More Sammy questions

BklynCwgrl · 08-13-2008, 08:14 AM

Just a couple of more pics from last night...both Sammy and Axle were in the same room at the same time!!

Now...here are the questions...

I purchased Sammy from a rescue. And I've been updated them every day on the trials and tribulations of introducing Sammy to the pack. I'm thinking the stories are funny and interesting...

So last night they called me and expressed their "concern" that poor Sammy was sleeping outside...because he's an indoor dog and needs his people. They said they would be glad to take Sammy back and will eventually find me another dog better suited to my home.

Now, a) of course my hope is that Sammy will be able to sleep with us. I mean I want all my dogs to be able to sleep where they want to. But I've been afraid up until now.

and b) let's just say that Sammy was to sleep outdoors forever...is that so terrible? Plenty of people have outdoor dogs. My other dog, Mikki, never wants to come inside. And it's not like they dont' have an indoor place to go into...they have a fully carpeted and furnished room that's not attached to the house where they can go if they want to be indoors.

and c)...I appreciate the concern BUT I am very dedicated to my animals...and if I thought for a minute that Sammy wouldn't work out, for his own good, I'd return him. But heck...he's only been here for a few days...and we're already making tons of progress. PLUS...the rescue only knows what's going on because I tell them! LOL I guess I'm too honest. I should just say "everything's fine...we're all doing great" instead of reporting all the gory details.

Finally...we DID keep Sammy in the house all last night. He slept with me in bed, and Dennis slept in the living room with Axle! LOL Now THAT'S not gonna work. But...the point is...things are moving in the right direction.

But again...if Sammy HAD to be an outside dog...is that soooo awful???

Carri · 08-13-2008, 08:23 AM

That seems very premature on their part! And no, if Sammy wanted to be an outside dog, that would not be a crime. Unless they are being helpful in some other ways, I would just let them know today that Sammy was able to sleep inside with you last night, everything is fine, you have it under control, and just not update them anymore other than "everything is perfect" type updates.

mandelyn82 · 08-13-2008, 08:56 AM

See... the indoor/outdoor thingy is tricky. I'm of the mind that if the dog wants out, it can stay out. If the dog wants out so it can bark at the wind all night, it's staying in.

If the dog wants in, then out, then in, then out... it gets crated and told to hush.

Some people keep the dog out because they want it out. Dog either accepts it or not. Some people are the other way, keeping the dog in.

I try to find what the dog wants, and so long as it works with what I want... we're good. Subsequently, I've always had indoor dogs as an adult... a mix of indoor/outdoor dogs as a kid.

We only had one dog refuse to sleep inside... Sissy the Italian Greyhound. It was like she was embarrassed that she couldn't hold it all night, and she just refused to come in one night after the last potty break... so we gave her a sweater, put more hay in the dog house, and out she stayed. Or maybe she just wanted to be a "real dog" since the big ones stayed out. Who knows.

Don't be so honest with the rescue... they like to think they know more about the dogs needs than you do. You obviously know how to work with Sammy now... so don't risk them asking for him back when you've put in all this work and made so much progress.

I wonder how it would go, if you put a crate on either side of the bed, Axle on your husband's side, and Sammy on your side... over time moving it closer together, until they slept next to each other in crates.

Or just putting two crates next to each other, and having them sleep there.

I had Leo sleeping in my room in a small crate.. he out grew it. So now he's in the giant crate in the laundry room. Ricca now sleeps on the floor in there.. instead of at the foot of the bed by me. Kinda sad.

If she leaves, he cries... and she goes back in there with him. It's cute... but I miss my girl! Can't wait for him to get big enough to sleep in the bed.

BklynCwgrl · 08-13-2008, 09:12 AM

This morning, after I made this thread, all the dogs were outside...and Mikki, Axle, and Sammy were getting along just fine! (Old Mel was not with them, of course).

And yes...I am a firm believer in, if the dog wants to be an indoor dog...he can be. If, like Mikki, he prefers outdoors...then so be it. Let the dog choose.

Tonight we will all try to sleep together and see what happens. I think they'll be fine.

And you're right...I need to stop giving blow-by-blows. The fact is...every two years or so, we get another dog...and we've introduced many a dog to the existing pack. It takes a few days, and everyone's one big happy family.

The next problem to tackle is that Sammy is a chow hound and wants to steal everyone's food. So, for now, he gets fed separately. Is that gonna hurt his feelings too??

