TheAgitator.com
Sunday Evening Dog Blogging: New Puppy Edition
Sunday, July 5th, 2009Okay, so first with the awkward part. Due to some changes in my personal life that for obvious reasons I’m not going to get into on the blog (and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t speculate in the comments section), I’m out one dog. For lack of a better phrase, several months ago I lost custody of Isabel.
That suckiness out of the way, on to the fun part. My dog Harper I think grew fond of having a companion, and for the last few months, she’s been out both an owner and a playmate. So she was pretty depressed. I checked with the vet, who said adopting a puppy not only wasn’t likely to bother Harper, it would probably perk her up, and could even add a couple of years to her life (Harper is 10).
Also, I would get a new puppy. So everybody wins.
So after looking around for a few weeks, I found a litter of pups on the website of a rescue group here in the D.C. metro area. They were taken from a high-kill shelter in West Virginia. I chose the smallest sibling.
So meet Daisy. The rescue group says she’s mostly Australian shepherd. I’m a little dubious. But whatever she is, she’s damned cute.
She sure is cute! And you’re right – puppies are great companions for older dogs. And kudos on going to a high-kill animal shelter!!!
congrats!
we have a neat thing we’re doing at the firehouse I work at- we’re raising/training a support dog. this is an amazing 2 yr old retired black lab show dog.
at home, we have 3 dogs now. my girlfriend’s dog is pretty goofy, but they all get along. the interesting thing that’s happened to us- we’re being harassed by the county because we’ve always given the dogs their vaccinations. our county requires that a licensed vet give the shot. this looks a lot like the nonsense with interior designers, and cosmetologists…
I’m looking forward to more dog stories and photos- good job!
Beautiful. For all the animals who can’t speak – thank you for getting a shelter dog.
Well, I’m not even a dog person, but Daisy sure is damn cute. Good luck to the both of you.
That is one cute puppy. I’m so glad she came from a shelter. I’m such a sucker for homeless critters that I don’t have to go to shelters, because they always find ME, but I’m thrilled anytime people encourage others to get them from shelters.
Regardless of how you “lost custody” of Isabel, it’s always painful to lose an animal. When my ex-wife and I divorced nearly 10 years ago, we had five dogs; she took two of them and I kept three. It was like losing children (for both of us). Fortunately, we stayed friendly, so I was able to stay in a bit of contact with them. (Sadly, one of the dogs — who is the daughter of my lone remaining dog now — was lost while she was being boarded at a vet clinic. We were never able to find her, despite an intense effort. Dog lovers might be interested in the web site we still have up for her: http://www.findmunchkin.com/ )
Anyway, congrats on getting Daisy to keep Harper company. She might bug the stew out of the older one for awhile with her puppy ways, but I’m sure they’ll be best of pals very soon.
Personally, I like cats and dogs WAY better than people. I just don’t trust people who don’t like animals. :-)
Awwwww.
Welcome to the family Daisy! You have a tough job ahead of you…keeping Radley in line!
She looks so happy. I’m the proud parent of a rescue dog, an aussie cattle dog, and i think what you do for animals both in your home and on the blog is admirable.
Please keep up the dog-blogging. While not the most productive part of the blog as far as education/aggitation goes, it’s certainly my favorite.
What a wonderful pup. Congratulations! And thanks for adopting.
As my apartment complex does not allow dogs (the nerve!), I have two rescue cats. One was born feral in a forest preserve in the People’s Republic of Illinois. There’s something about having pets that is very humbling, knowing you are pretty much their entire world.
You dirty bastard, tugging on our heart strings like that! I’m fairly certain it is your secret liberal plot to give us all bleeding hearts! Or is it your secret conservative plot to eliminate our hearts?
When do we get to see pics of Harper and Daisy together?
Radley:
I lost all 3 of mine when mid-”separation” my ex moved suddenly 1000 miles away one year ago.
The apartment I moved into for the separation doesn’t allow dogs, and the economy took my job, thus ruling out a move for now.
I am envious of you. Good luck with Daisy.
Awwwwww. Thank you for rescuing a shelter dog and thank you for sharing the cuteness.
What a cute pup. Dogs are the greatest.
What was that book a few years ago that described how animal species have trained human beings, such as dogs manipulating us, through their professed adoration, to work for them?
Which is as it should be.
Congrats on the new pup. If you haven’t had a pup in awhile, I’d like to suggest clicker training. I used for the first time with my boy when he was a pup 4 years ago and it works amazingly well…
http://www.clickerlessons.com/whatis.htm
As an armchair disciple of dog behavior, I’d recommend taking this opportunity to try to gain some insight into what Harper and Daisy are experiencing, as well.
Two of my favorite authors on the subject: Jan Fennell and Dr. Patricia McConnell.
Both have opened my eyes and given me an entirely new perspective on the dog-human bond. (THE most interesting inter-species relationship, IMO)
Ditto on the adoption kudos, and good luck with your new pack!
Congrats on the new addition.
If she is part australian shepherd, hopefully she has the same awesome personality as all the aussies I have owned. Example:
Me: I’m home! Did you miss me?
Dog: Why would I miss you? Do you have biscuits? Please, dear God, tell me you have biscuits! I want one. I’m so abused, you left me without biscuits forever.
Me: Calm down, I only went to get the mail.
I suppose it doesn’t help that the neighbor comes over with a pockt full of peanut butter biscuits all the time.
Best of luck with the new pooch.
She’s an adorable fuzz-butt. While she may not be a cat, she’s a good looker for a dog.
