Myke,
The dog needed to be an adult because living on a farm, there is a lot of farm machinery around as well as vehicles coming and going. He knew that I would be devastated if my dog got ran over. Sure, he didn't want to go through that chewing everything up stage either. He thinks there are lots of animals that people no longer can keep for whatever the reason that he didn't want to spend money on a particular breed. As for the spaying and neutering question, we have spayed both males and females over the years. This is not the first pet I have had during our marriage and we have taking care of them all. Astro is treated monthly with Interceptor ( an expensive parasiticide, that is only available through a Vet) and Vectra for fleas and ticks, also only available via a Vet). These are not cheap. He also always has free choice dog food and fresh water. I go on walks with him and he goes with us when we ride horses on the farm to check the cattle. My daughters border collie also comes and they play together.
I can assure you he is not mistreated in anyway. As for Spot, he wasn't put down because of a bad temper. He bit a child on the face, Causing lacerations above and below his right eye. We were just very lucky that he didn't lose his eyesight. He still has scars on his face from that incident. I was heartsick when that happened, but know just the same that you can't have a dog that is not safe around children. If he bit once it is a possiblility he would do it again. We know to expect that a guard dog or even many small dog breeds may bite. A small dog that bites is not likely to cause a serious injury, but larger dogs do. I kow very well the trauma of being bitten by a dog. After the incident with Spot, I was attacked by a Rottweiler mix dog that was being walked by his owner in a campground without a leash. When I say attacked that is exactly what I mean. This large dog, totally unprovoked came around the end of our camper in a full charge growling viciously. I thought, OMG this is how people get killed. I brought my left arm up to protect my face and neck as he jumped on me. He bit me on my arm right at my left elbow causing a deep puncture wound on top and a bruise on the bottom. I had a large bruise on my chest above my left breast from one of his paws. I was able to turn away from him and call for help and his owner got him off of me. That is one of the most traumatic things that has happened to me. I am a nurse, so I took care of the wound without going to the ER. I requested the dogs shot records to make sure he was up to date on his rabies vaccine. The owner promised me that he would always keep the dog tied up after that, so that he wouldn't have the opportunity to bite someone again. I couldn't have him put his dog down because I was still hurting from losing Spot. The owner kept in touch with me to see how I healed. I had pain in that arm for 4 months after the bite. The last time the owner talked with me he said that if I had gone to the ER that night for treatment that it would have been reported to the police and that the dog would have been taken away and euthanized and that he would have gone to jail. I still pray that I did the right thing. It would be terrible if he attacked someone else more frail than me.
Anni 1226 suggested that I pretend to have an illness and need the dog. Sad thing is that I don't have to pretend. My health is tenuous at best and I have been on disability and unable to work for the past 9 years. What that means is that I have good days and bad days and have a very limited income. Our farm makes some profit some of the time, but not always. So we do have to watch our money and spend it wisely. That being said our cattle, horses and yes even Astro gets the vet care and medications they need. The poor health was another reason he didn't want me to have a puppy as he didn't know if I could take care of the needs of a pup.
I know that you have seen a lot of bad things that have happened to animals in your rescue work. I know that in the 30 plus years I worked as a nurse I saw a lot of the same types of abuse or worse to women and children. I know that that colors your point of view. But, you are not reading what you think between the lines here. Astro is not a yard ornament and gets a lot of attention.
I think Astro lays nearby so that he knows I am safe. I also know that he wouldn't be happy in the house all the time even if if were ok with Tommy. Just as Spot was miserable when he went to stay with my son (his owner) who now lives in a small town. He was a farm dog and was so glad to get back to the farm and outside where he didn't have to be confined to a small yard. There is just a difference between farm dogs and city dogs. I am going to do all I can to keep my Astro. I do love him, he does love me but, my husband does too. P.S Astro has been neutered and is eating now the best he ever has. He was very finicky and wouldn't eat well when I first got him. I called his previous owner as well as his Vet and was told that he was just a pickly eater and had been since he was a pup. They said not to worry that when he was hungry he would eat. That wasn't good enough for me and after trying many different brands of dog food I have finally found one that he likes. Gee I even cook for him sometimes. So, Please hear me. Astro is not abused.
