Big Paws Only Dog Forums

www.petfinder. com

Anna, what a wonderful opportunity for her to be well-loved!  How sad, though, that the current 'family' wants her out ASAP!  My Annie (saint) is also 7 y.o.  She has been with us since March.  I think the old ladies appreciate a nice, loving 'retirement home'.  Annie likes to be near me and is just happy being loved.  She came from a neglectful situation, abuse, really.  I think this gal will thrive in your loving home!

I'm in the 'been-married-forever' group.  26+ years.  Sometimes I really appreciate that Mike spends the whole Saturday at his Dad's, working on his car, or at his buddy's house.  Gives me time to myself.  We have three nearly-grown children, 16, 18 & 21, and they are hardly ever home, with work and friends, who wants to hang around the house?  Mike and I tend to argue a lot more when we don't get our separate 'me' times.  He has things he likes to do that I don't, and vice-versa.  For Pete's sake! I've known the man since I was 16 and spent every moment I could with him.  Relationships need a little breathing room, I think.  But that's JMNSHO.

Hi, Melissa, and welcome to BigPawsOnly! 
I am Salli, happily owned by Annie, my 7yo Saint girl, rescued in March '07.  I previously had a Saint female when I was a teen.  I am thoroughly smitten with my Annie-girl!
I'll try to answer your questions in the order you asked them:
1- My children are older, 16, 18 & 21.  Annie hasn't been around small children much. I have a neighbor who has a 3yo daughter, but the little girl doesn't like big dogs.  Not much experience there, but I can tell you Annie LOVES everyone that comes to our home!  She thinks you have come just to see her and rub her tummy.  Even the meter readers.  Not much of a watch dog!  Annie is older, and had a rough life before she came to us, but she still likes to 'play':  she will peek-a-boo chase around the tree, 'run' (more like lope) to you and rub-lean against your legs.  She's a low-energy gal.
2- Critters:  Annie could care less about our two older cats.  Sniff-sniff, hmmmph.  But, when the kitten joined our house, she actually got up from her nap to investigate, and followed the kitten around.  This was high-interest for her.  She's never shown any aggression towards the smaller animals.  We have an alpha-female Golden Retriever-mix, Grace, and Annie gets along fine.  Grace will allow Annie to check out her food dish after she eats.
3- Exercise?  What's that?  Napping is what Annie does best, but she is a senior-Saint.  I can't say what a younger adult needs, but a gentle stroll around the neighborhood (if it's not too hot out), and romps in the yard are all Annie requires. 
4-Health:  Annie had some serious health concerns that were addressed by the shelter where we adopted her.  Those were related to her being neglected by her previous owners.  We were cautioned about bloat, and advised to make sure she rests for 20-30 min. after eating.  However, I did read in her medical records that she had the surgery to pin her stomach to reduce the chances of it twisting and causing bloat.  She still gets a nap after eating.  Also, Saints can be prone to hip dysplasia, so you will want to have x-rays to check for that.  There are good supplements that can ease the pain of joint problems for dogs.  Not a cure, but palliative care.
5-Pros:  Annie makes me laugh every day!  She is a funny girl.  I love all her quirks and antics.  A word here about DROOL:  if you or your husband don't like to wipe up slobbers, then a Saint is not for you.  Annie is actually quite 'clean' compared to other Saints I've met.  She slobbers while eating and drinking (a lot!) and I usually wipe her jowls afterward.  The rest of the time she is dry.  She doesn't drool constantly (like in the 'Beethoven' movies.)  She like to eats ice cubes and leaves a drooly mess when she's done.  Every now and again she will slime my pant leg.  It's no big deal to me.  She also doesn't really care what's under her feet, so if it happens to be your foot, oh, well!
Cons:  the Saint I had as a teen was very protective of my younger brother and I, and didn't allow people coming on our property.  "Invaders" were NOT allowed without my parents telling her it was ok for them to be there.   
But, she was also a very loving girl, and I would spend hours with her, rolling around on the grass.
Annie is just the opposite:  She welcomes visitors.
6-Grooming:  Be prepared for HAIR and lots of it!  We live near the desert, it is very hot in the Summer.  Our dogs stay indoors with me, and when it's hot they only go out for 'potty'.  Saints have a double coat, soft, downy underneath a more wiry outer coat.  When it's time to shed, WE SHED!  Sort of reminds me of a buffalo, with clumps of hair coming off.  Brush, brush, BRUSH! and your baby will feel much better.  Also, the carpet can be covered in hair in a day if not brushed often.  (again, not a problem for me, unless she needs another 4-hour grooming session)  A good undercoat rake is great for this.  Annie enjoys being brushed; she thinks I'm just petting her for a long time.

As I said at the top, I am completely smitten with my Annie!   
She is my joy!  I am so happy we found each other, and that she can live out her golden 'retirement' years with me.
I'd like to have a Saint puppy, but my husband is not so fond of the breed.  He prefers Siberian Huskies.  We have shared our lives with a few of that breed, also.  :-)
Best of luck in your search for the best match for your family.  You didn't say:  Do you have other dogs?  If so, please post pictures!  We love pics here on BPO!  The more, the merrier!

I'm glad you have a compassionate husband, Ali.  That's wonderful about him wanting to keep the kitties!!

Unfortunately, Amelia won't be coming to California unless some other BPO'er just happens to live here and can give her a forever home.


Anyone know where I can go to trade-in a stubborn and unreasonable husband for one like Ali's?!?   

My first impression was Beagle/mix also.  Beautiful pupper!

I fell in love with big paws after meeting several that my friends had (can't remember what the breeds were now) and especially St. Bernards!  I collected calendars with St. pics, anything I could find!  When I was in Jr. High, my parents let me rehome a 1-year-old Saint girl I'd found in the paper, who only had concrete in her backyard, and the family wouldn't let her in the house.  Her name was Penelope; I called her Penny.  She still wasn't allowed in our house, but our yard was green and had lots of trees, and Penny and I would lay out in the grass for hours.  Due to circumstances beyond my control (we moved, I was 13 at the time) I wasn't able to keep her.  That was 30 years ago, and I've loved the breed ever since.  I have finally found and rescued my 'baby', Annie, who is my joy!  I'd love to have a whole crew of Saints.

That's my vote:  Pug or Pug/mix?  That 'house' doesn't look fit for anything to be in it but a lawnmower!  How awful it must have been for that sweet boy to have to stay in there all alone.  I'm SO glad you've made him part of your family, Shane! 
Welcome to BPO!!