Why would someone slam you for being a really nice person?

Villages Dog owners
 

Agree on both counts, CFrance. No slamming here.

I love big dogs. I used to have Mastiffs. I never had a truly big one. But a son of my female was a 230 pound gentle, lovable beauty. :)

And I don't think loving rescues and pure-breds are mutually exclusive. I hope my next dog is a rescue. But the certainty of a registered dog has its merit, as you've so aptly described.

:mademyday:

Thanks, Polar Bear.

No-one is going to slam you, silly goose. You are a good person with a pure heart, someone who truly loves animals.
And Crosby, like most Goldens, is a delight. Who doesn't love Goldens.

The biggest reason I think that older people should adopt a rescue is that it is challenging and time consuming to potty-train a puppy and to train a dog to walk on a leash, etc.
Some people have limited mobility or other health issues.
And not to be negative, but a long life isn't promised to any of us.
A puppy might end up outliving us, or we are forced to go into assisted living by health issues.
And then a dog could end up his life in the Humane Society looking for a home, like Alf.

With an older rescue, a lot of problems can be eliminated while still enjoying the love and affection of a dog.
And as has been said, rescues seem more appreciative and grateful to find a forever home.
Our Lollipop (in my avatar) was a rescue Portuguese Water Dog, and we love her dearly.
As a side note, I'm working on finding a tri-color rescue beagle for CFrance and leaving him in her back yard.

Anyone who rescues dogs gets an A+ in my book! CFrance = A++

When you buy a puppy at Marion Market, you are buying a pup from a "Backyard Breeder" what's wrong with that you ask? You are paying for a puppy from a person who bought a male and female of the same breed and lets them make babies. No health testing, no temperament testing, no concern about the future of the puppy. When you buy a puppy from a pet store, you are buying from a real "Puppy Mill" one of the horrible places you see getting raided occasionally on the news. The parents live in wire cages, no testing, never being touched by humans... living covered in pee and feces..... used until the place is raided and they are found homes, or until they stop producing when they are simply shot. Missouri leads the country in puppy mills, the Amish are also big puppy millers. Anytime you buy a puppy you want to see where it was raised, meet the parents etc, dogs sold over the Internet and shipped to you, no questions asked, are puppy mill dogs. Pet stores will tell you they buy from lovely breeders... blah blah blah... all lies. Lovely breeders care what happens to their puppies and won't sell them to the first person that shows them the money. Why should you care? You want that puppy. You should care because you are paying top dollar for what could be health and temperament problems, and you are supporting the horrible conditions the parents are subjected to. Any place that produces many small breeds is a puppy mill. The ideal place to buy a puppy is a reputable breeder, they aren't cheap though.

Another thought, depending on your age are you sure you want a dog that could live 15 to 17 more years? Are you in your late 60s or 70s? Think about it.... you are taking on the hassle of your shoes being chewed, housebreaking a puppy etc....... meanwhile there are so many wonderful dogs in rescues and pounds. I found my last three dogs on petfinder.com. Go to the website, put in your zip code and search the breed you want. Even craigslist occasionally has lovely little dogs that a relative is trying to place because their owner has passed away. The Maltese previously posted are adorable, there's also Poodle rescue. Shih-tzu rescue..... etc.... google the breed and the word rescue. The good news about rescues is they will match you with the best dog for you.

Good luck, I'm so glad you are researching before you buy instead of impulse buying and regretting it later.

Florida Poodle Rescue

I'm not slamming you either! We all have to make the decision on what is the best choice for us.

I have two cats that were rescues and I love them dearly. But, I really wanted a dog. Mom and I live together and it took me two years to talk her into geting a dog!

Earlier this year, I spent a lot of time looking at rescue sites on the internet for a dog. I wanted a young, small, non-shedding dog. I was leaning towards Shih Tzus, Yorkies and Maltese. I'm in Michigan and I looked at sites several states away and in Florida (in case I was visiting TV). I applied for a couple of dogs that fit what I was looking for but I found out they were alerady spoken for!

I then decided to go for a puppy. Mom is 91 and I wanted to indoor potty train a puppy so Mom wouldn't have to take it outside if I wasn't home. I thought it would be easier to train a puppy than re-train an older dog. And, I narrowed my search down to Shih Tzus and found my Lexi who is 10 month old now.

Its been a long time since I had a puppy but then my Dad bred, raised and trained them! I had forgotten how much work a puppy is! (Cats are so much easier!) Its a constant "down, no, sit, come, etc." at our house. Sometimes its a little daunting but I still want my puppy. She is worth it.

On a side note, my mother didn't want Lexi or my two cats! They all want to sit on the chair next to her so she can carry on conversations with them, brush them or give them lots of belly and neck rubs. It is amazing how they all cater to her and want her approval.

I remember when I was student teaching, and my roommate and I were going to be evicted from our apartment because they found out about our two cats. I put them in a travel crate, took them to the Atlanta airport and flew them home. Only told my mother that one was coming. My now husband picked "him" up at Pittsburgh and decided to let "him" out in the car.

When he got to my mom's door, he threw his hat in first. Several nasty phone calls ensued.

When we got married 8 months later, my mother was devastated to lose those cats. (Several nasty phone calls ensued...)

The Sumter County Humane Society has lots of adorable dogs for your consideration. Please give them a try.