Waiting to hear from dog lovers!

You are welcome! Since I have no one to take care of my pet when I am on vacations (to India), frequent work trips, etc and also my constant shifting between cities, I had to make the painful decision of not having my own dog in the near future. So instead, I foster dogs for a rescue center.
If you can adopt from a rescue center as Custard has suggested, it will be so great!

 

Hello outofbox,

Feels very good to know that you are planning to adopt one when you are ready. At Bangalore, there is an NGO named "Lets Live Togather" by Achala. They run adoption drives every month. We get only vaccinated healthy pups through them. Here : http://letslivetogether.org/ and join them : Lets Live Together | Facebook

For those who can offer help in fostering pups but cant adopt right now, can help these people. That is to keep the puppy for few days till they get a loving permanent home. Foster parents get the joy of petting and taking care of the puppy. One can also find out if its possible to make a life long commitment for the pup/dog.

 

hi out of box...
you've got fantastic suggestions..
well let me also emphasis that adopting an indian stray pup is definitely the best.. unfortunately when we were looking for a pet.. my hubby and son wanted a lab and wouldn't settle for anything else..
well coming to your questions.
yes I live in an apt.. Harley is a labrador.. labradors are by far the easiest dogs to train .. I think.. we got him home when he was 32 days old.. and if you search my threads you will find the various anxiety levels I went through whilst he was a baby... but believe me.. he was house trained within 4 months.. he is 2.5yrs old now. for the first year we had a live in help so there was no problem but since last year we have only part time maids.. we all leave home by 9:00a.m and my son and maid comes at 4:00p.m. Harley stays alone all that while..he has never ever destroyed or behaved badly when he is alone.. only sometimes he takes away the bathroom mat as a comfort toy or if our clothes are out he will take that and sleep.. never tears them...we only lock our bedrooms and he has complete access to rest of the house..
we have a walker who comes at 6:30a.m and evening 5:00p.m to take him for 30mins walk each time and we do the night walk which is around 8:00p.m...
Harley has 2 meals.. morning and evening..but when he was a pup till he was a year old it was 3 meals..
Bangalore has many kennels and pet services.. we are a member at ANVIS pet management services.. and for a short period we did get a trainer from there... they also take care of the boarding facilities... we have been for a short trip for 2 days and left him as a trail round with a kennel where if your dog is a friendly sort is left out in the yard and not in a cage.. he was perfectly ok infact very happy playing with other dogs.. we have also taken him for an over night stay in a dog - friendly resort.. I know many people who travel with their dogs .. it all depends on how comfortable you are..
what I've seen from Harley is that 2yrs + he has changed alot.. somehow become more responsible and sensible.. his puppy ways have changed to be matured..
when we got Harley we knew our movement will be restricted.. we go for weddings/ dinners only after 8p.m. once his walk is over.. we avoid going for evening shows.. but none of us grudge this because HArley is THE KING he gives us so much of love and comfort.. this is no sacrifice..
BUT let me tell you.. I'm a crazy dog lover.. so is my son.. I never could have a pet in my childhood as my parents were not keen.. I used to go to peoples houses and play with their pets.. Harley is my childhood wish fulfilled.. my Hubby and MIL who were never great animal lovers now just adore him...
if you get a pet home.. be sure you will be able to give it 100% of your love... as they love you nnnnnnnnnth times more..
K

 

Hello Kelly, always good to read about dear Harley! Very happy that you take him out often! I always feel that dogs love outings and socializing with people and other other dogs. His stay in a dog - friendly resort is very exciting!

 

Hi Custard.. you know what we have discovered is that Harley is most comfortable at home.. when we went to the resort.. he had a good time running about in the open fields and we even had a bullock cart ride and saw some deers etc.. but came morning and he was barking away near the car and wanted to get home!!!... and once we reached home he ran to his corner and fell asleep for the rest of the day!!...
funny chap... tooo cute..
about his walks.. well we are very strict on ourselves for them as labs tend to put on weight and have health issues.. so we make sure that he doesn't miss them.. incase its raining and we can't do the complete 30-40 mins walk then we run up the staircase.. 5 floors..
K

 

HI out of the box,
nice to know yo want to own a pet. There are lot of kennel facilities in bangalore you donot hv to wory abt it. I leave my dog in the kennel when we plan our holidays.infact some of them provide pickup and drop also.
reg. breeds i own a Pom..they are low maintenance dogs.. but be aware they are noisy creatures..and sometimes snappy ;-) you cannot train them much like labs/or bigger dogs.I sometimes feel my dog thinks he is more intelligent than all of us in the house .Having said that they are real cute creatures..and they need little space and exercise..so if you are in a small house /flat they can easily adapt.
so choose a dog based on your lifestyle..as some other member has suggested Labs are also very good...but they will need lot of exercise.else they will put on weight and my vet said most the labs in blore are obese ..becos of the owners lifestyles and they end up hvg joint prob/arthritis in the legs ..poor thing.
so if you are going to be in a flat.. you can go for Cocker Spaniels,bassset hounds,beagles..also pugs and Poms.one of my friend owned a chihuahua puppy..the issue with imported breeds..it is very diff. for them to adopt to indian condition..and he died of a stomach infection.
if you are not particlar abt Breed ..Indian native breeds are much better..as they require very less maintenance and much adapted to the indian conditions.