This ad is currently up on craiglist.
4 Month Old Border Collie
Date: 2012-11-02, 11:38AM PDT
I have a young Border Collie female available to an approved home She is from hard-hitting stock dog bloodlines and while she will be a great herding dog, she is very manageable in the home as she does not herd people, other animals or furniture. She is a very fast learner, she was taught how to find and hold the heel position in two days. I am going to be working on her stationary commands such as sit and down soon as well. She is also learning how to wrap poles and front cross on the flat (agility skills).She is in the process of sound desensitization as she was raised on an old school ranch with not much exposure to the outside world. For how little she knows and how long I have had her, she has improved a lot and all of her small, puppy quirks will fade out as she learns more about the world.
She is ABCA registered and I was planning on dual registering her with the AKC. She has her puppy vaccinations that were completed at the breeders as well as being dewormed. I do not believe in vaccines myself though, so no more have been completed since she has been with me. She is eating a grain free kibble with greek yogurt and sea kelp as a supplement. Boiled chicken, apples and cheese are used as her treats.
The reason I am rehoming her is because I need a more crazy and "in your face" dog for sports. This girl is all about snuggles! She will be able to train and compete in agility no problem but is better suited for someone who's life does not revolve around the sport like mine.
One liner emails will NOT be responded to. You must let me know about yourself. Thank you!
My initial reaction when it was first pointed out to me was, “what a douche bag!”
But see, I don’t have a fundamental issue with rehoming a dog. If someone had a working dog (sheepdog, police dog, service dog) that was not working out for some reason I would not give responsibly rehoming that dog a second thought. If the owner/handler said that dog needed a pet home because they couldn’t do the work or handle the stress or whatever…fine. Or maybe they need another handler because their personalities don’t mesh…. Soft dog with burly handler….hard dog with a mushy handler, etc. OK.
I also don’t have an issue with a pet being rehomed if it is in everyone’s best interest. There is no way in hell I would turn my life upside-down (or my dogs) to manage a, say, dangerous dog. I don’t think that training can solve all problems and I can’t live with dogs that I don’t trust. Will not spend my life on pins and needles. I don’t have the personality for that shit.
This ad, though? There is something about it that just makes me sad. Is it because a stupid game we play on the weekends appears to be the priority here? What happens if this person gets the perfect agility dog and that dog gets injured? Craigslist for them, too? Maybe I am just bothered by someone talking about their dog like it’s a lawn mower? Just a tool for their weekend pleasure and if they don’t measure up…down the road you go? Maybe it’s the “I need a more crazy and "in your face" dog for sports.” Because that shit drives me right up a wall. Read this a few times, people…
“Drive” and a “complete lack of self-control” are NOT THE SAME THING
That bouncing off the walls, cannot walk on a leash, cannot stop barking dog is not “drivey,” it’s just an asshole.
“Sensible” and “thinking” are always better.
Yes, always.
Which I suppose means I could totally put Kate up on craigslist.
Free to home. Border-ish collie. Not super bright. Runs into walls. Knows a few tricks. Will do agility but only because you ask her to. Occasionally leaks urine in her sleep. Often in the way. Excels as ball bring-er back-er, hiking or running partner, fly patrol. Doesn’t bark. Like, ever. Also does cool shit with her tongue.
