'Love them': Local group rescues dogs 'that didn't have a chance'
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KENT, Wash. - Volunteers from a local rescue group have saved dozens of dogs from being euthanized due to overcrowding and financial hardships - and many are now closer to finding new homes.
More than 50 dogs arrived in Kent on Saturday night all the way from Northern California. Some greeted the volunteers with excitement, while others were a little scared.
"They're traumatized. It's hard," says Susan Burk of People United for Pets, or PUP. "Some of them have never had a home. Some have disappeared from their homes - their owners never came and got them."
The dogs are all ages, sizes, and breeds - many with medical needs. All were saved from being euthanized.
"It's unfortunate, but it happens when there's a public that's not taking responsibility for making sure that pets are spayed and neutered, and when there are just more pets than the population can support. That's where groups like us get involved," says Burk.
The PUP dog rescue organization started a partnership three years ago with the Stockton Animal Shelter in Northern California. So far, volunteers have rescued 1,200 dogs from the shelter.
"They have an incredibly high euthanasia rate - unfortunately - at their shelter, and they do the best they can. We have a much better population that is very big on adoption and responsible pet care, so we're happy to get them up here," says Burk.
Every dog goes through a process so it's legal to transport them to Washington from another state. They come with documentation, photos - and they're given a foster family.
One female boxer, Banyan, was a stray. Her foster mom, Kelly Britnell, gave her the name before they even met.
"I cried when I saw the dogs come in," says Britnell. "They're at a high-kill shelter with no hope if somebody doesn't come and get them."
Each dog left on Saturday night with a temporary family - but the goal is to find each a forever home.
"It's so rewarding. You take these animals you know that didn't have much of a chance. You love them, and you make them ready to go to a home, and then they go," says Burk.
Volunteers with People United for Pets expect most of the dogs will be ready for adoption soon.
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For more information, visit the PUP website »
More than 50 dogs arrived in Kent on Saturday night all the way from Northern California. Some greeted the volunteers with excitement, while others were a little scared.
"They're traumatized. It's hard," says Susan Burk of People United for Pets, or PUP. "Some of them have never had a home. Some have disappeared from their homes - their owners never came and got them."
The dogs are all ages, sizes, and breeds - many with medical needs. All were saved from being euthanized.
"It's unfortunate, but it happens when there's a public that's not taking responsibility for making sure that pets are spayed and neutered, and when there are just more pets than the population can support. That's where groups like us get involved," says Burk.
The PUP dog rescue organization started a partnership three years ago with the Stockton Animal Shelter in Northern California. So far, volunteers have rescued 1,200 dogs from the shelter.
"They have an incredibly high euthanasia rate - unfortunately - at their shelter, and they do the best they can. We have a much better population that is very big on adoption and responsible pet care, so we're happy to get them up here," says Burk.
Every dog goes through a process so it's legal to transport them to Washington from another state. They come with documentation, photos - and they're given a foster family.
One female boxer, Banyan, was a stray. Her foster mom, Kelly Britnell, gave her the name before they even met.
"I cried when I saw the dogs come in," says Britnell. "They're at a high-kill shelter with no hope if somebody doesn't come and get them."
Each dog left on Saturday night with a temporary family - but the goal is to find each a forever home.
"It's so rewarding. You take these animals you know that didn't have much of a chance. You love them, and you make them ready to go to a home, and then they go," says Burk.
Volunteers with People United for Pets expect most of the dogs will be ready for adoption soon.
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For more information, visit the PUP website »
This is one of my favorite photos of an adoption event last year around Christmas. Â I think the little guy's name is 'Peanut'...
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http://AnthonyScott.zenfolio.com/pupsneak/e4dcf2836
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Great job getting those dogs out of this area and to a new area with loving homes. Stockton has a real problem with over population from lack of spay and neutering and lots of people losing their homes and not being able to keep their pets. This is a WIN/WIN program no matter how you look at it. I would hope everyboby could see this. Keep up the good work!!
I've volunteered in rescue in Washington State for about 20 years; pre "Petfinder" days. Â With incredible collaborative tools like Petfinder.com and a willingness of many Washington shelters and rescue groups to work collaboratively on the larger issues, we've come a long way. Â Regardless of where you are in the system: Â potential adopter, shelter, rescue group, or general public, our focus needs to remain on the dogs. Â From spay/neuter to prevent unwanted births to adoptions of all ages, breeds, etc, kudos to all of you who are part of the solution!