P.S. They can't really take him back at their discretion, can they? I mean, he's mine now, isn't he? Unless there is REAL abuse going on...right?

snwflk · 08-13-2008, 10:23 AM

Read the fine print in the rescue paperwork- They could if they found "JUST CAUSE"- so I'd tell them that he is doing much better and that they are all friends- - I love rescue dogs, but sometimes they can be a little over zealous when it comes to makeing sure the dog is taking care of "THEIR WAY"- - I love dogs and I have two- but I have to remind myself sometimes that it is still a DOG- it has 4 legs and FUR and mine drools =) but.. if she wants to be outside then great- if I WANT her outside then great- but she will still do as I say - WHEN i say it.. shes 100 lbs of dog so she needs RULES- but anywhoo- your dogs are going to be fine and YOU are doing a great job! DONT let the rescue scare you-- YOUR a great doggy mom and doing things Perfectly for your family (critters and all)

Bless you for rescueing another dog - ESCPECIALLY a big one- they need loving too!

alliebath · 08-13-2008, 11:06 AM

Here are my 2 cents - I have done rescue for years. I am a firm believer of indoor dogs - I understand that there are those that think differently and I am fine with that. But, when you adopt a dog from me it is with the clear understanding that the dog will generally be a house dog (though on specific dogs I have bent my rules - nothing is hard and fast). I talk to the prospective owners about the fact that this is a house dog, that it has been a house dog and should continue to be a house dog. There is no question when I adopt a dog out what is expected if you (the prospective owner) adopt a dog from me.

If you told the rescue that you agree to keep the dog as a house dog, then I think you are violating their trust a bit. If that was not covered specifically, then I think you are doing just what you want and should do. More than that issue specifically - I think the rescue is just trying to be proactive in their contact of you. You know you are just sharing the trials and tribulations of adding a new pack member, but another adopter may do the same and be complaining about the issues. They are probably just letting you know that if there is a problem they are there. I would tell them that things are going exactly as you expected. You are not having second thoughts and you have no interest in returning Sammy, but thank them for the support and if things should ever change you totally understand that they are there for the dog.

BklynCwgrl · 08-13-2008, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alliebath

Here are my 2 cents - I have done rescue for years. I am a firm believer of indoor dogs - I understand that there are those that think differently and I am fine with that. But, when you adopt a dog from me it is with the clear understanding that the dog will generally be a house dog (though on specific dogs I have bent my rules - nothing is hard and fast). I talk to the prospective owners about the fact that this is a house dog, that it has been a house dog and should continue to be a house dog. There is no question when I adopt a dog out what is expected if you (the prospective owner) adopt a dog from me.

If you told the rescue that you agree to keep the dog as a house dog, then I think you are violating their trust a bit. If that was not covered specifically, then I think you are doing just what you want and should do. More than that issue specifically - I think the rescue is just trying to be proactive in their contact of you. You know you are just sharing the trials and tribulations of adding a new pack member, but another adopter may do the same and be complaining about the issues. They are probably just letting you know that if there is a problem they are there. I would tell them that things are going exactly as you expected. You are not having second thoughts and you have no interest in returning Sammy, but thank them for the support and if things should ever change you totally understand that they are there for the dog.

What I told them, and what I totally mean and intend, is that my dogs sleep wherever they want and wherever we are all comfortable. I have/had every intention of allowing Sammy (and all the other dogs) to be indoor dogs. I don't understand why people get dogs if they don't want them to be part of the family.

However...if the dog (like Mikki) prefers to be outdoors...so be it. I'm disappointed...I want her to be an indoor dog..but I'm not going to FORCE her to be one.

And...my older dog is now incontinent...she is no longer allowed to stay in the house for more than a few minutes at a time. She is fed indoors, and she gets to totter around the house, but, she has to be outside.

But..the reality is...Sammy gets more human time than most dogs get. My husband is retired and is home all day every day. I come home after work and spend time with all the animals. We rarely go away on the weekends because we love our house and animals. So I don't worry that my dogs don't get enough human contact.

