A Very Personal Post And Plea
Thursday, January 4, 2007 by PoSmedley | Discussion: Community
In case you haven't heard, I have a daughter on the way. Joy!
Now the bad news. I have a dog. His name is Bonzai. he is part Golden Retriever and part Chow. The dog has to go. You see, he's big. A whopping 85 pounds, and he is 'fearful'. Don't confuse this with aggressive. He is just very fearful. I raised him from 6 seeks and don't know why he has turned out this way.
He has never bitten or attacked anyone, but you can imagine a persons reaction when a strange dog of his size growls at them when they approach to pet him. he also gets very nervous when my wife and I play (Horseplay) with our stepson. He'll bark and growl like he doesn't know which one of us to protect from being hurt. He likes to jump up and put his paws on you to make you stop. You can imagine my wifes fear of him doing it to a toddler if the child squeals to loud. Get the picture?
We tried dog training. This is one thing we can't break him of. I won't tie him up outside. I have never believed in that and have never had an outside dog, which is all the rage down here in Podunk, USA. So, for 8 months we have tried to find him a home. We have yet to find anyone with the patience to let him adjust and get over his fearfulness, which he will surely have with a new owner. We are down to crunch time. I have 18 days to find him a home, basically.
We have tried all the PET INC., and other animal rescues. Most have closed up in the past few years here. We tried the paper, friends, even a group site on Yahoo. I wasn't overly concerned, because...I hate to say, I thought if I had to, I could take him to the SPCA or Humane Society as a last resort. I have gotten 3 dogs there myself over the course of my life. That is until my wife found out this week that they put down dogs that are 'surrendered' by owners. I guess they figure if the original owner doesn't want it, no one will. They put them down the day you drop them off.
I live in Columbia, SC. My friends, fellow skinners, and any one who reads this, if you know of someone near me (I will drive..to Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee...almost anywhere I have to) that would like to take my dog, email me please.
Now the bad news. I have a dog. His name is Bonzai. he is part Golden Retriever and part Chow. The dog has to go. You see, he's big. A whopping 85 pounds, and he is 'fearful'. Don't confuse this with aggressive. He is just very fearful. I raised him from 6 seeks and don't know why he has turned out this way.
He has never bitten or attacked anyone, but you can imagine a persons reaction when a strange dog of his size growls at them when they approach to pet him. he also gets very nervous when my wife and I play (Horseplay) with our stepson. He'll bark and growl like he doesn't know which one of us to protect from being hurt. He likes to jump up and put his paws on you to make you stop. You can imagine my wifes fear of him doing it to a toddler if the child squeals to loud. Get the picture?
We tried dog training. This is one thing we can't break him of. I won't tie him up outside. I have never believed in that and have never had an outside dog, which is all the rage down here in Podunk, USA. So, for 8 months we have tried to find him a home. We have yet to find anyone with the patience to let him adjust and get over his fearfulness, which he will surely have with a new owner. We are down to crunch time. I have 18 days to find him a home, basically.
We have tried all the PET INC., and other animal rescues. Most have closed up in the past few years here. We tried the paper, friends, even a group site on Yahoo. I wasn't overly concerned, because...I hate to say, I thought if I had to, I could take him to the SPCA or Humane Society as a last resort. I have gotten 3 dogs there myself over the course of my life. That is until my wife found out this week that they put down dogs that are 'surrendered' by owners. I guess they figure if the original owner doesn't want it, no one will. They put them down the day you drop them off.
I live in Columbia, SC. My friends, fellow skinners, and any one who reads this, if you know of someone near me (I will drive..to Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee...almost anywhere I have to) that would like to take my dog, email me please.
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seldomseen
Reply #2 Thursday, January 4, 2007 11:20 PM
Reply #2 Thursday, January 4, 2007 11:20 PM
This is so heartbreaking. I live in Idaho and have two Labs already, one a pound-puppy. I wish I could drive over and pick him up, but it won't work. One of my labs is very territorial and the other is a lot like Bonzai, big and just wants to play and bark, just for the sheer joy of it. He also will jump on people with his paws on their shoulders, but my kids and their friends each have had a brief period of introduction and they then have an understanding, where he won't jump or bark anymore. He always does this to newcomers, though. Po', man, I hope a miracle happens here. He's a handsome boy. Give him a hug for me, please.
