Anonymous wrote:I will tell you that mine is a rescue immediately. I do not want a prize. However, he barks a big bark and can nip...he was in major pain and had trust issues. So this explains.BTW..in 4 or 5 months he's changed 180° and is doing better with people.

I think that falls in the category of useful information, though. Not smug.

I will tell you that mine is a rescue immediately. I do not want a prize. However, he barks a big bark and can nip...he was in major pain and had trust issues. So this explains.BTW..in 4 or 5 months he's changed 180° and is doing better with people.

Maybe some people on this thread simply need clarification- it used to be that you could just go to the pound or an animal shelter and get a dog. You can still go that route. But now there are groups that take dogs from high kill shelters, busted puppy mills, etc., either to a facility or to be fostered in volunteers' homes. These groups are called "Rescues." The people who adopt those animals aren't just using the word "rescue" to pat themselves on the back; that is the actual name of the kind of group through which they adopted their pet.

Rescues tend to use social media and the internet to "advertise" the animals they are trying to help, moreso than pounds or shelters do. They take the animals in, spread the word that they need homes, and once the animals are adopted they can take in more from the pound, shelter, etc. Some rescues are breed specific, so someone doing a web search for a basset hound to adopt will probably come across a basset hound rescue organization.

Anonymous wrote:When did "rescue" become a thing? Dogs used to come from "the pound" or "humane society", but now we must characterize them all as having been "rescued". It didn't used to be so NOBLE to just get a dog from the pound. No big deal. But now that we have re-branded as having RESCUED the dog, I guess it's a thing.

I'll take societal enlightenment as "a thing." Putting up with the word "rescue" is a small price to pay for the lives of thousands of dogs per year that otherwise would have been euthanized, left to die long, slow deaths in cages or dumped somewhere to slowly starve to death because their hunting skills weren't up to snuff.

Many people obviously don't realize that there are millions of dogs out there that are in dire straits due to lack of human compassion (in which they should educate themselves) or they just don't care. I really hope it's ignorance rather than cold hearted inhumanity.

Anonymous wrote:For many families, a puppy from a reputable breeder is the best choice.

Rescues aren't good choices for a lot of families, especially those with small children. And some shelters won't even place animals with young families.

I have never met an organization that point blank said no children, except a couple breed specific rescues. There is a border collie rescue I'm thinking of that says no children under 6 or 7. Otherwise, it's a bit more specific (no dogs under 20 lbs to homes with toddlers, or they'll label individual dogs as okay or not okay with kids).

I have a 2 year old and just went through the process of meeting/applying for dozens of dogs from dozens of organizations. All were willing to work with me until I found the right dog. I ended up with a perfect one from a Baltimore rescue who is the size/temperament I wanted. GREAT with my toddler. It took a few months of digging around, and I tried and returned 2 when it was clear they weren't good fits, but at the end of the day it worked out.

I do not fault people who choose to go to a responsible breeder who health/temperament tests and titles the parents, but I think most people who go to breeders are picking people who may show a dog or two and say they have "championship lines" because the great grandfather was a champion.

Anonymous wrote:When did "rescue" become a thing? Dogs used to come from "the pound" or "humane society", but now we must characterize them all as having been "rescued". It didn't used to be so NOBLE to just get a dog from the pound. No big deal. But now that we have re-branded as having RESCUED the dog, I guess it's a thing.

A rescue is a private organization (often they don't have a shelter, they keep dogs in foster homes). When looking for a dog, I specifically targeted rescues as opposed to shelters, as I needed to know what my dog was like in a home environment with a family and other dogs.

When did "rescue" become a thing? Dogs used to come from "the pound" or "humane society", but now we must characterize them all as having been "rescued". It didn't used to be so NOBLE to just get a dog from the pound. No big deal. But now that we have re-branded as having RESCUED the dog, I guess it's a thing.

For many families, a puppy from a reputable breeder is the best choice.

Rescues aren't good choices for a lot of families, especially those with small children. And some shelters won't even place animals with young families.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not even going to wade into the breeder discussion.

I will say this, however: the hackles that arise in people when they hear rescue is just more of the same old, same old. Sure, maybe some people are superior about it.

But I have noticed that if you say you have a rescue, or that you are a vegetarian, or you drive a prius, or whatever, there is a certain type of person who is automatically going to feel judged and that the speaker is smug.

