My family fosters dogs from the local dog rescue where we rescued our dog. We do it for a few reasons, one, it's fun for us to get a second dog, two, it's needed because there are so many homeless dogs, and three our dog loves the company (sometimes).
My biggest issue was we'd become "foster fails". Meaning we'd want to keep every dog we fostered. We have had 7 or 8 fosters the past 6 or 8 months. None more than a week or two.
Last night we went to get Panda. a 3 year old border collie lab mix, that was advertised as a "very chill" dog, likes to play, but also likes to snuggle and enjoys down time.
Perfect.
When we got there someone apparently decided to adopt Panda. And they asked if we'd take Houston instead. Houston is a 4-month old lab mix. I try to avoid the puppies because a) they're more work, b) our dog sometimes gets annoyed by them and c) the foster fail factor is much higher with a puppy.
Here is Houston, what an incredible dog. I'm shocked he was not adopted at the day 1 meet and greet, but if I can pry him away from my wife and kids pretty sure he'll get adopted Saturday at their event.
but I think my kids fell in love. He doesn't really sit still long enough for pictures. constant ball of energy, he's 4 months, 40 pounds, so friendly and affectionate, but big and clumsy.
His face almost looks like a boxer lab mix (a boxador). Anyway dogs are great, so I thought I'd share.
Houston had a brother named El Paso (yes they were rescued from TX) who when my wife went to the rescue they were laying on a bed next to each other. She said it was a little heartbreaking to separate them. Thank god she did. I am getting very little work done today. He constantly paces around the house like a panther,
great dogs, I met one when we went camping/white water rafting in Maine last summer.
I can see Houston winding up like this - this is a Boxador.
same here. I have always wanted a German Shepherd. But with so many rescues I could never buy a pure bred. But I'd definitely rescue a Shepherd if I saw one in need, so I stay away.
same to you for rescuing one. It's staggering how many dogs need rescuing. Especially from the South.
Lono actually babysat him a few time when I first got him.
Mine is only 60 Lbs., and he's a good medium size dog.
He is super sweat though besides the unfamiliar dog aggression, but the difference between the 2 is crazy. The lab mix is much more mellow, the beagle mix is super hype (way more boxer).
We don't know what my first dog is. We believe 1/2 Jack Russel but the rescuers don't know the other half and I'm not paying to have a DNA test, when it doesn't change anything.
one vet though the other half or part was Corgi.
With many rescues you don't know what their life was like pre-rescue. they could have been abused, starved, homeless, not trained, etc. Lucky when you find one with a great temperament. with time and training, most can have their habits trained out of them.
You NEED to go back and get his brother. And post weekly about your constant anguish, lack of sleep and the overall deterioration of your home as they rip that shit up. LOL
(But ... if not that, then NICE JOB!)
just sent from my AOL account, should come from pjcas18@aol.com
let me know if you have any questions, I included a couple links to the rescue we work with. One linked showed their adoptable dogs which listed Houston and El Paso - Houston is such a good puppy.
LOL. that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me on here. Seriously, thank you for the kind words, I have and continue to learn far more on here than I contribute. But I suspect that's true of most people.