science_doc Posted February 3, 2003 Posted February 3, 2003 Hi all, Been away for a while, trying to get dogs off my mind until I can find one of my very own. I was wondering if anyone has read a good book on breed selection. I know that there a ton of them out there.....I just want to find one that will help me narrow down the type of breed that will fit our lifestyle best instead of the dog I find most visually attractive. By the way the rescue I wanted to volunteer with, keep dogs outside on chains during the weekend .....I know that they are probably just under staffed, but now I don't know if I want to volunteer there? I just don't see any good reason to keep them outside like that.......In addition their small dogs were living in hanging cages (not with wire bottoms, thank god), which seemed to small for dogs. Again, I'm pretty much of a novice, but I thought that even small dogs were usually kept in runs/pens at shelters? perhaps I've just been hanging out a ritzy shelters? Anyway, if I'm way off base, please let me know. There are plenty of other groups who could still use my help. Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted February 3, 2003 Posted February 3, 2003 Welcome back! No books....sorry....I did all my research on line.... Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted February 3, 2003 Posted February 3, 2003 Mostly I've been soul searching about dog breeds and working. In graduate school there is absolutely no rest for the weary! We have been scooting about town checking out lots of dog rescues, including greyhounds, which seem to extremely plentyful here in GA. We have learned horrible things about animal over population in Atlanta (all of which was posted by K at one time or another, but I'm one of those see it with my own eyes type of person). Including that strays have 48 HOURS at the local shelters before they are euthanized. So the indoor kitties now wear breakaway collars with name, phone#, and reward on little kitty tags. Other than that, just work I'm sorry to say. This is another reason why we must get a doggie, when we had Abbie, I always had a reason to knock off work and stay home on the weekends.......now when I'm home I feel guilty about not working, sucks :cry: Quote
science_doc Posted February 3, 2003 Author Posted February 3, 2003 :oops: that last post was me, got booted off the site Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted February 3, 2003 Posted February 3, 2003 Well it's nice to have you back. Don't leave again for such a long time. It makes us worry!!!! :nono: Quote
yellowlabsrule Posted February 3, 2003 Posted February 3, 2003 Book: Your Purebred Puppy Web: www.dogchow.com (then go to breed selector) And my fav: www.yourpurebredpuppy.com (maybe even better than the book! :o ) WELCOME BACK! Quote
mouseatthebusstop Posted February 3, 2003 Posted February 3, 2003 well hello nice to know you have not forgotten us :D Quote
courtnek Posted February 3, 2003 Posted February 3, 2003 welcome doc! You probably dont know me, I'm kinda new. My name here is courtnek, although everywhere else it's Katy... those are my "kids" in the avatar. It has been my experience with shelters that the ones located in more "ritzy" areas usually have better kennel situations for the pets. They are going on govt. grants and donations, so I guess that is why some are better than others. I dont like the thought of dogs in hanging pens.... I have seen cats that way, and they dont seem to mind it, but not dogs.... I also cant say I'm real happy about the being chained out situation. That may be because I'm in the Chicago area, and it gets way too cold here to leave dogs out all weekend. I guess I would try the volunteer thing and see how it pans out. Maybe you could make a difference. Good luck! :D Quote
bk_blue Posted February 4, 2003 Posted February 4, 2003 Welcome back science doc... This is a good website for choosing a pet according to lifestyle (it's a kind of select your options thing) http://www.petnet.com.au/selectapet/selectapet.html but I don't know any books. hope this helps. :) Quote
courtnek Posted February 4, 2003 Posted February 4, 2003 OK, I know you dont know me, but I GOTTA ask - what kind of "science doc" are you? Science fascinates me.... Quote
Horsefeathers! Posted February 4, 2003 Posted February 4, 2003 Science doc!! Welcome back!! How the heck are ya?! I really was wondering what had happened to you. My thoughts on breed research may sound kinda lame, but I kind of like the idea of perusing the shelters and I always think that one (or two or five or seven) will "speak" to you. They all can often tug at your heart, but there always seems to be one that will just click with you. It may be a particular purebred, or it may be something that no one could possibly tell what it is. Could be a puppy or could be one that's a gazillion years old. I NEVER in a million years thought I'd want to adopt an elderly special needs dog, but that dog in his short time with me ended up making the biggest impact in my life. I am STILL inspired by this little dog's spirit, though he is long gone. I know I know I'm rambling, but my point is that you just never know what dog (much less breed) is out there waiting for you. It turned out that (in hindsight) I needed that little dog as much as he needed me. About the volunteering thing, maybe I think bass ackwards, but I always like helping out the worst dumps I can find in existence. It always seems that they are the ones in the absolute worst need of help and I just always feel that's where I can offer the most assistance. You'll just have to figure out where you're more comfortable. I'm so glad you're back! Quote
science_doc Posted February 4, 2003 Author Posted February 4, 2003 Thanks for all the warm fuzzies everyone :oops: I promise not to stay away so long ever again. I was really trying and trying to stop thinking about dogs, so that I could wait until we could afford a house before I adopted another dog. No luck, always on my mind :lol: even when they are not in my house. courtnek, I am a medical researcher who works with stem cells. I'm working on a Ph.D. in cellular and developmental biology, which is fancy words for studying embryology. Horsefeathers, you kind of read my mind. I thought that maybe I could at least help get the dogs more exercise so they wouldn't need to be tied outside. I don't know if it will make a difference, but at least I can try. Quote
courtnek Posted February 5, 2003 Posted February 5, 2003 GOOD FOR YOU!! All ANY of us can do is try..... and sometimes the "poorer" shelters need the most help.... I gotta ask - does your science get you caught up in all the hoopla about stem cell research? You dont have to answer if you dont want to.... Glad to know you - and chat with me anytime!! Quote
science_doc Posted February 5, 2003 Author Posted February 5, 2003 Actually, I should clarify a bit.......I work with stem cells that live in muscle tissue of adult organisms. So lucky for us we aren't involved in all the hoopla that goes with embyonic stem cells. I think that embryonic stem cell research has it's place, I just don't think we have had enough OPEN HONEST factual scientific debate for the public to make an informed decision. Of course I'm a scientist and therefore more likely to see the good than the bad side of any research. Any hoo I love to chat about my work and I think more scientists should take the time to bride the gap and pull back the curtain from what we do.......I think it would make people less skeptical to know the truth about what goes on in research labs. I feel like I have nothing to hide, I'm sure not all of my colleagues feel that way, probably for good reason :oops: Quote
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