It is as if you are supposed to stay completely quiet about your choices because the other person might feel judged or insecure about theirs.

I am kind over people who feel this prickly.

Why do you feel compelled to tell people you have "a rescue," though? That's what I don't get. I also have a dog from rescue and unless people ask or it's otherwise contextually relevant, I don't mention her rescue status. Why would I?

The people I talk to who mention that their dog is a rescue are usually trying to explain something about it; that they don't know the exact age or breed, that the dog is fearful because of its negative early experiences, its behavior might be unpredictable, etc.

For every person that I have come across that has mentioned the "rescue" origin of their dog I have come across at least one that has talked about their dog's breeder.

We got a young dog from a rescue group recently, and people ask lots of questions that can only be answered with "we didn't get him from a breeder" or "I don't know- we got her from a rescue group and don't have a lot of information about her background." It's not oversharing or bragging, just answering questions or clarifying details.

I don't think this is the kind of "rescue" name dropping that people are prickly over, right? If someone asks me what breed my dog is or how old she is, the only answer is "I don't know exactly because she's a rescue dog." People seriously don't get hung up on that kind of response, do they??

No, they don't. This is an entirely different sort of discussion. It's not hard to suss out smug from useful. If talking about rescue adds useful information to a conversation, it's fine and not obnoxious. If talking about rescue only adds information on the role of the speaker as rescuer, it's smug.


"What kind of dog do you have?"
"I don't know; we think she's a lab mix based on what the rescue organization said." <---- totally fine

"What kind of dog do you have?"
"She's a rescue." <---- smug (offers no useful answer to the actual question, is all about the role of the adopter)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a purebred dog who was, in fact, a shelter dog. I don't announce she's a rescue but I don't believe in breeding to increase the dog population when so many animals are homeless. Sorry.

+1

For every dog purchased from a breeder, a rescue dog who needs a home dies.

It is unethical to purchase dogs from breeders. IMO. I think less of people who do it.

Not really. I myself volunteer at shelters but got my own dog from a breeder. The fact that a person previously failed the rescue
Dog somehow does not lie on my shoulders.

It lies on all our shoulders. The way we treat animals says a lot about us as human beings. Buying dogs from a breeder while another dog dies in a shelter is just wrong. Ignorance is not an excuse.

We tried to work with 2 different rescue organizations. Both turned us down because we have a child with autism. My kid is gentle and has never hit or hurt anyone. My kid is terrific with animals, including a very shy, older cat that we inherited from his grandmother. Despite that, the autism diagnosis was a total rule-out.

We've had two terrific dogs from responsible breeders since then. My kid is terrific with them.

Rescues are often too difficult for many families to work with.

I'm glad you found dogs for your family. I volunteer for a rescue and I don't judge how people welcome dogs into their families- breeder, rescue, shelter, whatever works.

That said, rescues are very wary of dogs being adopted and returned. I imagine that's why you were rejected. I'm sorry you were not given a chance because of a family member's autism. That's a missed opportunity for the rescue groups to learn about the bonds that can form between people with autism and their dogs.

I know, right? Many (most, I think) people with autism are great with dogs. Dogs are excellent with people with autism. Dogs are excellent at social communication and are able to read cues and meet the person where he/she is at. Dogs also provide a bridge for people with autism and normal peers. Most people like dogs and they provide something to talk about with peers. Having a dog at home improves outcomes for kids with autism.

I am not mad at the rescues for saying "no." (Even though they are wrong.) I was including my family as an example of why some people choose a breeder.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not even going to wade into the breeder discussion.

I will say this, however: the hackles that arise in people when they hear rescue is just more of the same old, same old. Sure, maybe some people are superior about it.

But I have noticed that if you say you have a rescue, or that you are a vegetarian, or you drive a prius, or whatever, there is a certain type of person who is automatically going to feel judged and that the speaker is smug.

It is as if you are supposed to stay completely quiet about your choices because the other person might feel judged or insecure about theirs.

I am kind over people who feel this prickly.

Why do you feel compelled to tell people you have "a rescue," though? That's what I don't get. I also have a dog from rescue and unless people ask or it's otherwise contextually relevant, I don't mention her rescue status. Why would I?

The people I talk to who mention that their dog is a rescue are usually trying to explain something about it; that they don't know the exact age or breed, that the dog is fearful because of its negative early experiences, its behavior might be unpredictable, etc.

