'stwo]

If you ever saw the way Shadow acts with Bailey you'd keep them apart forever. Within 5 minutes Shadow and Bailey are best buddies. They eat together, sleep together, play together, take treats together (although I have a funny story about that). I think I would call the shelter and ask them if you can set up times for Brady and this dog to be together. They are more affraid of liability. Brady is a great Golden and is like Bailey. Bailey just walks away when Shadow does his thing. Why Shadow does this we don't know. Why bother if he's gonna get over it well so quickly...

Keep calling Marie!

CS knows of Dirk's Fund. She attended a benefit event for Dirk's! Her children are very dog savvy.

 

[Noey]

I think you should try for her. Get a trainer lined up who can work with her. I get so annoyed at these snap judgments - one meeting is not a way to judge and sometimes it does take work. And sorry but they should have known in advance if the dog was not good with other dogs.

Before we got our guys we were looking into adopting and found a guy we liked. Went out to meet him and it was great. We started the paper work and stuff...all of the sudden we start getting all these excuses from the person on delays and maybe your not the best family etc. In the end the foster decided he was so great out with people she wanted him and told us we were her final reason why. She had taken him to several of these events...testing herself to see if she could really let him go. But before we found this out she was finding all sorts of reasons why it might not be a fit for us and when we pushed with the "you have to be kidding mes" she told us she really wanted him.

My point, sometimes things are not what they seem. I think if you can get a trainer to work with him....go for it. Ask to have him evaluated by a professional your willing to bring in.

 

[Willow52]

This isn't the first time I've heard this type of thing happen at adoption/rescue attempts. An friend was unable to adopt from a rescue organization because they felt she was too old...in her 50's!

 

[Miss Happy]

We've adopted two goldens from Dirks Fund and they are terrific to work with. Check their website.

 

[fostermom]

This isn't the first time I've heard this type of thing happen at adoption/rescue attempts. An friend was unable to adopt from a rescue organization because they felt she was too old...in her 50's!

Just to make it clear, this was a shelter according to the OP.

I actually turned down one of my previous adopters, who still had my previous foster, for a specific pup that I was fostering. She was just too much for him and I could see how stressed out he was around her. The adopters couldn't see it, though. *this was not aimed at the OP, just a general comment about why we might not adopt a specific dog to a specific family*

I agree that maybe you could ask to sit in on the two of them playing together so you can see what they are talking about.

 

[Angel_Kody]

Wow...sorry to read this Marie. Having met you, your girls and Brady on a few occasions, I can't imagine a family more suited to adopt a dog. What a shame that this dog might miss an opportunity at a great life with you and your family.

Jester has let out little growls on occasion with other dogs that are too much in his face. I would never consider this a reason to not bring another dog into our family environment. It sounds like they were just communicating to each other what their tolerances were.

 

[hgatesy]

It's hard to determine how two dogs are going to do after only seeing one short interaction. Camden and Tyson had some issues over the first few weeks Tyson was here. They now get along great. I would contact the facility and ask for another meeting.

Also I would insist on being in the room in order to see the interaction yourself! I personally would not have allowed them to take my dog in the room in the first place to meet a new dog. I've never heard of that being done before.... is that something they always do at that facility?

 

[cubbysan]

Thanks everybody!

We were outside of the room, it had windows that we could look into, but Brady was more interested in us looking, so we hid around the corner. Unfortunately not seeing what was happenning.

I had thought of Dirk's, but we have an invisible fence (about 2 acres of the 5). Most rescues do not like them. I do see that one of their sponsors is Dogwatch. I'll contact them.

 

[Jo Ellen]

Why do rescues not like invisible fences? Is it because they think you might rely too much on them and not supervise your dog outside?

 

[cubbysan]

Why do rescues not like invisible fences? Is it because they think you might rely too much on them and not supervise your dog outside?

I think it is because people get lazy. Do not replace the battery or the line if it breaks. Also, not all dogs are suitable to them, not all brands are comparable and some dogs are not trained correctly. Personally I trust the invisible fence more than an above ground. I saw one rescue that would only accept Invisible Fence Brand. We have Pet Stop which is the same inventor that invented the Invisible Fence but it has much more features and supposedly more superior. They match the collar and have over 2000 settings to match your dog.

 

[Karen519]

Try Dirks

Do try Dirk's!!!!

If Dirk's doesn't work, try As Good As Gold or Love A Golden.

 

[Miss Happy]

Dirk's Fund does accept electric fences.

 

[missmarstar]

I'm pretty confused why they wouldn't have you be present for the dogs interacting with eachother. That seems weird!

I would fight for her... she sounds like a great match for your family.

 

[jimla]

We have an invisible fence around 3 acres and a small fenced area around the back yard. We qualified with the golden rescue organization with that combination. Hope you find your rescue dog. We enjoy our two rescue goldens.

Jim

 

[Maggies mom]

Marie...Dirks fund does adopt to families with electric fences!!!!! It just depends on which dog!