[(JD)]

It hasn't even been a week since Caleb died, and people are pushing me to get another puppy to train as my service dog. I have found an organization who will come to my home, on a grant, to train a puppy...the other one who helped with both my service dogs has had it's CEO die and they closed the organization...

Here's the puppy I'm looking at.... someone on another site has offered some of the cost... but IDK... not used to accepting help you know... anyway...

Just pray about whether I should get another puppy so soon...and whether I should try for THIS puppy? He's a standard poodle. I've only had labrador, and labradoodle before...(well and a Collie as a child, and my sons had German Shepherds)...

I know I'm grieving so I can't hardly breathe at times...and am NOT thinking clearly...which is why I'm delaying (well, that and he's $2200 with transportation).... and if I'm supposed to have this one, he'll still be there after any delay, right? Yeah... if God wants me to have another, or this one... That's why I need you to pray.

[gayleggg]

It is hard to try and replace a love friend that we lost, but if you need a service dog it would be good to start one training. I've have a poodle before and they are extremely smart and gentle. But only you know if you are ready so soon after Caleb.

I found when I lost my beloved poodle, I didn't want another one, but within a month I was looking on PetFinder and was starting to feel the need to fill the gap. I had so much love to give. It has never taken away my love for Lucy but now I have another love, different but wonderful all at the same time.

Good luck to you in your decision. I know it is a hard one. It's a beautiful puppy.

[Fuzzybear]

puppy is absolutely beautiful

[DogTrainingLove]

Again, I'm very sorry for your loss!

That puppy is very cute, though there is something I thought I'd let you know... Purebred Breeders (The website the puppy comes from) is not a reputable site. All of the puppies listed on the site come from puppy mills. If you look up reviews of them you'll see most people give them one out of five stars, saying their puppies come with health and or temperament issues. One person on Yelp even said the company told them to remove their bad review and write a good one.

Here's an piece written about them (Warning, the video and piece can be a trigger) Today Show Airs HSUS Investigation into Huge Internet Puppy Broker : The Humane Society of the United States

I looked at the puppy's page and it doesn't say anything about the parents, if they were health tested, temperament tested, did any sort of sport or showing, ect. Which is all a big red flag with a breeder. They also don't ask any questions of who is buying a puppy, anyone could buy one for anything. A good breeder will get to know who is buying their puppies and will not sell to anyone they deem not fit. They do say that the puppy is nice and friendly, but that's really a puppy thing in general.

Personally I wouldn't go with this puppy and would run far, far away from purebred breeders (The company, not people who breed purebred dogs )

The reason I say all this is to help you avoid having to wash the puppy out of Service Dog training due to health or temperament issues that can be avoided with good breeding.

A good breeder should health test any dog they breed to make sure they aren't passing on genetic health issues. The breeder should also do some sort of showing and/or sports with their dog. They should be more than happy to let you come meet their dogs and see where they are kept. Any dogs they breed should also have some sort of temperament testing.

If you need any help deciding on a breed or looking for a breeder I'd be happy to help.

[(JD)]

Yes thanks... I haven't been able to figure them all out yet (breeders and mills) as they all look so professional...
I've asked the contact to provide breeder and parent info on hamilton...yeah I thought he was too good to be true...

I'm needing a standard poodle or an Flb labradoodle...

this one says he has lifetime guarantee health ...but I was wondering what that covers...just another puppy of the same caliber?

Thanks... I'm going through the American Kennel Club for a breeder.... thanks... my brain just isn't working right...
I've contacted a local ! poodle club, AKC.... to see if they can point me in the right direction.

[DogTrainingLove]

No problem. This is their "Lifetime guarantee" While they make it sound nice, reading what it really is, not so much: Lifetime Guarantee - Purebred Breeders LLC - purebredbreeders.com They only guarantee a replacement if the dog passes away or is found it have a illness that's passed on through genetics for one year (Normally those things don't show up that quickly) after that they only guarantee 50% of your money.

I recommend poodles, here's a nice article on a poodle forum about how to pick out a puppy and things to beware of: Buying a puppy safely - the basics - Poodle Forum - Standard Poodle, Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle Forum ALL Poodle owners too! Might be a nice idea to join so you can talk to poodle owners and get their opinions on some breeders you look into.

Here's an example of a good poodle breeder: Hunting Poodles: Field-Proven

[(JD)]

Thanks again.

I just can't join anything now.... I can barely open my mail. It's all I can do to look at puppy sites--and I didn't do that well at all

[gayleggg]

JD, just take it one day at a time. Your emotions are still raw. Be kind to yourself.

