adopting a dog in denver (Aurora, Longmont: house, buy, cost)

[daprara]

something old
our 15.5 year old 80lb dog passed, it at least it was quick.
-you can have your pet put down at the animal shelter free.
-I decided to do it with more grace and arranged a visit to a local vetrinary Pets on Broadway, very late eveing when it was quiet. They inserted a catheter and administered a medium level setative. Followed by a high level lethal dose. They allowed me to hug the dog during the process. Cost was $150.00.
-I securly wrapped the dog in a 8x8 tarp and drove i25 north to Mead CO to have the dog creamated at Penny Lane. I did not keep the ashes and $80.
-The dog was every part of the household for a decade and a half, the last few years were a struggle.
-Some how chewy.com found out the dog passed away and sent flowers from King Soopers.

I dont represent any of the companies named here, I did my reasearch in anticipation my dog had to be euthenized soon. Just thought they went out of their way to be kind helpful.

something new
The family wanted a small dog, less than 25lbs. I used petharbor.com to locate a rescue dog close to Denver. Other web sites just did not seem that connected. There were quite a few large breed dogs, some looked like a good fit. Being more large dogs there might have been a better selection. A smaller dog was the requirement tho and the search took a month. Everyone in Denver wants a small dog.
-Seems there are people who buy up the more marktable dogs en mass and re sell them.
-Most city shelters have a reservation system, other wise the dog will be gone before you drive to the shelter.
-Local Denver shelters typically have this big delux building but actually have only 5-10 dogs ready for adoption.
-for example if a dog is rated: "not good with children", its not something you can change any time soon. Likely the average pet owner will never be able to upgrade the animal.
-The shelter will not guarantee the previous history for the animal. so some risk. Ask a lot of questions during the shelter, owner, dog interview. I drove to Longmont twice. On the 2nd visit to the Aurora shelter the representive was sharp and familiar with the dog.
-I found one! Not as expected, so some trade offs. Impressive that the dog seemed engaged with the humans, it was afraid /shaking but was not agressive. under fed but but healthy. A 2 year old and 33lbs, little younger larger than i wanted. In searching for a month it was the only small dog i could find. The dog likely went through significant trama, he is none vocal. He is a good house pet but not so with strangers. He may never be friendly except to family. We have had him for 2 months and he has only shown some tiny bit of progress with strangers.

go figure every dog is different. A basset hound is a very strange animal.

[SkyDog77]

Sorry about the 15 year old. Sounds like s/he had a good life.

Glad you were able to find a shelter. We have always been donors to the Denver Dumb Friends League. It’s a great local organization.