(I hope)...

I'm going to check out this lass this weekend up in cold lake...

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/dis ... d=10289476

Please don't get a puppy unless you can get home at lunch to give it some attention - play, pee etc, or have someone that can do this for you.

I've got two boarder collie/Lab mixes and they are a handful (both pet rescue dogs). There are lots of adult dogs looking for a good home and they can be easier to deal with for working people when out of the puppy stage.

On with the car discussion. What ever happened to the suspension stuff? Wow, someone taking Kat's thread off topic.

I know, I actually can make it home on my lunches though - it's not far from my home to my work. To be honest, I wasn't looking for a puppy - I was originally looking for the range of 1-3...but, she has a coat like Lexi, so I know I'm okay with it, and...yeah. she pulled at my heart a little bit, I confess. I've been looking a lot this past week, and none of the other dogs really called to me the way she does.

what the hell?!?!? thread-jacker!!!! you bugger! suspension stuff - i'm gonna see how ian likes the stuff he's gonna put on the c70 first...Id rather know how something feels before I spend 900 bucks on it! before I make up my mind. I'm budgeting for that work to happen later on in the summer.

Jeez, you must be tired from your drive last night.

Kat, I had no idea you were even seeing anyone, let alone ready for kids! Roberta and I adopted all of ours in the more mature stage (Bo was 2 1/2, Annie was 1 1/2, Shelby was 10 months) but all of my Dad's dogs were puppies and I know well enough that they are BIG trouble. Your shoe collection is going to get cut in half ('cause they'll only sample one shoe from each pair), for example.

Just for the record? You're nuts. Dogs are too much responsibility for people that are settled down, married, families, etc, let alone a single female. But we've been through this already, have we not?

I cant wait till I can get a dog! Only a couple more years and I should have the wife convinced.

It is a but load of work though, walks everyday, feeding, grooming.... Its almost like having a kid that doesnt talk for 20 years!

oh I know they're work. I'm gonna keep the shoes hidden though from hungry mouths

And dale, was there ever any question if I were nuts?

Well if you're hell bent for doggieness, then do the rest of us all a favour and make sure you do two things (aside from the things I've already mentioned) 1. Make sure you train the dog (mostly involves you getting trained). 2. Get the mutt fixed.

Remember that any dog with Boarder Collie in the mix is a VERY high energy dog. Mine requires a couple of hours a day - litterally, or they will go neurotic and start doing stupid things. They are loads smarter than most dogs and have to be worked to not be a pain in the ass. They are not great pets unless you keep them tired and entertained. If I lived in Calgary, I'd give you the puppy for a week.

There is another option, why not offer to foster a pet. No big commitment, you still get the fun, but get some flexibility. As anyone that has had a rescue dog or two in the house knows...screwed up dogs are no fun, so I tend to be fairly pationate about this topic.

Off to dog training class.

my mom fostered not that long ago - and some of them require more time than I can give due to medical reasons or whatever.

1. training = for sure. 2. fixed = YES.

I do plan on keeping her active - lots of long walks, plays, etc etc, and when she gets older, if she is so inclined, doing some agility work with her. a dog that is exercised mind and body is a happy dog.

Start the agility youngish. No jumps etc for the puppy, but we do agility with both dogs and they love it!!

yeah my friend (who will be the puppy-auntie...as her dog is already my puppy-niece) has one of those backyard kits...thinking if she doesn't use it I may scam it off her...the weave and tunnel may be fun for her. And if she does still use it, then I'll get my own!

course, I still want to get basic manners established before I breach into the world of agility commands (come, stay, sit, leave it, etc)

I think when we come back (if I end up with her) I'll be hitting up petsmart for their puppy classes...

The only two other things I can offer are these: 1) Adopt; and 2; Don't dress the little bugger up in stupid costumes.

There are enough dogs getting euthanized every day that I don't want to think about it. We got both Shelby and Bo from Animal Services in Inglewood, 5 blocks away from your house. I still can't imagine why Shelby was left there: she's beutiful, she's smart, she's friendly, she's got no health problems, and she's full of love. Bo, on the other hand, has most of those qualities but he's a big furry pain in the ass (and he had NO manners when we got him, so I imagine he was mostly a "dog" rather than a "pet".)

Make sure you keep whatever you get as a "pet". It's not a "dog" or a "baby".

Matt - she's coming from the humane society in cold lake. and uh, I pity my sister's poor mini schnauzer cause she dresses him up all the time (poor guy).

Also, she will be my pet, but she will also be a member of the family. Lexi was the world to me, and I expect that Peach will follow that suit.

Okay, good for you for adopting. I didn't click on your link to begin with, sorry.

my family has always had dogs from puppies, I love puppies and I'm rather good with dogs and know how to train them and junk - if you need someone to watch your dog if you go out for a night or something, lemme know - I love puppies

- R