So funny...I am the one who started this thread back in 2004 (and we shortly thereafter moved to Colorado). We moved back to So Cal last September, and just now moved into a home on a huge horse ranch in San Timoteo Canyon. Our yard is a blank slate (except for having mature pepper and birch trees)...no grass, so I am on the lookout for anything drought tolerant and rabbit proof. I don't have a lot to trade at this point, as I am starting all over, but I do have some seeds and can get my hands on some great succulents (as my mom and dad's succulent garden is always in need of trimming). And if anyone is in Redlands or thereabouts, let's see about having some get togethers to do some trading!

I would like to say that it is also possible that the woman who owned the dog before taught the dog to be hostile to men - I think it is wrong to blame men for the problem without knowing the entire history. People very often teach or transfer their own fears/phobias onto their animals, and if a woman shows fear of men when she is walking her dog, the dog will learn that men are not to be trusted. Some women are more paranoid than others, and I have seen this happen in such cases. I think it is more likely that the owner is to blame for the phobia than that the dog was treated badly by a man. If a dog is treated badly by one man, that is not enough to cause a general phobia, but if a woman shows fear of all men that she encounters while walking her dog, then that is a very strong case to make for the phobia coming from the owner. There are lots of dogs who have been trained to be hostile to people of different races, and this is also taught by the owners. I personally think that there are a lot of women who get large dogs primarily because they have a fear of strange men, and this fear may be justified for the women, but when it gets transferred to the dog, it becomes more irrational, since most men are harmless and should not be singled out as untrustworthy people. The men I have known have treated dogs equally as well as women, and yet I have encountered many hostile dogs that were owned by women. My boss has terriers (I forget which type), and one day she asked me to come to her office when she had one of them (I'll call the dog Surrey) in her office and had me wait at the threshold. Surrey barked wildly as I stood at the threshold, but after I entered the office, the barking stopped. Then I took Surrey for a walk. As it turned out, Surrey had a fear of men only at thresholds but was otherwise fine with us. I think this is a fear that could have been learned, but Surrey died a tragic death in the Northridge Earthquake before the dog psychiatrists could determine the cause of the phobia. I think people should be very mindful of what fears and phobia they may unconsciously be transferring to their pets. I also want to say that I think most women do not train their dogs to be hostile to men, but I do strongly believe that there are plenty of women who do. I personally have a phobia of large dogs, due to having been bitten by at least three of them on separate occasions when I was fairly young, but I do appreciate the Great Dane next door that has reduced to squirrel population in my immediate vicinity.

quirkyquerus: I totally agree. We don't really have any pet stores to speak of in my area other than Petsmart. I have never gotten a pet from a petstore except for hamsters and guinea pigs and fish. I think when people buy at a petstore it's more for convenience. They decide they want a pet and they go shopping. I tend to buy from breeders unless I can find the specific breed I want from rescue. In the past I have gotten rescue animals but what I learned is that sometimes you really do need to pick an animal that will fit with your family better. This is a long term committment. Too many people buy because the breed is popular or cute and then they find out it doesn't get along with kids or cats or whatever and the dog ends up being abandoned. Research is really important. I spent a year and a half researching my current dog before I got him and he's better than I could have hoped for. My last dog was with us for over 14 years (a retriever)who was perfect for our family then.

Nancy, I'm so sorry that things did not work out for you. Please find some peace knowing Fawn is in a good loving home & you still have your two. Please don't be too harsh on the volunteers as they are under staffed & stressed. Recently, while helping a friend (without a computer ) find a dog on Petfinders I heard about a Shepherd they were hoping to save when they brought my friend's 'dog' to her house for the three week trial. They sent me a pic saying her days were numbered on death row unless someone adopted or fostered her. I really didn't want another dog, as I have two. So I said I would foster her, knowing I'd probably end up keeping her. They replied this was wonderful, her life had been spared & they would have her spayed & transported to me. I didn't hear anything for some time. The response to my inquiry was devastating - she had tested HW positive & was unadoptable -- the rescue had no funds & was under staffed. I agreed to adopt her sight unseen & treat for HW - the only way to save her life. I'm so glad I did. Hannah is a sweetheart. We love her so much & she gets along with our two dogs & two cats as if it's been forever. Here's a partial email from from the volunteer that transported Hannah from the US to me in Canada ( she refers to Francine from the rescue here, that I had met at my friend's.) I love all the dogs, but German shepherds have a special place in my heart. Please pet Hannah for me and maybe one day i will be able to see her again. Francine, you need to organize an adoption get together one day, it would be neat to see some of the dogs again. Francine is right, alot of Pounds care less if a dog gets out or gets euthanized and alot of them are not even willing to work with rescues. I'm very fortunate to have the Warden on my side, he let's me do pretty much whatever i want and let's me hold the dogs that i can get to a Rescue. without his coorporation, i would have a hard time to get them to safety. Usually a dog with Heartworms does not have a prayer left. Thank-you so much for giving Hannah another chance and also thanks to Francine who works so hard to find homes for our Pound dogs. We could not do it without eachother. Sorry this is so long. Think I'm trying to say things happen for a reason. Summer