I am happy for every animal that makes it out of Stockton Animal Services alive, but this story is infuriating. Stockton has a high kill rate because of mismanagement. Many strays are killed on intake or before the end of their hold period. They are held behind a locked steel door and owners are prevented from finding them. Even while Stockton Animal Services ignores the law, claiming it's "too expensive" to treat sick and injured animals, they kill animals the owners want back because owners can't afford sky high redemption fees. Instead of sending an animal home with a voucher for low cost spay/neuter, Stockton kills that animal. Volunteers are turned away. Stockton Animal Services has barely any adoption program. The dogs that come to Washington do not wait for transport in Stockton area foster homes; they take up kennel space in the "overcrowded" pound for weeks at a time while others are killed for space.
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Sacramento was in similar condition last year, but with a new director implementing a proven set of programs called the No Kill Equation, they have more than doubled their live release rate--not because Sacramento suddenly saw an influx of responsible pet owners and an exodus of the irresponsible, but because they got new leadership that made reforms instead of excuses. This Issaquah group may do a great job finding new homes for animals, but their analysis of the situation in Stockton is harmful, and they are providing political cover to stubbornly incompetent management.
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I am sickened to hear these rescuers side with the killers and blame the Stockton public, giving Stockton Animal Services and its criminal director political cover for continual lawbreaking. As I said, I'm happy for every animal that makes it out alive, but most of these animals could be adopted here in the Stockton area if we had a compassionate and competent director running the shelter.Â
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Sounds like a personal vendetta to me....
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Those are some fairly heavy accusations.. calling the director a criminal. You have heard of slander, right?
The person who said "Money can't buy happiness" has never paid a rescue groups adoption fee. The $55 I spent on adopting Kiki (my avatar) through PAWS was money well spent. The joy, laughter, love, snuggles, the demands of belly rubs, not to mention the face lighting up, tail wagging, happy grunts and full body wiggles just because I came home safely from walking to the mail box or the store or whatever I went to has more than made up for the money I've spent on her.
We've fostered and rescued (and adopted, of course) from OldDog Haven (online). So amazingly rewarding. And the old ones are mellow. Yes, you may not have them for long, but it is beyond worth it. I have to be careful not to collect them.
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I have one watching me right now. She came to us through ODH from the King Co. Animal Shelter. She was so emaciated that not only could you see her hip bones, but her pelvic bones. She shook and quivered for almost a whole day until she finally fell asleep. She slept for a whole day. She had licked her legs raw, her gums were receding from trying to chew through the tether her owners had left her outside on. She was missing most of the hair on her back side, looking like a bald rat dog from the back. She was crabby and scared.
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Now she is a gorgeous Shiba mix who is warm, comfy, loyal, smart, trusting and healthy. And as Howard Beale says, the magic is: they actually heal you.
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I applaud these folks for helping these animals, it is a labor of love!
 @Thunder a fellow foster for Old Dog Haven! We have a 15 year old 8 pound mutt-no clue what the little guy is, but don't care. He and his sister-a 4 yr old JRT, are best friends. We've had the 17 year old now for about 12 weeks. He's riddled with arthritis, going blind and we think deaf. He's not up for adoption, only because it's painfully obvious he's not long for this world. Heavily abused, too sickly to be fixed, he's spending his last days on earth learning not all humans are horrible. He's gone from cowering and being scared out of his mind to, with his 4 legged sister, claiming the middle part of our queen sized bed as their half and enjoying treats and snuggles. He's probably got 2-3 weeks before it's time to send him to the rainbow bridge and we take in another foster. Considering all the pooches I've lost to the rainbow bridge over the years, hubby and I have quite the welcoming committee waiting for us. Until he tells us it's time, he's going to be loved. When it's time, he'll be missed.
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Considering how many dogs need good homes through groups like ODH and other rescue groups, I could never ever go through a breeder or buy a pooch. The person who said "money can't buy happiness" has never paid a rescue groups adoption fee.
