[CelexaNY]

I'm so excited! I was surfin' petfinder, looking at all the pitbulls in my area, and I came across.. What's this? AN ACTUAL PIT BULL RESCUE! Not a city shelter, not a branch of ASPCA or HSUS! An actual, real-live pit bull rescue! Hoooorayyy!
They have 8 dogs listed. And so far I'm in love with them all !

I know that I'll have to wait 6 months at least before I can get another dog, seeing as I'll be moving out then and then give myself a few months to get acclimated to the new surroundings and such. But man it's fun to look!

So I think I found where I'll be getting my new dog!

On to the question.
I don't want to feel like I'm "replacing" Morrison, no dog will ever BE him.
And well, I was looking at the dogs in this rescue, and one of them has sort of similar markings to Morrison, but this boy's name is "Bull". Well, I'm very attracted to him, but I'm afraid it's because of his similarity to my boy.

Once I'm all settled and ready for a new dog, (assuming Bull is still available) should I go ahead and adopt this boy? He looks so sweeeeet, and that face..

[wallyfindme]

If thats the dog you are drawn to,go for it. I'm sure you won't compare them in a bad way.If he reminds you of your boy and that doesn't hurt,but makes you happy,I think you will be ok.

[Slintreeoost]

You do know that most shelters are independent of each other and none of them, especially city shelters, are ran by HSUS? Some cities do have a ASPCA but then again, most don't. I don't even know of any shelters in Michigan ran by HSUS. I don't even think there are any.

Also, don't look at rescues until you're absolutely ready. Chances are the dog you like now wont be there when you're ready to adopt them. I know this from experience - I've been looking at a local pit bull rescue for months and have fallen in love with three different dogs. All of them have been adopted. Now I'm not looking until I'm ready 100% to adopt.

[CelexaNY]

If thats the dog you are drawn to,go for it. I'm sure you won't compare them in a bad way.If he reminds you of your boy and that doesn't hurt,but makes you happy,I think you will be ok.

Thank you very much! I mean, Bull is beautiful. But he really does remind me of Morrison, and I hope I don't expect too much out of him because they look similar.
Listen to me, bein' all worried over a dog that might not even be there when I'm ready to adopt!

You do know that most shelters are independent of each other and none of them, especially city shelters, are ran by HSUS? Some cities do have a ASPCA but then again, most don't. I don't even know of any shelters in Michigan ran by HSUS. I don't even think there are any.

Also, don't look at rescues until you're absolutely ready. Chances are the dog you like now wont be there when you're ready to adopt them. I know this from experience - I've been looking at a local pit bull rescue for months and have fallen in love with three different dogs. All of them have been adopted. Now I'm not looking until I'm ready 100% to adopt.

I was not aware, thank you very much for the information! And I'm very sorry that had to happen to you
I know I shouldn't look, but I haven't contacted anyone yet, and most likely won't for a while, but I love those pretty doggy pictures!

[Vapepreab]

When you are settled in and ready, might I suggest to foster for that rescue? It could be a nice trial run and allow you to make sure that it's the right fit ?

[Kristoferson]

This reminds me of what my mom went through, she lost her mastiff mopar because of bloat before he hit two. When she was getting a new puppy she was worried about getting one that looked like mopar, he was a dark brindle. Now she loved the brindle color, so she went for her preference and now we have rigger. She said she doesnt really compare them at all like she thought she would because its really the personality that makes the dog who they are.

[Taunteefrurge]

When you are settled in and ready, might I suggest to foster for that rescue? It could be a nice trial run and allow you to make sure that it's the right fit ?

[Enrobrorb]

You are aware of the potential for comparison...that in itself gives you a huge edge in avoiding it. Most folks that make this mistake don't realize the issue even exists.

If this rescue is close to you, I would suggest you get involved. Volunteer for them, make donations. Get to know them.

There are two benifits for YOU with this, and of course...anything you do to help will benifit the dogs.

First, if the rescue likes you, you obvioulsy have a much better chance of adopting...and some rescues can be VERY picky and strict about rules. Like no adopting to renters, or must have a fences in back yard, or some such.

In case you don't meet some criteria they may have, they would be much more likely to make exceptions if they know you and how serious you are.

You will also learn how the rescue operates. You will have a chance to see how they screen, house, and adopt out dogs. This IS important...as not all rescues are good at it. Some may place unsound dogs or have poor placement policies.

You don't want to be involved with a shady rescue.

You could also consider foster-to-adopt. Or just simply foster dogs until you come across "the one". This will A) free up space to allow additional dogs to be rescued and B) allow you to get to know a potential dog, and be sure he fits your lifestyle and ability before making a permanent commitment.

