Big Paws Only Dog Forums

Hi,

you are quite right, the cost of flying the animal air cargo it probably less than the cost of gas for driving her. The problem is that the airlines have a maximum allowed crate size (30"H 28"W 40"L)and most LGDs are too big. (Both of my Pyrs wouldn't fit, not even close!) As it turned out this girl is undersize for her breed and just squeaks by, so I am now actually having her flown out. A volunteer was found to drive her to Saskatoon (the nearest airport) and one to overnight her and put her on the plane the next morning. Yeah!

For future reference: if you are willing to help with transport in situations like this, please do put down your name on the map. For most really big dogs, flying is not usually an option, and even partial transport offers help. Had this girl been a normal size, I probably would have had to give up the adoption for lack of transport offers.

Maria

Hi all,

transportation is needed for this Akbash/Maremma/Kuvacz cross

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=6926474

from the shelter in Saskatchewan to her new permanent home (me, actually) on Vancouver Island. We are aiming for the weekend of the 23./24. Sep.

A shelter volunteer will take her as far as Saskatoon, I will pick her up in the Lower Mainland. Anybody able to help with the stretch in between?

Maria

Thanks, Deena.

I've put in a request for membership, but haven't heard back yet.

Maria

Thanks, Deena. You are right to caution.

I already have two LGDs, a Pyr/Maremma cross whom I raised and trained from a puppy, and a rescue Pyr. My two current companion dogs and every other dog I have ever owned were also rescues. I am well aware of the issues. (And yes, I am on relevant lists...)

I could buy a puppy locally, farm bred pups without papers run $300 - $500 around here. The reason that I prefer to work with rescues is that I honestly feel guilty about causing more pups to be bred when 100s of perfectly good LGDs are languishing in shelters or are even being euthanised. Unfortunately for me, they all seem to be in Texas!

It also drives me crazy that many rescue groups and shelters insist on companion homes only for these dogs, even when they have shown themselves to be clearly unsuited as indoor dogs. I have been looking regularly for about 9 months now. I see the same dogs still in the same shelters or with the same rescue groups for months. I see dogs coming up for adoption again that I unsuccessfully applied for at the beginning of the year. One Pyr had already been rehomed 4 times, because she was completely destructive in the house in her frustration over not having a job to do. Another dog had in the meantime taken to "herd" cars and had already been hit several times. (Fortunately for her this particular shelter finally recognized she should go to a working home, they just preferred a local adopter. Fair enough.) I see "URGENT" notices next to dogs in kill shelters or temporary holding spots. But no, a working home is out of the question.

Liability issues if the dog is not good with the livestock? What about the liability issues when the dog attempts to guard the family's children against their little playmates?

I understand that taking in a rescue dog is always a gamble. And I understand that rescues must be careful about who they adopt dogs out to. But I am willing to take the risk and put in the time to evaluate and train the dogs, and I understand that it can take months before you can really be sure. I will also take the responsibility for finding the dog a good companion home up here if it doesn't work out as a livestock guardian. We don't have a big dog overpopulation, and most shelter dogs find homes pretty quickly in our area (unless they are Rottweilers or Pittbulls, of which there always seem to be too many...).

Maria, who on days like this wishes she was closer to Texas so she could go rescue a dog...

Chilliwack would actually be a manageable distance.

I wouldn't normally have considered a cross with something not LGD, as I am looking for dogs to train for working and you never can tell which way a cross is going to lean, but a Newf cross might actually be just fine. I'll give animal control a call tomorrow morning and see what's what.

I've also put in an application for a Pyr in Salmon Arm, but they told me they had two local applicants as well, so it's not likely I'm going to get him.

Thanks for the heads up!

Maria

I would have room for two of the Pyr pups. They would be trained as LGDs, though, so outdoor dogs. (Many rescues won't re-home to a working home. If they are still pups, it shouldn't be too excessive to fly them cargo up here (Vancouver Island, Canada).

Maria