 @BlueJedi I am so thrilled you foster for ODH too! It is amazing. We started with a 12 year old Corgi mix about 7 years ago. He lived to be 19 & still trying to go on at the end. He was all heart! Oh the stories... :)
 @Thunder I've been asked many a time-each time you foster a pooch from ODH that's obvious he/she is living on borrowed time, does it get easier to say goodbye?  I've let 7 pooches in the 5 years I've been fostering with ODH cross over to the Rainbow Bridge Each good bye is harder than the last. It doesn't get easier, only harder. I've got photos of all them on my computer, facebook page, in my office and hanging up in my home next to the humans I also love. In the next couple weeks, when it's time, we'll say good bye to number 8. I cry and feel numb each time. I can't foster these wonderful creatures without a strong belief that the Rainbow Bridge exists and God-whatever he/she/it is, also exists. Our Pastor-bless her heart, always stops by our place each time we get a new Pooch to bless the creature. Each and every creature I have said good bye has left this Earth cradled in my or my husbands arms hearing the words you are loved and will be missed.
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I never hesitate to remind people that according to many a religious texts humans have been the only creatures cast out of Heaven.
 @BlueJedi  @Thunder You are both amazing human beings.
I love these organizations! My pets have always been rescues of some way or another; directly and indirectly! I have a cat and small dog and would love to get another dog but I must wait till I can financially afford and have the time to adjust new pet into home. But, its kilin' me seeing all those needy little souls!
Is it just me or is the price a bit high on most of these dogs? I looked at quite a few of them and the price was $250 and up- i wasn't looking for a specific breed, or sex, or size, or age- just a dog, not even a cute fluffy dog.  I would adopt if the price was lower, after all a person is going to have to pay out at least $200 more after the dog is gotten for quality food, a nice bed/kennel, toys, a vet appt, flea meds, etc.Â
 @MomOf2 If you price the cost of a veterinary visit, spay/neuter, vaccines, micro-chipping and worming, I think you'll find the adoption fee to be fair. But there is good reason behind it- supply, veterinary and transportation costs are typically not free and even with the adoption fee, rescues truly do not profit. This is a labor of LOVE with the end goal of ensuring these animals find good forever homes. Many people don't anticipate the cost of these initial medical necessities when they purchase a pet privately- so truly, adopting from a rescue is a good value when you stack up the numbers.
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I'd also add that If someone is discouraged by having to plunk down a couple hundred bucks for supplies and medical care, that maybe owning a pet isn't in their best financial interest. Good pet care does not come cheap, and unexpected costs will happen at some point.
 @skepticaloptimist  @MomOf2 PAWS told me the adoption fee they charge-$55 where I live, is for the cost of getting the pooch or cat fixed plus basic shots, plus medical care while they have the animal. The shelter and vet they work with both "eat" a lot of the costs. The vet they work with spends probably $400-$500 on the animal, and is lucky to see $20-$25 of the $55 adoption fee. Paws spends probably another $250-$300 on the animal, and is luck to see half the adoption fee they charge. So yea, considering what the vet does for the animal prior to adopting it, what this rescue does for these pooches, $250 barely puts a dent in their basic operating costs.
 @MomOf2 "Is it just me or is the price a bit high on most of these dogs?"
My newest, Cullen, was $500. That included all the shots, a license, and 6 weeks of puppy school.
 @MomOf2 Any dog from this organization will have had its medical and grooming needs met, as well as vaccinations and neutering, and they are microchipped.  Plus, they spend money transporting them here.  Yes, you will have buy supplies, but unless the dog has medical issues, the next vet trip will hopefully not be for another year, when booster shots are required.  Adopting from other organizations is pretty similar, some are much higher (as they seem to have made 'saving' small dogs a lucrative business), but I don't want to name names.  Once in a while, the Humane Society will have a special price for adopting a dog, but their prices are fairly similar as well:  http://www.seattlehumane.org/adopt/process/start#.UQYKhL9EF8E.  There's a lot of resources spent to get each animal ready for adoption.