And believe me...I appreciate rescues and the work they do. But I keep remembering when Ellen DeGeneris gave her rescue dog to another good home, and the rescue took him back. ????? I invited the rescue people to come check out our house....but it's far away from them. We drove over 100 miles to pick up Sammy.

blueberry · 08-13-2008, 11:29 AM

I think things are going fine with Sammy---everyone just needs time to adjust. I agree that it may be best to not give the rescue a play by play. Maybe contact them every couple of days when you have some real progress to inform them of. It sounds like Sammy has a great home, whether he sleeps indoors or outdoors. Keep up the good work

alliebath · 08-13-2008, 11:43 AM

I agree blueberry - sounds like Sammy is in a wonderful home.

The Ellen thing was a bit different. The word rescue was bantered around, but I am not sure that they were really a rescue as most would define one. The dog's "adoption" fee was something in the $700 range, it was a designer (mutt) puppy, not spayed, and the web site for the group looked very close to a puppy sale type site.

Though like most animal adoptions, they may have had in their contract that they had first right of refusal, and I don't think they got that.

Though as a rescue person, I would have asked to speak to the new home (to satisfy myself that it was a good placement) and then left the dog if the home was a good one.

I would just give them general updates - if you have any questions, ask them, but they sound a little over protective and worried (not a bad thing) and it might be best to just tell them the basics.

BklynCwgrl · 08-13-2008, 02:28 PM

Thanks you guys. I feel better now.

kellidahorsegirl · 08-13-2008, 09:13 PM

YAY for them getting along!!!!!

As for being outside........dont' ask me if thats ok....my two are outside ALL THE TIME. They only sleep inside cuz we don't have a kennel built and I'm worried they'll run off or something. They are allowed to come in and out KIND OF as they please too.

As for the rescue...yes you're too honest. The fact is that Sammy is yours now....but if you share so much detail about his new life...maybe they "miss" him and you're slightly enabling that by feeding the details. Did that make ANY sense at all?
Just like if I sold a horse....sure I'd like to know how they were doing, but if they shared too much details, I'd get a weird emotion about it. Are they feeding it right, grooming correctly, riding correctly, etc.

So maybe just once a month shoot them an email saying he is alive and well and you just love him.... then thank them for the "opportunity" to have him.

BklynCwgrl · 08-13-2008, 09:18 PM

Thanks Kelli...I doubt though that they miss Sammy since Sammy was residing in a training facility in a kennel. He wasn't living with any of the rescuers.

But I do tend to share too many details...I'm ALWAYS like that. I am an open book!

Gotta stop that!!!! Bad Robin...Bad Robin!

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08-13-2008, 08:23 AM
Carri Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 10,086	That seems very premature on their part! And no, if Sammy wanted to be an outside dog, that would not be a crime. Unless they are being helpful in some other ways, I would just let them know today that Sammy was able to sleep inside with you last night, everything is fine, you have it under control, and just not update them anymore other than "everything is perfect" type updates. __________________

08-13-2008, 08:56 AM
mandelyn82 Coming two Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ft. Campbell, KY Posts: 1,962	See... the indoor/outdoor thingy is tricky. I'm of the mind that if the dog wants out, it can stay out. If the dog wants out so it can bark at the wind all night, it's staying in. If the dog wants in, then out, then in, then out... it gets crated and told to hush. Some people keep the dog out because they want it out. Dog either accepts it or not. Some people are the other way, keeping the dog in. I try to find what the dog wants, and so long as it works with what I want... we're good. Subsequently, I've always had indoor dogs as an adult... a mix of indoor/outdoor dogs as a kid. We only had one dog refuse to sleep inside... Sissy the Italian Greyhound. It was like she was embarrassed that she couldn't hold it all night, and she just refused to come in one night after the last potty break... so we gave her a sweater, put more hay in the dog house, and out she stayed. Or maybe she just wanted to be a "real dog" since the big ones stayed out. Who knows. Don't be so honest with the rescue... they like to think they know more about the dogs needs than you do. You obviously know how to work with Sammy now... so don't risk them asking for him back when you've put in all this work and made so much progress. I wonder how it would go, if you put a crate on either side of the bed, Axle on your husband's side, and Sammy on your side... over time moving it closer together, until they slept next to each other in crates. Or just putting two crates next to each other, and having them sleep there. I had Leo sleeping in my room in a small crate.. he out grew it. So now he's in the giant crate in the laundry room. Ricca now sleeps on the floor in there.. instead of at the foot of the bed by me. Kinda sad. If she leaves, he cries... and she goes back in there with him. It's cute... but I miss my girl! Can't wait for him to get big enough to sleep in the bed. __________________ "The more people I meet the more I love my German Shepherd"

