Aww bless.  He looks so cute sitting beside the other two.    Congratulations.

No fair - he's far too cute!!! I want one.

Hi Bo, I'm sure you won't make any enemies as we are all a friendly bunch on this forum

I already have two rescue Greyhounds, one of which is a GAL dog and that is what first drew me to the forum, well that and my love of Greyhounds I also know in my heart that i will have another rescue Grey at some point and will do anything i can to help these wonderful dogs, including fostering.

Like others on the forum, as well as my love for greyhounds, i am an animal lover through and through and although i would not be without my Grey's for a second it does not stop me also extending that love to other dogs. My reason for getting a pup from a breeder are very simple, i have an 11 year old son who has never had a pup of his own and he has been a fantastic help to me with the rescue dogs and also helping to bring foster dogs out of their shell and find their confidence and he was always promised a dog of his own when he was old enough to care for it himself, which he now is ( i am far too responsible to allow my son to walk my ex-racers as their prey drive is still quite high).

My rescued Grey's are without a doubt my babies, they follow me everywhere, even to the loo!! This little one will grow up with my children and be close to all of the family, hence the reason for him coming from a reputable breeder (in fact he came all the way from Norfolk), and i'm hoping his temprement will reflect that.

i suppose what i'm trying to say is that having rescued Grey's does not preclude you from having a dog from a breeder or sharing your joy with the people on the forum who you know will be thrilled for you and will love to see the pics of your new addition. Although i have to admit i would NEVER look for a breeder of Greyhounds as i firmly believe there are already far too many of them looking for a home, and there will aleays be a home here for another!!

-- Edited by Gail at 09:40, 2007-02-05

I actually find the comments based around my decision to get a puppy very offensive and there seems to be some sort of confusion over my reason for going to a breeder. I am well aware how many homeless dogs are on GAL's books at the moment but to my knowledge none of them are whippets, which is the breed i chose to be a suitable first dog for my 11 year old son. I did in fact check out all whippet rescue sites for a pup before going to a breeder but being up in Dundee with no transport and the only ones available being in England and from rescue organisations who quite rightly had no intention of travelling all the distance to bring a dog to me.

Are we now saying that people are now wrong to go to a breeder for any breed of dog, i.e labradors, collies etc. or should mothers not care about the welfare of their kids and not go to a reputable breeder to give both the kids and the dog the happiest start together. . In saying that i did visit my local kennel first and was advised that the two pups they had for re-homing were not going to be given to a house with children!!

Do i feel guilty about getting my sons first dog from a well known, reputable breeder who ensured the  dog was socialised and confident enough to cope with my household...no i do not.

Do i feel guilty about thinking first and foremost of my children having a pet that they can walk safely and interact with because it is so much smaller than my Grey's.....no i do not

And lastly have i given a place in my home to a puppy that could have been taken up by a  mature rescued dog.....no i have not.

In some instances it is just as important to be a good and responsible mum and put the kids needs first, after all i have my two beautiful rescued dogs and resent the implication that i do not care about the welfare of abandoned dogs of any breed just because i have given my kids the same as my parents gave me. Sorry if my decision offends anyone but at the end of the day it is my decision and i know what is best for my family.

Thanks to everyone else for your lovely comments on logie Bear

If your referrring to my comments Gail, i wasn't aiming it directly at you. It obviously depends on how  keen you are on rescuing and depends on your own personal experiences and situation. As i stated in my earlier post - it is an individuals decision on wether to go to a breeder or a rescue. I also think your decision to go for a puppy with your young child is probably a good idea too so he can walk it etc as you stated. Im sure however that many rescues have puppies needing homes too, although if its a specific breed you were after then your probably correct, you probably wouldnt have got a whippet. However, i wasnt aware thats the breed you have your mind set on since only a few weeks ago it  was another greyhound you had taken in.
There is no need to take offence at anything said by anyone, its a forum and its good to get different ideas and opinions floating about. Your puppy is very sweet, they all are when they are pups. Hope you have many happy years with him which im sure you will. As mentioned before,  this wasnt aimed at you although you have been very defensive it was a more general thing i was talking about that folk still go to breeders. Your question about should anyone not go to a breeder for labs and sp's etc, well thats up to them also. I think personally because i have worked with and seen many rescue dogs go demented in the kennels having sat there for months, i would always choose a rescue dog, but its everyones own choice.
Can i just ask you though? - are you saying because i dont agree with you that im in the wrong and shouldnt voice my opinion?
Hope no offence is taken

didnt expect this. i only was saying because i found it a bit strange, i though the whole thing about being involved with a rescue charity is for the welfare of the dogs needing rescued.

