April 3, 2007...3:34 pm
Hours at the animal shelter later…
Bets came w/ Z, H & me to the CPHS (Central PA Humane Soc). Unfortunately the dog we were interested in is a no-go. On the website, they list her as a lab mix. What you find out when you see her is that the mix is “pit bull.” It’s not evident in her photo on the site. So she was crossed off my list.
There was only one adult dog that wasn’t part pit or otherwise unsuitable. Her name is Precious or Pansy (there was some confusion on her form) and she’s a year old Akita mix. I forget what else the mix was with German shepherd but I know it was a fine combo (this is her puppy, Little Joe). She’s on our form as a third choice. The kids didn’t take to her as much as to the puppies.
Our #1 choice is a German shepherd / collie mix named Lucy. She came in last night so there’s a 72 hour waiting period to see if her owner claims her. She’s about 4 mo old w/ legs like tree trunks. She got on well w/ the kids, wanted to play but also sat quietly and enjoyed being loved.
Our #2 choice is a lab/ Australian sheepdog mix named Koala (that would be changed). He was enthusiastic & playful but is still young enough that he wanted to nip as part of his play. So we’re going to hold out for Lucy but as I told the shelter workers, we would be more than happy to take Koala.
So I filled out the application & put our three choices. We’d be able to take whichever dog home on Friday or Saturday (which is as soon as Hawk could go b/c of work anyway). I have a phone pic of Lucy but I have to figure out how to share it online. I sent Hawk a msg w/ her photo & he replied “What is it?” Heh.
Anyway, dog hunting went well w/ lots of lovely choices for successors to Jake’s throne. In the meantime, they’re doing a background check on us via Jake’s vet in North East and possibly the one he saw here. They’re going to try here first to see if they have all his records. Otherwise they’ll be contacting the vet in North East. They’ll be able to share how spoiled & pampered Jake was. He was very popular at the vet’s. Hell, he was popular everywhere. I told Lucy that she has big shoes to fill and, unless someone claims her as their lost puppy, she’ll be filling them. If not her, then Koala. I’m thinking of naming him “Bruce.” 
PS: Here’s the kitten I told you about last week: Jackpot.
And this is Lucy:
18 Comments
April 3, 2007 at 4:24 pm
ok, kitty is CUTE!
If I remember correctly, Akita’s are excitable, and not always great around kids. (I could be wrong) They ARE lovely-I’ve always wanted one if I was to get a dog.
I like Lucy. I like the name. And I like German Shephards..
April 3, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Australian shepherds sometimes do not “outgrow” the nipping. It’s an instinct with them because it’s one of the ways they herd livestock. On the upside, you could train him to herd Z & H!
Whatever dog you decide, I’m just thrilled that you’re saving one from a shelter. Good on you!
April 3, 2007 at 5:24 pm
The one shelter worker said that he may want to herd kids. I said that might be a plus.
Thanks for the nipping info. It was definitely a playful nip but I can see how shepherd dogs might keep that up. Wish I’d also taken a photo of him. He had a dappled gray/blue coat & perky ears.
April 3, 2007 at 5:32 pm
Akitas are yappers. Pretty, but yappy.
Australian Shepherds are one of the smartest breed of dog there is. Which can be a huge plus, but does not make for a low maintenance, easy going puppyhood.
I’m still lobbying for the kitten. I’m sure Thordora and I will let it in the club, even if it isn’t black.
April 3, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Lucy looks like she’s smiling! I hope you get her. If you do, will you keep her name the same?
April 3, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Lucy! Heehee. I think it may be fate… just like Jake! (It really should be Luci, though ;-))
April 3, 2007 at 7:58 pm
ExACTly my thought (and so few people would get that). And no, I wouldn’t change that name.
April 3, 2007 at 11:41 pm
KITTY!!! Ahem. Hope you get your first choice of doggie.
April 3, 2007 at 11:51 pm
I’m 51/49% a dog person. Hawk is a dog person. He doesn’t mind cats but with the many cats that gave birth under his bed when he was a kid and the lack of attention paid to the litter box, he has a slight aversion to the idea of getting a cat. I’ll say this though: if it were to pass that these dogs wouldn’t be available (are claimed by owners, adopted out, etc.), I would be looking at the cats next time. When I text messaged Hawk to say that Casey was part pit bull, he texted back, “Look at the cats” — and we already had a dog in with us to check out.
April 4, 2007 at 8:02 am
Another thing about Australian shepherds…lots o’ exercise. I’m not sure if herding the kids will be enough…but I think you’ve got a pretty good sized yard.