I have friends who've built a dog run attached to their garage, with a dog-door so the dogs can go in and out. The dog run is in two parts, one half inside and one half outside, chain-link.
I have friends who've built a dog run attached to their garage, with a dog-door so the dogs can go in and out. The dog run is in two parts, one half inside and one half outside, chain-link.
WebGizmos
Reply #3 Friday, January 5, 2007 6:56 AM
Reply #3 Friday, January 5, 2007 6:56 AM
Before you go down that route why not give this guy a shot at fixing your dog and maybe how you handle him as well. I really hate to see someone give up there dog...especially since raising him from a pup. So it would be worth a shot at keeping him in the family. 
The Dog Whisperer
The Dog Whisperer
RomanDA
Reply #4 Friday, January 5, 2007 9:22 AM
Reply #4 Friday, January 5, 2007 9:22 AM
Sorry man,
We have 1 cat and i can barely handle that one (allergies), and dogs do me in. Im close by (Charlotte) wish i could help. Please let us know what happens.
We have 1 cat and i can barely handle that one (allergies), and dogs do me in. Im close by (Charlotte) wish i could help. Please let us know what happens.
PoSmedley
Reply #5 Friday, January 5, 2007 9:35 AM
Reply #5 Friday, January 5, 2007 9:35 AM
I think my wife actually emailed The Dog Whisperer. That's about how desperate we are.
Thanks for all your support. It means a lot.
I still have some time. I ain't givin' up yet.
Thanks for all your support. It means a lot.
I still have some time. I ain't givin' up yet.
Alternate Setting
Reply #6 Friday, January 5, 2007 10:48 AM
Reply #6 Friday, January 5, 2007 10:48 AM
It's a rough stretch of road Noah - got my fingers crossed for you.
NightwingDragon
Reply #8 Friday, January 5, 2007 4:20 PM
Reply #8 Friday, January 5, 2007 4:20 PM
That is a real shame Po. I had to give up my cat, and we were inseperable, so i know what you're goin thru. Congratulations on the new baby girl tho. I know what you mean by fearful too, not overly skiddish, but extremely aware, and cautious. My mom had a dog like that, and she ended up being extremely protective of me. I was only months old. So keep that in mind if all else fails. Obviously you know him alot better than I do, but just in case you can't find him a home, animals are very aware over children and you might just see a gentler side of him. Just an idea bud, Take care, and I hope all works out.
_02
Reply #9 Friday, January 5, 2007 4:42 PM
Reply #9 Friday, January 5, 2007 4:42 PM
If there is anyone around here, which is near Raleigh NC interested, Troy and I will let you know. I know how devastating this must be and hopefully something good will happen. We have 2 cats and I am partially handicapped. It's a shame. Retrievers are suppose to be the best dogs for kids there is. Must be the Chow in him. That would be great if The Dog Whisperer answered you. He would fix it for sure. You will be in our prayers. 
PoSmedley
Reply #10 Friday, January 5, 2007 8:34 PM
Reply #10 Friday, January 5, 2007 8:34 PM
Yes, he's conflicted. The Retriever is very friendly, the Chow is overly fearful. Thanks for any effort you all make.
ZubaZ
Reply #13 Sunday, January 7, 2007 10:25 AM
Reply #13 Sunday, January 7, 2007 10:25 AM
Po, have you seen if a personal contact might work? I used this to fund a WC brother near Columbus OH a while back. I email directly and got good results.
http://www.frappr.com/wincustomize/map
http://www.frappr.com/wincustomize/map
PoSmedley
Reply #14 Sunday, January 7, 2007 10:45 AM
I am unfamiliar with this.
Reply #14 Sunday, January 7, 2007 10:45 AM
| Po, have you seen if a personal contact might work? |
I am unfamiliar with this.
PoSmedley
Reply #18 Sunday, January 7, 2007 4:56 PM
Reply #18 Sunday, January 7, 2007 4:56 PM
oh! I did that when I first saw it in the forums, months ago.
seldomseen
Reply #20 Sunday, January 7, 2007 10:55 PM
Reply #20 Sunday, January 7, 2007 10:55 PM
thinking...
...saying prayers...
...glad it's still open
...saying prayers...
...glad it's still open
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Reply #1 Thursday, January 4, 2007 10:08 PM
Good luck.