So tell us more? How did you get rooked into #2?
Ever since we got Ku my husband has been saying how much he would like another Dutch. But with three dogs, two of whom are not good with other dogs, we didn't think it was something we would consider until much later. I am also missing having a Lab in my life since it is now almost two years since Gryphon died.
Back in February a friend of ours who trains drug detection dogs told us she had placed a Dutch 3 years ago but now the couple was divorcing and the wife couldn't keep the dog. My friend had orginally taken him from someone who had put him on Craigslist because even thought she doubted he could be a working dog, she was afraid who he'd wind up with since the average person doesn't know what they are getting into with a DS. She wound up adopting him out to a couple with the provision that if they were able not to keep him that he'd either come back to her or she would have to approve of his new home.
Anyway, he sounded like a wonderful dog and very well socialized and stable and we told her we would be willing to meet him. But then the owner said she had a friend who just lost their GSD and they wanted to adopt the Dutch. My friend said it sounded like a great home so we said that was fine and it was most important to have him placed. But it got us thinking I guess...
About 3 weeks ago we were sitting at home on a Sunday night when John saw Kane (formerly Luc) on NADSR's Facebook page and showed it to me. At the time I just looked at him like, "And your point is??" but when I read more about him I started to think he may be a great fit for us. I let it go that night but then at work the next day I took another look and thought, "What's the harm in submitting an application?" and finding out more about his story. So I did that and then learned that he was back in rescue after being placed by NADSR as a puppy. As I am telling people, I don't want to get into a discussion as to why he was put back into rescue in such a public forum. I don't agree with why he was given up, but at least they did the right thing by giving him back to NADSR versus dumping him at a shelter or putting him on Craigslist. Publicly berating a person for deciding to give up their dog may only deter others from doing the same which is ultimately not in the best interest of the dog(s).
So after finding out that he is very well socialized with other dogs and seeing in videos that (at least for now) he doesn't have the level of drive that Ku does, we decided to go for it. This is our second Dutch that we have adopted without meeting in person and so far things are going very well. Kane ("Khanay") is super sweet and is really a pretty "easy" keeper for a DS. Granted, that can all change as he becomes more acclimated and comfortable, but I think he's going to fit in very well with our family. And when I saw his DOB on his adoption application (we had already decided to take him) it made me feel that this was just meant to be.
So that is the not-so-short explanation of how we went from 1 Dutch to 2 and now we have four dogs in all. Yes, we are a little nuts.
But oh what fun it is!!!