[(JD)]

I've quit hoping and looking.

A breeder said she would pass my desire (for a free labradoodle) on to the other breeders.

God is still in control... and I still don't understand. My T is out 2 more weeks...he's very ill from chemo/radiation... Please pray for him!

Pray for me... I'm not in a good place.

[Fuzzybear]

((((((((( JD )))))))))

[gma45]

So sorry to hear about your loss. If it were me I would have to have a bit more time before getting a new pup. They can be a lot of work as I am sure you know. Just don't want to see you jumping into something you are not ready for emotionally. Give yourself some time to grieve. It will feel right when it is time and it will all fall into place.

[(JD)]

Yeah.... I don't have energy to feed myself right now... but I fear that's depression... talking myself out of a reason for another service dog... if I go no where... I don't need anything else.

To puppy proof the house would be exhausting, even though I have an assistant one day a week...she doesn't have a clue about that.

I have no responsibility right now... nothing but to myself (get to PT...eat...) no reason to live really... no obligations... my life is totally empty and devoid of meaning... but of course for some of those reasons is why what few people have contact with me are saying I will get another service dog... even my T...

Just pray for me... and my T.... God should be faithful to your prayers...

[ArthurDent]

If you're anywhere between Mansfield, Ohio and Erie, PA I'll help you puppy proof your place. I've got almost 50 years of experience. lol. I lost my best friend of 13 years in October. She wasn't the first one I had to put down. I'm still missing her and talking to her. But I just finished the whole puppy proofing process for my new border collie, Josie. It's a hell of a lot of work, but she makes me smile every single day. Let me know if you're within driving distance and I'll be happy to help.

[(JD)]

Not even close :hug; SE Florida... yeah..it only makes how great the old dog was seem harder to handle...

[live2ski66]

Hi JD, so sorry for your loss. I don't know where you live, but at the Ag school in FT Collins, Co (Colorado State University) they have the Sullivan center (if I remember). Anyway they offer bereavement groups for people who have lost their companions. It might be an option. I'm sure at CSU Vet School they help people in need find their next companion.
Please let me know if I may help.

[(JD)]

Yes I found a link connection on the humane society site... but couldn't get it to load properly... I'll keep trying on the bereavement group. Thanks.

[(JD)]

Good news about my psychologist... he is back in office. He said he had excellent response to his treatment in spite of how sick it made him. Thank you all so much for praying him well.

Maybe today when I see him he can guide me regarding a new puppy?

[gayleggg]

That's great news that he is back and doing well. I'm sure he will help you regarding the new puppy. Good luck to you in your search.

I am sorry for your loss
I know what ur going thru and I am always here to help xxx

[(JD)]

My doctor shared--after I said I didn't think an older dog would work for me, with all he would have to learn and bond with me over--that he'd realized that I need a puppy as well, not a young dog but a puppy.

Addendum: I found this puppy at a shelter 400 miles north of me: he's a standard poodle, and I've inquired about him. Pray that if this is the doggie for me I'll get him, and if not, I won't?

[live2ski66]

Hi JD, this is probably a long shot, but worth trying. Many moons ago when I lived in the Front Range of CO I had a friend who raised and showed giant poodles. I don't know if she still does, I'm assuming she is still living in FT. Collins. As soon as I get to my outlaws for my "psych vacation" (towards the end of the month) I'll find her email and email her asking if she knows of a breeder or trainer, or organization who might be willing to help.
No promises, I'll try and cross my fingers.
You are in my prayers.

[(JD)]

Thanks. I was looking at some that are in CO... they're like $2500 but worth it because they won't automatically have health problems... that's the going rate for purebred poodles and labradoodles. (It was $1500 7 years ago when I got Caleb.)

I was just in convo / email with what I thought was petfinder (which is the Humane society outlet across the country --have I said this already? ) and was trying to negotiate and make arrangements (they're in Texas) but then saw it's with puppyfind -- probably a puppy mill!!!)) Now I have to email her and let her know I can't arrange it all thanks anyway

Too confused to do this. Not sure my T will be in next week---pray that his chemo this week won't give him much symptomatic issues? rayer:

I see Physical therapist this am... he's always encouraging and trying to fill in some for his friend my T.

Lots of prayers sending down your way for you, your therapist & your prospective doggie. This doggie is so cute btw. May you find the best doggie.

[(JD)]

This was my Caleb learning patience.

[Open Eyes]

((JD)), Calib was a very lucky dog, he was so loved and he knew he pleased you. That is so important to dogs, they love to please and be loved.

I looked up labra doodles, Oh, they are soooo cute JD, I can see why you like them.

OE