And everyone has a right to go and get a dog which every way they want.



sory again for expressing my opinion on a matter dear to me.

ps i do believe there is a whippet rescue place in scotland.

No need to be sorry Bo for expressing your opinion and you are right there is a whippet rescue in Scotland, i know because i contacted them, but i specifically wanted a pup so my son can learn to appreciate how much work goes into raising a pup before he is old enough to leave home!!
 
Yeah ok, it's a while yet but no harm in preparing him in advance

What a cutie.  It is so important for children to learn to respect and look after animals.  I am sure your son and Logan will enjoy growing up together. 

i wasnt saying what i said because of wahts peoples choices are, that is up to the individual, this is everyone's own right to have what ever dog they want . i just found it strange to have people announcing about getting dogs from breeders and such like and using a rescue forum to tell about it.

Jennifer wrote:

---

I think personally because i have worked with and seen many rescue dogs go demented in the kennels having sat there for months, i would always choose a rescue dog, but its everyones own choice.
Can i just ask you though? - are you saying because i dont agree with you that im in the wrong and shouldnt voice my opinion?
Hope no offence is taken

---

First of all..... your new puppy is gorgeous (this from someone who is not really a puppy person!!)

I think you were right in the deliberations you went through before decided a small whippet pup was the best for your son, and all the family!

As someone who has 2 small boisterous sons we always think of them first in just about every decision we make, whether this is related to dogs, or anything else!  For this reason we decided a long time ago when it was the right time to look for another dog to take Freddy's place in Wilmas's bed we said from the start that he would need to come from a foster home, living with another dog and children about the same age as ours! (If you want to know the identity of this new addition please see the posts by greyflintsone in the "About Your Dogs" section!!!)

Taking on any rescue dog is not without its problems, especially as you do not always get much information on dogs taken from kennels, especially if they have been found as a stray! 

The safety, and happiness, of my children will always come first!  I'm sure everyone on the forum would love to take in every dog they see, but personal circumstances must always be taken into account!

Here's hoping the bond between your son and his puppy grows in the weeks and months to come!!

Chas

Thanks everyone i appreciate your support and i think you all know that my heart belongs to the Greyhounds but it was not my heart that made the decision to bring Logan into my family but my head deciding on the right playmate for my older son.....

...............although on a lighter note, the little one adores him too and is so gentle with him.

This crate training lark is a doddle though...someone really should have told me about it when i had my first child..

What a lovely picture!! I agree with you, I wish I'd had one of those when I had my first one!  So much handier than a Moses basket!!  Can't wait to see the inevitable picture of the wee pup & boy asleep together in the crate!!

I hope you'll all be very happy together!!

Gail, I've only just seen this thread and I am replying to your original post.  I have to say that Logan is absolutely, amazingly, cutely, stunningly gorgeous !!!!!!!!!!!!!!  What a handsome little chap he is.

I'm afraid I got a bit bored reading the rest of the posts - (sorry guys, and I don't mean that your opinions are irrelevant so please don't take it that way!).  Anyway, I thought I'd just send you my congratulations on taking on such a sweet puppy. 

As for getting Logan for your son, I agree with you totally.  Children and animals should learn to live together with respect and love and I have no doubt that your son and Logan will learn much from each other.

Here's to many happy years with your new addition. xxxxxxxxxxx

Gail, congratulations on the new family member. Logan is just beautiful

I can see things from both points of view here, as a mother I totally understand where you are coming from Gail and what a wonderful and priceless experience this will be for your son. I hope to one day give my son the same experience as I really think learning how to care for and love an animal is an important lesson for children to learn. On the other hand I can also see where Bo and Jennifer are coming from and I personally don't think I will ever buy a dog from a breeder, but that is my choice. I respect the choice you have made Gail, it is obviously right for your family and lucky Logan has got a loving home I look forward to seeing more pictures of him and the rest of your gang

Amanda, I had to laugh when I read about Hazel taking a bite out of every apple - I seem to recall finding teeth marks in most of my apples in my fruit bowl for a while

Bo, I can understand why posting about a puppy from a breeder may have looked strange to a new person on this rescue forum, but we are all very friendly on here, we have met at events and all care for animals, all shapes and sizes and I for one would be gutted if Gail hadn't posted about her gorgeous new arrival! Oh and welcome to the forum, tell us a bit about yourself in the introductions bit, we are all really nice...honest!

I am loving the kids in dog crate pictures by the way, I wish I'd thought of that

Jane