[CelexaNY]

Okay so.. I called the rescue. To ask about volunteering, etc. Uhhh.. It's not exactly a rescue. It's this disabled guy Mark who just has 26 dogs. He said he has a very unique way of running things, and I would be more of hurt than help.

I'm also having 2nd thoughts about adopting from him. All of his dogs have been born there, and have never been off his property. So he doesn't know how they'd do without him and the other dogs.

I just have a bad feeling about this place after talking to him.

[Kristoferson]

Almost hoarder like?

[accelieda]

Okay so.. I called the rescue. To ask about volunteering, etc. Uhhh.. It's not exactly a rescue. It's this disabled guy Mark who just has 26 dogs. He said he has a very unique way of running things, and I would be more of hurt than help.

I'm also having 2nd thoughts about adopting from him. All of his dogs have been born there, and have never been off his property. So he doesn't know how they'd do without him and the other dogs.

I just have a bad feeling about this place after talking to him.

That sounds fishy to me. And even if it is legit, taking on a dog that is lacking in so much basic life experience will be something of a nightmare to work through probably. Those first few months are critical and being stuck in a very limited environment can have devestating effects on how that dog lives the rest of its life (i.e. fear issues, etc.). Just my two cents.

[Oberjej]

No matter where you're looking online, make sure you meet the dog first before you get your heart set. Even if you can't foster, spend some time with the dog to make sure it has a temperament that is congruent with what you're looking for.

The "rescue" does sound a little suspect to me. Go with your gut on that. It's usually right.

[gIWnXYkw]

Okay so.. I called the rescue. To ask about volunteering, etc. Uhhh.. It's not exactly a rescue. It's this disabled guy Mark who just has 26 dogs. He said he has a very unique way of running things, and I would be more of hurt than help.

I'm also having 2nd thoughts about adopting from him. All of his dogs have been born there, and have never been off his property. So he doesn't know how they'd do without him and the other dogs.

I just have a bad feeling about this place after talking to him.

unique as in.. hes hoarding dogs and got in trouble with AC? lol. that sounds random as all hell.

[CelexaNY]

Almost hoarder like?

Almost. And from what I understand, only a handfull of the dogs are fixed.

That sounds fishy to me. And even if it is legit, taking on a dog that is lacking in so much basic life experience will be something of a nightmare to work through probably. Those first few months are critical and being stuck in a very limited environment can have devestating effects on how that dog lives the rest of its life (i.e. fear issues, etc.). Just my two cents.

Thank you!

No matter where you're looking online, make sure you meet the dog first before you get your heart set. Even if you can't foster, spend some time with the dog to make sure it has a temperament that is congruent with what you're looking for.

The "rescue" does sound a little suspect to me. Go with your gut on that. It's usually right.

My gut is telling me to wait it out, maybe there'll be a sweetheart in a shelter when it's time for me to adopt that I'll fall in love with. If not, then it may be time to talk to Uncle Chris about an AmBully pup!

unique as in.. hes hoarding dogs and got in trouble with AC? lol. that sounds random as all hell.

Uh... What's AC? Animal Control? That might be it.

[accelieda]

As someone who is fostering a dog that was orginally from a hoarding bust and has been passed from owner to owner multiple times in her short life I have a little piece of advice for you: RUN FAR FAR AWAY FROM THIS "RESCUE"!

Find a better one.

[Vapepreab]

Yes, I agree - run for the hills and away from this so called 'rescue'.

[EnvellFen]

Not only would I stay far away from that rescue - which appears to be one called Underdog American Pit Bull Terrier Sanctuary, I would go so far as to contact your local humane society or animal control and ask them if they ever send dogs to him..... I would never adopt from or work with a pit bull rescue who was not helping place dogs in their local shelter systems.

I am not at all familiar with Oklahoma so I don't know just how far away they are, but looking at the shelters/rescues listed on www.pbrc.net I found this one which looks good at a glance:
http://www.pbroklahoma.com/

[CelexaNY]

Not only would I stay far away from that rescue - which appears to be one called Underdog American Pit Bull Terrier Sanctuary, I would go so far as to contact your local humane society or animal control and ask them if they ever send dogs to him..... I would never adopt from or work with a pit bull rescue who was not helping place dogs in their local shelter systems.

I am not at all familiar with Oklahoma so I don't know just how far away they are, but looking at the shelters/rescues listed on www.pbrc.net I found this one which looks good at a glance:
http://www.pbroklahoma.com/

Yes, that's the one. I was trying to avoid calling them out directly but you know. Thank you for the help, everyone!

[wallyfindme]

I've seen several episodes of hoarding shows where they try to claim themselves as a "rescue".Sounds like the case here.