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Post by AmyJo27 on Mar 26, 2010 10:02:13 GMT -5
Ok so I have had another interesting morning. I was carrying stuff to my car (Getting ready for a morning class) and I heard something behind me. I turned around to see what it was and behind me stood a wiggling ball of black hair. Turns out to be a dog-This dog has never seen a shaver or even scissors in its life. The dog obviously was friendly because before I could even register what it was it was jumping all over me. I went in the house and began calling neighbors (Remember I live in the country so neighbors are miles away). My closest neighbor said that they chased the dog from their house a week ago. So here I am with a dog that can barely see due to hair in its face and is standing outside of my door eagerly waiting for me to go back outside. I call the sheriff and they told me that they will not pick up a dog from the country unless it is harming livestock or property (WTF???). So now I have this d*mn dog at my house and I don’t have the heart to chase him away. So now I’m calling the vet office…No one has called reporting a missing dog. I go outside to check on the condition of the dog and I am thrown for a loop-I have NEVER seen or met a dog so matted (At this point I cannot tell if the dog is a male or female, I CAN tell it is REALLY under weight-To a point I cannot believe it is standing) So now what to do? I call the vet again and they said they would take a look at him free of charge. So I took the dog to the vet and they were also astonished. Turns out the dog is an intact male Cocker Spaniel. They believe that a breeder more than likely abandoned and dumped him. The vet tried cutting some of the mats out but they are so tight he said he’d let a groomer handle that. The vet shaved what he could and put some fluid in him and I am taking him to a groomer at 2:00. I have contacted a no-kill shelter in Mason City so HOPEFULLY they have room (They have not gotten back to me yet). He is a really sweet dog and I almost hate dumping him at a shelter but I think its too soon to keep him. I do not think it would be fair to him…He definitely pulls at my heart though! He REALLY likes me and wants to follow me EVERY where I go. I have him in my house because it’s a bit chilly out and he dove right in the shower with me ! What a mess! Its crazy that someone would make him suffer the way they have. This is my first experience with such a neglected dog! He SERIOUSLY makes me want to cry…He is the sweetest thing and someone just dumped him. Here are some pictures of him at the vet center this morning: D*mn animals! I need to find a good rescues/no-kill shelter that will take him in...My search continues...I DO NOT want to get attached .
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lola1
I Love RPBF!
Lola and Reed
Posts: 372
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Post by lola1 on Mar 26, 2010 12:06:42 GMT -5
Awe poor guy! I hope it works out!
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Post by RealPitBull on Mar 26, 2010 13:06:13 GMT -5
Ohhhh he is SO CUTE!!!! Sounds like such a sweet dog that loves humans and it is really sad that someone would have abandoned him. He looks like he'll be a handsome dog once he's all cleaned up. What about calling around to some Cocker rescues? Even out of state ones might be able to help.
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Post by adoptapitbull on Mar 26, 2010 13:10:32 GMT -5
That makes me so mad! Matting like that doesn't happen overnight!
He's lucky that he found you. Most people would just let him outside to fend for himself. Maybe you can foster him until someone wants to take him?
