Oh, Crud...Tell Me About Dalmatians, Please

[Poulets De Cajun]

Have him contact a Dalmation Rescue group. They evaluate potential adopters, conduct home inspections, and complete signed contracts before adoptions.

http://www.dalmatianrescue.com/

http://www.thedca.org/rescue.html

 

[ranchhand]

Has he considered hiring someone to come by once/twice a day to let Edward out, feed him, playtime? I used to work as a petsitter and we charged $8.00 per day to do just that, except for days when the pets owner was off. So say, $40-$50 per week?

 

[hinkjc]

Maybe ask your son if he is willing to take care of all vet expenses if you provide the dog a home - that includes having him neutered before he arrives.

I am sure he understands pets are a financial burden as well as their other needs. He may be flexible since it is a time issue and doesn't sound like an expense issue on his side.

And if you feel it's too much, don't be afraid to say so. I'm sure he'll understand. There are lots of loving homes out there with fenced backyards.

I too have heard they're a bit high strung, but haven't ever had experience with them and I'm sure that depends on how they're raised and training provided as well.

 

[speckledhen]

All great suggestions, thank you! If he meant this Monday-Tues to bring the dog up here, then he needs to get me more information before we can make a final decision. If he is not neutered, no way I'm taking him. The Dalmation rescue would be a good thing! Paying someone to let him out might be good if my son wasn't already financially strapped-he didnt say it, but I think that is also part of it, in addition to poor Edward having to stay crated all the time. I love dogs, but I know our limitations.

 

[ranchhand]

Maybe he could barter a deal, even better if it were with a neighbor?

 

[patandchickens]

If you are at all entertaining the notion, it'd be a REAL good idea to spend some good length of time with them, both with and without your dog there.

Reading between the lines of your son's description I fear I am hearing "significant behavior problems"....

Good luck either way,

Pat

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

I am not one to provide input on this, because we have 2 rescued horses, 1 rescued cat, 2 rescued dogs and 1 rescued Rooster (Thanks to BirdLover). I will tell you that many people ask us to take in their animals and we do say no.

How old is the Dalmation?

Definately should nueter him before bringing him to your house?

In my mind, they are not dumb, they are actually very smart which requires them to actually receive more training and they need to be worked with / stimulated to keep them content. I have heard that Dalmations tend to have hearing problems, although I am not sure of the reason.

The cost of vet care for a large dog like a dalmation is definately something to consider, unless your Son is willing to help with the costs.

My other concern would be for your dog. At 11, if your dog has not already gotten there, it will soon get to the stage where it wants to lay around more, take it easy and a younger dog may just be annoying.

Lots to consider!!! And unfortunately only you can make the decision.

Know this, from what I know of you, you are a great, loving care giver to your animals. But you can not care for every animal in need. So regardless of your decision, you are doing the right thing and are still an awesome person. You ROCK!!

 

[speckledhen]

Ed, you are so sweet, thank you. I have found that there is a rescue group here that does NC, SC, GA and TN called DalPals. I thought I remembered that the friend of a neighbor has a deaf Dalmatian, but when I asked, she said that friend was in Tx, so that won't work. Then, she called me back and said a man who lives near me raises Dalmatians and may take him, so seems one way or another, that dog may be coming up here. My Kes is a couch potato and very submissive and quiet. She was the perfect compliment to our crazy, playful, dominant Cody for years, but I really dont know that she would get along with any other dog. Still waiting for my son to get back with me about some facts. I cant help find him a home till I know his age and if he's neutered.

 

[gypsy2621]

If my 2 cents counts for anything .
If you dont want another dog at this time I would adivse just saying no I cant feasably take on another animal at this time.

Dalmations dont have so much behavior issues as they cant hear commands as well as most ofther breeds. A lot of Dals are either fully deaf or partially deaf.
and if I remember right there is something in the inner ear that makes the vibrations of sounds distorted, and they just do not understand commands properly
I will try to find the link I aquired the information from.
This type of defect can be helped with the use of hand signals instead of words.
If the dog is older hand signals may or may not work at this stage, most times its a puppy training aid that works the best.
jmo

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Cyn,

Obviously you haven't had much contact with the dog so there isn't any connection between you and the dog. You have also decided you don't want another dog. Tell the son, sorry but, no you can not take him. It does sound like you have leads for a new home and you could let him know that you are willing to help with rehoming him that way. It's not easy to say no but, I've seen to many take in the kids/grandkids dog for a variety of reasons and how that can take a toll on attitudes/relationship between the involved parties.