How long is the Adoption process?
Some of the requirements for a dog for me will be, *Absolutely no food, toy or child aggression *Must not just tolerate, but enjoy being around young children. I have a 3 year old niece who will probably be 4 by the time I get my dog, I don't want to have to shut my dog away in his or her own home when Audrey comes over. *No dog aggression,No Cat aggression or chasing. I have an 11 year old cat and I plan on visiting a local dog park, and using a local Doggie day care place 1 a week for socialization and visiting a dog friendly outdoor mall down near Detroit in the summers. Based on my requirements how long do you think it would take for me to be matched with a dog? I don't care what the sex is, but it would be nice to get a 2-4 year old dog so I have lots of time with them. I'm asking because When I save enough, I will be moving out of my mom home, into my first apartment. I already have the complex picked out, and the allow large breed dogs. So that is covered. I just would like to have the dog within a month of moving. I don't like being home alone by myself. Thanks for any info you can give me! Amanda |
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I'll just be honest. I think it's terrific that you want to adopt! Please do, we need more people adopting! However, the more picky you are, the longer you will wait. It's not a bad thing though! I encourage you to wait as long as you and the rescue need to in order to find the perfect companion for you and the perfect home for the dog. We fell into Lucy; we fostered her and fell in love. Maybe you should consider fostering first...you'll really get to know the breed that way  . |
| Unfortunately, finding a rescue dog that meets your requirements could take a very long time. Some great dogs come into rescue but often they are surrendered because of injuries inflicted on young children. Not aggressive behavior but their exuberant nature and prey drive/herding instinct. Resource guarding behavior can be corrected but is also something many dogs come into rescue with. I will be very honest and say that given the choice between an apartment dweller vs. someone who owns a home with a fenced yard the homeowner will usually get the dog. People with previous OES experience or someone known to be a great dog owner or who has recently lost their OES could take precedence over someone new to the breed. Rescues choose homes for the dogs based on what is in the dog's best interest, not how desperately someone wants a dog. There are lots of dogs needing homes but many are older or special needs dogs that are harder to place. People willing to consider adopting these dogs are the true heroes.  If you absolutely have to have a dog with all the qualities you've listed, you may have to buy the big OES stuffie toy from Costco. Seriously, dogs like you're asking for don't come into rescue very often.Be sure you are financially ready to take on the responsibility of a dog, whether purchased or rescued. In about a month we go through a $54 bag of dog food with just one dog! Plan for vet bills you hope you'll never have because veterinary care isn't cheap and most people don't carry insurance on their pets. There are also grooming expenses whether you pay for a groomer's services or purchase your own tools and do it yourself. There are always toys, treats, collars, leashes and other fun bling to buy. Oh, and don't forget training! Some rescues make proof of training a requirement. Most rescues ask a $300-$400 donation for a dog which in most cases doesn't even cover the cost of the vet care the rescue spends on the dog prior to placement. Not to be a total Debbie Downer, if you're really convinced this is the breed for you and you want to adopt, DO volunteer to help your nearest rescue! Maybe you can't foster because of time or space limitations but helping with home visits, transportation, correspondence, fundraisers, dog grooming or whatever is a huge help. You'll stand out as a responsible, caring person that a rescue may recognize as just the kind of adopter they are seeking for a particular dog. Rescue really is an eye-opening experience  where you see the best and worst in people. Just be patient in your search and the right dog will eventually come along. Whether you're buying or rescuing a dog the waiting is the hardest part. |
| I agreee with Nita but, I would like to add...... I lost a boy at the age of 5 to Lymphoma I also have two 13 years olds in the house so, age is not a gaurantee! |
| When we got our Rudy we looked for about a month, then connected with a rescue, and it was less than a week to be matched and approved. It took another week or so to set up his travel arrangements. Things can move quickly when you connect, but there's no telling how long it will take to find that special one. Since you are thinking of rescue, and are willing to take a two to four year old, that does open things up a bit more. You may also want to consider a mixed breed sheepie or one who is thought to be purebred but there's no real proof. That opens up your options a lot more. Yes, some will dismiss you immediately, but keep trying, and be flexible. There were no sheepies here in Winnipeg (Manitoba, Canada) who needed homes, and we talked to rescues all over Canada and the US. Many who were close enough to drive to wouldn't work with us because we were more than three hours away (their placement restrictions). We finally connected with one in Florida (we figured it would have been a three DAY drive, so we opted for flying him two thirds of the way, and picked him up and drove him the final nine hours). We fell in love with one in Colorado before Rudy. He had special needs and we could easily have accomodated them, so we got to be his backup in case a local placement couldn't be found. Luckily for him, a wonderful local family adopted him shortly after that, but I still feel a little sad that we missed out. I think he would have been wonderful too. So good luck to you. Take your time and be patient. The right sheepie is out there (or will be). I'd also check out local ads. You might find one being rehomed by its owner, and then you can plead your case directly. Working with a rescue is certainly preferable, but I've known some people who have adopted directly from the owner, and it's worked out. There really are lots of options. |
traciels28 wrote: Since you are thinking of rescue, and are willing to take a two to four year old, that does open things up a bit more. You may also want to consider a mixed breed sheepie or one who is thought to be purebred but there's no real proof. That opens up your options a lot more. Yes, some will dismiss you immediately, but keep trying, and be flexible. There were no sheepies here in Winnipeg (Manitoba, Canada) who needed homes, and we talked to rescues all over Canada and the US. Many who were close enough to drive to wouldn't work with us because we were more than three hours away (their placement restrictions). We finally connected with one in Florida (we figured it would have been a three DAY drive, so we opted for flying him two thirds of the way, and picked him up and drove him the final nine hours). So good luck to you. Take your time and be patient. The right sheepie is out there (or will be). I'd also check out local ads. You might find one being rehomed by its owner, and then you can plead your case directly. Working with a rescue is certainly preferable, but I've known some people who have adopted directly from the owner, and it's worked out. There really are lots of options. I am totally open to mixes. As long as there is no, Chow, Rottweiler, Pit Bull or Staffordshire Terrier in the immediate lineage. The apartment I will be moving to does not allow those breeds, even as mixes. As far as my needs, I can't have a dog that is child aggressive. The other, I suppose I can work on food or toy aggression, but not child, that is something I will NOT budge on. |
| I am sure OES Rescues will not adopt a child aggressive dog to anybody with or planning on children! That would be setting the dog up to fail  The first step would be to fill out applications for rescue to be considered! Good Luck! |
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