She is, indeed, cute.
I have had an australian shepard as a pet thru 2 dogs (spanning 20 years).
Daisy is very cute, but not an aussie.
I’ll have my wife take a look at the images tonight (she is a veterinarian) and see what she thinks.
The white paws make me think Beagle but honestly she looks to be a Heinze 57.
down dinging clicker training? whats up with that?
Daisy’s a cutie patootie. I hope Harper enjoys her new friend.
Yeesh. You’re making me want a dog!
Radical, she’s gorgeous. Really. And I love the name Daisy.
Australians rule, by the way.
[...] Henley: “Radley’s news reminds me that the other day I figured out that a less embarrassing business model for the [...]
Radley, that is one lovely little dog. Congrats.
I’m just glad my 12-year-old daughter doesn’t read your blog, because it would be one more angle she’d use to pester me into getting her a dog.
Welcome, Daisy, you cute pooch, you! And, what a terrific way to obtain a pet. All of my pets come from shelters and always will. Congratulations, Radley, on the newest addition to your family.
Noooo! Must resist the cuteness. We’ve been dealing with a slightly mopey 10 year old dog ever since we got back from vacation. Figured out it’s because he’s lonely after spending 2+ weeks in the company of a friend’s two dogs. Add Peter T. Dog’s welfare to my daughter’s repeated requests for her very own dog, and your dog/puppy blogging pushes me right over the top.
Congrats on the new addition.
…clicking over to the local no-kill and 2nd chance rescue groups now.
Ignatius,
You want your almost teen daughter to hang out with the furry kind of dog, or the teen male version? I say go get her a good dog! It’s for the children and all that.
My chocolate lab, Bear, was in the “new hope” program at our local kill shelter, which means the folks down there gave him an extra week after he was scheduled to be killed, hoping someone would adopt him. We did, and it’s the best purchase I’ve ever made. $30 for one of my best friends, and – sorry, Radley and others – the sweetest dog in the world.
Daisy is freakin’ cute. More pictures, please!
So. Much. Cuteness.
Both our dogs are rescues and we couldn’t be happier with them. And an Aussie? HERDING DOGS FTW!
That is adorable. I’m going to join in the chorus of “awwwwwwwwwww.”
Also, my sympathy on the loss of Isabel, whatever the circumstances were. That’s never a pleasant experience. I hope she’s doing well, wherever she is.
Jesus Christ, I think we have the same couch Radley.
Anyways, nice looking pup and a rescue makes it even better. Good work.
Congrats Radley! Daisy sure is cute. I have 4 dogs, all rescued from various shelters. My youngest (now 3yo) was the cutest LITTLE guy. He is now 120 lbs and is taller than me (5’7″) when he stands on his hind legs. He is no longer cute, but I think rather handsome. X between a german shepherd and some sort of LARGE hound like a Borzoi, Irish Wolfhound or the like. People are fascinated by him because he looks like no other dog I have ever seen. Enjoy the puppy time, it never lasts long enough!!
I myself just got a puppy this week. He’s half husky half border collie. He joins my two other dogs (we have a huge yard), one of whom is laying next to me here at the office relishing his break from getting his ears constantly bitten by a puppy that’s about a tenth his size. I wish I could post pics here in the comments.
Congrats Radley. Let’s see some more pics, and some nice stories about Daisy’s antics would sure lend some more levity to this page, which, let’s face it, can be downright depressing sometimes (Corey Maye, etc.).
AWWW! Congrats on the new puppy, Radley! She looks sweet enough to cause a toothache.
Just to clarify, I gave Hannah @#19 a thumb’s down (and a good-natured one at that) for her anti-dog sentiment, not for the “adorable fuzz-butt” comment.
I think they meant Australian Cattle Dog (aka Red Heeler). Daisy looks very similar to our ACD/some sort of terrier mix. Also a rescue dog.
She does have a tendency to chew on things she shouldn’t while we’re gone. I’d suggest investing in a crate if you don’t already have one.
Yeah, I’d believe Australian Cattle Dog too after looking at some pictures.
I’ve been needing a dog for a few years. I’m thinking an old dog, though. They’re my favorites.
Thanks for saving a pup from becoming one of those “high kill” statistics.
http://www.ilovedogs.com/blog/?p=933
Gorgeous puppy! Congratulations!
I agree with the Red Heeler part, but that face shape leads me to think she may have some Dachshund in her ancestry somewhere?
Radley, she’s gorgeous. Congratulations and have many happy years together!
As an Aussie I say definitively that we here in Oz ain’t ever heard of an Australian Shepherd! We have a breed called German Shepherd or Alsatian (Shhhh! Don’t mention ze var!). She might have a bit of Cattle Dog, be warned, they run all day and like herding cats!
Had my wife take a look. Right now she says she looks like an American Mutt :)
Once she gets older more breed specific traits might become obvious.
[...] Evening Dog Blogging: New Puppy Edition http://bit.ly/zQiXE What a cute puppy! Congratulations on adopting, [...]
[...] Radley’s news reminds me that the other day I figured out that a less embarrassing business model for the newspaper business would be: puppies! You still can’t use the internet to housebreak a dog. Granted, AP is probably a week and a half announcing a plan to claim royalties for sticks and wees, and there are alternatives, but like the man said, if you can’t get along with people, you gotta start somewhere; with animals! Posted by Jim Henley @ 8:11 am, Filed under: Main Comments (3) « « Double-Binding Up the Wounds | Main | But I don’t even own a ranch! » » [...]