For every person that I have come across that has mentioned the "rescue" origin of their dog I have come across at least one that has talked about their dog's breeder.

We got a young dog from a rescue group recently, and people ask lots of questions that can only be answered with "we didn't get him from a breeder" or "I don't know- we got her from a rescue group and don't have a lot of information about her background." It's not oversharing or bragging, just answering questions or clarifying details.

I don't think this is the kind of "rescue" name dropping that people are prickly over, right? If someone asks me what breed my dog is or how old she is, the only answer is "I don't know exactly because she's a rescue dog." People seriously don't get hung up on that kind of response, do they??

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not even going to wade into the breeder discussion.

I will say this, however: the hackles that arise in people when they hear rescue is just more of the same old, same old. Sure, maybe some people are superior about it.

But I have noticed that if you say you have a rescue, or that you are a vegetarian, or you drive a prius, or whatever, there is a certain type of person who is automatically going to feel judged and that the speaker is smug.

It is as if you are supposed to stay completely quiet about your choices because the other person might feel judged or insecure about theirs.

I am kind over people who feel this prickly.

Why do you feel compelled to tell people you have "a rescue," though? That's what I don't get. I also have a dog from rescue and unless people ask or it's otherwise contextually relevant, I don't mention her rescue status. Why would I?

The people I talk to who mention that their dog is a rescue are usually trying to explain something about it; that they don't know the exact age or breed, that the dog is fearful because of its negative early experiences, its behavior might be unpredictable, etc.

For every person that I have come across that has mentioned the "rescue" origin of their dog I have come across at least one that has talked about their dog's breeder.

We got a young dog from a rescue group recently, and people ask lots of questions that can only be answered with "we didn't get him from a breeder" or "I don't know- we got her from a rescue group and don't have a lot of information about her background." It's not oversharing or bragging, just answering questions or clarifying details.

Anonymous wrote:I am not even going to wade into the breeder discussion.

I will say this, however: the hackles that arise in people when they hear rescue is just more of the same old, same old. Sure, maybe some people are superior about it.

But I have noticed that if you say you have a rescue, or that you are a vegetarian, or you drive a prius, or whatever, there is a certain type of person who is automatically going to feel judged and that the speaker is smug.

It is as if you are supposed to stay completely quiet about your choices because the other person might feel judged or insecure about theirs.

I am kind over people who feel this prickly.

Why do you feel compelled to tell people you have "a rescue," though? That's what I don't get. I also have a dog from rescue and unless people ask or it's otherwise contextually relevant, I don't mention her rescue status. Why would I?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a purebred dog who was, in fact, a shelter dog. I don't announce she's a rescue but I don't believe in breeding to increase the dog population when so many animals are homeless. Sorry.

+1

For every dog purchased from a breeder, a rescue dog who needs a home dies.

It is unethical to purchase dogs from breeders. IMO. I think less of people who do it.

Faulty logic here PP. You assume that in each case the person WILL get a dog, and it's merely a matter of sourcing. Nope. We simply would not get a rescue dog. Too many variables for us (we have a complicated family profile). If we got a dog, it would be only from a reputable breeder with known personality of dog parents and known traits of the breed. No dog died because we got a dog from a breeder. We wouldn't have gotten the rescue. We weren't going to "save" any dog. Sorry.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a purebred dog who was, in fact, a shelter dog. I don't announce she's a rescue but I don't believe in breeding to increase the dog population when so many animals are homeless. Sorry.

+1

For every dog purchased from a breeder, a rescue dog who needs a home dies.

It is unethical to purchase dogs from breeders. IMO. I think less of people who do it.

You should get another rescue dog then. And another. And another. You are personally responsible for all those dogs not in your house right now that just died. How selfish of you, to limit the amount of dogs you have. You should move to a 10-acre plot in WV and rescue 100 dogs. Look, 100 dogs will die tomorrow because you were too selfish to change your lifestyle to save them.

Do you see where I'm going here? Did you not learn anything about trying to understand other people's points of view from the election? You're actually hurting the cause by being so nasty.

BTW I foster rescue dogs, and we are getting one from a breeder. That's the best fit for our family. It's breeder dog or none, so I guess we came out ahead as far as dog karma goes.

Oh look, another dog just died because you didn't save it.