Border Collie Pup

[simgreen78]

Thanks Al it's decent of you to be so magnanimous after me ranting at you ! I've had a long day trying to sort something out for the latest casualty.. You make a good point that rescue dogs do sometimes get labelled as problem dogs, and it worries people. Its one of those things that becomes ingrained... everyone says it so it must be true... like the earth was once flat. A dog is a dog is a dog .. if people better understood dogs we would get somewhere. When i win the lottery i am going to set up an educational dog re-homing centre where frazzled parents can send their kids to summer school and learn about dogs. Til then... carry on i suppose

A brilliant point. The basic lack of understanding drives me insane. I have thought for a long time that we need people-oriented dog education courses - Longdogs I know about fifty people just in my local park that would benefit from something like that!

We are in the middle of a family feud at the moment, where my other half's sister, a vet, has been looking for a dog and refusing to consider a rescue dog despite our pleadings . She only wants a pedigree. Apparently we are officially not speaking to her now.

However, Al - you shouldn't necessarily feel guilty. Just because the general concensus on here is that a rescue dog is preferable, you made your decision based on what would be in the interests of your prospective dog, ie, you were worried that you wouldn't be able to give it the control it required to give it the home it needed. Whilst I would always advocate taking on a rescue dog or none at all, and I think you would have found a suitable rescue dog evantually, I can understand your rationale. Unfortunately you are right, the media does sometimes convey a bit of a stereotype of rescue dogs as all having problems or issues and needing intensive 'extra' work or special handling. Whilst there are obviously cases like that (usually borne out of people's poor behaviour in the past), the reality is very different. Rescue dogs require patience, understanding and love. For many, that is the point of having one.

I've now had Ozzy for two years. He's my constant companion. He was dumped by a farmer because he was rubbish at ratting (he's a Parsons Jack Russel) and was about to be destroyed in the pound. He is from a 'working' background. He is the most gentle, affectionate, loyal and rewarding friend you could wish for. He even comes to work with me every day - he's sitting under my desk as I write this. He's a rubbish fell runner though - he's only got little legs... comes out on my recovery runs Here he is...