SurvivingInfidelity.com^®

Well, thanks for all the kind help and advice.

I finally got my application in yesterday, and I heard today that there is already someone in line ahead of me for Miss Iridessa. So I guess this one won’t work out for me.

I’m sad, but I won’t give up. The weather is starting to be pretty more consistently, and April is loving her time outside. I’m going to do my best to find her a forever friend who can play away the days with her.

Maybe things won't work out with the applicant ahead of you. Five years ago we applied to adopt a rescue. When we went to meet her we just didn't click. We brought home our scruffy terrier mix instead.

If you don't get this one, hopefully you will find another that will fit into your pack.

Maybe the people ahead of you won't work out. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

Regarding the DNA tests, I'm skeptical about their accuracy. My BFF had a long-haired shepherd mix and his DNA test came back with all short hair dogs, like whippet and beagle. She even had them do it again, and it came back just the same.

We have crates for our dogs and they love them and hang out in them. We rarely close them in, and when we do, it's for their comfort, like when we have guests with small children.

I'm partial to Aussies, but the HAIR. OMG, the HAIR. We currently have a heeler and a beagle, and they both keep me on my toes. I nicknamed the heeler Dwight Schrute aka our assistant manager, because he runs a tight ship. If we don't do things on schedule, or if the beagle isn't doing what she's supposed to be doing, we all hear about it. Loudly. He's a big talker. And the beagle does what she wants, when she wants, including counter-surfing right in front of us. She's a mess, but she's a senior so we let her get away with more than we should. We didn't know what we were getting into with the heeler. I love him to pieces, but I'll never have another one. He's a LOT, and he needs a lot of activity - and trazadone when people are around - to keep him from being a nutcase.

With the exception of one Aussie that my daughter's BF bought from a breeder, we've always adopted. Moving forward, I'll only adopt from a rescue agency that fosters first and then finds a suitable home for that dog's temperament. We adopted the heeler directly from the shelter and when we realized that he would not be a good fit, there was no way we were taking him back. We just couldn't do that.

Anyway, I'm keeping the hope alive for Iridessa.

Remember someone telling you the right dog will come along, before you got Bella? I know you're disappointed but it's temporary.

OTOH getting the wrong dog can be a semi-permanent PITA!!! :(

I had to laughabout what SacredSoul says about never getting another heeler. It's so true! My nephew's long-time GF (now wife) adopted a rescue heeler/GSD as a cute pup, and although he stayed smaller like a heeler, he got the great big GSD attitude, needs constantly to be into something. They say he even barks at people going through the drive-through windows...and is generally intense! He's now almost 3 and they're expecting a baby in May....I hope he will adjust!

Our boy meantime embarrassed us on his 1st birthday with his 1st visit to a nice little dog park while we were travelling. He needed to stretch his legs from the truck crate, but of course just as I led him into the pen, another dog & owner showed up. I had to say "My dog has never been to a dog park before and really shouldn't be in with another dog..." The guy said he was going in to the adjacent fenced pen, but Mink was having none of it! Hackles up, major WOOF WOOF....OMG I'm ashamed. Luckily I had brought along a long line like they use to exercise horses, so we took him out into the larger park and tossed floats for him to catch. He forgot his annoyance at the other dog. I think it's his hormones kicking in...but wasn't what I want. I still miss my dear old Mr. K, because even if he did send out a warning WOOF, he came back down if you told him to. This wild child now, I am not sure how much more his temperament will change as he grows into an adult!

Whatsright, if not this one, there will be another needing a home, I'm sure.

Not a GOLDEN doodle but my daughter adopted a 9 year old Labradoodle this past week. Such a sad story this doggie had -- his 'person' died suddenly of pneumonia at age 41 two weeks ago. Friends have been keeping this doggie, trying to find a home for him. Not many want to adopt a 9 year old, they found out. My daughter has an English bulldog - full of energy - so she said she'd try the two dogs out together to see if they would play and bond. So far so good! If you know English Bulldogs, you know they have a face only a mother can love and my two small dogs are terrified of him. I mean, they scream like little girls when they see him. He's a year old and just full of himself. So the Labradoodle (not even sure that's how it's spelled) was so sad and now he's playing and having a great time with my daughter and her dog. She's been sending me videos and he's so cute - so much black curly hair and he's not big, just medium build. He holds his own with the English Bulldog and they chase each other and steal toys from each other.

I hope you find your new companion soon. Sounds like the little dog you got is totally devoted to your H - so you need your own.

They say he even barks at people going through the drive-through windows...and is generally intense! He's now almost 3 and they're expecting a baby in May....I hope he will adjust!

I think maybe the only dog that's more intense than a heeler is a border collie. Maybe. lol The heeler stare is something else. He'll just sit and look at me like he's on duty and waiting for his next task. And he truly enjoys every opportunity to bark his head off. I'll walk out to the mailbox and back and he'll bark at me like I've been gone a week. I hope your nephew's pup adjusts well to the new baby!

