Dogs Training Blog

Okay here’s the thing…I’ve ( I should say we have) had Ivy since she was about a 2 month old pup. My significant other was doing a few days of volunteer work at the Dallas SPCA in August of 2007 when one afternoon I answered a call from him (James) telling me that he had “fallen for” this young female pup who he at that moment was walking in the shelter exercise area. The pup was about 6 or so weeks old and in the process of being trained to do her business out of the confines of her crate. James went on to communicate that this pup had been,according to what information was available, abandoned at birth and found along side of the road yelping a faint cry. She of course was frightened, being hungry cold and lost. To top that the pup was infested terribly without of patch of fur showing that was not infested with fleas. James shared with me that beides the normal compassion that would be felt in finding an animal in such circumstances that something from inside, a gut instinct maybe, was telling him that this was “the” animal we had be in search of. “Ivy” (the name given her by the shelter staff) had been assumed to be a mix. Golden retriever (quite apparent by appearance) labrador and sharpe’. It’s possible there may be other bloodlines in her mix. She has throughout the past year been a real joy. At just a little over a year we feel it best that she has a playmate ( of which she has had many.. kittens and cats, but no other dogs) and this leads to my question…what type of dog to look for as the next addition to our family. It’s just us, and a 7yr old on every other weekend. Ivy’s nature is loving and playful, and in no way a threat to anyone or anything, may even be fair to say she is somewhat of a whimp, but a very lovable one. So folks, what’s the answer? M or F? Small or large? All feedback is appreciated.. James and I , and of course .. Ivy.

More: continued here