We'll See If I'm Nuts...

[leih merigian]

Geyser really needs a playmate, at least, on occasion. She loves to play with certain dogs, typical DS...running and wrestling.

Our next-door neighbors have a HUGE labradoodle (like 100lbs huge) whom she adores, and they love to play, but he comes up lame from their antics, so it's not often they can do so.

So, I decided to place an ad on Craigslist for her . Added a couple of sexy pics (her catching a holley roller ball...a great, athletic shot, and her lying by a lake looking adorable), and now am awaiting replies.

I've heard from an owner with a year old lab mix, which may be fine. (She's looking for a male, 50-65 lbs, with no dog aggression issues and who can handle rough play).

I've had this idea for a while now, and finally decided to try it out and see what happens. The big problem with Craigslist, of course, is clueless pet owners. I'll have to be very careful about assessing any potential playmates.

(Heck, "clueless" is a problem in general. I remember years ago, when I was doing personal ads...this is before computers, mind you , and got this guy who thought he was very handsome, but who looked like a pregnant frog. I always wondered to myself, what kind of mirror are these guys looking at, anyway? )

Let's hope Geyser has more luck than I did with the ads

(you know, you'd think with all the great emoticons we have available to us, I'd be able to come up with more variety in mine...guess I just laugh a lot )

[Dutchringgirl]

you put an ad on Craigslist for a play mate for Geyser????? Oh please tell me it aint so!! Be very carefull!!!!
I think Id rather take my chances at a local dog park then CL.

[Sugars Mom]

I see ads looking for dog playmates all the time. I think its a great idea! You may or may not find the right playmate(s) but hey, why not try?

Here, there are also lots of meet up groups for dogs and owners to meet up at a certain times and places to all walk together. Is there something like that available in your area? I've never gone to one, but have seen ads for all kinds. It could be a good way to meet some other dogs and possibly find a good match to get together at other time for play dates.

I've been lucky as there are a number of dogs that Sugar plays well with in the neighborhood...kind of an informal meet up at the local park at 4 every day...great exercise for her in addition to her walks.

Good luck! Keep us posted.

[LyonsFamily]

If you find anyone suitable, I'd see if you could go for a stroll through Petsmart or Petco to start and then work it up to walks and hikes from there, before doing full on play. You want to get to know her playmate and their owner before getting into anything that could give someone stitches. I see a few craigslist adds all of the time. I guess it really just depends on the area and the type of dogs.

[Lauren]

Good Luck! I hope she finds the perfect playmate (even if he does look like a pregnant frog... ).

After getting Thor i wondered how in the world anyone could have just one Dutchie... They play, wrestle and run laps constantly~ then curl up for a good snuggle!

So in case Craigs List falls through....

[katm4110]

Craigslist totally freaks me out.... I actually sold my old mini van on there and was so terrified of getting murdered lol..... I should have never watched that Craigslist killer movie on Lifetime

[alexis]

Good luck! I bet you'll find a good friend for Geyser!

(I've rented an apartment, bought and sold furniture and joined a book club I found on craigslist, and I haven't been murdered yet! So, I wouldn't worry too much about it as long as you're using basic common sense)

[Dutchringgirl]

and I haven't been murdered yet! So, I wouldn't worry too much about it as long as you're using basic common sense)

Good thing!! We would miss you !!!

I dont think I could ever trust Craigslist, but yes... I do take a look in it from time to time for things.

[johninny]

Leih,
today [ Saturday ], my Xander was adopted to a couple in Fredericksburg, VA, who already have an 18 month old female DS. Xan will be 11 months old on 2/24/13 and is inexhaustible. are you close by there? my impression is that Charlottesville is next door, but that may be all relative! to see what Xander is like in play, you can go to www.youtube.com/sakimadoggy

[katm4110]

(I've rented an apartment, bought and sold furniture and joined a book club I found on craigslist, and I haven't been murdered yet! So, I wouldn't worry too much about it as long as you're using basic common sense)

Lol see my other post where I mention my anxiety disorder.... I may be over reacting

[leih merigian]

OMG...too funny!

I've sold and bought tons of stuff on CL...I'm still here. (I was raised in the inner city of Detroit, so I feel fairly confident about being able to take care of myself, and besides that, Charlottesville is a kind of sissy little place...people are really nice here )

The biggest issue will just be doing the due diligence and finding the right dog. So far, I've only had three replies...only one seems like a possibility. It's a year old lab mix, with a female owner who sounds very nice, just typically dog-clueless . We'll see.

Fredericksburg...hmm....it's a ways, like 1.5 hours or more, depending on which side of town they live on, but I"d love to have her have a chance to meet other DSs. Maybe for a spring outing or something...it wouldn't work for a weekly or so playdate, tho. Sigh.

I'll keep y'all informed!

[Christie M]

That is awesome! I know you have the capability of screening people and keeping them successful. They are actually finding a gold mine by answering your ad. I'm hoping for Guyser's sake it works out. A girls needs some love!