I mean, they scream like little girls when they see him.

Not many want to adopt a 9 year old

Your daughter is awesome. My husband has a real soft spot for the old girls. He's adopted two 10yo pups - a GSP and our sassy beagle. I love that about him! When she passes, we'll have room for another.

Yes, someone has to look out for the senior doggies. This guy had the same master from 6 weeks on until two weeks ago with his Master's sudden death. He had to be SO confused and my daughter said his sad eyes was something she couldn't turn away from. He goes to sleep on the foot of her bed but then takes himself to his own bed on the floor beside her bed. She's not putting the dogs together at night. Her English Bulldog has his own room, a HUGE crate and she puts him to bed like a child. So there he is all laid out with his pacifier full of creamy peanut butter, sucking away. Makes me laugh out loud. Like me, my daughter is a real dog person.

I just have to share a sweet story with you all.

My granddaughter has been here this afternoon/evening and is spending the night. We ate in bed with Grandpa, did a school project, and homework. Then bath and to bed.

As we were quieting down to go to sleep, I grabbed her little hands and said a quick prayer thanking Jesus for our fun night together and to help us have a good day tomorrow. She was quiet as a mouse, and when I finished, she said, "Good night, Maggie".

I can't stop crying.

She is such a precious child. 💕💕💕

That must have just melted your heart WR. It brought a tear to my eye.

How very sweet. This is why pets are important. They truly can give kids their first experiences of many of life's challenges.

I was thinking about you and wanting another doggo. I would encourage you to reach out to rescues in your area and offer to be a foster. Get a doodle or 2 to foster before you choose that its right for you or not. We fostered for a while when I put a moratorium on no more pets, we had had 3 dogs and a cat and 2 guinea pigs and I was doing the majority of the care. Getting a foster to help someone else was a good option at that time.

Her English Bulldog has his own room, a HUGE crate and she puts him to bed like a child. So there he is all laid out with his pacifier full of creamy peanut butter, sucking away.

I've got a vision!

"Good night, Maggie"

That's beautiful, WhatsRight.

I think maybe the only dog that's more intense than a heeler is a border collie.

I haven’t had these breeds, but I have to say the Aussiedoodles, both 50% and 75% poodle are the most intense and challenging dogs I have ever owned.

The stalk and herd instinct is crazy and it’s like they tune out everything else and can’t hear or see anyone or anything else when they are on the hunt. They watch the doors and windows compulsively and are insanely reactive to all noises. When they play it looks like professional wrestlers with a deep grudge -Full tilt, all the time. They aren’t food motivated and eat sporadically. Whenever we go out to socialize and they are offered treats they always drop them, if they even take them. And they are not interested in meeting new people, only herding them until they leave! All that aside, they cuddle me better than any dog I have ever owned and life with them is a comedy show, all the time. Also, apparently their lives have no meaning if I leave the room, so they follow me everywhere, all the time. If I leave them home and go out, I am greeted with the saddest crying and loving barking greeting I’ve ever gotten from a dog.

If I live long enough to be blessed with another fur baby, I’m going for the senior citizen rescue pups. This batch takes so much more work than I had planned!

Jeaniegirl, that Labradoodle got a second chance at love. What a sad story with a happy ending.

What’s Right, I’m sure the right dog will find you, good luck to you adding to your fur family.

I have to say the Aussiedoodles, both 50% and 75% poodle are the most intense and challenging dogs I have ever owned.

They're SO CUTE. They look like Muppets!

Your description had me rolling.

I was feeling all mushy about my heeler while ready your post, so I reached down to pet him. He was asleep at my feet and as soon as I touched him, he freaked out, leapt to his feet, and was ready for action. INTENSE.

I just thought I would share with you all that I have been online non stop looking for a new family member for us.

Anyway, I have found a "hound pup" that I am very much in love with. I have no idea what kind of "hound" she is, but that seems to be the kind of pup I am always drawn to. A hound mutt. She has the most fabulous ears, and the sweetest face that is gazing into the camera. And she cocks her head to one side. so precious!

I had been thinking that I might want a dog a year or so old instead of a puppy so that she could immediately hold her own with my April when playing outside. But this little one is too cute to pass up. I have already sent two emails today to the rescue. All I can do is just hold my breath.

I have already renamed her Maddie. ❤️

I realize it is dangerously close to my Maggie’s name, but that’s not the reason for naming her Maddie. Her name they have given her is close to Maddie, but I have a family member with that name.

Happily, the place I would need to travel to is not too horribly far from where I live.

I can’t seem to find an application online that I can fill out, so just waiting now for an answer to my email to let me know how to proceed.

Wish me luck!

[This message edited by WhatsRight at 11:36 PM, Saturday, March 16th]

Good luck WhatsRight!!!

