A post-Westminster word from the folks at Petfinder
By Gina Spadafori
February 11, 2009
If you’re hoping to add a particular breed to your family and got a couple of ideas after watching the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, the folks at Petfinder want you to remember that some 25 percent of the 140,000 dogs looking for a forever home on the Web site are purebreds, or pretty close, anyway.
Incredible for a breed as rare as the Sussex spaniel, there are even three dogs available from Petfinder’s more than 12,000 affiliated rescue groups and shelters who may well be related to Stump, the 10-year-old charmer who won the big show last night. Yes, Petfinder reports three Sussex spaniels in their database. Along with all kinds of poodles, akitas, setters, greyhounds, terriers of all sorts and lots and lots of dogs whose breed is all their own.
Heck, Petfinder will even help you if you want to adopt a cat!
I love Petfinder. I sometimes search Petfinder just to take a break. Looking at all those furry faces is a great stress reliever. And while I’m there, I like to increase food donations for pets in need simply by clicking at http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com.
Comment by Phyllis DeGioia — February 11, 2009 @ 8:50 am
My best friend found her Irish Setter on pet finder. Her parents raise show setters, so she’s grown up with them. But she fell head over heels for a 9yo girl on Petfinder who had had a pretty rough life. Because of malnutrion and etc, she almost looks like a miniature Irish Setter, but she couldn’t be more loved than if she had been Best in Show at Westminster. :O)
Comment by Lori — February 11, 2009 @ 9:09 am
I found my black beauty on Petfinder—she had won ribbons in the local cat show next town over, in Loveland, CO.
She is a wonderful, long haired beauty that sports a cute, tilted nose and is so good-natured.
Unfortunately, she was passed over because she was all black—which is precisely what I wanted.
Comment by Colorado Transplant — February 11, 2009 @ 9:24 am
I imagine there are going to be a whole lot of “Sussex spaniels” on Petfinder in the days to come… ;o)
Comment by stellaluna — February 11, 2009 @ 9:32 am
Thanks to Petfinder, Keagan, our healthy, delightful, 130-pounds-of-love Old English/Bloodhound mix will celebrate his 5th birthday on Valentine’s Day with Molly Malone, our cheery, sweet-tempered black Cocker Spaniel who was discovered on Petfinder, as well. An appropriate Grand Fete will ensue at our house.
BTW, Keagan is an award winner himself. He came away with a Bronze Medal for Most Unusual Dog at our local shelter’s K-9 Olympics!
Comment by Nadine L. — February 11, 2009 @ 12:06 pm
*Must* see picture of Old English/Bloodhound!
Comment by Lori — February 11, 2009 @ 12:27 pm
Lori, Gina posted this about him:
http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?s=Keagan
Comment by Nadine L. — February 11, 2009 @ 12:54 pm
oh, he’s great!!!
Comment by Lori — February 11, 2009 @ 1:07 pm
Thanks. What you can’t see in the picture are the very engaging, soulful eyes given to him by his Bloodhound mother! His dad was a gorgeous but huge OES. He was rescued from a mom and pop puppy mill in OK when he was eight weeks old - the rescue gal saw the parents. I have those baby pictures and the many pictures his former family took of him when little. We’re very fortunate to have his history.
Comment by Nadine L. — February 11, 2009 @ 1:26 pm
Keagan is STUNNING!
Comment by Phyllis DeGioia — February 11, 2009 @ 3:30 pm
::Takes his bow::
He’s a people magnet. “What kind of dog IS he?”
Comment by Nadine L. — February 11, 2009 @ 3:45 pm
Would like to adopt a Sussex Spaniel. I LOVE
Spaniels but never had a Sussex. I now have a
super wonderful American English Cocker Spaniel.
Always had Spaniels my entire life. Don’t want a
puppy - just a companion dog - great home here
with me.
Comment by Jeannie MacCabe — February 13, 2009 @ 6:35 pm