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OK this is weird but does anyone have a Mastiff or a St Bernard?

(24 posts)

Started 6 months ago by lifeisamazing
Latest reply from Chickster

lifeisamazing

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My nephew loves Mastiffs and St Bernards.
For Christmas I want to give him a bit of time playing with one. The problem is I don't know anyone that has one.
When it comes to animals this kid is amazing. He loves them and they love him. He has been saying that he is going to grow up to save animals since he was 4.
For birthdays and Christmases I always give him an event with me (rather than yet another toy) and up to now it's been easy
the zoo
the aquarium
the bird rescue
the pig rescue
so I've kind of run out of things so I thought a run at a park with one of his favorite dogs would be cool. I thought that until I realized that you can't really just rent one.
Anyway, just thought I'd throw that out there. If you have a Mastiff or a St Bernard that wants to be cuddled by a little boy for a bit of time. Let me know! Thanks.

Posted 6 months ago #
phoo

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Sorry, I can't help with the big dogs, but I've got some other ideas if you like...

There's the critter department at the shelter. Also, I don't know what people's policy is, but there are guinea pig only rescues. They may let him visit with the pigs if you also stay and volunteer to do some cleaning. They tend to be private homes, so I am not totally sure, but they are a better visiting environment than the Seattle Animal Shelter.

Oh, there is also a goat rescue somewhere up north.

Posted 6 months ago #
Mondoman

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Not sure if you ruled this out already, but isn't there an animal shelter down on 15th in Interbay just north of the Whole Foods that wants people to sign up to take one of their dogs out for a walk? The idea is that it saves them staff time, gets the animals more exposure to potential owners, and lets people experience spending some time with an animal without having to commit up front to adopting it.

Posted 6 months ago #
Cate

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Newfoundland? Awhile ago I had a client who worked with a Newfoundland Therapy dog - sweetest gentle giant you'd ever want to meet. I suspect (particularly if a donation to their rescue society is involved) this group could introduce your nephew to a Newfie. http://www.newfclubseattle.org/rescue.html

Posted 6 months ago #
phoo

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Mondoman - That's the Seattle Animal Shelter. They don't just have cats and dogs. They also have a diverse critter population. As of a few days ago, they had hamsters, rats, doves, parakeets, a turtle and they always have rabbits. They frequently get in guinea pigs and ferrets. In the past they have gotten pigs, a goat, wildlife (but they are kept outside and aren't fun to look at), chinchillas, and many kinds of reptiles. I forgot, they have a cornsnake right now too.

Posted 6 months ago #
Cate

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Mondo and phoo - it sounds like what LIA's nephew is interested in are those 150+ lb gentle slobbery giants. I've never seen one of them at the animal shelter. The SAS does love volunteer animal walkers and petters (and donations of towels for bedding and cleaning). I have to confess that if I ever have the house for it am going to get a rescue Newfie - I love them.

Posted 6 months ago #
phoo

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Cate - Yah, but I can't hook her up with that, so I thought I'd offer alternatives. Maybe not even for this year, but next year. I know my friend has a lot of fun up at the goat rescue.

Posted 6 months ago #
clamster

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Maybe a visit to Sarvey Wildlife Care Center in Arlington? Contact them and see if they have visiting hours and if it's appropriate for very young children. I know they do a lot of educational programs and there's all kinds of animals and amazing birds like eagles and owls in their care facilities. (I haven't been there but I follow them on Facebook and through their newsletter.) Their goal is to help injured and orphaned wildlife and return them to the wild when they are ready and healthy. Some cannot be released and are permanent residents, and part of the educational program. Here is their website: http://www.sarveywildlife.org/

Posted 6 months ago #
Cate

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phoo - I was at this year's fiber festival and got to play with the goats, bunnies, sheep and alpacas that are both loved pets and fiber providers. The little goats were the sweetest (and the alpacas just spit when I didn't have an apple slice). LIA - I'll try to let you know next fall when that happens.

Posted 6 months ago #
SmartsyArtsy

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there are some Leonbergers around. I think one is on 64th off 22. And the other around 60th Smewhere bet 20th & 15th.

These are very big lion-looking pups. There may still be a breeder on Mercer Island; she is the aunt of my neighbor from VT but I never did look her up. I can'tremember her name right now.

Just found this on the Leonberger Club of the Northwest site:

Leo Walk at Marymoor Park, Redmond, WA.
When
Sat, December 1, 12pm – 2pm
Where
Marymoor Park, Redmond, WA. (map)
Description
Come join us for a casual walk with your Leonberger through Marymoor Park. We meet the first Saturday of the month at the off-leash area.

Posted 6 months ago #
teigyr

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This is not the breed you're looking for and it isn't even near here but I know people who vacation here: http://www.bestfriends.org/The-Sanctuary/Visiting/Sleepovers/ I wonder if there is a group around here that does something similar?

Posted 6 months ago #
great idea

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your nephew probably can't cuddle with them, but these big dogs might be fun to visit:

http://www.wolfhaven.org/

Posted 6 months ago #
gordy

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I've seen a Newfie being walked around by All the Best. Maybe you can check at the local pet shops like ATB and see if they know any customers with the breeds that can help.

Posted 6 months ago #
BuffaloHawk

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I got my kittens from Animal Talk Rescue which isn't far away at all from Ballard. They had all sorts of critters including some very unique and rare reptiles.

http://www.animaltalkrescue.org/

Posted 6 months ago #
lifeisamazing

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Holy crap! I just got done with work and thought I'd check this thread not thinking there would be anything..... Wrong!

