Vacation Souvenirs - By Adrienne
We finally have a new family member, meet Hunter! Go figure The Foreman would pick that name, but it is his dog and the name fits him. After many discussions about adopting a dog and the age and how it shouldn't matter, I gave in. He was set that we were getting a puppy. It's like banging your head against a brick wall with him. It was going to be his dog not mine, so I let him choose.
Hunter is a 6 month old Golden Retriever. We found him on Craigslist. At first I thought he was going to be an easy adoption, but soon found out differently. A private family placed an add for him, but said nothing about why they were looking for a new home. After several emails I learned enough that I didn't care how much his adoption fee was, I wanted him. It basically came down to him being an inconvenience for the husband. The husband didn't like him and thinks there is no place for any dog in his life, his families life and especially in his home. The wife was the one who wanted him and thought that when she brought him home, her husband would change his mind. WRONG! She was too busy with her 2 children to bother much with him herself. The kids liked him as most kids do, but really weren't allowed to be that close because the dad didn't think it was right. The husband wouldn't spend the money for a fenced yard or even invisible fence so he spent most of his day and all night in his crate. The wife did spend some time training him so he wouldn't bother her husband, so he does know some basic commands. But he is still a puppy, a little out of control and ALL BOY!
We took Stella with us to meet him and they got along great. She even played with him which she normally would never do in a strange place. So right away we felt it was a good match. They gave us all his stuff including his wire crate and a portable travel crate. Once we got him home I started noticing some things. He walks with a slight limp with his right hip, he's afraid to go up stairs, which is strange because they have a 2 story home. When I finally got him to go up the stairs, he tucked his tail between his legs and ran back down. He sat at the bottom and whined like he was waiting to be yelled at (or worse.) I sat on the floor with him for a while and I moved my hand passed his head and he shied away from me. He is a little aggressive with his food, so we'll have to work on that too. There was more going on in that house than they let on. They never let him have any soft toys, said it was too keep him away from the kids toys, so he's in heaven with all ours. But because he has never played with soft toys (all hard rubber), he tends to bite a little hard when you play with him. Retrievers are supposed to have a soft mouth, something else he is going to have to learn. He's like a baby that wants to put everything in his mouth. If he sees it, he picks it up. Right now he is learning to enjoy his new freedom and where he stands in the pack. I feel sorry for what he went through, but I'm happy that we are able to give him so much more.
We are all adjusting to the new addition and we have to remember not to leave things out for him to get into. It will take time, but we are excited to have him. Next is Daddy and Hunter classes!
posted by Adrienne at 7/08/2007 10:22:00 AM
Pet People
20 Comments:
Adrienne, I am sooo happy that you have brought Hunter into your life! I was rooting for a Golden due to your love of them. It sounds as though Hunter needed your family to be a happy baby in this world. Don't worry too much on the name Hunter. If Sheba had been a boy, I was going to name her Hunter as she had such great bird hunting skills. I would see her snatch birds right out of the sky with her quick paws! That was one of many reasons I made the girls indoor only babies because I love my wild birds too! I know Hunter can be a females name also but I think it suits males better. If it were not for us humans taking care of the cats and dogs of this earth, they would be forced to hunt for their next meal. So don’t fret with the name Hunter….What a beautiful boy you have!
Aimee, dog princess, was afraid of stairs too. We had to entice her up the stairs with cat kibble. Once up in the Professor's office, she would lay on the floor like she was hanging onto it. Eventually, she got over her fear of the stairs and would follow the Professor up and down with no problem.
Hunter looks and sound precious. It sounds like you you saved him from that place. True pet lovers love the animal for what they are, not what they represent or what their value is. Our fur children offer us unconditional love, real pet lovers return that uncondional love.
Adrienne, congratulations on your new baby! God bless you for saving Hunter from that terrible situation he was living in. Poor little thing having to stay in his crate so much. Obviously that husband didn't care that he has feelings too and deserved to have a happy life. The sad thing is now those kids will grow up with that same attitude about animals and not treat them well either. Oh I could just line people up and beat the crap out of them for the things they do to animals! But you saved Hunter and now he will have a fantastic life with his loving family! Enjoy him!
