UPDATE: Just Discouraged Facebook "friend" from Buying a Doodle

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

UPDATE: See first post below for scoop, but for those of you who have followed, I received a very great email from my friend. She is going to put her schnauzer into training (has never done this) and try to really work with her before making any decisions. She has also decided to NOT rehome her before seeing how the baby and dog react to each other. Sooo, maybe I actually helped in this situation. She also said she would think long and hard before 1) giving her current pup up and 2) adding any other dog to her family. Sometimes advice is taken and I am really happy I spoke up in this case.

ORIGINAL POST: I am posting this on the forum because I thought it might stir some of you, especially those of you involved in the DRC.

A "friend" on facebook saw a photo of Peri recently. You know how those facebook "friends" are - I am closer to DK friends than those people sometimes. Anyway, she was asking me if they shed and many other questions.
I explained that it is never a guarantee that they are non-shed, EVER. Especially with the first generations...I really tried to educate her. I told her if she is that worried about the cleanliness of her house and needs a non-shed dog for that reason (she does not have allergies), go with a poodle or other non-shedding dog like a terrier, etc....
Then she proceeds to say she is going to re-home her Schnauzer next year because she is trying to have a baby. She said he is too used to being an only dog and may snap at the baby. Now I can totally understand being scared about a snappy dog being around my child, but the entire conversation irked me. Do you know what I mean? The whole non-shed thing, child thing, etc...
Isn't this why so many doodles end up getting re-homed? People think they are non-shed, they may not be. People think they are so smart and easy, they are puppies for the first 1-2 years of their lives, for goodness sake!
This is more to vent, but I did think it was worth posting in the forum. Because I really told her she should wait and not rush out and buy any dog before really thinking it through.

I have had a lot of blogs lately, hope you are not sick of me :)

[Leslie and Halas]

And maybe she should give her current dog a chance with the baby, instead of just assuming he'll act up. I've had friends that were a little worried how their dogs would react when the babies came home, but they didn't automatically give up their dogs. They gave it a chance, and it all worked out. In the 2 families I'm thinking of, the dogs are wonderful with the kids. I agree with you. It doesn't make much sense to talk about giving up your current dog while at the same time talking about getting another one, just because she thinks it will magically be this perfect dog.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Well said. I did urge her to wait and see how her dog is with the baby. Who knows until it happens, right? Just a weird conversation.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Exactly my thoughts.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Bravo to you, Allyson! This person should not have any dog, at least not at this time in her life. Maybe when she grows up.
If she filled out an adoption form honestly, she would most likely not be approved to adopt a dog from the DRC or any other ethical reputable rescue group or private shelter. Many responsible breeders also have applications for their pups, and would seriously question the decision to give up a pet because of something that might not ever even happen. Giving up a dog because you are trying to have a baby and the dog "might" snap at this as-yet-unconceived-and-unborn baby would be ridiculous if it weren't so sad. There would be plenty of time to work on any issues the schnauzer might have but it's clear this woman just doesn't want to bother; she doesn't care enough about her dog to try. Why would she care more about a different dog? Because it's cuter? This not a good pet owner.
Maybe if she does have kids, she will lose some of that selfish, all-about-me attitude and become someone who deserves to have a doodle. Maybe.

[Adina P]

Oh gosh... "might snap at the baby" -- good work for talking her out of another dog! Poor schnauzer.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Maybe after the first baby, she should have another baby. to make sure she has at least one that is a success, or is cute, or is smart. Maybe she should give up the first baby, because the second baby might get picked on the first baby. Maybe she should get rid of the first husband because his mother is ugly and if she has a girl her girl might be ugly like his mother. Maybe she should get rid of her two children because she wants the new modern furniture and the kids might ruin the new chairs and carpet.
Oh good grief don't mind me........... Not a good day. What I am trying to say is some people will never be happy and can never keep up with the Jones. They scare me.
Thanks Allyson. I needed a place to vent too.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

On another note, I think that Schnauzer should just go bite her now.

Sorry folks, just cranky today and this was a perfect place to vent. How do people just toss out animals like they were an old shirt? Maybe she should just go buy a car instead.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I agree. I do understand when people do have very valid reasons for giving up their pet, such as financial woes or if the dog really is a danger to children. But I really needed to vent also on this one because of course, I think Peri (and doodles in general) are AWESOME. But people need to be responsible when thinking of buying/adopting an animal. There are too many that need homes, many of them have been given up for reasons due to a dog just being to "difficult" or time consuming, etc...

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

But people need to be responsible when thinking of buying/adopting an animal.

When we got Spud the first thing I said was, " Hello my friend, for the next 15 years."

May I add to difficult and consuming--trendy. Do you think that some people treat animals like a fad. How many small dogs were given up after we no longer saw Paris Hilton stuffing tiny toy puppies into her purse?

I know we have had these conversations before and I am trying not to rehash them.... It is just a personal coincidence you posted this today. :) Hope all goes well with your friend. Hopefully she will be able to let Marriage, children, and pets all into one big happy family. Possibly she feels overwhelmed at a young age. Tell her she can have it all and not to give one thing up to get another. There.... I am trying to sound better :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My daughter called me today because there is a 6 year old white standard poodle at the shelter. The owner gave it up "because she didn't have time for her" What in the heck was she doing for the last 5 years? My daughter said the poodle was so sweet. She wondered if any dk members were interested in a white standard poodle. I told her to see if she could find a number for poodle rescue.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I know of several great poodle rescues; where is your daughter located? In CA, there's Norcal Poodle Rescue for Northern CA & Southern OR. and also Southern CA Poodle Rescue. There are also several in the northeast, southeast & TX.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Southern California. I will call her right now with the name for Southern Ca one. I can't believe someone having time when the dog was a puppy terror, but not time when a calm adult!.