Thanks everyone. Really.

Clam, you're right on the button Sarvey is terrific but he's ahead of me on that one. He knows someone that works there so has spent a bunch of time there.

I've dealt with them too. A friend and I found a dying duck with an infected wound in her leg when we were camping. The park ranger said "That's life. And by they way it's illegal for you to take that duck anywhere"

Oh bite me.

Needless to say.... We checked in each week to Sarvey to see how Daisy was doing and eventually they had news. She couldn't be released but was finally getting better and more onery by the moment and would live her life out there. They said she wouldn't have made it another day out in the wild. "That's life" my ass. Life is helping another being if you can. Sheesh. Sorry, got on a yank.

Mondo, Yes! The animal shelter is on my list for the future. They seem to always be full on volunteers and it's a long process to become one with training and all. Looking to do that next year sometime.

Phoo, really excited about checking out the goat rescue for the next outing! I love goats.

Cate, I'm checking to see if a Newfie would work. To me they are all the same; St B, Mastiffs and Newfies. Big slobbery sweethearts but I'll check with him to see if they fall into the same category. And the fiber fest sounds great. I tried to dogpile it so I could give him a certificate for a trip to that if the dog and goat things fall through for this Christmas but couldn't find it.

Smartsie, Great! I'm going to ask him about the Leonbergers. They look like, well, another big slobbery sweetheart. Just sayin'. That one is easy because I can just give him a certificate saying I'm going to take him to the park the first Sunday of January!

Teigyr, I didn't find anything like that around here but I've always wanted to go to Best Friends. Maybe when I win the lottery I'll take him there for an overnight. I love their website with all the animal stories.

GI, Wolf haven is a fascinating place. I've been there and my nephew went there with his parents. Beautiful animals!

Gordy, I'll check with ATB, good idea.

Hawk, I think I'll go to animal talk and take a look that is so close.

Thank you everyone for all the great ideas! I should be set for the next several birthdays and Christmases thanks to you!

Hope you are all having a lovely season.

Posted 6 months ago #
rsharg

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Try the local St. Bernard Club of Puget Sound, too. Here's the link:

http://www.sbcps.org/

I bet they would be thrilled to give such a great kid some time with one of their dogs.

Posted 6 months ago #
Chickster

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Maybe this St. Bernard breeder in Auburn would let you visit... :-)

http://stoans.blogspot.com/

I remember years ago visiting a breeder down in Oregon. It was so much fun having a pack of pooches following you around! Lots of slobbering that day! :-)

Posted 6 months ago #
BallardGMa

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Life is amazing, I have a 95 pound black lab if that helps, Jake would enjoy playing outside.

Posted 6 months ago #
Catherine

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Late to the party here - but Cat House on the Kings in California... worth the trip. NO... not that kind of cat house, get your minds out of the gutter. My favorite quote from the founder "this all started because my mother never let me have a kitten....." The rest I will not spoil.

Posted 5 months ago #
Quercus

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LIA - off topic, but if making the trek to Lynnwood to volunteer would be possible for you, PAWS is always in need of volunteers, and the process/training is shorter/happens more often. There are dogwalking, kennel attendant(feed, train, hang out), cat room, clinic - all sorts of positions. I just finished my tenth year as a volunteer up there. It's worth it.

Posted 5 months ago #
badoodie

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LIA, I have a St. Bernard but she's currently on bedrest with a bum paw. However, one of her breeders is the president of the St. Bernard Club of Puget Sound and they love showing off their Saints to people. You can contact them through here http://sbcps.org/index.html . Their names are Rick and Sheri Boldt and they live in the Auburn area. If you'd like you can give me your name and I can email Sheri and give her a head's up. If travel down to there is an issue we can get together with my dog once she stops limping!

Posted 5 months ago #
badoodie

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Oh, and if you make it down to Rick and Sheri's I bet they'd give your nephew a ride in one of the carts Rick builds for the dogs!

Posted 5 months ago #
lifeisamazing

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Bad, I'm sorry your pup has a bum foot :(
The breeder sounds like that would be fun for him and also the next time I have him with me I'd like to post you and maybe get them together. Your big guy looks like a sweetie. they always look like really big stuffed animals to me.
I know he'd like to go to a St Bernard rescue since animal rescue is his thing but there isn't one.

Rsharg and Chick - I think I should get somewhere great to take him between the club and the breeder!

Quercus - thanks for the info. I like paws. Had to take a newborn kitten that the stray mom had left alone too long there to be put down. Too far gone but he was loved for his last half hour of life. They were kind. I kept trying to say maybe he could be saved and they were kind when they told me no. Sad. Seems like a really caring place.

Cathrine - you cracked me up. I'm going to look at their website when I get the chance. I go to California often.

Gma - Ha! I have a 95 pound German Shephard! He loves her. She just aint a St Bernard or Mastiff : ) Thank you for the offer!

Thank you everyone and Merry Christmas!

Posted 5 months ago #
Chickster

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Hey, lifeisamazing, Cate started a new thread showing a video of a cute, little toddler out for a walk in the woods with 42 St. Bernards...

http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=15914

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgIz1Add98s&feature=youtu.be

...and it reminded me of your thread here when you were looking for something similar for your nephew to experience.

Since Lasquite's Saint Bernards is located on Lasqueti Island in BC, maybe you could take a trip up there for the weekend with your nephew. That'd be pretty cool! :-)

http://www.lasquitesaintbernards.com/Lasquite_Saint_Bernards.html

Posted 1 month ago #