Jack the Grey

tl;dr get the dog YOU want, don’t shit on other dogs and people for getting the one you don’t.

Also handy dandy resource on identifying:

responsible breeders (registered doesn’t mean responsible, interrogate them)

responsible rescues (interrogate these ones too - I’m so sorry the article is american but it’s really nicely paced out. Adjust some things based on where you live)

common helpful things to consider when choosing a puppy (link 2)

common helpful things to consider when choosing an adult (link 2)

also this really cool interactive website that covers all the basics with cute pictures that I found while finding nice quick links for the above.

(It also has random facts. Apparently the average owner spends $2,452 per year on their dog. Pretty sure I exceed that.)

Random article that leads to research because google suggested it and Weiss is my fave dog researcher:

Overall, these results show that people have complex preferences, and which features are important vary widely across people.

Daffy’s more balanced, she doesn’t have as high of ball drive as Natsu but will still work hard for it too. Likes her food, and appreciates praise but she doesn’t live for it. She can have an independent side.

Freedom from hunger and thirst: by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour.

Freedom from discomfort: by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.

Freedom from pain, injury or disease: by prevention through rapid diagnosis and treatment.

Freedom to express normal behaviour: by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind if applicable to the species.

Freedom from fear and distress: by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.

Dante would be a senior line backer who’s not real bright and kind of a goof. He’s nice to freshman; he calls them “buddy” and helps them when they get lost. Some guy picked a fight with him once though and Dante broke his arm.

Tesla is the super-good A-/B+ student who no one really realizes is that smart because everyone else in her family is honour roll. She is fine with this since she prefers reading quietly in the library.

Prowl is the super serious star track and field decathele who is away half the year competing outside of school, but still makes honour roll. He also freaks out how he is going to fail everything, then gets top marks.

Bernoulli is the student council/valedictorian/soccer playing overachiever. Do not get in her way. She does not have time for your shit.

Creed

won’t poo in the rain

steals my expensive hats

LOUD

messy eater

also hates to poo in the rain

her hair is on everything you own, whether you wear black or white

hydrates Jackson Pollock style

slaps you for attention

Seems gentle and placid, but actually wants to KILL all deer, and has attempted this valiantly and semi-successfully.

You carry rewards from the heavens all over your body; you are so exciting in voice and body language that other dogs flock to you. He looks at you dully, solemnly, grimly: “I am not thrilled. You can do better than this.”

HE GETS SO ANGRY IF YOU ACT STRANGE OR GET CLOSE WHILE HE IS RIDING IN THE CAR. 

Priya

Seizes any moment of solitude as an opportunity for Grand Theft Snack Time™ (a.k.a. stealing any snack items in the vicinity immediately).

When she sees another dog who she has not seen before, will often SCREAM and CROON with concern while looking at me for a snack.

Folds herself up nice and small so I’ll let her sleep on the bed, then grows during the night until I am scrabbling for purchase to stop rolling onto the floor.

Believes everyone passing by our window is evil and must be barked at. Particularity between the hours of 5 and 6pm when human is really trying to concentrate on the last hour of work.

Thinks Kongs are either the ‘BEST THING EVER’ or ‘meh, human will feed me later’, meaning human has to scooping Kong filling out to clean it.

Wants to hunt all of the things!

Either wants to play with small dog not realising she is not small dog and bowling it over is maybe not the best bet

OR, if on leash while small dog is not on leash, wants to eat the small dog

– Terrified of thunderstorms and loud noises; often to the point of destroying things or trying to run away. 

– Doesn’t understand that not all strangers love him. 

– Sometimes will consider doing an asked behavior/following a cue. Thinks about it. Decides treat isn’t worth it. 

– Running away can be FUN! Calling for him? Makes eye contact, thinks about returning. Decision ensues. 

– Picky eater.

Penny

– Hates strange people. 

– Hates strange dogs. 

– MUST SING THEM THE SONG OF HER PEOPLE. 

– Likes to chew holes in pillows while human is sleeping. Spreads pillow innards all over slumbering human. 

Is scared of most things

Will chase any wild animal in sight

Picks fights with large breed dogs (only rotties, GSDs, goldies - never a dog he could actually not be killed by)

He knows everything I’m about to do before I do it

Scared of loud noises

Wants to be best friends with every cat ever

Loves to be my shadow

Whines at everything

Likes to throw her entire body weight into you at lightning speed on walkies ft squeaky tennis ball

Has a taste for cat poop, and human food, but not for her own food

• Slaps you for attention • Gets offended if you laugh at him • Will try to physically pin you to cuddle • Groans intensely when comfy • Will attempt to convey jealousy by gently using the dog that is cuddling me as a pillow • Will stare for food • Eats cats • Thinks guinea pig poop is a canine delecacy • Thinks barking is swearing and will only do it if dinner is late • Grins like a demon