Biggest fight I ever had with Mrs LWJ was whether to get s dog. It was about 27 years ago. I told her we were going to have children. And the children would hate us at times but a dog would always listen to them.

I won.

She agrees now.

He's won me over. And I haven't even met him.

Ha, reminds me of my mutt cat, I got the cat for free and he cost me over four thousand in vet bills in the first year.

Every dog that I've ever had was a rescue.

This is my dog Alvin and his brother Melvin.

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Max was a rescue from our local shelter for $40


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Old Rex and young Beau - both rescues from a local org that rescues/relocates dogs (and those stupid furry feline things.) Each ran about $300 - which included first shots, neutering, chipping, etc.

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Greyhound! Tons available since tracks closed early in Fl.
About $300. All shots, exams, teeth cleaned, chipped.

Price of acquisition is meaningless over the long term. Cost of ownership is expensive. Value of my dog is priceless.

I routinely donate to rescue also.

Typing single handed, as I'm scratching dog's back......

Not a pet kind of guy. I like dogs but I’m too selfish to have one. In my eyes, its a like a child that never gets past adolescence for nearly his whole like (can’t feed themselves, or cleanup after themselves) then suddenly they jump to the geriatric stages of life.

But in defense of the rescue model, keep in mind that your local animal shelter is subsidized by taxes. So when you adopt there, you’re only charged for the costs associated with that dog (shots, fixing, etc).

The stand alone rescue operation doesn’t get that subsidy so their adoption fees are higher since you’re paying a share of the whole cost of the operation including caring for that animal that may never get adopted.

Certainly, like everything, there are unscrupulous people in every walk of life but thats my take on the $150 animal shelter dog vs the $300 rescue.

^top answer here. May as well close the thread now.

As a kid we always had English Bulldogs and my parents raised them. When I was in my single years I did not get a dog because I was gone a lot, and I knew they were expensive for vet bills.

I came home one day and a doberman was sitting on my front porch. She looked really hungry, and I fed her some leftovers I had. Her favorite place on earth was my front porch for some reason. She adopted me. I named her Betty, and she was a really smart dog, and quick to learn. I think she was a bit of an alpha and that may be why she left her previous owners whoever they were. She was strong willed, but I did make it clear I was the alpha in the house and I was boss. Once she accepted that, she was very gentle and sweet. I let the neighbor kids come play with her in the back yard and she loved it.

Besides getting her spayed and regular shots the dog food and such she was 100% worth it. She had a growth pop up on her hind leg. I took her in and had that removed, and they asked if I wanted it biopsied to see if it was cancerous. The biopsy was expensive. I knew I could not afford to pay for chemo. So no biopsy. It did grew back after a few months. When she was in clear pain, I did the hardest thing ever. I still miss her.

I could not agree more with dad911^^^^. I do believe that shelter animals are screened better these days both physically and emotionally. It's also very important to have a good veterinarian that has earned your trust.

The younger the animal the better, MO. They are easier to train, more resilient if their previous home was neglectful or abusive and of course their lifespan is longer for the time you care for them. My preference is a dog less than 8 months old.

The initial cost is trivial...jmo.

But I like to begin training asap, and more importantly, not let any bad habits develop...

Day 49....that's when dogs "wake up" and begin to REALLY learn and should be taken "home"..and there's some scientific research behind this...according to some that know a lot more than I do.

I believe it too...now ;).

But there are exceptions to everything.....and dawgs are exceptional :)

RH - Head over the hill and deal with Okanogan Dog Adoption in Cashmere. I paid $150 for Frankie last year: https://www.facebook.com/OKANDOGS/

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Frankie is CUTE!!

Our current rescue lab doesn't bark unless she means it, and when she means it there is not a Rottweiler on the planet that would have a more intimidating bark. The first time I heard her bark I could not believe it came from that little 70 pound dog, it sounded more like it came from Baskervilles. She is friendly to a fault though.

i took my dog on a 4 day camping trip with my wife. he took it upon himself to be my wife's guardian. she goes somewhere, he goes. i go to relieve myself, he would look at me and give me his "best wishes" look and sit down next to my wife. my wife goes, she goes.

when we slept, he laid facing the tent door. i would hear him low growl at all the forest noises.
when we got home, no joke..he slept for two days straight.

it was perfectly clear. dogs have a favorite (i think parents secretly do as well)

A very fine looking hound you have there Bob.

Thanks....14 weeks in that pic.....He's 18 months and 24 lbs now - Couldn't ask for a better dog...

Here you go.

Thank you Daniel...seriously!