Speaking up- hi all!

[RubyJeansMom]

Hi EP, Glad you're joining in.

Welcome from RJM, Ruby, Kessler and Gizzie

[lynners]

There's quote that goes around in the rescue community (at least up here), especially when referring to new owners.

You screw up your first dog, do better on the second one, and get it right on the third one.

Good for you for learning as much as you can, but as others have stated, there's nothing like first hand experience. Cheers!

[el perro]

Hi Kris,

Thanks for the welcome! Rocco and Miley are gorgeous. I love the pictures.

Hi Kristen,

Bailey is so handsome. He looks so poofy. Kimmie is beautiful...Good luck to you with finding a forever-home for her.

RJM~ Ruby, Gizzie and Kessler are so precious. Thank you for the welcome.

lynners, I do like that quote. I'm hoping to start looking around for 'the one' sometime toward the end of 2011, but fate has a funny way of coming around.

Thanks for all of the welcomes.

EP from the DP (lol)

[princelover]

Hello and welcome to DP. You are very wise to do your research before adopting. So many people don't. It doesn't really matter how many dogs you have had in the past or how much experience; a new one will always bring new experiences and challenges that you had not encountered before. They continue to teach us dumb humans. LOL

You are also on tract to make sure exactly what breed of dog you want and what suits your life style as it is a lifetime committment that you are making to the dog, so it should never be entered into lightly.

I can only wish that more people would take the time to consider these things before they jump into dog ownership.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

At this rate, EP will become the Poster Child for the DP when it comes to acquiring a dog...especially for first timers.

[el perro]

princelover~ I see so many people seeing a cheap puppy for sale and getting it because "it was a bargain" and I just don't see how they can do it. I was always taught that if something is cheap, there's usually something wrong with it. Apart from that... a cheap dog is all well and good, but you won't find a good brand of cheap food along with a cheap vet and a cheap emergency bill for when something goes wrong(!) Anyway, my small rant is over with. When I bring home a new pet, I'm always surprised at how different s/he is from all the others of that species. I have to laugh at the people who say "If it looks the same, it is the same" I just hope I'm not too caught off guard by how different a real puppy is going to be.

EP