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Post by SunraysPitBulls on Mar 26, 2010 20:46:33 GMT -5
OMG I really dislike that breed, but he is cute! Poor thing! I agree, search for a CS rescue, I am sure they will help. He seems sweet enough
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Post by AmyJo27 on Mar 26, 2010 21:49:28 GMT -5
Ok guys prepare yourselves for adorableness and handsomeness, Ive got after the grooming pictures...Ok, first of all -Update- He is doing really good. I have fed him and watered him (He chowed and drank an unbelievable amount of water...I thought he’d puke but he didn’t)!!! We have had him in the house and he is house-trained, fine with cats, great with kids, comes when called, and sits on command. I have come to the belief that someone got him when he was a little pup and as he (and his hair) grew they decided that he was no longer the cute pup he once was and dumped him in the country. The vet guesses him to be from 10-12 months, so he is a young fella. I have contacted many no-kill shelters and rescues but no one has room...No lie. There has recently been a new law passed in Iowa that has stricter laws to fight puppy mills and shelters are being bombarded with small-medium sized dogs. There is a Cocker Spaniel rescue in MN that has not gotten back to me yet so fingers crossed. Gustavo & I both have to keep reminding ourselves that he is not staying. There is something about him that just melts your heart. He was playing with Avery a little bit ago and whenever she would touch him he would roll over so she would rub his belly...He is truly a sweetie who wants nothing more than to snuggle and be loved. He really needs some lovin. Anyways...Here he is. Gustavo’s giving him some lovins (Notice where he is laying...He’s made himself comfy). In this picture you can kind of see how skinny he is...Its unreal. He is all bones. He has been rolling around like crazy after getting his hair shaved...He is also shedding unbelievably now, black hair is everywhere-Does anyone have any idea if this is normal or not? I don’t know what to think...Gustavo and I would love to keep him, who are we kidding...We already like him...A LOT, he really needs someone but I have heard of so many people getting a dog right after putting one down and having behavioral problems with the new one because of them still grieving the previous dog. I also feel like we would be “replacing” Boomer and Boomer could never be replaced...I feel a little guilty even having a dog in my home...Especially a male...What would Boomer think. And Sonya, I am on the same page as you with Cocker Spaniels...My parents have one that is a spoiled brat and Ive come to dislike them due to it but if you met him, you’d be in love! I haven’t even heard him bark yet (Which is amazing for a Cocker Spaniel)!!!
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Post by suziriot on Mar 26, 2010 22:37:03 GMT -5
Wow. What an overwhelming week for you and Gustavo. You're both awesome for not letting this poor boy continue roaming the country. I'm also not too crazy about Cocker Spaniels, but I have to admit he seems like a sweetheart. It does sound like he really wants some love, and he's lucky he decided to come sniffing around your place! Good luck... whatever you do, we all know that it will be right for your family and right for this sweet little guy.
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Post by emilys on Mar 27, 2010 0:04:22 GMT -5
maybe there's a reason this lovable guy found you? Right now you are his angel... but remember that rescued dogs take awhile to display their innate temperament. It's wonderful that he is safe with you, but you don't have to make a final decision so soon. Wait and see if you hear from CS rescue. Do you want me to contact a local breeder I know to ask her if there are other rescues besides the MN one? BTW, he has a pretty long head for a CS.. maybe he's one of the other spaniels, like this: www.ecsca.org/www.breederretriever.com/photopost/data/696/black-english-cocker-spaniel.jpghere's a page listing their rescue contacts: www.ecsca.org/contacts.html .... and there's one listed in Iowa The American cockers have these little appleshaped heads www.dogbreedinfo.com/americancocker.htm
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Post by RealPitBull on Mar 27, 2010 8:18:12 GMT -5
Cockers are actually supposed to be really nice and sweet dogs, when they have correct temperament. Sounds like this guy does have the right temp.
You guys are SO awesome for giving him all this help that he so badly needed. My heros!!!
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Post by adoptapitbull on Mar 27, 2010 8:53:14 GMT -5
I waas telling my husband about this yesterday and he said something that I believe. Probably not what you want to hear, but he said "It sounds like the dog chose her." I'm not trying to tell you to keep him or anything unless it's something you truly want to do. However, sometimes I think things happen in our lives that are nothing more than fate. Yes, some things are just chance, but I believe others are meant to be. And, hey, maybe he was meant to find you because you could help him? I don't know Glad to hear that he's looking and feeling better. Keep us updated! (I'm not a Cocker fan either but darn if he isn't such a cutie!)
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Post by emilys on Mar 27, 2010 9:27:25 GMT -5
thinking about this... considering the guy's sweet temperament and knowledge of comfy living, maybe he wasn't dumped, but lost?
Did the vet check for a microchip? Maybe you should try posting some "found" ads?
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Post by maryellen on Mar 27, 2010 13:08:41 GMT -5
its very possible he was sent to you to help you deal with your loss.. for now foster him, and see how his temperment goes as he is with you... treat him as a foster and just go with the flow. things happen for a reason and fate has a funny way of working. you are NOT replacing Boomer so dont even think that way, this little guy needed help and was guided to you by fate..
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Post by loverocksalot on Mar 27, 2010 14:38:58 GMT -5
I agree with Maryellen 100% If you like him foster him if in time you can decide to keep him or give him a good home. It seems meant to be.
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Post by AmyJo27 on Mar 27, 2010 19:11:32 GMT -5
Thanks for the kind words guys. I have too big of a heart to chase him away…He needed us.
