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Rescue / Adoption ApplicationGSDWA Monthly Rescue ReportDear Members, PLEASE READ THIS.I just want to make you all aware of a situation that has come up to the members of Whippet Rescue and Placement (WRAP). WRAP is the American Whippet Club nationwide rescue network. With the housing market taking a huge nose dive and the economy in such a terrible state, WRAP is beginning to get larger than usual numbers of Whippets coming into rescue from folks who simply cannot keep their dogs any longer. Fortunately, some are calling WRAP volunteers, but more are ending up in shelters too. We are seeing new litter announcements every day and we are very concerned that there is beginning to be a glut on the market for our breed. Mind you, other breeds are in worse shape, but it's still cause for concern. As I write this WRAP has 14 new rescues coming in this weekend. We have never had a situation such as this and it can only get worse. So far, in San Diego we're not getting any, but they are in LA/Riverside area. WRAP rescuers in most states are already at their limit or above and dogs are needing to be transported to other states to enable us to take them all into the system. Please take this serious situation into consideration if you are considering breeding your dogs in the next year or so. I'm hoping that WRAP will also send an open letter to AWC to make all members aware of what is happening. Our local shelters are full and having to euthanize dogs daily because of overcrowding due to foreclosures. Last week Animal Control announced free older dogs were available. I've personally, in the past, never heard of them giving dogs for no charge. These dogs, cats, rabbits and such are the innocent victims of our economy. The owners don't want to give up their animals are heartbroken when they turn them over, but they have no choice. I beg you to seriously consider curtailing any further breeding of Whippets until this broken economy is beginning to mend. Submitted by Jo Rufing, Rescue Coordinator Truth about Sighthound PuppiesBy Sharyn Hutchens of Timbreblue Whippets Someone asked about (the energy levels or activity levels of) sighthound puppies. They are bad. Many are very, very bad. Because they are so agile, they can get into things that other puppies don't even think about. At five weeks, our Whippet puppies are racing up and down the stairs. At six months they can leap onto your kitchen counters. At nine months they can leap from behind the sofa and land on the floor in front of it. They have energy to spare and if you don't get them proper exercise, you'll have a coiled spring in your house ready to BOING as soon as it gets a chance. They don't like being alone and will get in more trouble in five minutes than, say, a Collie puppy will get in all day. On the plus side, they are endlessly entertaining, very affectionate, and way more fun than any dog I've ever had. We don't sell Whippet puppies to homes in which no one is home for most of the day. Leaving a Whippet pup alone for more than a couple of hours is a recipe for a problem dog. Some folks get away with it, but every Whippet with behavior problems we have ever taken into rescue came from a home where no one was there during the day. Around three years old, magic occurs and the Whippet turns into a perfect dog. Before then, you need to be ever-watchful, ever-patient, and ready to replace furniture when necessary. We know of young Whippets who have:
Obviously we adore these dogs or we wouldn't have so many of them, and as I said, after three years old, they're pretty much perfect. But as puppies, they are demon spawn! Aloofness is very unusual in the ones I've known. Ours all suffer from EGD (Excessive Greeting Disorder) and that applies to me, Walt, the mailman, the UPS guy, and I'm sure to burglars. They love *everybody.* We've had a few rescues through here who weren't accustomed to much affection from humans and so were less exuberant than our own, but after a few weeks or months living in a proper Whippet home, they always come out of their shells and learn to totally overwhelm anyone coming through the door. Let's put it this way. When people come over to meet the dogs or see puppies, we warn them to wear old clothes and be prepared for excessive greeting. After five minutes, the Whippets settle down and curl up in the stranger's lap, but that first five minutes is quite an experience for most people. "What's the Truth About Sighthound Puppies?" Copyright © 2005 Sharyn Hutchens. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted by permission. Reasons NOT to Adopt a WhippetIf you want a dog to be an OUTDOOR ONLY DOG, don't get a whippet. Whippets have very little body fat and don't have an "all weather" coat. Even with adequate shelter, whippets do poorly in that type of environment. They are very attached to people and are miserable if they don't have a lot of quality time with their family! If you want a dog to be a GUARD DOG, don't get a whippet. Whippets do not have the size or temperament to be a "guardian". Like most dogs they will probably alert you to the presence of strangers. If you have visions of sitting in your easy chair with a dog quietly at your feet, think again! Most whippets are affectionate and enjoy close physical contact with their people. They are more likely to be in your lap than at your feet. Similarly, if the idea of a dog on the furniture gives you hives, you should probably look at another breed. While I'm sure a whippet could eventually be taught to stay off the furniture, they would be quite unhappy about it. If you have cats (especially indoor/outdoor cats) and/or other