Corgi Forums

MyPemCharlie · 04:10 PM

It is a very bad thing for me to look through the local shelter and rescue dogs available around town. But I do scroll through PetFinder three or four times a week. The "bad thing" is knowing that at some point some silly looking little mutt would tug at my heartstrings and I'd have to go take a look.

Anyway, tommorow I'm going to one of the shelters to look at a little Rat Terrier mix. You may have read that Charlie's very best dog-buddy is a Fox/Rat Terrier mix named Willie, who I've "babysat" at my house and occassionally take for walks when Willie's mom can't go with us. I'm always sad when Willie leaves and would gladly have him in my home (if he didn't have a great home). There are lots of rescue/shelter small-sized terriers around so I'm not sure why Betina's picture in particular is whispering, "Come look at me." Maybe she seems to have Charlie's jolly smile (and big ears) so maybe they're second-cousins, twice removed or something.

This is a link to Betina's profile (4th dog down on page 2). She is about 1 year old and approximately 10 pounds:
Central Texas SPCA - Finding Forever Families™

Chip's Mom · 06-14-2008, 04:25 PM

Chris - she is a little doll for sure and that sweet smile and happy face is beckoning. She does pull on heartstrings. Good luck tomorrow and I hope you bring her home for you and Charlie.

MyPemCharlie · 06-14-2008, 04:53 PM

Well, if she seems healthy and doesn't have any signs of aggression or excessive fear, I'll probably apply to adopt her. I'm kind of torn though. I was planning to wait about a year (which is why I should not open the PetFinder website) and have spoken with Cardigan Corgi breeders and with Silky Terrier breeders. I am leaning toward a smaller sized dog just because two Corgis can't fit in my office recliner (ha!), but Charlie and a small dog could snuggle while I work, or a little dog would fit in my lap and Charlie could continue to hog the recliner. There are other reasons too, but I think I want to go with a smaller breed as a second dog.

As a huge contrast to cute, scrappy Betina, I am on the waiting list for the second scheduled litter at Primeblu Silky Terriers. Those pups (if the plans go right) would be ready to go early next year.
http://www.primeblu.com/

I know I'll be happy with whatever happens. I just think all dogs are great.

Moviesnob · 06-14-2008, 08:38 PM

She's a cutie. I saw one of these at the dog park today - he was intent on catching a squirrel. He spent a good half-hour camped out underneath the tree it fled up. Definitely persistent! She would be much less maintenance than a silky terrier. Hey! Maybe you could get THREE!

glencorgi · 06-14-2008, 08:40 PM

Oh my Chris, this is a bit of twist. <LOL> Well, there is the smile and the ears and the fact she looks she's boinged about five feet off the ground - lots of personality - scrappy is a good description. I'll be thinking good thoughts for you, and Charlie.

Debbie

MyPemCharlie · 06-14-2008, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moviesnob

She's a cutie. I saw one of these at the dog park today - he was intent on catching a squirrel. He spent a good half-hour camped out underneath the tree it fled up. Definitely persistent! She would be much less maintenance than a silky terrier. Hey! Maybe you could get THREE!

Actually I think the maintenance would be similar. The short-haired Rat Terrier would shed a lot like a Corgi, so she would get brushed 5-10 minutes outside like Charlie does to get rid of loose undercoat. Silky Terriers don't shed...otherwise I would not want to deal with that much coat. They have a single coat which I understand needs about 10 minutes a day of brushing to keep clean and detangled. The Silky would need a little trimming on her feet, nose and a cut to keep the fur from dragging on the ground, but that would not be an everyday thing.

Charlie will give any terrier breed a run for there money when it comes to chasing squirrels!

MyPemCharlie · 06-14-2008, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glencorgi

Oh my Chris, this is a bit of twist. <LOL> Well, there is the smile and the ears and the fact she looks she's boinged about five feet off the ground - lots of personality - scrappy is a good description. I'll be thinking good thoughts for you, and Charlie.

Debbie

Heehee! I had to go back and look at her picture. It can either look like her back feet are on the ground, or 5 feet off the ground. Optical illusion! Well she and Charlie could have a ping-pong dog competition...he can boing about 4 feet.

We'll see what happens tomorrow. Willie's mom is going with me to look at her.

MyPemCharlie · 06-15-2008, 12:21 PM

I just got back from visiting Betina. She is a very gentle sweet girl and not "boingy" at all...though I would expect that to change once she's in a real home and comfortable. The shelter folks did tell me that someone looked at her on Friday and applied for her. They were missing some information from the application, but other than that they are approved to adopt, so it sounds like she will probably be going home with someone else. I did fill out an application anyway, in case the other adoption falls through.

glencorgi · 06-15-2008, 03:30 PM

It sounds like at least Betina had a win/win weekend. And she sounds like a doll. Either with you or the other family, sounds like she will be going home soon. And that is a good thing!

Debbie

MyPemCharlie · 06-17-2008, 10:18 AM

Yes, she found a good home so I'm happy for her. The people who applied a day or two before me adopted her. So maybe another little young-adult shelter/rescue dog will capture my heart, or I'll just stay on the waiting list for a puppy next year.

MyPemCharlie · 06-19-2008, 02:30 PM

Well, I was disappointed at not getting Betina and decided that I really wanted another dog; mixed-breed or pure-breed young adult (not really ready to do the puppy-thing again while "finishing" Charlie on manners), but sooner than later. I have been reading a lot about several of the 10-20 pound terrier breeds over the last few months.

Two days ago, I brought home a 3 year old sweet, active girl who I renamed Desta, which means "joy and happiness". She just had a 4th litter of puppies in April (poor girl...lots of litters for such a young age) and the breeder dumped her because she wanted to get a "champion dog" to keep breeding (perfect example of the "lowest-end" BYB). She no longer had any use for this girl.

Anyway, she is a Cairn Terrier (think Toto/Wizard of Oz dog) with a delightful temperament and she's scheduled for spay (no more puppies for her!), heartworm test, and other general health testing. I've spent two days trying to learn how to strip her coat (you actually pull the dead hairs out by hand...hmmm), as her coat is totally blown from the puppies, living ouside in 100 degree heat, and lack of general care. I'm looking forward to the transformation from dull, scraggly dog to pretty-coated girl over the next several months.

Charlie loves her...too much. He is still a teenager and can be a bit overwhelming to a mature, very polite dog. I'm making sure to separate them when Charlie gets too pushy with "c'mon let's play, play, play!"

glencorgi · 06-19-2008, 02:52 PM

OH MY GOODNESS! She is a cutie Chris. I've thought a lot about the Terriers over the years (I like the tenacity), but the grooming - hand stripping has always been my mind changer. You'll have a strong wrist that's for sure.

A good grooming, good food and lots of TLC and she's going to be a beauty. CONGRATULATIONS to you and Charlie. We're sending healthy vibes for her wellness check up and out.

Debbie

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