I didn't expect to bring home a puppy from vacation, (what there was of it.) We decided to come home early because of him. Didn't want to stress him out any more than necessary by having to get comfortable at mom in laws and than have adjust to home. It was too much stress for him.
I think The Foreman forgot what it was like to have a puppy in the house. I'M IN PUPPY HELL! He's a good boy for the most part,but he's still a puppy. He HAS TO go to puppy classes! They start the end of the month. I hope I can last! HA!
I think his new name will be "No no bad dog"!
Yay Adrienne!
Hunter is beautiful. I think its wonderful that you rescued him. And you truly did rescue him...I wonder if the hubby was hitting him? With him shying away from your hand like he does...how sad. You are so right Pam. Those ignorant adults are taining their kids to be just as ignorant and cold hearted as they are. Some people should not be allowed to reproduce.
Kind of same situation my ny boxer Rocky. He wasn't abused or anything but he was kept in a crate for most of the day and night. 2 months later we are still working on house training issues with him but it is definitely getting better. And very worth every bit of trouble. Hunter will work out great in time. He doesn't know just how lucky he is to have fallen into your lap!
Adrienne!!!!! High five sister! Way to go save a life!!! Now we can say our doggies are cousins cuz they were "born" so close together! Hines is ours the last week of July--probably the 24th--because we didn't want to take him now and then leave him in a kennel while we were on vacation. That would be a pretty crappy way to begin a new life! So our foster Mom is going to keep him till we get back-God Bless her.
I AM SO HAPPY for you. I know your feeling on the freak out side, but YOU HAVE ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL LIFE in your home. That's wonderful!!!!!And such a super cool (sorry, sometimes I speak BRADY) name like "HUNTER"!! WOW!!!! This is another signed seal and delivered package from the man upstairs. GOD bless you guys, the new baby, and the rest of the family. Hold in there with the pup. You of all people know that it's all worth it in the end.
Congrats Brett! I know you are happy about your new addition. Good idea to wait until you get back. Keep us posted!
I have to say that I'm getting frustrated with his previous owners. The wife keeps emailing me about him, telling me how upset her boys are and that they miss him. I get the feeling that she wants him back. I don't want to be mean, but I want her to leave us alone. I think she is feeling guilty for the way he was treated too. Her email to me last night was all about how he oldest son is mad at her about giving him to us and all she can do is think about him. AGGGGG!
Block her email. Either that or tastefully tell her the dog now belongs to you and that you now have time and money invested and that it's TOO LATE for crying. Then tell her youo would prefer she stop emailing you about it. Sorry--I have my mean cap on today.
That pooch is so cute--how could anyone not want that little face in their lives! Beautiful!
Adrienne, I'm with B, block her email. Put her address in your filter and you won't even have to deal with it. It's not mean. The way they treated that poor helpless puppy, she doesn't deserve courtesy at this point. The time to "feel guilty" was before it ever reached the point of them placing an ad for him. They should have taken care of him.
Don't even bother to respond to her. It isn't rude. It is justified. I wouldn't give a rat's a$$ if I were "mean" to her. Screw that. Just look into Hunter's eyes next time you think about HER and HER guilt and visualize the life Hunter had in that house. THEN do what you feel. Get my point??
Stacy,,
Couldn't have said it better! You go girl! I agree also Adrienne. I think the previous owners are too sorry and lazy to hunt you down so I wouldnt wory about them.You did a great thing, don't let them ruin it for you and Hunter.
ok--I see I am not the only one wearing my mean hat today--somebody is dressing out in complete B**ch attire! I LOVE IT!!!
Adrienne, I do agree that that woman doesn't deserve better treatment for the way she helped treat Hunter but on the other hand YOU deserve some closure on the issue. I would email her one last time and tell her it is the last contact you will have with her. Tell her not only have you invested finacially to Hunter but with your heart even more so. Say that you're sorry she sounds like she is having regrets but that it is a DONE DEAL and Hunter now has a loving and permanet home!!!!!!!!!!! That way you've stated your intentions and if she keeps emailing you that is condsidered harrassment! Still you've done the right thing all around. Ok, that is just my two cents on the matter. Congrats again on your sweet new boy!