 @MomOf2Â
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I'm sorry you feel that way.. Maybe you could look at the cost like this: It costs a lot to drive to Stockton, to save these animals... feed them, get them fixed, cover any and all medical expenses while under foster care and also any medical expenses while under the adopted family's care (Up to a month I think)We adopted a rescue from this organization and we'd have paid more if we could afford it. They truly do a wonderful job of vetting the "Adoptables" from the rest (And by the "Rest" I mean the sad souls who are too far gone medically, or too far gone in temperament that there's no way they can live with a family... agressive behavior, etc...))You have to look at the big picture... Sure.. it sounds like a lot but you are saving more than just your adopted dog.Â
Wonderful story to rekindle our faith in our community
To all of our PUP supporters and adopters, thank you! To those of you that have not worked with PUP or know our history, we built our reputation with our local shelters by pulling in the medical needs dogs or dogs that might sit longer in rescue due to age, and high risk dogs such as those who have been beaten, from mills or involved in other legal cases. We still do this today. We work with the shelters listed under Friends of PUP on our website. This will be updated to include a rescue in Yakima and a shelter in Moses Lake. Very recently, we pulled in an old Chihuahua (Mitsi) and a Labrador puppy (Spats) with a broken leg from Moses Lake, two Chihuahuas from Olympia, one with terrible skin issues, and are pulling in an old Yorkie mix with skin issues and terrible teeth this week from Lewis County. These dogs require medical care that we can provide due to our supporters and volunteers. Our local shelters we work with know what our niche is and that is medical care. We expanded PUP to assist two California shelters due to the crisis down there. We are hoping to do even more work here in Washington and in California with the help of people like yourselves. Folks that can open their hearts and homes to a foster dog, no matter where that need might be. It's because of our fosters, volunteers, adopters and supporters that we are able to do what we do so thank you! I hope this helps clarify what PUP does. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at info@peopleunitedforpets.com.
@Laura Tonkin Nice job PUP!! Thank you for the work you do to save so many lives!
 @Laura Tonkin You know this house hearts you big time, Laura!  Thank you for everything you do!
this is sad. Very sad. I picked up my kiki and gave her a huge hug. I got her from PAWS couple months back. The "owner" at the time kicked her, hit her, would give a treat and when she took it, he called her a good girl and then smacked her around. Then he had the balls to say she was a nipper and hyper. Yea, I'd nip too if I were her. But anyway I thank God every day he decided he didn't have time for her anymore because she's been nothing but a ball of laughter, constant joy, the most epic snuggler one could ask for. Whoever said money can't buy happiness never paid a rescue groups adoption fee.
We got our little Jake from PuPs 4 years ago and I just adore him. Â Please folks get your next pet from a shelter!
 @Bonnie in Burien We have friends who got their dog from a rescue shelter like this and the dog is the most well-behaved dog I've ever seen, more than a purebred dog would be...because dogs and cats like this are forever grateful that they were rescued.
 @IronWafflez  @Bonnie in Burien The "...forever grateful they were rescued" is dead on! I have had old old dogs live to be 19, just to they could enjoy finally having a good life. Even at the end they wanted to go on because they were so grateful. Exactly.
I have adopted many animals myself and would do it again in a second. I have no problem taking up other peoples slack in this area. Nothing can compare to the unconditional love of your pets as far as I'm concerned and I think they all deserve the best of everything that we can give because they give us so much.
Got our rescue dog 12 years ago this year. He has made our family one happy family indeed. Love all 2 pounds of him.
This is nice but since when do we have all the resources to take this on? I know LOTS of small struggling shelters that could really use the help. I suppose it falls under the save africa before we save america category.Â
Way to go you guys! Always nice hearing about these guys being saved! :)
This is sickening!!!!! Why would any rescue worth their salt bring animals in from out of state when there are THOUSANDS of animals euthanized in washington state alone....why don't they do their "good deeds" in their own state's animal shelters and humane societies!!!! Boooooooo on PUP for every dog you bring up to WA that means more dogs in washington shelters are euthanized....you should be ashamed!!!!
 @poochesruleÂ
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...are you a volunteer?If not, then might I suggest that cruelty, abandonment, hardship knows no boundaries.Â
@poochesrule It's sad that you have to put a negative spin on a great story. A life saved is a life saved, regardless what city, county or state they came from.
 @poochesrule There are many nonprofit organizations working on behalf of animals in our state.  PUP is only one of them.  If you look at petfinder, you'll see that most of the small animals are fostered through organizations like this.  Some shelters also take out-of-area animals, particularly small ones, because some people need small dogs and they are hard to come by.  They are all doing good work but unfortunately all animals cannot be saved.
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Sometimes the local pound or Humane Society isn't right either. Â The Humane Society asked us to leave when our psycho dog came for a meet and greet because the volunteer didn't have the experience to understand 'their' way would not work for us. Â But we admire them greatly, and we donate equally to both PUP and the Humane Society in Seattle, and quite generously, because they are both doing great things.
I have such admiration for these dedicated folks, who selflessly offer their homes and care to animals in need. I'd also like to take a moment to heap praise on the folks who plan to, or have already adopted animals from shelters and rescue organizations. Every animal deserves the chance to know what it feels like to have a warm bed, food and love on a daily basis. It never fails to amaze me what they give us in return.
