information addict

Puppehs

purpleprimate:

(discussion originally sparked by fmylife)

notemily:

purpleprimate:

Julie and I want a basset hound because they are adorable, short-legged couch potatoes, and this suits our lazy asses just fine. I particularly like the way basset hounds look when mixed with another breed such as shepherds or corgis.

It is non-negotiable that we meet and hang with the dog before adopting it. This could be a problem, as there seems to be a sort of underground railroad for dogs from southern states to the north, so many of the dogs listed on petfinder are actually in, say, Tennessee and won’t be trucked up north until we agree to adopt.

Well, now you have me looking at dogs on petfinder. So many cutie pies!

That’s weird, though. Why would they be listed as in your area if they weren’t actually there?

It squicks me out a little bit — why are Yankees adopting southern dogs? Is it a class issue? (Good Dog Rescue is an example of this model of organization.)

Apparently there’s just more of a dog overpopulation problem in the South. It makes sense that backyard breeders and such are more common where there’s warm weather, and strays wouldn’t be as likely to get frozen to death in the winter. For some reason, people in the South (according to one source) are less likely to spay and neuter. That part could very well be a class issue—alteration can be expensive.

I did find this article that talks about the importing practice, and it’s not too keen on the idea:

When participating shelters are asked why they would import dogs into areas that are just now turning the tide on a problem they’ve fought for decades, their first reply is that overpopulation is still a big problem. Next, they uniformly assert that they need small mixed breed dogs to increase adopter traffic. Simultaneously, they maintain that the small dogs do not displace any of their other dogs. In effect, they’re claiming that the foreign strays serve as loss leaders for their less desirable but still adoptable longer-term residents. This is not a compelling or convincing argument given the myriad responsible actions that could be taken locally to stir up interest in their current inventory. Moreover, it is disturbing to hear shelters justify importing strays because of the demand for small mixed breeds. When did it become the responsibility of humane societies and animal rights groups to fill consumer demands? If this continues, local humane societies may soon become the biggest pet stores in town.

purpleprimate:

fmylife:

Today, I found out my dog has an abscessed anal gland. Not only does this mean she is constantly leaking a mix of dark anal matter and blood all over my house, but I also have to hold a compress on it three times a day and apply a cream to it. I was told it will take at least a month to heal. FML

By next spring, Julie and I are going to decide whether or not to get a dog. I am ambivalent — some days it sounds like a brilliant idea: a little doggy companion for playing and shnugglin’, yay! Other days I think of the early morning walks in the rain and the poo and the vet bills and I suspect I do not need these things in my life.

Once you get a pet you inevitably end up liking it so much that the poo is not such a big deal, is what I’ve found. On the other hand, I wouldn’t get a dog without at least one other person around to help, because dogs are way less independent than cats. Just make sure you do your research beforehand. If you get a known breed, research that breed’s temperament, how much exercise it needs, and common health problems. If you get a shelter dog, be sure to ask the shelter about its personality. Don’t get a dog that needs a ton of exercise if you’re a couch potato, don’t get a dog that needs a lot of affection if you’re out of the house a lot, etc. All dogs need walking, but there’s a big difference between a dog you can take out for a leisurely stroll to do its business and a dog that needs two or three hours of exercise a day.

Most dogs do not end up leaking anal matter all over the house. Most problems are more of the “rolled in something stinky” or “got up on the table and ate your food” variety.