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Notes: I'm a very sweet, playful 4 year old Rottweiler, a neutered male, who weighs about 135 pounds. I'm housebroken, and good with older children. I've never been around small children so I might be a little too much dog for them. I do need a large fenced yard, 6 foot minimum, to play in and someone to share my time and energy with. I know I can be the perfect pet, and give someone lots of love in return for giving me a chance.
While searching the websites of various animal control, SPCA and other animal assistance organizations, I came across the note above. Accompanying it was a small picture of a large male Rottie. Having lost one of our male Rotties in November of 2003, I had started to look for another one. I had seen several but none fit our requirements. The main two were that the new fur baby get along with the two already in residence and that he not be agressive toward the 8lb cat that wandered in a few years ago and never left.
Bear was at the Animal Assistance League in Chesapeake. I called to see if Bear would meet our requirements. The people answering the phone said they would call the former owners and ask if Bear got along with cats. This was Friday.
On Saturday, after not hearing anything back about Bear, I decided to just go to the Animal Assistance League and be there when they opened. I know almost nothing about Chesapeake so the trip there was a pain. Got lost, got stuck in traffic and probably messed up the alignment in the van going over the roads they're in the process of tearing up.
I finally found my way and went in to see if I'd be adding a new family member. One of the attendants took me back to meet Bear. And he wasn't happy. Barking, jumping and generally acting like a large and unhappy Rottie. So I stood outside the cage talking to him like an idiot. After awhile, an attendant walked Bear outside and handed over the leash. We wandered around the yard in an aimless manner till I decided Bear had been in the sun long enough. He was ready for water when we went back in but definitely didn't want to go in the cage. After some effort, I got him settled and went to fill out the reams of paper. Yes, I decided he would fit in. All 135lbs of him. Keep in mind that Bear was to be my husband's dog.
After gaining custody of the new fur baby, it's off to the van for the trip home. While inside the offices on their tile floors, Bear had me at a disadvantage. The floor was slippery and he could tow me around. Outside, I could get traction. He seemed to know which vehicle to go to and went straight to the van and waited for me to open the door. Jumped in and made himself comfortable. All the while I'm thinking of obedience lessons.
Bear is now the newest furbaby in our home. He joins our 9 year old male and 2-1/2 year old female. Plus an 8lb Tabby who wandered in a few years ago and made himself at home. The first couple of weeks were rough. For all of us. Getting Bear to eat something, anything, was a challenge. I finally resorted to turkey and rice. Then to a prescription diet and now almost a normal diet. Of course the others were thrilled with the turkey and rice diet. And the cat will kill for turkey.
Each pet has their own strange habits. For Princess, I know all hers since I've had her since she was a puppy. For the others, I've just learned to adapt or give in. Bear has a dog food bowl fixation. I use the large, stainless steel bowls with the rubber rim that is supposed to keep them from sliding. Doesn't do a bit of good. Bear puts his foot in the bowl, slides it around till it either flips over or stands upright and he can pick it up. Then he brings it to me. This goes on with all 3 dog bowls. Then he brings me the cat's bowl. After all this hard work, he goes and stands in front of the box of Milkbones and stares at it till he gets one. I've also learned to put the box of small milkbones in a plastic jar with a lid. Otherwise, Bear takes the box apart and does self-serve. Half a box the first time.
Bear also has to have cuddle time before he will go to bed. This normally consists of me hugging and petting him until he slowly slides down to his bed which is placed next to mine. In the off chance that I get in the bed before he catches me, he will lay with his head on the bed while I rub him. If I happen to turn on the wrong side, he will go to the other side of the bed, put half of his body on the bed and get his petting that way.
Bear loves to go for a ride in the van. His favorite place to sit is just behind the front 2 seats. That way, his head is sticking between the seats. And he expects (demands) that you hug him while you're chauffeuring him around town. Attempts to remove your arm are met with a large snout that is strong enough to flip your arm back where he wants it. He likes to go to PetsMart or CareALot. He tours the aisles like a seasoned shopper. Usually, he finds one item that he wants to pick up so that's his treat for the day.
Like many Rotties, Bear is a talker. For those unused to Rottweilers, it sounds like a low growl. He makes the same sound whether I'm brushing him, cleaning his ears or eyes, or rubbing his big tummy. His new Vet's office has staff experienced with Rotties. They aren't afraid of my dogs and the dogs are quite happy to go in to meet their friends. My other two know to get on the scales. Bear is learning but it's more of a pass across the scales.
We have tennis balls all over the yard and in the house. When one of the dogs proceeds to move the furniture, we know they are looking for a particular ball. Yes, Rottweilers can move furniture. If you're anal about keeping your furniture in one place, don't get a Rottie. We also have a couple of soccer balls that haven't been punctured yet. A couple of beat up basketballs decorate the landscape. The only toy rule was made by the female Rottie. No one else can touch her stuffed cow or the tiny stuffed bear she chose when she got her CD title. She will go after either of the males that touches those. Otherwise, they play peacefully with most anything including sticks, pinecones. plastic water bottles or a stray towel that becomes a tug of war game. An occasional sock is somehow gotten out of the house and that, too, becomes a tug toy. Teach my husband to put his socks away! Each dog is searched before returning to the house to make sure they aren't bringing in contraband like pine cones or rocks. The vaccum cleaner can't handle pine cones and I can't deal with stepping on rocks in my bare feet.
Another warning for would be Rottie owners....don't expect to sit down in one place by yourself. This can and does include the bathroom. While I'm sitting here at my desk, there is one Rottie under the desk laying on my feet. I am typing with one hand because Bear is leaning against me on one side getting a hug. The other dog is sleeping up against the chair. And the cat is sitting on my mousepad thinking about swatting at my hand. If I move, the whole group has to move. And if you want privacy in the bathroom, you have to be fast and the door has to be strong. My female can hit the downstairs bathroom door just right with a paw and pop it open. An upset Rottie can open a closed door by simply ramming it.
Rotties appear to be the strong, silent, independent types. Right? Wrong-at least about the independent part. They are usually quiet, making a low growling sound if someone is outside that shouldn't be. Bear fits in with the others perfectly. I have a privacy fence backed by a chain link fence. I still have to go outside with them. If I do manage to get them out and close the door, they stand there and look pitiful until one of them whaps the door with a big paw. And heaven forbid that a raindrop hit their precious bodies. The female isn't too bad about this. She will go out in the rain. The boys are afraid they will melt. So, rain, snow, wind (hurricanes) or heat, I'm out there with them. Usually standing out in the rain trying to convince them that they won't melt and to please come outside and go to the bathroom so I can go to bed. Usually doesn't work and I know there will be a 2:30am wakeup call in the form of a wet, cold nose. It's just something you learn to live with when you love a Rottie.
Bear has been with us for only a short time now. He fits in beautifully. And forget the obedience lessons. He knows most of those and is learning a few more. Eventually, we may try for an obedience title for him. In the meantime, I will continue to be the happy owner of a trio of loving Rotties.
In the next couple of pictures, it appears that someone or something has attempted to dig a hole near or under the fence. It was not Bear. It was Witch Princess Carla, CD (who knows better) but was trying to visit the dog next door.
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Be assured that I will do my best for him.