Good luck!!! I'm crossing my fingers and my toes for you!

Whooooo wouldn't want WR to have another sweet hound? Missy sends howls of approval.... Mink just barked assent. You go, girl, git that dawg.

OK… So here’s the deal.

The lady called me today. We talked for about 15 or 20 minutes. She is SO nice! As much as I am glad that people who find homes for rescues like to Vet the potential owners, sometimes it seems almost like you’re applying for the FBI.

This lady was so nice. She’s going to zoom call me in the morning, then, if all goes well, I will drive to where she is on Wednesday and we will see how it goes. She said if all went well, then I would be able to bring the pup home… No need for a second trip.

She sent me a picture of the parents. Brace yourselves. The father is just about the most beautiful dog I’ve ever seen. Larger than I would’ve wanted, but still. The mother is a very sweet nondescript dog. Unfortunately, she did not survive the birth. So the four out of her 10 puppies that lived have been nursed by a surrogate mother.

I had my granddaughters mother run the picture of the father through an app she has on her phone that tries to give you a good idea of the heritage. Based on the picture. Oh dear Lord… It came back… Wait for it… Bloodhound and Mastiff.

OK, I know that’s big. But, the lady at the rescue said that the dad was 60 pounds and the mother was 40 pounds. She also said that the three females were small like the mother, and the one that I wanted is the runt of the litter.

Tonight I just know I’m going to dream about the face of a mastiff that I pulled up on the Internet after speaking with her. Ha ha

When I told her that I mostly wanted the puppy for three reasons… Of course first of all to give it a good home. Secondly to give April a playmate that could hold their own with her. And thirdly, to be my snuggle bunny. She told me that every time she picks up that particular puppy, she will just put her face up against hers. But that she is also very playful .

I also mentioned the idea of putting her through the good citizen training in order to be a therapy dog. For example, at my nieces hospice unit. She said that she thought the dog I had chosen would be perfect for that.

I was hoping I could find a dog that was about a year or two old so that April did not have to wait yet again for a dog to get through puppyhood before she could play full out with her. But these puppies were born mid November. So they are a little over four months old.

I have to tell y’all that I have had one of the shittiest days today that I’ve had in a long time. Just one of those days where everything gets on your nerves plus my arm/shoulder has been hurting pretty bad. So this news has lifted my spirits so amazingly. Just think, in three days I might have my puppy in my arms.

I showed the pictures to my husband and he just took his head at me. He knows how much I love dogs and he has long ago been resolved to my determination when I want one.

Really weird thing that happened, that I wouldn’t tell anybody, but you all… Was that when I told him where I had to drive to to pick up the puppy, he said, "oh, do you remember anything in particular about that place?" And yes, I did remember, but I didn’t think he would… It was the first place we ever had sex. That was so unbelievably strange that he would say that… Because there has been no mention of any type of relationship other than putting up with each other through his health struggles in 10 years probably or more.

I thought at my age, nothing would surprise me, but I guess you just never know. So there’s a weird, random thing.

Anyway, thank you so much for being so supportive (as usual) as I have been on this hunt for my next baby. I don’t care how big she gets. I don’t care if I have to build a larger addition to the house. I know I have been grieving about Maggie, but I don’t think that even I have realized how much. I just can’t wait till Wednesday!

Somebody figure out a way to explain to a total tech idiot how to post a picture!

Well, not sure about some computer guessing game on any particular cross between different dog breeds. Seeing the actual parents is a better guess.

I'm left wondering why the mother dog died....how sad for the babies!

Just something I wonder about: early puppy experiences nursing, and how they later on feel about their world. Because doggos have strong feelings!

Mink has always seemed worried about every breakfast, lunch or dinner he will be getting! After 10 months of 3 meals a day, you know, I'd expect he could trust us to feed his hungry tummy? But noooo... his screams at dinner time seem way out of proportion to his reality as a spoiled, pampered puppy dog! So I can't help but wonder sometimes, if maybe back in the Czech Republic where he was born, maybe he got 'the short end of the stick,' as it were. I mean, maybe his momma wasn't a good producer of milk, or he got weaned a bit too soon, which we'll never know.

Hope I'm over-thinking these things and you get good news!

Hounds can he difficult to train due their intense drive to smell everything.
I'm a huge fan if larger dogs so it sounds like this pup will be on the bigger side. That's awesome. Love my snuggles from my big boys. Mastiffs are freaking amazing dogs and such chill personalities.

Suprese- I have labs so they are always starving at mealtime. My 5yo can definitely tell time. He starts nudging me an hour before dinner. He does a lab dance when it's actual mealtime you can Google it, they dance on their front feet back and forth. Its hysterical. They have never missed a meal. But we were going slow this morning, and he was bumping me while drying and dressing after my shower because I was 3 minutes late. Lol.