Dog Community

I got my newest baby!

Posted : 3/13/2006 12:41:57 PM

In my first post I mentioned that I was getting a new puppy this weekend. Well I got him, and he is such a doll. He is about 9 weeks old, and he is a yellow lab. He's been here since Saturday, and he's still pretty scared and shy, but he's already been through so much in his short life that I don't blame him.
Him and his brothers and sisters and mom were all rescued from a kennel. This man has been breeding labs for years I guess, and apparently he stopped caring (if he ever cared in the first place). The poor mom is around 5 years old, and has probably had a litter with every heat cycle. She was so thin, and sick. All 6 puppies were still nursing when they were rescued at around 7 weeks. The place they were kept was so terrible. It was mud you could get stuck in, with no food or water, and barely any light. The guy just let animal control take them without a fight, and said he was done with dogs for good. I hope he meant it.
Anyway, I am so happy to have him. All his brothers and sisters were already adopted as well. The mom is in bad shape, but they think she should be ready for adoption soon. I have two other dogs, and they are absolutely in love with the pup. He doesn't have a name yet, we can't agree on anything.
Shame on me, he's slept on my pillow the last two nights. I can't bring myself to shut him in a crate. Today he actually has been trying to play with the dogs, and he loves to attack my kitty. I think he'll warm up to us pretty quickly. I am so excited, I will post a picture soon.
I've never owned labs, so if anyone has any advice for me it would be great! Thank you!

huskymom

Posted : 3/13/2006 12:50:50 PM

Oh good for you for helping this little guy out! Can't wait to see pics.

leslie__chessies

Posted : 3/13/2006 1:09:52 PM

Please post pics! What's his name?

Amy Kent

Posted : 3/13/2006 1:14:06 PM

well we haven't really decided on a name yet. My husband wants to name him Rugger, like ROO-ger. I guess that's a type of gun. He's convinced he's going to be a great hunting dog, so he thinks that's the perfect name. I think it's cute, but It always takes me forever to commit to a name.
I will post some pictures as soon as I can find the cord to my digital camera.

twelvepaws

Posted : 3/13/2006 1:19:49 PM

I'm glad the pups and mom are out of there. Can't wait to see the new guy. I hope someone wonderful adopts the mom, it sounds like she could use some good in her life!

Amy Kent

Posted : 3/13/2006 1:49:01 PM

I too hope someone good adopts the mom. I haven't been able to stop thinking about her. Her eyes looked so sad. I asked dh if we could adopt her when she was ready, but he said no. I don't see why we shouldn't though. We have lots of room and I don't work, so I think it would be perfect, but he still says no. I am going to keep calling and checking on her though, and if she doesn't get adopted soon I will try my hardest to talk dh into it. The shelter here only keeps adult dogs for a limited time before putting them to sleep. I don't know what it is exactly, but when I voluteered there as I kid I know it was only 7 days. But for now I will just keep praying that someone wonderful takes her.

twelvepaws

Posted : 3/13/2006 2:02:54 PM

I'm glad she has you looking out for her! Maybe it will work out.

marlania

Posted : 3/13/2006 2:07:16 PM

Can't wait to see pics. I hope the mom finds a home...keep bugging your husband. He'll cave. lol

Melissa K

Posted : 3/14/2006 12:49:56 AM

My advice for labs ---
1. Lots of chew toys.
2. Leave nothing on the floor.
3. Start taking vitamins for all of the energy you will need to keep up with him!!!

I love labs!

Sera_J

Posted : 3/14/2006 4:15:16 AM

Awww, what a sad story, but a great ending. I'm so glad he found his way to you. I can't wait to see his pictures! Congratulations on the newest addition!

BTW - I like Rugger - I say go for it [

]

Melissa K

Posted : 3/14/2006 10:16:25 AM

Forgot to add that I love the name Ruger too! My husband thought it would be neat to have two dogs named Smith and Wesson!!

labcrab

Posted : 3/14/2006 11:05:58 AM

omg - KUDOS to you for giving him a forever home!! I cannot wait to see the little angel. I think you should name him "Lucky" as in - he's lucky you rescued him and you are lucky to have found him!

I'm *just* making my way out of Lab puppyhood. Feel free to PM me anytime for specific advice or if you just need a puppy pep talk! haha. My best advice to you right now is spend as much time with him as you possibly can - hold toys for him to chew, handle him, kiss him, talk to him - and DIG DEEP for as much patience as you can possibly muster!!!!!

The second tip is to *puppyproof*! Do it thoroughly and you will save yourself (and him) a world of trouble. Make sure (as someone else mentioned) to put anything you don't want to lose - up high (and keep your closet doors shut!) You will have to live this way for awhile.

Here's some GOOD reading for you! This is my favorite Puppy thread on i-dog because I think everyone participated and covered all the bases (it's a 2 pager):
[linkhttp://forum.dog.com/discus/messages/48/233542.html?1136678831[/link]>http://forum.dog.com/discus/messages/48/233542.html?1136678831]http://forum.dog.com/discus/messages/48/233542.html?1136678831[/link]

And this one is full of some great links that will be very useful for you!: [link[size=2][/size]>http://forum.dog.com/discus/messages/46/237989.html?1138451830]http://forum.dog.com/discus/messages/46/237989.html?1138451830[/link][/size][size=2][/size]

luv_my_3_labs

Posted : 3/14/2006 4:38:10 PM

My son and I stopped at the pound just to LOOK. after our beloved rotty Scooby died. They brought this yellow lab in while we were there and he was in such sad shape we didn't even know he was yellow. My son said "look Mom, hes got a tail!" Put money down right then and it was the best quick decision I have ever made. All I can tell you is watch out for the tail and if there is any water to be found..your puppy will find it. Your going to have so much fun...

glenmar

Posted : 3/14/2006 6:26:21 PM

Ohhhhhh! Ya gotta watch out for those tails! Poor Lori being so used to Mr. Bigs corkscrew tail never thought twice about leaving a glass of pop sitting next to her laptop......until Solo wagged his tail and dumped the pop INTO the computer!

Congrats on your new baby!! PICTURES!!!! And yeah, Ruger is a cute name.

Mollie

Posted : 3/14/2006 7:48:48 PM

How cool...Congratulations! Also beware of the ball, you will throw your arm off and then do it again...lol We have a little guy at our school who has a yellow lab as his assistance dog. Well Pekoe's favorite thing to do in his off time is fetch. Its sooo cute. Its also good for Drew to have to throw for him, gets him moving some. But these labs are great babies.