small furry pets, you might want to reconsider whippets. Whippets generally have a lot of prey drive. Even dogs who are fine with the family cat indoors may view the same cat in a different light in the yard. Especially if the cat runs! If your neighbors have outdoor cats, how would they (and you) feel if your dog killed them? I do know people who have cats and whippets that peacefully coexist, and I also know people who had the combination end badly. This is an issue to consider carefully, and I would never leave the two loose, unattended. If you are looking for a dog to accompany you off leash in various settings, I implore you to think carefully about getting a whippet or any sighthound. Sighthounds tend to have very high prey drive, and will take off after small furry creatures. During the chase they go "deaf" and won't even hear you calling them. Many whippets and other sighthounds have been hit by cars and lost because their owners trusted that they would not run off. The refrain is all too common, "But he was so attached to me I never thought he would leave my side..."; or "I had done it a million times and he never did anything like that before!" Some sighthound owners (myself included) successfully engage in off leash activities with their dogs, but only after intense recall training and in controlled areas. As a companion to the above, if you are planning to use an invisible fence, please reconsider. Sighthounds are so fast, they can be through the containment system before they even realize they have been shocked. It just isn't enough of a deterrent in the face of great temptation (a squirrel, the neighbor's cat, etc.) Not to mention the fact that whippets are medium-sized dogs, and could be at the mercy of larger animals that wander into the yard. Even if the invisible fence keeps your whippet *in*, it doesn't keep the neighbor's 110 lb mutt *out*. I do know a few IG/whippet owners who successfully use invisible fences, but they are extremely dedicated owners and only use the system when they are outside WITH the dog. ***Contrary to what many of the breed selector websites say, whippets DO SHED!*** Some whippets have issues with moderate to severe carsickness. Many outgrow it by the time they are around a year old, but some don't. Some whippets engage in copraphagia (eating feces) which is a complete gross out to some people. If you have a cat, you should make sure the dog doesn't have access to the box. There are products on the market designed to discourage a dog from eating dog feces, but they have limited success. The only foolproof method of dealing with the problem is picking up waste immediately. Some whippets have issues with claustrophobia, severe crate anxiety and/or separation anxiety. Though I wouldn't call it "common", it does bear mentioning and can be very difficult to deal with. Finally, if you expect perfect, automatic obedience, don't get a whippet! While whippets learn quickly with positive training methods and can be wonderfully well-behaved house dogs, they do not obey like a mindless automaton. People who want top obedience competitors choose breeds that don't mind lots of repetition and can be trained to a high level of precision. While a Golden Retriever might practice the same exercise 50 times in a single session, a whippet will do it twice and then look at you as if to say "Haven't you had your fun? Let's do something else already!" If you have read all the way to this point, you may be wondering why anyone would want a whippet if all these things are true. Whippets are sweet and affectionate, as well as being beautiful and athletic. They have a dry mouth and require minimal grooming with little or no "doggy odor". They get along with most dogs and well-behaved children. They are generally clean and housetrain much more easily than their smaller brethren (IGs). They can be superb housedogs! It is also important to remember that all dogs are individuals, and you may find whippets that exhibit all (or none) of these traits. Dog Buyer's Guide
Common MistakesA PUPPY IS NOT A TOY, to amuse your children for a few weeks until the novelty wears off. A puppy is a child itself that requires a great deal of attention and training to become a pleasant companion in future years. If your children are toddlers, they can inflict unintended tortures on a puppy that may permanently scar its personality and behavior. A PUPPY IS NOT A TEACHING AID, guaranteed to instill a sense of responsibility in older children. It is unfair to your puppy to put its entire well being into a child's hands. The child-dog relationship's greatest value lies in the camaraderie and unconditional love that exists between them. You will end up doing the chores and the dog will be ignored and unhappy. A PUPPY IS NOT A BURGLAR ALARM, to chain in your yard to bark at all hours of the day and night. It is not a crime deterrent; it is a public nuisance that will at least make you very unpopular with your neighbors and may result in costly fines and civil penalties. Even worse, a dog on a chain is at the mercy of teasing children and vicious strays. This can make your dog turn mean, and what happens when he breaks his chain can land you in court. Your puppy is entitled to an escape-proof yard or dog run for his safety and your peace of mind. A PUPPY IS NOT A GIFT, unless the giver is very sure that a puppy is wanted and the recipient is able to care for it. This can still be a mistake if the giver chooses a puppy that is poorly suited to the recipient's personality or life-style. Most recipients appreciate the opportunity to personally select the companion they will be responsible for nurturing for the rest of its life. PUPPY