Big Paws Only Dog Forums

So here's the 411 - I decided I was itching for a great dane last summer. It started when a great dane stole my heart in our therapy dog class and I knew I had to have one. So a few weeks later I see this sign in a guys yard a few blocks from me advertising great dane pups for sale for 500 bucks. I about threw up since it was more like a yard sale sign and I saw them in a crate sitting in the hot sun.  I was on the way to obedience class and drove by on the way back ready to knock on his door and tell him the dangers of the hot sun on these pups - but he had taken them inside. Of course I cursed him as I drove by for a few days then saw the sign marked down to 400. Now, all of you who do rescue know why my blood is boiling. Breeders are great and necessary, but no reputable breeder puts a yard sale sign in there yard... anyway, over the next 2 weeks the sale goes on down to 200$. I finally call the guy and tell him I do rescue and can tell that he is having trouble rehoming the dogs and offer to help him find loving homes. He tells me he has the last 2 dogs and had 2 people coming to buy them now that they were only 200. So obviously no screenings were needed, just the cash. Anyway, I felt horrible but was glad I didnt buy from a backyard breeder and started my quest for a dane of my own. Its a year later and still NO DANE!!!! The 2 rescues in my area said this - Rescue 1 - you have a child under the age of 8 so we cannot adopt to you. I explained that I have been doing rescue for years and my children (5 and have been with me to dog training classes their entire lives and have fostered dogs over 100 pounds on many occassions. They have helped birth 12 pups from a lab foster we pulled from a high kill shelter. I assured them they were dog savy and that they even "hold on the the walls when they walk in the house" and "know which peanut butter jar is the dogs" Anyway, no dice - they said no exceptions. So I contact the other and they say I am 15 miles outside of their adoption area and they make no exceptions. So I politely ask them, "So, you are telling me there is no way I can rescue a dane. What should I do?" and they say - (sit down).... "GO TO A BREEDER!"   What The F?!!?!? Are you kidding me? Now I understand they have rules.. but are you kidding me? So, here I am a year later, trying to be the responsible rescue loving pet owner and not go to a breeder and I am being punished for it. I find myself driving past this guys house now and looking for another sign! Not that I want to help perpetuate bakyard breeders, but I can understand how poeple who dont really understand the whole rescue crisis would easily buy from them. (Did I mention his danes are pure blue and gorgous!) Anyway... I have seen some danes on petfinder at shelters and called to inquire about them, but many times they say they are way too out of control to be around kids... hence the reason I want to adopt from a rescue who can tell me the dogs history. Having to train a dog doesnt bother me, Id do that anyway, but I have kids and cats and dont want a dog that has aggression issues... Which I cant know from pulling one from a shelter. ive checked Petfinders classified for people rehoming their own but that hasnt worked either....So, guess I keep waiting... I know the right one will find me!

We've been calling hte shleter daily and not getting an answer. One of the newfs is no longer on teh petfinder site! So lets pray he got adopted!

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=10665046
How cute is he! And he looks so sad...  Anyone in OH want a bog ol boy???

Hmmm.. Good point. I really need to spend more time on Mapquest! My brother is in Indy, and I am in the southernmost part of Indiana, across from Louisville Kentucky. Im still waiting to hear from my friend about whether she can drive to get them. She is in Louisville. It would be about 8 hours round trip - but shes a newf lover and likes to drive... so this is perfect for her! (or so I keep telling her!)

Yep I'll foster. I can get to Chicago somehow! I have a friend who is off work tommorrow. She is looking into how far it is also and amy be able to get there. Email me at kealoha812@yahoo.com and we can talk about details... Thanks everyone.

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=10654928
There are 2 newfs listed in a shelter in Charleston, IL. Its about 4 hours from my house. Id be wililng to foster if anyone can help transport. Id anyone near there? We called the shelter today and found out it is a kill shelter and they are full!!!! AGAHG!!!!  Anyone got any ideas?


Martin

    * Animal: Dog
    * Breed: Newfoundland Dog
    * Sex: Male
    * Age: Adult
    * Size: Extra Large
    * ID: 358

From: County Animal Rescue & Education

Thanks ladies! The tips you gave were quite helpful! I'm determined to figure this out! By the way, I did post some pics in the folders section...  Jen, you cracked me up... so here is the official intro.. drumroll please.....
I am the proud momma to a 10 year old golden retriever - Meli Kamahine(honey girl in hawaiian) a 1 year old newfoundland/border collie mix- Timber, 2 cats - Maui (as in the island) and Maea (hawaiian for unpleasant odor - nuff said). Yep, lived in Hawaii for a few years. Back in Indiana now. And I have 2 human kiddos that help clean up the poop of all the fosters I bring home...I do rescue work on the side (who doesn't right?!) and am still looking for another furkid to add to the family. I'm leaning toward a dane or a newf. My oldest, Meli, is a therapy dog for the red cross and my newfie mix if in training but is quite stubborn... "Heel? Did you say Heel? What is this heel?" IM a special education teacher by day... so a deaf dane is appealing... hmm... Im sure the right one will find me! Anyway... I digress...Than ks for the welcome everyone! So glad to be here! And look - 2 posts - Im so proud of me!