Nika the dog...

[jtbeckett]

Ok, so we're traveling through Visalia, CA right now, right? Since a few weeks after finding out I have lupus, and me never totally recoving from the flare, Eric and I have been talking about getting a partially trained 40 lb dog that I could train, (I used to do that sort of thing) and I could use as a service dog... Well anyhow, let me just

Comments

[harliquinnraver]

ill see what i can do to help. but honestly? there are SO many perfectly adoptable dogs that are put down every day. in every shelter. its heartbreaking but until people learn to spay and neuter and stop trying to breed their poor animals to make a quick buck, it will just continue. :(

if you wanted to adopt her yourself, you could try rubbing the cats bed/blanket/whatever on the dog to help the cat get used to the dogs scent. or keep the cat crated around the dog when you cant supervise them.

[jtbeckett]

i know... I used to work at a shelter... so I'm used to it... I generally try to not get too attached. It still sucks though.

I think part of the problem is that Tiggy doesn't have anything that is specifically "his" he pretty much thinks EVERYTHING is his... he's spoiled. Traveling in this kind of space with two kids, a cat and a giant african millipede can be stressful enough... adding a dog that needs to bond with each member of the family while we're working and can't devote the time and attention needed to the transition is a bad idea. Once I've got a dog that is qualified to go with me wherever I need the dog to go, then it will be easier... I know from experience, since my first border collie, Pepper, was able to do that with me. It is an awesome relationship to have, but starting it out right is very important.

[jtbeckett]

i take that back... his litter box is his... and so is his leash.

but i really couldn't rub a dog in his litterbox.

[jtbeckett]

YAY!!! such good news! I don't know if my craigslist ad had anything to do with it or not, but it looks like Nika got a temporary stay of execution. I wonder if enough people called the shelter to ask about her?

I was actually looking for the California prison dog training program to offer to drop her off down in L.A. if she didn't get adopted by her deadline, and if they could arrange to enroll her in the program... since she has the ideal temperament for a service dog... and some people need a medium sized all-purpose dog, right?