IS NOT A FAD like a pet rock or a lava lamp. It will still be there when the breed is no longer “en vogue” and it will still need to be fed, cared for and picked up after. A PUPPY IS NOT UNBREAKABLE and any “repairs” will be costly. Puppyhood diseases such as Parvovirus require hospitalization and intensive care. Swallowed objects and broken bones can require major surgery. If you are going to balk at spending several hundred dollars in the event of an emergency don't get a puppy! A PUPPY IS NOT AN INVESTMENT to breed to “pay you back”. Breeding a litter is a tremendous responsibility. Experienced breeders consider themselves lucky to “break even” on a litter. Chances are your amateur attempt will jeopardize your pocketbook and the life and health of your companion dog. Adult Whippets in TransitionAfter much soul searching I decided to find a home for Tigger and dropped her off on Sunday. Unfortunately she didn't appreciate my thoughfulness of placing her in a home of whippet loving people, just her and a mother and child. At the first opportunity she escaped, now I'm feeling guilty of placing her. I thought she would appreciate being the only whippet in a loving household and not just in the kennels, with affection being shared among 6 whippets and a mini dach. How wrong I was. Dear Joan, It's very sad to hear that Tigger escaped and I hope she is found soon. Please don't feel guilty about what happened, it's not your fault. You unselfishly placed her in a home where she could give and receive more love, and that is always a good thing. Given enough time, Tigger will appreciate her new situation. I've heard many similar stories on these lists over time and it's made me think. I've had considerable experience over the years with placing adults, rescues, and older puppies. The reason why this scenario keeps repeating itself over and over is not because rehoming adult whippets is wrong, it's because people don't realize how at risk a whippet is during the transition to a new home. It is normal canine behavior for dogs to bond strongly with their home, regardless of what kind of home that is. The people, dogs, routine, and environment they are used to represent security and safety to them. It’s normal for dogs to want to preserve a secure and "known" situation; for this species it’s an important survival technique. Even very well socialized dogs still have this instinct. Given that all dogs have this strong instinct, we then make the mistake of thinking that they have human emotions, intelligence, and motives. We know that the new home is going to be better for them. We assume the dog knows this too. We assume they will appreciate this. Both these assumptions are erroneous because dogs do not have the reasoning ability to understand these things. The dog may really like the new people, and enjoy their company, and perhaps even know them well enough to have bonded with them somewhat. But the dog still knows its old home, and will do everything it can to stay there. Dogs simply cannot fathom that a new situation could be better than the one they are familiar with. Dogs minds don’t work that way, it’s too complex a thought. One of a dogs’ greatest fears is to be separated from its pack and familiar environment - it will make them panic. This is normal canine behavior, and we should expect this behavior when separating them from their home. Fortunately, canines as a species are infinitely adaptable. The attachment to a former home will give way to an attachment to the new home in time. Again, once a transition is complete, they are just as happy and secure in the new home as the old one. They never forget their former owners and will always be happy to see them, but they don't sit around all day and pine away for them for the rest of their lives. Dogs' minds don't work that way. They adapt. I feel that newly placed dogs escape so often because people underestimate the dogs desire to preserve a known environment, and how high the "flight risk" is during the transition period. It is the former owner's responsibility to know this (or rescue person, or breeder, etc.) and make sure the new owner understands this and knows what precautions to take. Every whippet takes a different amount of time to bond and adapt, anywhere from a few days to several weeks. In my experience it usually takes a week or so (that is, with a home where they get lots of attention and exercise, and not left alone too much). It is wise to continue taking extra precautions for as long as several months. Remember, the dog has no concept of geography. He may think that once he gets out of the yard, his old home will be right around the corner. New owners must be reassured that after the transition period, the whippet will be settled and happy and will act like a normal pet. During the transition period, the whippet's personality and behavior may be unusual. Besides trying to get back home, it may display unusual traits. Reassure the new owner that this whippet will indeed be the same sweet whippet and to be patient and extra careful until he is settled in. It is important for the former owner to inform the new owner of the routine and environment the whippet is accustomed to. Discuss in detail the whippets feeding, schedule, sleeping arrangements, toys, etc. Initially, the new owner should try to keep things as familiar and comfortable as possible, and gradually work into their own routine. If possible it’s nice if the former owner can lend a crate and some bedding with a familiar scent. Some recommendations for new owners of rehomed adult whippets:
Kim Otero Selecting a BreedNow that you are sure you are ready for a puppy what breed should you select? You may prefer the same breed your family had when you were a child; but, if your mom did all the grooming on your poodle, will you be willing to do it now, or will you pay a groomer to do it for you? What if the children insist on the same kind of dog they see on a favorite TV show or movie? Public exposure like this has caused several breeds to become over-popular and exploited. Puppies are bred from poor quality parents and sell rapidly based on the appeal of a highly trained dog actor. The average Collie pup will never be like Lassie, especially not right away. Remember, the dog you select will be a member of your family for ten or more years. Use your head and select one that will compliment your lifestyle, not be a daily irritant or a financial burden. Puppies, Adolescents, & AdultsPUPPIES have an incredible amount of appeal. There is nothing like filling the family photo album with pictures of Bowsie as a pudgy, waddling pup. Puppies are so cute, so funny, and so little, how much trouble can one be? You can be amazed. Whining, housebreaking, teething and shots; wormings, digging, chewing, and barking over and over and over until adulthood. Some puppy buyers are truly overwhelmed by normal puppy behavior. A big misconception is that the younger a puppy is, the better it will “bond” to the owners. Unfortunately, separating a puppy from its mom and littermates prior to seven to ten weeks of age can deprive a puppy of a critical period of emotional development and behavior problems may result. ADOLESCENTS are much less attractive than puppies. They seem all legs and feet. Boy, can a coated breed look strange during the four to ten months old stage! The benefits of buying an adolescent puppy include: completed shots and wormings; a mental attitude mature enough to train with more lasting results; a personality more like it will be as an adult; and a better ability to inter-act with children. Drawbacks include: if bad habits have been allowed to develop, you will have to “untrain” them and you are getting the pup at its most boisterous stage. An Adolescent of most breeds, which has been raised in a good environment, will still bond well to your family and will spare you the trials and tribulations of puppy infancy. ADULTS are a finished product. What you see is what you get! No worry over how big or healthy it will be. Adult dogs usually bond well with new owners. A previously neglected dog may bond so tightly that he becomes your “shadow”. Do watch out for bad habits, try to obtain complete background and history on the dog. Breeders often have excellent quality adults that did not grow up to meet the exacting standards for competition or breeding. These are usually already well trained and socialized. Purebred vs Mixed BreedMIXED BREEDS are a combination of two or more recognized breeds of dogs. Sometimes you know what the parents were, sometimes not. Some people believe mixed breeds are smarter and healthier than purebreds because of their more widely mixed gene pool. Most mixed dogs are the product of human ignorance and irresponsibility. If the parent dogs had health problems or bad temperaments, those traits will usually be passed on to the puppies. The wide gene pool that supposedly makes them healthier also makes it difficult to predict their mature size, coat type and length and temperament. Mixed breeds can make wonderful pets, but are best acquired as adults, when size and temperament are established, or from private parties who have given them shots and good care and who have the parents available for you to verify health and temperament. PUREBREDS are dogs whose ancestors for at least five generations are all of the same breed. They have been carefully developed over many generations to serve a specific purpose. They should conform to a standard size, coat, colors, and have certain temperament characteristic desirable for their breed. The best purebred dogs are REGISTERED with a well-known association such as the American Kennel Club or the United Kennel Club. There are other lesser-known registries which will register anyone's dog, purebred or not for a fee. And herein lies the biggest misconception people have about purebred dogs. REGISTRATION IS NO GUARANTEE OF QUALITY. The American Kennel Club can no more guarantee the quality of a puppy registered with it than the Department of Motor Vehicles can guarantee the condition of your car. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY as the buyer to invest the time and effort into assuring a puppy is of good quality before you buy it. If you are not willing to invest the time and money required to acquire a good quality purebred, you may end up worse off than had you acquired a mix. How to tell if a Purebred is of Good QualityTHE BREED STANDARD (available in the reference section of most libraries) gives a general description as well as serious faults and disqualifications. Read up on the breed you are interested in and know what it should look like. Visit a dog show and see the dogs in person so you will be able to recognize the correct general appearance. This is also a good place to look for responsible, reputable breeders. “PAPERS”. Purebred dogs have registration certificates (or applications). These list the sire and dam (along with any titles they may have attained such as “CH” for “champion” in front of their names, birth date and breeders’ names. They also include health certification numbers for hips, elbow and thyroid (OFA) and eyes (CERF) on AKC papers, as well as DNA certification. These are a must for breeds commonly afflicted with hip or elbow dysplasia, hereditary low thyroid conditions or eye diseases. Reputable breeders also have