Likewise. I had been quietly looking for a dog that could live with a cat in the local area for several years, convinced that it would happen when the time was right. Was browsing Gumtree, convinced that a lot of their ads were from puppy farms. I came across a pic. of a shaved Shi Tzu. He looked awful! I contacted the local owner but someone had already arranged to go and view him. I then had a message to let me know he had been taken, so that was that. Another message arrived 48 hrs later telling me he had been returned as he didn't get on with the other dog, too boisterous, as the other dog had a spinal problem. Was I still interested? I went to meet him, the owner was moving into no pet accommodation with her new partner, I wasn't convinced by all I was told about him but I fell in love with the ugly little hyperactive bundle who was living with an Akita and Staffie and brought him home. I have never regretted taking him on and everyone says what a different dog he is now. Much calmer, happy and confident with lots of dog friends at the local dog walking area. He also knows which dog owners give him treats and they are his special friends!
Gumtree - getting a dog from Gumtree is not the problem. PLEASE, if you need to rehome a pet, don't advertise it on Gumtree and most especially not as 'free to a good home'. But taking a dog from Gumtree if you're committed to caring for it is one less for the dog baiters to exploit, so I've no issue. With the caveat to never buy a dog from a puppy farm, whether via Gumtree or anywhere else. You do need to be aware that you're taking on a dog with no history and no rescue back up. If you do it with your eyes open, and commit to working with whatever comes, then fair dos
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
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I came across a pic. of a shaved Shi Tzu.
He looked awful! I contacted the local owner but someone had already arranged to go and view him. I then had a message to let me know he had been taken, so that was that.
Another message arrived 48 hrs later telling me he had been returned as he didn't get on with the other dog, too boisterous, as the other dog had a spinal problem. Was I still interested?
I went to meet him, the owner was moving into no pet accommodation with her new partner, I wasn't convinced by all I was told about him but I fell in love with the ugly little hyperactive bundle who was living with an Akita and Staffie and brought him home. I have never regretted taking him on and everyone says what a different dog he is now. Much calmer, happy and confident with lots of dog friends at the local dog walking area. He also knows which dog owners give him treats and they are his special friends!
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”