All of our pets are rescues...and without a doubt they make the best pets. Â Some of our pets have required some VERY expensive vet care, but we have gained so much love and joy from our pets that the expense is well worth it. Â All of our pets are sweet and loving and have no problem climbing in our laps to snuggle and show us that the love us. Â You have no idea how much fun it is to have two Macaws and a Ragamuffin Cat in your lap at one time, all trying to kiss and hug you. Â Yes the Macaws hug me. Â They all are very empathetic, I recently received some horrific new and the three of them couldn't get into my lap fast enough. Â So by all means rescue these animals, the love you will get from them is like none other, all they want to do is love you, have a safe, warm home, food and clean water. Â The price you pay and the time invested is minimal when compared to the love they give in return.
As I was watching this, my 2 year old Cullen sat and watched it with me. I think he want's a playmate...<g>
 @OrcasThunder That's kind of funny--Elmo was looking at me like "you've been telling me you will bring home a friend for me--well, here's your chance!" We have looked at the local Humane society but  they had so few dogs, and when we found one we liked, they found out he had parvo. When I went back to check after he was supposed to released for adoption again, he had already been taken. Maybe a group like this would be the place to look.Â
 @chickysgirl  @OrcasThunder There's an adoption event this weekend in Kirkland. Maybe you can at least go and look and talk to the staff and maybe bring Elmo so you and they can see how he reacts.  Good luck, no matter what you do!  http://www.peopleunitedforpets.com/drupal/node/3
 @Doxie  @chickysgirl Thanks...WE will think about it...and HE will win, for sure...<g>
 @OrcasThunder PUP will do right by you.  Our doxie is aggressive toward other dogs and they really worked with us to introduce him to the right dog and make sure it was a good fit for both AND they wouldn't let her go until they were sure she'd be safe.  They do adoption events all over or you can contact them directly. Â
 @Doxie I'm thinking about it...but right now the money for a new family member isn't there...I want to be sure I can afford the food AND medical care...
...BUT, I'm still gonna peek at the website photos...<G>
 @Doxie  @Harley-H.S.C. Thanks, and she will be. <g>
 @OrcasThunder  @Harley-H.S.C. Wow, that is pretty special.  I thought my dog gently putting her little paw in my eye to get me up to fill up her bowl with kibble was special, but now I see she's just selfish.  Kidding!  I'm sorry for your loss; I hope your next one is as intuitive and loving.
 @Doxie  @Harley-H.S.C. "We felt so guilty but we just didn't know"
That's just it, you don't.
The dog doesn't tell you, it's instinct is to hide the pain, just keep the wag going.
Which doesn't help in the middle of the night when you realize that you don't hear her woofy dreaming sounds from her bed...right at the door, always the protector.
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And of course they are all special - but she really was a step above any other dog I have had. It was just her presence in the room or walking ahead of me, the way she almost seemed to read my mind, if I was feeling a bit down she would lay down next to me and look at me - telling me that it would be OK. Yes, most dogs will do that, sensing that SOMETHING is wrong, but she had these wise soothing eyes that understood WHAT your problem was.
 @OrcasThunder  @Harley-H.S.C. I'm so sorry.  We had a similar story with a dog who was 10, he also seemed to have trouble going and they had a heck of a time diagnosing him.  When they finally did an upper GI x-ray after a couple of weeks and several vet trips, it showed he was full of cancer.  He was almost half dead by then but we had hoped it was just an infection or something. He suffered terribly his last few days.  We had him put down immediately; it was horrible.  We felt so guilty but we just didn't know.  You didn't know either.  You did the best you could and she did have a long life.  Hopefully that comforts you.  But it sure hurts.
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All our pets are cream of the litter, right? Â At least in our hearts and eyes they are.
 @Doxie  @Harley-H.S.C. She was just shy of 13...I had really hoped that she could get past that birthday.
But she didn't. She had been having potty problems for about a month - not loss of control, just a problem going. Squat for a long time, not much to show. The vet did an anal exam - Skye almost took her hand off it hurt so much...they took an x-ray that showed some kind of growth in the anus - an operation to remove it helped for a few weeks, but then she stopped having movements at all...another x-ray farther up her torso showed a mass the size of a grapefruit pressing against her spine AND her colon...she must have been in pain for a long time, and never showed a sign of it! A couple of nights later she was in bed, and started howling something terrible in the middle of the night. I gave her 4 pain pills before she fell back asleep again (the normal dose was 2 a day), and I called the clinic that morning. She couldn't get up on her own, and wouldn't let me carry her out top the car - I called and they send someone over to manage that for me. In the room, as the vet gave her the shot, I talked and massage Skye - and she seemed to be at peace when the shot took effect. I didn't even feel her relax, she was that calm on my lap.
