Who says that Realtors aren't helpful?!

[Tim The Enchanter]

Dee Dee,

Isn't appraisal fun? Personally I don't think I would have done it without the owner around. 8O

But hey you got the job done. :!:

Gotta feel sorry for the dogs though.

 

[Daniel Williams]

Way to go Dee Dee....the call was IMHO the correct thing to do. In my first year "Solo" I checked out a house that smelled like cats....Didn't see a one in sight untill I insisted to see the "Converted" Garage (you know siding over where the door was but you can still tell it was once a 1/att), I kid you not OVER 100 cats in there! Did the appraisal Waited a week or so for the "air" to clear then called Animal Control. As big of a dog (I tolerate cats) lover as I am I would do it again in a heart beat.

I've recently become involved with Illinois Alaskan Malamute Rescue.....it is way too sad how many unwanted dogs (and cats) are out there! Shannon and I are trying to adopt a purebred Malamute but need to finish our fencing FIRST! (6' tall chain link.... 8O )

 

[Chris Harrison]

Dee Dee,
Really glad to hear you survived! Thank you for calling the animal control. As the owner of 2 rescued Greyhounds, I’m very sensitive about the treatment of dogs. IMNSHO anyone that has to cage or chain their dog on a permanent bases doesn’t deserve to keep it. I always tell home owners with dogs that I deduct $10,000 from the value for every nip or bite while inspecting the property. Aggressive actions of their dog will only be a $5,000 deduction. Also if they really feel their dog is “safe” and chose not to control the animal it’s twice my normal fee to appraise the home. Stopped having to deal with the “friendly” dog while appraising. Having been bitten a few times by dogs, I will not tolerate owners that can’t or won’t control their animals.
Just my .02
Chris

 

[Dee Dee]

Richard,
When I scheduled the inspection this morning the realtor said that the homeowner would be sleeping until 3:00 pm because he'd worked the graveyard shift. I assumed that he would be there and it wasn't until I'd repeatedly knocked on the door that I finally concluded that I was on my own. Since I was already there, it made sense to use the lock box and inspect the interior of the house. After hollering like crazy once I was through the door (in case the dude was sleeping), and after realizing that there weren't any dogs inside the house, I decided to keep working. I was going to have to make that 20 yards wether I did the inspection or not, so might as well make it pay, right?

If I had it to do over again I wouldn't have left my truck in the first place. Thanks for your concern, but I've only got one body here and there's no way I'd foolishly sacrifice it to my job. Nope...no way.

 

[Dee Dee]

Daniel,
I used to have an Alaskan Malamute when I was a teenager. BEAUTIFUL DOGS, but they need lots of room to run and are prone to being escape artists. Definately free spirit animals....it goes with the breed....but can cause problems if they don't get out and get lots of exercise, especially in the winter months (that's when they get REALLY antsy). Best bet is a female of that breed if you're not going to literally work them in sled teams. They will drag you along if you try to walk them on a leash...so you might want to take up cross-country skiing, they LOVE THE SNOW!
Another thing...malamutes are very into the alpha/omega system, so if you decide to get one that might someday have to be around small children, best to choose the one that is most willing to roll over on it's back rather than the that one knocks the others aside to get to you first.
I know it sounds kinda silly but when it comes to certain breeds you have to be a little more careful in how you might choose...they are what they are and it's nearly impossible to train them to be otherwise.

 

[Nancy in Friday Harbor]

Dee Dee,
Most EXCELLENT advise!
One of the primary reasons various breeds show up awaiting rescue or dumped at the pound is that the previous owners didn't investigate the breed and weren't prepared to deal with the breed characteristics once it wasn't a cute, fluffy, gregarious, cuddly, lovable puppy any more!!!
I've owned three "rescue" dogs --- and dealt with many more while I was on the board of the local animal shelter --- and the things people do to dogs (and cats) is beyond belief! Often, the results of that improper first home can have life long devastating results on the animal's personality and psyche.
Dan, before you decide on which dog you want, try to find out what sort of situation she was in and what damage may have been done to her. I still grieve for the beautiful liver & rust doberman ===== that I held in my arms while she was put down because of the behavior that resulted from her ill treatment in the hands of her first owner. She was so scarred and came with so much baggage, that no amount of kindness, love, retraining and even tranquilizers could get past what she had gone through. Sometimes, we can't save them, no matter how much we want to.