pedigrees showing the lineage behind their puppies. If the parents are not champions, at least two of the grandparents should be (an exception would be field dogs which would have working titles listed after or before their names). Even though you may only be interested in a companion, quality ancestors are your best indicators that your dog will have the desired breed characteristics and good health to best fulfill that role. Where to Purchase a PuppyTHE ANIMAL SHELTER. Dogs find their way into shelter in many ways. Some are turned in by owners who were unprepared for the responsibility of dog ownership. Some are confiscated because of neglect and/or abuse. The rest are picked up as strays. Some of them may be in poor health or have temperament problems. If you have young children be very careful. Ask the shelter workers for help in selecting a dog of the right age, size and temperament for your family. They have usually worked with the dogs enough to have an idea which ones have the best potential as pets. If possible, take the dog to a quiet area and spend some time getting a feel for its personality. Be prepared for the possibility that you may have to try several dogs over several months time before you find one that works out for your family. Also keep in mind that even though the initial cost of a shelter dog is low, it may be incubating expensive health problems such as Parvovirus or distemper. BREED RESCUE. Many purebred dog fanciers organize themselves into groups that “rescue” their breed from shelters and inappropriate homes. They have already made sure the dog is in good health and had it spayed or neutered. They have determined what kind of personality the dog has and will offer advice and training suggestions to help the dog become a good member of your family. Expect to pay a reasonable adoption fee to help offset their expenses. Since they are dedicated to making sure the dog does not end up in a shelter again, your pre-adoption interview may seem more like an interrogation! Most rescues have a policy requiring you to return the dog if you can't keep it. Beware of some unscrupulous individuals who pose as rescues but are actually reselling dogs they acquired from “free” newspaper ads. PET STORES used to be the public's favorite place to acquire purebred puppies. Unfortunately, this is where the puppy mill finds its outlet for thousands of poor quality puppies produced in concentration camp style kennels. Their dogs are bred with no consideration for health and temperament. Pet stores offer various guarantees and assurances in an effort to sell their puppies, most of which are backed up by replacing the puppy with one of equally poor quality and/or health. The fact is that responsible breeders who care about what happens to the puppies they breed do not sell to pet stores. The pet stores buy from brokers and mark the puppies up at least double what they paid for them. You will pay $500 and up for a puppy that the breeders originally sold for as little as $50! You will always pay more than you would have paid for a top quality puppy bought from a reputable breeder. A few pet stores are owned by caring individuals who sell healthy mixed breeds reasonably or take purebreds on consignment and sell them with “limited registration” papers, thus indicating they are intended purely as companions and not show or breeding animals. A word to the wise, be very careful in purchasing a dog from a pet store. BREEDERS. If you want the best possible purebred you can find, you need to find a RESPONSIBLE breeder. Not everyone who has a litter is doing so for the right reasons or is reputable. Some places you can look for REPUTABLE breeders are:
A REPUTABLE BREEDER is one who:
Don't be surprised if you have to get on a “waiting list” or drive to a distant town for a top quality puppy. Consider is a worthwhile investment for the pleasure and companionship your puppy will provide over the years to come. Most responsible breeders sell their companion puppies on Limited Registration, which does not allow them to be used for breeding purposes. If breeding your dog is important to you, be prepared to spend the extra time and money to purchase a show quality dog that has the potential to contribute to the improvement of its breed with the next generation. Above all, when you do get a dog, please be a RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER. This includes training your dog to be a good canine citizen and being considerate of neighbors and others who come in contact with your dog. See that your dog has regular veterinary care and (unless your dog is show quality), spay or neuter it for its own safety as well as to avoid contributing to the unwanted pet problem How to Identify a Legitimate Rescue
The Meaning of RescueNow that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed, all nicely tucked in my warm new bed, I'd like to open my baggage, lest I forget. There is so much to carry - So much to regret. Hmm...Yes there it is, right on the top, let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss. And there by my bed hides Fear and Shame. As I look on these things I tried so hard to leave - I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain. I loved them, the others, the ones who left me, but I wasn't good enough - for they didn't want me. Will you add to my baggage? Will you help me unpack? Or will you just look at my things - And take me right back? Do you have the time to help me unpack? To put away my baggage, to never repack? I pray that you do - I'm so tired you see, but I do come with baggage - Will you still want me? - Author Unknown |
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