We are thinking (just in the thinking stage) about getting a dog - not a puppy - a dog. I looked at some of the rescue groups' online applications and I already feel guilty about leaving our possible future dog alone for any extended period of time.

I have contacted Lynn from Lynn's Pet Care for a quote on dog walking (very reasonable), but now am thinking that it would be better for this theoretical dog if we dropped him off at daycare a couple of times a week so that he could have some playtime with more than two 12 year old cats that don't do a lot of playing anyway.

A google search turned up nothing closer than Naperville. Are there any dog daycares around here?

I trust Lynn more than any dog daycare. You can also have Lynn's people take the dog to the dog park, if canine socialization is what you crave. I have found a fenced-in yard with a dog door to be fine. The dog will chase the squirrels for entertainment. That may not work so well with a dog that's smaller than a football (which, in that case, is not really a dog) And the occasional black lab escape and chase is always entertaining. One of the more recent escapes found her at Arvati's.

We use both Lynn (she's great!) and have taken our one dog to The Dog Spot in Downer's Grove (on Ogden). The Dog Spot is good for socializing them and, especially when they're younger, it helps them burn up their energy playing with the other dogs. I also noticed that there is a new doggy day care facility going in on St Charles Rd in Villa Park. I'm not sure when it's supposed to open.

Thanks!

Lynn seemed very nice. I definitely would want the dog walked during the work week; she said the walks were 20 - 30 minutes. I live within 2 blocks of the dog park, so maybe I could arrange for this dog I don't yet own to go there.

I grew up with Labs, so I am leaning towards a Lab - maybe around 2 - 4 years old.

Reading the applications for the Lab Rescue places, it seems like if I don't have an adequate plan in place for the time my husband and I will be away, we'll be denied the ability to adopt a pet. I don't mind getting a plan in place, I am just having this strange feeling of inadequacy because I can't say that someone will be home with the dog all day every day.

It's OK to leave a dog home alone, right? The dog would be alone (except for the middle of the day walk and the two cats) for 8 hours M-F. Or is that too much and should we scrap the idea altogether?

Forget the dog, would you please adopt ME?
Yes it is ok to leave the dog at home during work hours. Most of the world does that and does NOT have a dog walker. The dog adoption places are just strict because of the few crazy people in this world. (you know, the ones that don't feed their children, on Nancy Grace) Anyway, good luck with the pooch!

Some of the breed rescue groups are pretty vigilant about their home visits, etc., but bless you for considering adoption. There are many wonderful animals who just need a good home, and it sounds like yours would make a great 'forever home' - I would think you'd be an excellent candidate for any shelter to consider.

Also, if you don't go the breed rescue route, perhaps think about DuPage County Animal Care & Control - they work with a lot of the various shelters and rescues in and around the county, but they have a lot of great animals looking for homes as well. (I'm biased - I got my cats there, and the staff was wonderful in providing advice and hand-holding when my second cat had litter box issues when he first arrived home. All is well now!)

Good luck - I hope everything works out for you.

What about that place in Wheaton? Barkinglot on Main? I always want to bring my dog there. I just got a coupon in the mail for Petsmart daycare also.barking lot

Sometimes the little ones do better than the big ones (dogs) at being alone.

Excellent!! Why is the Barking Lot not showing up on Google? I'm going to give them a call.

Yes; I'm finding out that the rescue groups are very particular. There are some that will not place a dog under 8 years old in a house without a fully fenced yard (which we, at present, do not have). The one I'm now focusing on, The Labrador Connection, does do a home visit. Additionally, you have to list three references and they call your current vet to make sure your other pets are receiving regular care.

I feel a little bit like I'm getting ready to submit my college applications again. We are actually thinking about waiting to add this new addition at the beginning of the year, rather than right now, but the more I look at these applications, the more I think that I should possibly submit my application now and say we are looking to adopt in January so that it won't look like we are shopping for a doggie Christmas present (which we are not).

US4 -

Thanks for bringing me back into reality. I know people do leave dogs alone - I just have to keep telling myself that.

I feel it's always better to add a dog to the household in the spring or summer. Fall is okay to but when the weather starts getting weird look out. You may have to keep a check on potty and bathroom habits, no matter what age, in the beginning, and do you really want to do this in the snow? I know some people don't like this place but ADOPT is pretty cool too. They have a site with pictures. a.d.o.p.t.

Mama-I have some connections for adoptions/rescue. Not sure if you'll be able to find a pure Lab, but they might point you in the right direction. We've adopted one dog from Four Paws in West Chicago and the other dog from Almost Home Foundation (both puppies). If you want more info on either or want to chat more, let me know. They both have websites that list and show pictures of the dogs & puppies that are availble for adoption. While we had to fill out a lot of paperwork, and had an "interview" no home visits were required. Good luck and keep us posted!

Thanks everyone!

I really feel like, after a few days of extensive research, I've finally got a handle on this whole process. I think we will have to go to a shelter as opposed to a rescue group for our adoption - unless you already have a dog (we don't) all of the rescue groups I've contacted will not place a dog with a family who has children under the age of 5. We have a three year old, so we are eliminated from the ability to adopt right there.

On another note, does anyone have or have extensive experience with either Collies or Beagles? I've only lived with Labs and (one) Springer Spaniel and (one) Dobermann. Collie was a 99% match for our family in the Animal Planet dog breed selector tool and when I look at shelter dogs a lot of the dogs that state they are good with kids and cats are beagles or beagle mixes.

Our neighbors have a collie/german shepard mix and that dog is da bomb.

Good luck in the process - I really think you're going to make a great home for some lucky dog. A suggestion - perhaps start interviewing vets now, if you don't have one, before you adopt - most vets will do a sort of introductory 'new pet' exam, often for free (the expectation is that you will continue to use that vet). And, most shelters will ask which vet you plan to use, and hope you plan to take your new adoptee in for a check-up within three days.

It's nice to have a handle on a vet that'll work with your schedule, and whose practice you like. We're lucky, I think, to have a lot of practices in the immediate area. Also, a lot of vets have lines on animals who may need homes - so there's an option there in finding your new family member.

Hi My name is Mae and I just opened the Doggie Daycare and Boarding in Villa Park, IL we are on St. Charles Rd. We are the Bow Wow Playground our phone number is 630-501-1777. If you would like to call or come by we can give you a tour and any info you need
Mae

Thanks Mae!

If you read the thread, you'll see that we haven't adopted our new best friend yet, but I will make sure to call you when we do.

I actually take the Metra into work and your location is convenient to the Villa Park Metra Station; I could see myself dropping off the dog and just taking the train from Villa Park a couple of days a week.