DeeDee, whew!! You've had a gen-u-wine ad-vent-shur!! I've only seen it done once (by my mother), but several animal experts have told me that a huge bellow of the word "OUT" and a face-to-face stand when saying it will stop charging dogs. I'm not sure they ever got to what you do once they've paused to think it over 8O Got truly cornered once by surprise by a large size border collie who was loose on unfenced property. Thankfully, the neighbor was home and came and got the dog. No desire to do that again, no sireee! And I'm a dog lover.

Nancy

 

[Dee Dee]

Hi Nancy,
Unfortunately I've learned lessons the hard way when it comes to picking puppies for myself and not knowing enough about the breed, so I'm a little anal and pushy about giving advice when others mention they're looking for a new dog.
My malamute spent a good part of the time tied to a big apple tree in my mom's back yard because he shed too much hair to be allowed into the house (my folks didn't like it), and if he was let loose he'd take off to explore. Spent more than a few times looking all over the neighborhood for him. Though we played with him every day for a little while he spent quite a bit of time by himself. Although there are probably exceptions to the breed, everyone that I've ever known who's had a malamute has encountered the same problems.
As if I didn't learn the first time around, my next dog was a Newfoundland.
He was a big adorable puppy that turned into a 170 lb. drooler. Hair everywhere and loogies on the ceiling...made 'Hootch' of TV fame look like a lightweight. When I had my first son we had to banish him outdoors because we were afraid he'd accidentally step on the baby and hurt him. Saul loved the baby...always wanted to play with him but was so big that he was constantly knocking him down. Get this...Saul would start chewing a little hole in our 6ft. privacy fence, and once he could get his muzzle through he'd start pushing and pushing until the entire 8ft. section would tear from the posts, then he'd take off on an adventure. Had to bail him out of doggie jail three times and near the end of his life spent a small fortune in vet bills because of hip and back problems.
I've settled on female Golden Retrievers. Easy to train, homebodies and never wander far from the house in spite of no fencing. Big enough to defend themselves from coyotes and intimidate any strangers that come up to the house uninvited. Except for the dog hair they are perfectly compatible with my family. Guess you can't have it all. :wink:

 

[Charlotte Dixon]

I would NEVER had gone in the first place! 14 years and 7 little bites later, I call the shots! This old farm girl who took every little whimpering kitty cat, or puppy in....this old farm girl who mucked horse stalls until the mice and rats ran......this old farm girl who fed sheep and new born pigs with a baby bottle has hardened up! Get the animals out so I can do my job! Sorry, I don't love your pet as you do, and if you want the job done these are my rules...... plain and simple! :| If offended, call someone else to oooh and ahhh over your animals.

 

[Caterina Platt]

Dee Dee,

I am glad you're back in one piece. I'm with the crowd though, if the homeowner wasn't concerned enough to be there and ensure your safety, make him pay your trip charge and come back a second time when he is going to be there. Not only is he a schmuck for treating the dogs the way he does, he's also an irresponsible idiot. Not giving a rat's patoot about the safety of a stranger is bad enough, but leaving himself open for a potential lawsuit of enormous magnitude is just plain idiocy.

 

[Daniel Williams]

Dee Dee and Nancy,

Thank you for your well placed concerns. I assure you I am "researching" my breed!! I have been a Malamute Fan for some time and a member of several differnt Malamute "Web Boards" and discussion groups. Nancy you are "RIGHT ON" in you comment that "lack of Knowledge" of a particular breed is the primary reason for owner turn-in.......just cause they are "Cute and Cuddely"...and "Primitavely Regal" as adults does NOT insure they are the dog (pet) for you. Nancy I applaude your "Rescue and Shelter" work!!! I as I have stated I am involved with IAMRA (Illinois Alaskan Malamute Rescue) and have several close contacts....and a Mentor. I still have "fencing Issues" to deal with ....and an uncooperative water table (intermitent natural spring in sloped yard). I will NOT adopt a Malamute before we are ready as these (rescue) dogs have been through enough Sh&$# and need a real "Forever" home...... On a side note (not that my whole conversation at this point isn't a side note)....a breeder of Malautes was shut down in Mid-Wisconsin yesterday....50 beautiful dogs are being rescued! I don't have mant "particulars" but a task this large will include several "Resucue" and shelter organizations.

50 Malamute rescued in Wisconsin
Illinois Alaskan Malamute Rescue Association