April 4, 2007 at 8:33 am
Aw Lucy is beautiful! She has a very sweet, soulful-looking face. I would take her home in a heartbeat.
I’m very partial to Akita/Shepherd mixes too, as that’s what my Kodi-dog is. (The only pic I have of him online at the moment is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandi/238118459/ - it’s when he was a “teenager”, he’s about 8 years old now.) He’s very, very smart, but also *extremely* stubborn at times (Akitas tend to be, and he took after that side, apparently). He’s a wonderful dog, and I miss him terribly (my parents kept him when I moved out).
Akitas do often times fall on the “dangerous dog” list (our new apartment complex, for instance, bans them) and they’re not typically recommended for families with children. That being said, Kodi adores children and one of his best buddies was my Aunt’s 4-lb Maltese. He’s the type of dog that’s more apt to knock you down and lick you to death than ever bite you.
April 4, 2007 at 9:15 am
Thanks Mandi. I didn’t know Akitas could be aggresive. Good to know.
April 4, 2007 at 9:29 am
Personally, I think all dog breeds can be aggressive if they encouraged to be so. I will never get a pit because they are so over-bred and bred for the wrong reasons. (Living in the city every free puppy is some kind of pit or rottie.) We had a wonderful rottie-black lab mix who let our kids climb all over him and ride him like a horse. On the other hand, my stepdad was attacked by two german shepards and I was bit by one as a baby. My friend was bit last year by a Great Dane, who have a great reputation as gentle giants. My entire extended family always had boxers, which some people think are aggressive, but they were wonderful family dogs who loved to “herd” us as babies. It really just depends on the individual dog, I think. Dog aggressiveness is more often a people-problem than a specific breed-problem, imo.
April 4, 2007 at 10:29 am
All excellent points. After seeing the sheer volume of pits & pit mixes at the shelter, I was more flexible about the puppy idea. I would prefer a housetrained dog, for example, but knowing a dog’s upbringing (by doing it yourself) has a definite advantage.
I’ve never heard of a dane biting anyone. Just goes to show you.
April 4, 2007 at 10:58 am
Congratulation on adopting a shelter dog! Venessa is right about all breeds having the potential to be aggressive. That being said, I would be cautious with German Shepards unless you have experience with them. They are smart dogs and have the potential to be dangerous, even when well trained. My friend’s GS who was trained, and never had a problem attacked my friend and pinned her to the wall. It was completely unprovoked and because they had children, they gave him away to a child-free home. I do have to say Lucy is really cute though. Akitas are another headstrong breed that can be very dangerous.
Emma is right about Australian Shepards being nippers but I love that breed and they can be excellent pets if they get tons of exercise.
Unfortunately, there are usually a ton of pit bulls and mixes at shelters because their owners can’t handle them, don’t train them, or become afraid of them.
Sorry, more unsolicted advice than you probably wanted! I’ve worked with animals and volunteered at humane societies so of course, I have my opinions.
Good luck with your adoption!!
April 4, 2007 at 12:14 pm
I had a friend with a german/collie mix named Luna - coolest dog ever! She was so sweet and lovey. I vote for Lucy too.
April 4, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Oh all advice is welcome. I have some GS experience as my brother liked them. He had one named Lando Calrissian. I wondered if the collie might balance out the aggressiveness of the GS.
I’m wondering now if the lab/AS mix might not be a smarter choice…
April 4, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Just thought I’d share my 2 cents…
I have an Australian Shepherd - LOVE him! He is super affectionate but the breed also requires a lot of attention. They are super smart & because of that they can get into mischief if they are bored (like most dogs). He has his quirks - mild OCD and a heart condition (easily enough treated w/atropine shots 2x/day) but the vet said it is a trait of the breed. Might want to consider that in your choice.
I also have a lab/pittbull mix. I can’t say enough good things about her. I have never had a problem with her being aggressive. She was a cruelty rescue from Chataugua county HS and I was warned when I got her she could be a handful. When I got her I also had another dog that was deaf & the bond they shared was amazing.
And finally, I have a rottweiler/mastiff mix. He is very affectionate but doesn’t know his own strength - he thinks he’s a 140lb lap dog.
All 3 have dogster pages - I know, I’m such a geek.
http://www.dogster.com/dogs/229739
http://www.dogster.com/dogs/229742
http://www.dogster.com/dogs/229744
I think what really helped us is that we enrolled each dog in basic obedience. I believe it’s all in how you raise them. I wish you the best of luck in your doggie search - I’m sure you’ll find the perfect match for your family.
Kudos for choosing the HSUS for your new addition!!
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