B--congrats to you too! I know you are thrilled to be getting your baby too. That is super!
OH i HAVE TO TELL THIS STORY! Some of you may or may not know, Hines spent Saturday night and most of Sunday with us. IT WAS EVERYTHING WE PRAYED FOR!! He was just a little member of the family within the first hour. He was giving kisses away and lying next to us and just being a little love bug.
ANYWAY--My story-We were told that Hines wasn't a barker. Even hisfoster Mom, Jeanette, said he never barks at her house. SO ok, my brood like to stand in the living room windows and bark at pedestrians (my own private home alarm system).. Well, they were doing that Sunday afternoon when we heard this high pitched bark burst out. IT scared us to death! Kindda like a cross between Dino on the Flintstones and a chain saw stuck in a pine KNot. Anyway,I was folding clothes in the bedroom, and Jeremy wasironing in the front bedroom ,and we both came flying out into the living room, thinking the little guy had been hurt or maybe fallen off the couch. No sir, not our special little guy--he was up there just as proud as a peacock with his big bro and sis, barking his little head off at those who dare to venture where angels fear to tread!
ha Brett! I was just reading in this past Sunday's USA today weekend about pets--that they learn behavior from each other.
My Mom and sister adopted a little dog Bennie from Inge Irby when they were visiting. My mom said she thought Bennie was autistic, becuase when they walked he paid NO attention to squirrels or other dogs. Acted like they weren't there. Then they added dog Murphy to the mix, who loves to bark at squirrels. Now Mom always complains about how Bennie learned all this bad behavior from Murphy.
I am so glad he is fitting in and having fun with his new siblings. Keep us posted and send me or Stacy new pictures any time and we'll get them up!
And Adrienne, ditto everything above. I also like the name Hunter, even though I don't like human hunters. It's a great name for a dog. My first boyfriend back in High School had a beagle named Hunter.
Can't wait to hear how the Foreman and he do in school! And he can't complain about anything, because then you can say : I TOLD YOU SO. LOL.
Adrienne, I agree with Pam. I say you send her one last email. Tell the stupid b!tch how she perceived Hunter as nothing but a burden in their household. Go on to tell her how they took the easy way out and got rid of him by handing him over to you. Explain how he now has a loving caring home with you and the Foreman. And that you don’t really care how neither she nor her kids feel about loosing him! They were nothing but a mean family for that baby! I would also put in something about how they do not need to have any pets as they don’t know the first thing about pets! Maybe that will deter them from getting another pet. Suggest a Pet Rock. Then go on to tell her that you will block her emails from here on! That should make her feel like she deserves to feel…..
The only reason mom wants Hunter back in the first place is to please the son. Well whoop-tee-do, if you were to give him back, just how long before he became a burden on them again??? I think Hunter is exactly where he needs to be... so to He!! with that stupid woman!!! Keep loving your new baby and remember he is where he needs to be… He is now running up the stairs and being a dog like God intended him to be..... People like this woman make me ill to the bone!!! argggggg
Thanks for the suggestions. I did send her one more email and basically told her it would be my last. That we are going through our adjustment period right now and that we don't need any further distractions. I also told her that I understand her son is up set about her decision, but it was her first decision that created the problem.
We'll see if she tries to continue contacting us.
I am sooo looking forward to puppy school and the "I told you so's"!!
Way to go Adrienne! I think that sending the one last email was the right way to go. Maybe she won't email again now that she knows how happy you are with Hunter. He sure is lucky to have you and the Foreman and the rest os his new family!
Brett, that was sweet about Hines learning how to bark with his brother and sister, he's being a big brave boy now.
Skeeter, gonna try to get time to give you a call this week as I ahven't had time to check my email much lately. Last check there was 148 messages and haven't had time to sort through all that yet.
I must get the Saint to assit you with all that Spam junk mail....
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