Rescue dogs or secondhand pets what do you consider it?  

It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job. Good workd on that black lab. I have a cat and he means so much to me. If I had trouble taking care of it and someone tried to take it away saying I was neglecting it would break my hearat and I wouldn't be able to deal with it. He is a part of my pleasure, sanity, relaxation and health.

We got a mature dog free to good home about 3 years ago. It was the best decision we could have ever made.. She has brought so much joy to our family and I would trust her with my children more than I would most people. I couldn't imagine not having her. I would love to have her cloned - she is certainly one in a billion.

We have a beautiful collie that we got from Collie rescue. She was going to be put to sleep due to the fact she had non-contagious mange. All her hair had fallen out and she was covered in sores but she still wanted to play. The vet called collie rescue. Once she was better we were able to adopt her. Her previous owners had allowed her to get that bad and then was goign to put her to sleep just because they couldn't show or breed her. To me she's a member of our family and I could care less about showing her or breeding her.

I agree there are some who due to either lack of education or due to circumstances beyond their control due end up having trouble taking care of a pet. It would be nice if there were ways for them to get the help at reasonable prices or even free. It would help many people and easy up the case loads for the states. However there are some though that really shouldn't be owners.

For example the woman we got our dog from, the one who was the contact for Collie rescue in our area. She is one of those I question on owning animals. She lived in the city and had 6 collies of her own, they were all debarked (something I don't really like but it's legal) and when we got our dog she warned us she was territorial about food. Well we found out why when she gave us a few days worth of food with her. She said to give her an 1/4 of a cup of the food. Now this was dry food and it was maybe a handful at a 1/4 of a cup. I'd be territorial if that was all I was getting in a day too. We give her a bit more then normal amount of food but she shares it with the cats. Yes this territorial dog stands beside the cats and eats out of the same dish.

if someone would have seen my dog a few days ago they would have thought that she was never fed or bathed. she looked so horrible. she is an outside dog by her choice not mine. but she spent 3 days at the vets and is starting to look much better. she got an infection due from stress because our neighbor died. she was very attatched to him. so i guess what i am trying to say is people need to investigate further into the situation before assuming an animal is mistreated. there are many vets that love helping animals and most of the time if you do not have a lot of money they will work with you.

I think you have an idea there. What about if we have a food bank for animals as well as adults? It is not fair to lose you precious pet just because you fell on hard times. You are not abusing the aminal. I think the animal control should look at this istead of removing animals. If it is due to a finical strain right now, help them with some food. They would have to feed the animal for so long before they could put it down.

You make a good point my friend - it makes a lot of sense to reeducate these people rather than deprive them and rheir animals of love! Bet you love your dogs! x

I agree with you Raydene. I have a little Dog and I got him out of Kennels 2 years ago. He was one very scared Dog and only trust me. According to the Kennel he was brought in by the Police who found him on the Side of the Road beaten. He had been in the Kennels 4 months and had never gone to anyone till I went there and I was the first Person he went to, he is now the loveliest Dog you could have. I have got a Discussion going called Gissis Story