Emily, I thought the same thing but since my neighbor chased him away a week ago and the Sheriff/Police department had no missing Cocker Spaniel calls, and the vet center received no calls and there was no microchip, no collar and no tag we have all come to the conclusion that he was dumped.
I also agree, he is an English Cocker Spaniel. He looks like a purebred to me…He is defiantly a beauty.
I have not been contacted by any rescues/shelters yet but it is the weekend so I didn’t really expect to. Gustavo and I have been thinking about not contacting rescues but we just don’t know yet... Like Emilys said, you just cant be so sure. He has been great so far though. He really has been a good boy, but when he gets excited he likes to try to hump but what can you expect out of an intact dog?
I will keep you guys posted. Not sure yet what to think or do. And Maryellen, thank you…Sometimes I just like Im being deceitful to Boomer.
As of right now, we are not in a hurry to find a rescue but like you guys said, Id like to find somewhere so I can foster him and take my time to decide.
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Post by sugar on Mar 28, 2010 14:55:57 GMT -5
I agree, it seems almost like this dog found his way to you when you both (him and you) needed someone. I would go with the foster route for now while you contact some rescues and wait to hear back (who knows, maybe you were meant to find him, help him heal up and then help him find his forever home if it isn't meant to be yours). I'm not a huge CS person (most I've met were mean and spoiled) but he's a looker!
And to be honest, I firmly believe Boomer is watching you from the bridge with all the other waiting doggies and telling them "See, thats my mom. She has a big heart. Isn't she great?"
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Post by AmyJo27 on Mar 28, 2010 16:10:17 GMT -5
Thank you Sugar, I hope you are right.
We do enjoy having him around...He is a character. Ive never met a dog who tries to get into the bath tub the way he does-He LOVES water. If the bathroom door isnt latched all the way when one of us is in, I can promise you its only a matter of time and he will be standing under the water looking up at you wagging his tail like "Ahhhh WATER!! I LOVE IT!" Lol! He is a goof. He always has such a sad face when you drag him out of the bathroom.
We will see what happens...God works in strange ways sometimes.
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Post by tank on Mar 29, 2010 10:12:04 GMT -5
I was never a fan of cokers until I started working with them at the grooming shop, now I really love their personalities. I love their signature "cocker wiggle" they do. Others are right about their personalities being hit or miss. If they are abused or raised wrong they can be really tempermental dogs but I have met some great ones who I am completely in love with.
I hope whatever you decide works out for the both of you. It seems like this guy is helping you heal.
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Post by AmyJo27 on Mar 29, 2010 21:53:26 GMT -5
Tank, I think you are right....
Today has been an AWFUL day. I have been missing Boomer something terrible and the Daycare my daughter has recently been going to has turned out to be unbelievably stupid (Am I the only one who thinks its wrong for the DIRECTOR of the daycare to tell all the staff to completely ignore my 1 year old daughter-With the exception of snack/meal time and diaper changes so she will 'get used' to daycare, my daughter is a BABY)...Today was a day I just curled up and bawled, before long there was a cold nose nudging my arm as if to say “Are you okay?” He then licked my face, kissing away the tears (something Boomer used to do)…Couldn’t help to smile.
My daughter will NEVER go to daycare or any babysitter again-if my mom or Gustavo cannot watch her when I have something to do then that thing I need to do can wait. I am just so happy that I caught on NOW and not after she had been going along time…Today just proves why I do not trust others with ANYTHING! You have no idea how bad this daycare is and they are called a CHRISTIAN Daycare. I have cried all day because of the way my child was treated. I am now determined to talk to someone who can make a difference and maybe do something against this daycare.
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Post by AmyJo27 on Mar 29, 2010 21:59:02 GMT -5
Oh yea, I know EXACTLY what you are talking about when you say the ‘Cocker Wiggle’. This boy is a pro at the ‘wiggle’. He curves his butt to one side and his little nub of a tail goes SO fast...He looks like his body is folding LOL!
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Post by adoptapitbull on Mar 29, 2010 22:30:09 GMT -5
It sounds to me like you've found a friend What are the odds of this happening, really? I've never had a stray dog come up to me, ever! The fact that this all happened to you is just so crazy!
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