Oh no, what have I done?

[JenT 0]

So, the license of one of our two dogs expires at the end of the year and I went to Animal Control to renew it on Thursday. I was chatting with the officer there and heard more barking than usual. I made the mistake of asking what kinds of dogs they had in the back.

He listed off a few (said it seemed to be 'hound week', which explained all of the barking) and then said, "And we have an adult male yellow lab in the back too. Have listed him as pet of the week for the last two weeks - he's been here since Thanksgiving." We talked about how people seem to only want puppies, or the fashionable small purse-dogs these days. He could see that I was curious and asked, "Are you strong enough to go back there?" I almost said, "No", but instead said, "Of course."

He told me where the cage was and I made a beeline to it, purposefully NOT looking at ANY of the cages along the way. I was not going to be tempted. I just wanted to see how closely he resembled a yellow lab I'd had for 14 yrs (had to put him down 5 yrs ago). I saw him in his cage, and that was it.

He's a massive lab, mostly white, actually... not much yellow. HUGE blocky head and thick neck... looked purebred to me. I took him out of his cage and we went for a walk. He has a lab disposition in every way...

I couldn't put him back in his cage so I asked the officer to do it. I had to get back to work.... the officer said that since he'd been there a month with absolutely no interest whatsoever, they were going to be euthanizing him after the holidays.

I called David on the way back to work and he agreed to meet me at the shelter to see him. One look was all it took for him to be smitten. Unfortunately, he did not have the 'willpower' I had and he looked at the other cages. He wanted to take all of them home.

Very long story short, after some begging, pleading, and promising on my part, they bent the rules and let me take him out unvaccinated on Friday. Their vet wasn't going to be around until next Thursday (prob to do the euthanizing... I didn't ask). Long story short, he's in perfect health (except for some worms and a broken canine tooth). And now he's ours !!! Vet agrees that he is certainly purebred, but of the English lab variety... not the American type, which is why he's so big. We're having him neutered after the holidays.

The socialization with the other two is going better than expected. I knew we would have no trouble with the beagle but we've had a few moment with our Aussie Shepherd-mix. The New Guy (we have yet to name him) is quite content to be part of the pack and not the leader, even though he's almost twice the weight of the Shepherd... he avoids confrontation and only defends himself when he's really provoked.

But we're struggling with a name for the guy... the kids are with their dad and they won't see him until Christmas Eve... so we're keeping this a surprise. They should have a say in naming him but right now, our top names are:

Rugby, Winston, Bruce, Buster, Romeo (since he stole our hearts), Winchester, Gabriel, or Beau.

Anyone have any other suggestions? I'll post a pic too when I have a min to upload the camera photos.

Jen

[natty bumppo 297]

Congratulations !!!

Edited December 22, 2007 by Natty Bumppo

[Nagishkaw 510]

God Bless you, JennT !

Let the dog pick his own name. Simply call him a barrage of names that you like, and I am sure he will respond to at least one of them.

[JenT 0]

God Bless you, JennT !

Let the dog pick his own name. Simply call him a barrage of names that you like, and I am sure he will respond to at least one of them.

Funny... we've been doing that, just to test things out.... he's just happy to have any attention whatsoever!

[GabachaYucateca 0]

What a lucky, lucky boy!

Even thinking about going to the pound makes me sick to my stomach.

[PlatyPius 5]

Chaucer.

[JVKn'CVO 11]

(L) Congrats on the new doggie!!! (F)

He sounds adorable, waiting for some pics!!

Saludos,

Caro

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Commendable for saving him from being euthanized.

I like Platy's suggestion....Chaucer.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

woof!

interesting... I didn't know.

"As with some other breeds, the English (typically "show") and the American (typically "working" or "field") lines differ. Labs are bred in England as a medium-sized dog, shorter and stockier with fuller faces and a slightly calmer nature than their American counterparts which are bred as a larger lighter-built dog. No distinction is made by the AKC, but the two classifications come from different breeding. Australian stock also exists; though not seen in the west, they are common in Asia. Other "local minor variants" may also exist in some areas."

Edited December 23, 2007 by LuckyStrike

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Awe! I like Beau.

[Fandango 1,439]

I like Romeo and it's a perfect name based on how you met!

Best of luck with the new fam member, Jen! You are an awesome fur mommy!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Cujo

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Cujo

LOL...that'll get some interesting reactions from neighbors and guests.

[Queen Jenn 0]

God Bless you, JennT !

Let the dog pick his own name. Simply call him a barrage of names that you like, and I am sure he will respond to at least one of them.

Funny... we've been doing that, just to test things out.... he's just happy to have any attention whatsoever!

That's a lab for ya. I have a yellow lab (he's almost white, too). And I could call him just about anything and he would come running with that deer-in-the-headlights I love you goofy look.

Hmmm, I like Romeo, too. It's perfect, since he won your heart.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Cujo

I had a rabbit named Cujo.

I also had a male cat named Romeo.

hmmm...