Melanie

Please take to heart all of these responses. None are meant to attack you.

Wow, I wasn't aware that pet stores sold schnoodles and puggles and the new fad breeds. It just never ends.

I'm aware you've only been approved to adopt [i]so far[/i] (I've been through it all with NEESR). But I'm confident you'll soon find the Springer suited just for you. I was congratulating the whole idea! It's still exciting, no? :D

Yay! Another Springer gets a home. I am so happy for you and your new arrival! Jake says "Way to go', too!

That's a wonderful suggestion from mouseatthebusstop -- a tribute or memorial. I did that for my Daisy. She was with me for 13 years (passed away about 10 years ago). It took me over a year before I could look at her picture without crying. When I finally could look at her pictures and smile and laugh at memories, I made a whole album dedicated to her. It was something that helped a great deal. I adopted my Springer, Jake, through NEESR (the New England branch of the same organization you are using). We were notified of our approved application within days. And Jake was the first dog they suggested to us. Within 2 weeks time, I had contacted the forster mom, set up a meeting, took care of all paper work, and had Jake home with me. Many months later, when we were ready to take in another, we contacted NEESR again. Because we were on their list of 'approved adopters', we were always the first of several people to hear about new arrivals. Of course, we took in a Saint Bernard instead of another Springer. Good luck with your new Springer. And take all the time you need to grive for Mocha.

Look at that face. I have no doubt she'll be snatched up by someone soon. She does look like Springer/Lab. Adorable combination.

Looks like all the links are covered. I just wanted to say how happy I am that your friend is giving a deaf dog a chance at a loving home. Any adopted dog is wonderful news, but deaf or blind or otherwise 'imperfect' dogs don't get as many chances. Great news.

Thanks DogPaddle. Last bath, we used Johnson's Baby Shampoo. It still caused the same irritation as the others.

Wow, thanks for all the great information. We've improved Jake's diet in case of food allergies -- just like that sheltie you mentioned Cassie. I'm definitely going to look into everything mentioned, and next bath, you all better believe I've joined the ranks of rinse nazis everywhere! :)

Jake has had extremely sensitive skin since we adopted him way back. He gets a bath about once a month. For 2 to 7 days after his bath, Jake is especially skin sensitive. He's raw and itchy and licky. We've tried different shampoos specially formulated for sensitive skin... medicated, oatmeal, etc. We've even tried baby shampoo as recommended by people with their own sensitive skinned dogs. We have a spray we use on him that helps with hot spots and such. We also have a cream the vet recommended when things get really bad. He also takes benadryl. Jake is a 12 year old Springer Spaniel. We do not want to stop giving him baths, because he does need them. But we're looking for better products to use for him. Does anyone out there have suggestions or recommendations for very mild, excellent products to use on a very sensitive dog?

Ditto. I would not leave my child or dog with anybody I felt was not properly fit to care for them. End of story. No further explanation should ever be needed. Your family is your life.

I was only 6 years old when I was bit by a dog. She was a cute, little fluffball, but did some damage! I still have the scars from the bite -- puncture marks near my right eye, and near the right corner of my mouth. Never did I become afraid of or angry towards dogs. I have always loved them. I've been around them all my life, and I always will be. Please do not worry about other people's opinions. If your decision feels right for you in your head and heart, so be it..

A belated welcome. I"m fairly new, myself. I, too, was turned off by the negative posts (still am). But I just ignore them. I will NEVER post a response to an existing argument. I will NEVER start an argument. It makes no sense ot me. But I figure it's bound to happen with other people sometimes, since we all have such passionate opinions about things. Hope to see ya' around!

Here's how my 2 beat the heat: [img]http://img77.photobucket.com/albums/v235/mnixon/34e205e5.jpg[/img] [img]http://img77.photobucket.com/albums/v235/mnixon/c4795dca.jpg[/img]

I've shared my life with [b]English Springer Spaniels[/b] since the age of 6. They'll always have a special place in my heart. Every single last one of them is just so darn adorable. I love 'em. Not to mention they're wonderful companions. I also love the look of most giant breeds: [b]Saint Bernards [/b](of course I'm biased); Great Danes, Mastiffs, Great Pyrenees, etc.