When I left the room, the entire staff was out there and the was not a dry eye among them...she had really made a lasting impression on everyone she ever met. One lady at a dog park had called her "regal", and indeed she was.
Damn! Now I'm crying!
All dogs are special, but sometimes we are blessed with the cream of the litter...
 @OrcasThunder  @Harley-H.S.C. Oh, that brought tears to my eyes.  I'm sorry you lost her, hopefully she lived a long life.  It's hard to watch their furry friends mourn them too, and they really do.  Hopefully little Cullen will have a dog of his own again soon.
 @Doxie  @Harley-H.S.C. "It'll happen when the time is right for you."
It always does...I found Skye when I took my then 2 year old Sean to the Humane society for one of the dog washes, after the wash I put him in the car (yes, still a bit wet!) and took a stroll through the cage area...she was 7 months, Chow/Great Pyrenees, and had eyes that simply melted your heart. They took to each other like ham and cheese...totally together every moment of every day - until he passed from lymphatic cancer in 2010. She was stoic, tried to help me through the loss, but I could tell she missed him greatly, so I got Cullen for her for Christmas. She looked at me as if to say"Is he mine?".
They had 2 wonderful years together before she stepped through the door, softly...and now I am thinking it's about time for him to have a forever buddy...
 @OrcasThunder  @Harley-H.S.C. Oh, you will have NO problem finding that at a local shelter or rescue organization.  This area is sort of plagued with the "BBD" (big black dog) disease and there are always many, many available.  It'll happen when the time is right for you.  Cullen probably misses his companion, I know this one did, for years, which is why we finally got another one.  She has breathed new life into him, it has been so much fun to watch.
 @Doxie  @Harley-H.S.C. Well, what I want is a female black lab mix, that will grow up soon and end up bigger than Cullen...and then decide it's payback time for all those times he turned Alpha on her..<G> He really has gotten all full of himself since Skye died...he actually tried to wrap ALL of the covers around him at 3 AM! The dog does like making a cocoon...
 @Harley-H.S.C.  @OrcasThunder Hee hee......so true.  We were sort of looking for a while.  OK, "I" was sort of looking online but we went to a local pet store to get doggy stairs for our lame old pooch, and PUP was there.  My husband said, "We are NOT getting a dog!  But look at that one over there........"  She melted into my arms and stayed there and we were in love but had travel coming up.  He was frantic that she'd be adopted before we got back, but she was still available.  They understood we have a somewhat unconventional lifestyle and it would be a difficult transition for the old guy who sees everything as a threat, but worked with us, and I could not imagine my life without little Dixie.  Check out my avatar - it's the old guy wearing a Donald Trump wig made from his friend's furminator session!
 @OrcasThunder  @Doxie Listen to Doxie Orca.......the website just lures you in with cuteness, your heart grows five times faster than your wallet, and next thing you know......you have a new best friend. lol.
 @OrcasThunder Don't do it or you will soon have another dog! Â
@Doxie @OrcasThunder I know my little guy would like a friend. But when my son brings his dog over, my guy get agressive around his food and his toys.
 @Thunder  @R.  @OrcasThunder Yep, same here.  Good for you for fostering and rescuing!  Wish we could foster but we are gone too much and go back and forth between the burbs and Seattle too.  Someday maybe!
 @R.  @Doxie  @OrcasThunder With all the foster and rescue dogs we've taken in, what we've noticed is that most of the behaviors settle down once they establish pack rules & w/ a firm human leader.
 @R.  @Doxie  @OrcasThunder I totally get it (our old one wanted to bite the new one's face off), but there are ways to introduce them so they can cohabit peacefully.  Our newer one is actually more possessive than our aggressive one, but they seem to understand each other and worked it out under our supervision.  Once they establish the pecking order, they seem to respect it.  Now the new/feisty one is baring her teeth at the old guy when he gets too close or she's chewing on something and he doesn't even look at her like it's no big deal.  I hope you can get another one, dogs are pack animals and enjoy being with other dogs.