At what point is a rescue no longer a rescue?

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Sorry, this is a bit of a rant but this village seems to be full of rescue dogs and I’m tired of hearing that word. Hope this doesn’t offend anyone who has a rescue dog here - I do appreciate these dogs aren’t always easy and it takes hard work and patience and it is great that they go to loving homes ......but surely at some point that word should be dropped?

It really only needs to come up if someone asks where you got your dog. A lot of rescues have interesting stories and owners love sharing that if asked.

I agree with @Jen that I cut a dog more slack if the owner says they've just got them and are still working with them. @Selina27.. that goes for puppy/adolecent/terrible teens or rescue.

The only time it annoys me is when it’s used in a judgey way to make me feel bad for buying a puppy rather than rescuing.

Just ignore it if you can. Many people who do rescue are so entrenched in that world that they can't imagine that there is a place for responsible breeders and the people who get puppies from them too.

 

[Atemas]

Most of the time, I do ignore it - last evening those comments just set me thinking and the irritation was still there this morning - time to let it go....

 

[snowbunny]

 

[Heidrun]

I didn’t realise that anyone would get narked at a dog being described as a rescue. Two of mine are rescues and I do use the term when I talk about them. I will have to watch what I say in future

 

[snowbunny]

For myself, I think the main things that irritate me are:
1. People who use it to excuse poor behaviour without doing anything to address those problems, and
2. People who believe that everyone who has a dog from puppyhood has it easy and any problems are of their own making.

I don't necessarily get upset about people using it as a description, even though I do wonder why people introduce their dog as their "rescue dog" many moons down the line.

 

[Aitch]

As I have two rescues and two bought dogs I find I don't use either term about them. I mean, who ever says " This is my bought dog" ? For that reason I don't say "This is my rescue dog" either. If anyone asks about any of them then I will tell them about their histories.
They are each just the dog in front of me.

 

[Charlie]

I didn’t realise that anyone would get narked at a dog being described as a rescue. Two of mine are rescues and I do use the term when I talk about them. I will have to watch what I say in future

It's probably going to another PC word pretty soon I might have to watch what I say too!

On the flipside when I walk with people who's Labradors are very badly trained and abscond daily, we chat about training often the response is "oh it's too late for training now" I feel proud to say that I have trained my rescue boy who was a living nightmare and is now a good boy, most of the time! Maybe it gets them thinking. I don't really understand why anyone should get annoyed by it. xx

 

[kateincornwall]

I don't refer to Nelly as being rescued unless it is part of the conversation such as the one I had recently . Scenario was thus : Me waiting for her to finish sniffing around before deciding to grace me with her presence , not a problem . Passing lady says " Needs to learn commands , not you just waiting for her " My reply being , Wouldn't make an aporth of difference , she is deaf ! Silence and then as a way to appease me , the usual question , has she been deaf from birth ? So I have to mention to R word . Sometimes , past abuse leaves such scars that the dog can be damaged for life and so in this context I haven't got a problem with the owner explaining that he/she was an adopted dog but equally some people use it as an excuse for lack of effort ! x

 

[FayRose]

I( have to admit there have been a few occasions when Molly's behaviour is particularly iffy - jumping up, licking noses, and I mean hooman noses, not dog noses - when I've wished I could say ...

"Oh I'm sorry, my rescue dog is still under training"

Unfortunately I have to own up to my pitiful training efforts and admit that Molly has been mine from an itsy l'il pup Mostly they forgive her though, realising it's her huge enthusiasm for people that makes her such a menace

 

[Jen]

It's probably going to another PC word pretty soon

I think it’s very much the way it’s said rather than the word itself.

If it’s used as a description then I imagine most people wouldn’t bat an eyelid.

But if it’s used to put someone down for not being able to train their dog properly or criticising them for buying a dog rather than rescuing them it’s a bit of a passive aggressive attempt spitefulness.

I know no one on this forum would ever do that, so here it’s not massively relevant. Especially since there’s plenty of dogs on this forum that would disprove the “rescues are harder than puppies” theories out in the big world. I mean look at @SteffiS with Ripple and @snowbunny with Ginny and Willow.

 

[Stacia]

@kateincornwall how can anyone be so rude as to say "Needs to learn commands........." I wouldn't dream of saying that and wouldn't even think it! I am so glad you had the excellent reply!

 

[Charlie]

But if it’s used to put someone down for not being able to train their dog properly or criticising them for buying a dog rather than rescuing them it’s a bit of a passive aggressive attempt spitefulness.

Oh I agree, afterall I bought a puppy first, my lovely most gorgeous Hattie I hope that by saying Charlie is a rescue it might make other owners realise that they can train their dogs to recall etc. and not give up. Coz if I can anyone can

I personally wouldn't dream of making anyone feel bad about buying a puppy over a rescue, but likewise I don't want to be made to feel bad about saying I have a rescue dog as that's my choice too. xx

 

[kateincornwall]

Ooo , tell you what , Nelly has been much much easier than Reuben who, if he isn't careful , might end up being labelled a rescue ! Joking of course but honestly , he has been a challenge of late ( adolescence has hit early ! ) whereas Nelly is a Princess but an easy one !!

 

[SwampDonkey]

People often think they can comment on things outside their Sphere of understanding. I used to try to be kind not anymore.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Especially since there’s plenty of dogs on this forum that would disprove the “rescues are harder than puppies” theories out in the big world. I mean look at @SteffiS with Ripple and @snowbunny with Ginny and Willow.

Excellent point. Carbon may have his quirks that we're still working on, but I remember having a puppy and it was WAY HARDER. Way, way harder.

 

[Charlie]

Especially since there’s plenty of dogs on this forum that would disprove the “rescues are harder than puppies” theories out in the big world.

Hello my name is Helen, I am the exhausted owner of Charlie who you haven't had the "pleasure" of meeting!! xx

 

[Beanwood]

I introduce Benson who is 5, then Bramble 3....Casper as "retired" No-one has asked what from yet! People just nod sagely and smile! I have though been asked "Did you have him (the chocolate one...) from a puppy?

 

[snowbunny]

The thing is, dogs are dogs. Some are more difficult than others. Some have difficult periods (adolescence ) others are difficult long-term. Others coast through life without causing anything as extreme as a raised eyebrow. That is irrespective of where they came from.

 

[Jen]

Reuben who, if he isn't careful , might end up being labelled a rescue !

Stanley’s still a puppy He has such a baby face and people are like “aww he’s only a baby still”.

My response.. yes, yes he is ..

 

[Atemas]

I will have to watch what I say in future

I don't really understand why anyone should get annoyed by it.

I apologise if I upset you yesterday - it was certainly not my intention and would be the last thing ever I would want to do.