08-13-2008, 10:23 AM
snwflk Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 606	Read the fine print in the rescue paperwork- They could if they found "JUST CAUSE"- so I'd tell them that he is doing much better and that they are all friends- - I love rescue dogs, but sometimes they can be a little over zealous when it comes to makeing sure the dog is taking care of "THEIR WAY"- - I love dogs and I have two- but I have to remind myself sometimes that it is still a DOG- it has 4 legs and FUR and mine drools =) but.. if she wants to be outside then great- if I WANT her outside then great- but she will still do as I say - WHEN i say it.. shes 100 lbs of dog so she needs RULES- but anywhoo- your dogs are going to be fine and YOU are doing a great job! DONT let the rescue scare you-- YOUR a great doggy mom and doing things Perfectly for your family (critters and all) Bless you for rescueing another dog - ESCPECIALLY a big one- they need loving too! __________________ Suzie Q

08-13-2008, 11:06 AM
alliebath Yearling Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Leavenworth, Kansas Posts: 580	Here are my 2 cents - I have done rescue for years. I am a firm believer of indoor dogs - I understand that there are those that think differently and I am fine with that. But, when you adopt a dog from me it is with the clear understanding that the dog will generally be a house dog (though on specific dogs I have bent my rules - nothing is hard and fast). I talk to the prospective owners about the fact that this is a house dog, that it has been a house dog and should continue to be a house dog. There is no question when I adopt a dog out what is expected if you (the prospective owner) adopt a dog from me. If you told the rescue that you agree to keep the dog as a house dog, then I think you are violating their trust a bit. If that was not covered specifically, then I think you are doing just what you want and should do. More than that issue specifically - I think the rescue is just trying to be proactive in their contact of you. You know you are just sharing the trials and tribulations of adding a new pack member, but another adopter may do the same and be complaining about the issues. They are probably just letting you know that if there is a problem they are there. I would tell them that things are going exactly as you expected. You are not having second thoughts and you have no interest in returning Sammy, but thank them for the support and if things should ever change you totally understand that they are there for the dog.

08-13-2008, 11:29 AM
blueberry Yearling Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: great lakes area Posts: 763	I think things are going fine with Sammy---everyone just needs time to adjust. I agree that it may be best to not give the rescue a play by play. Maybe contact them every couple of days when you have some real progress to inform them of. It sounds like Sammy has a great home, whether he sleeps indoors or outdoors. Keep up the good work __________________ Proud horse mom to: Genie the beauty queenie (3yo QH) Tess the best (5yo QH) "To err is human, to forgive is equine"

08-13-2008, 11:43 AM
alliebath Yearling Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Leavenworth, Kansas Posts: 580	I agree blueberry - sounds like Sammy is in a wonderful home. The Ellen thing was a bit different. The word rescue was bantered around, but I am not sure that they were really a rescue as most would define one. The dog's "adoption" fee was something in the $700 range, it was a designer (mutt) puppy, not spayed, and the web site for the group looked very close to a puppy sale type site. Though like most animal adoptions, they may have had in their contract that they had first right of refusal, and I don't think they got that. Though as a rescue person, I would have asked to speak to the new home (to satisfy myself that it was a good placement) and then left the dog if the home was a good one. I would just give them general updates - if you have any questions, ask them, but they sound a little over protective and worried (not a bad thing) and it might be best to just tell them the basics.

08-13-2008, 09:13 PM
kellidahorsegirl Weanling Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Nebraska Posts: 355	YAY for them getting along!!!!! As for being outside........dont' ask me if thats ok....my two are outside ALL THE TIME. They only sleep inside cuz we don't have a kennel built and I'm worried they'll run off or something. They are allowed to come in and out KIND OF as they please too. As for the rescue...yes you're too honest. The fact is that Sammy is yours now....but if you share so much detail about his new life...maybe they "miss" him and you're slightly enabling that by feeding the details. Did that make ANY sense at all? Just like if I sold a horse....sure I'd like to know how they were doing, but if they shared too much details, I'd get a weird emotion about it. Are they feeding it right, grooming correctly, riding correctly, etc. So maybe just once a month shoot them an email saying he is alive and well and you just love him.... then thank them for the "opportunity" to have him. __________________ Kelli I'm not so good at the advice... Can I interest you in a sarcastic comment?