Delilah On Big Brother

[mantis]

Maybe I am on my own, but I am not happy they put a dog into that situation. What bothers me more is, tonight they showed the family who are adopting her. They have 2 dogs already, what if they don't get on with her, she is going to end up back in the pound. I don't like they are using a dog to boost their ratings & are re-homing the dog before they make sure it will work out. I am worried, that after the show she will end up back in the pound.

[disintegratus]

It's a bit of a "rock and a hard place" situation I think. On one hand, at least she gets a chance at a new life, which was never guaranteed if she stayed in the pound in the first place. Secondly, surely now that she's "famous", if she doesn't work out there'll be other people wanting to adopt her? On top of that, at least they're raising awareness and helping dispel the "secondhand dog" attitude.

But on the other hand, it stinks of the same kind of attitude that sees the RSPCA spend thousands fixing a mutilated kitten to boost ratings and get money/sympathy, meanwhile killing thousands of healthy cats and dogs that no one sees.

I feel sorry for the dog in question though. From the pound, to a house full of idiots, barely has time to settle in there, then onto a new home? Poor thing won't know what's going on:(

[LizT]

Actually from what I've seen of the dog they (pre trainers and housemates)have done a great deal of training and work with her and she is a very laid back, easy going dog. Doesn't get her feathers ruffled when things get a bit exciting or silly.

I think she will fit in another household without too many dramas, as too getting along with the other dogs..everyone who adpots a second or third dogs has to deal with this scenario and possible outcomes.

I myself, had to send an adopted dog back to be re-home with a only dog situation due to him savagely attacking one of mine after he had gotten on well for nearly a month.

It's like the "dog of the week" in newspapers and on TV. 100's call up and everyone wants it..but when you tell them it's got a home and ask if they'd like to come down and check out other dogs, they're not interested.

[HollyMilo]

I was a bit concerned when the dog first went into the BB house but from what I've seen, she looked to be very happy. She had constant company, was allowed inside and on the beds, given a lot of attention. The AWL vetted all the families who applied to adopt Delilah, so I don't see anything wrong with the situation at all.

If anything I think it's shown how fantastic a rescue dog can be :)

[Guest donatella]

What situation? A whole house of humans home 24/7 for companionship. Tell me what dog wouldn't be in their element in that situation. I know both mine would thrive in that situation, they don't know they're on camera and the housemates all seemed to love her and give her plenty of attention and include her in events, i'm pretty sure she even slept on the beds!

As for her adoption she is through the Animal Welfare League here on the Gold Coast, they are a well respected rescue shelter with a no kill policy so if she ends up back in the shelter she is safe and will have hundreds of applicants lining up for her anyway.

I think its a fabulous promote to rescue, I love seeing dogs in the BB houses I just wish they'd put a small fluffy in one day :D

[Pattycake]

I was a bit concerned when the dog first went into the BB house but from what I've seen, she looked to be very happy. She had constant company, was allowed inside and on the beds, given a lot of attention. The AWL vetted all the families who applied to adopt Delilah, so I don't see anything wrong with the situation at all.

If anything I think it's shown how fantastic a rescue dog can be :)

+1

[Sares]

What situation? A whole house of humans home 24/7 for companionship. Tell me what dog wouldn't be in their element in that situation. I know both mine would thrive in that situation, they don't know they're on camera and the housemates all seemed to love her and give her plenty of attention and include her in events, i'm pretty sure she even slept on the beds!

As for her adoption she is through the Animal Welfare League here on the Gold Coast, they are a well respected rescue shelter with a no kill policy so if she ends up back in the shelter she is safe and will have hundreds of applicants lining up for her anyway.

I think its a fabulous promote to rescue, I love seeing dogs in the BB houses I just wish they'd put a small fluffy in one day :D

Agreed... :)

[tlc]

I think Delilah has shown what a resilient little dog she is. After watching her I think she would fit in with any family, so if it doesn't work out with this family I'm sure it will with the next one. The new owners seemed like nice sensible people.

Great exposure for rescue too. I'm hoping Delilah has her own Facebook page so we can see how she gets on with her new family.

[HazyWal]

I don't watch the show but obviously know about the dog in the BB house. I think it was great for rescue as well. I would love for them to have a greyhound in the BB house, would be fabulous to promote greyhound rescue but having a grey stretched out on the lounge for 23 hours a day wouldn't make for exciting viewing :laugh:

[stari]

I thought she was great in the house, everyone loved her, she was treated fantastically (and had some training too), and the home they picked is a family who only has rescue dogs, so they would be well aware what they are in for and more than capable of caring for her.

Awesome way to promote rescue as well. I really don't see any negatives at all..

[mita]

What lots of others have said. Great exposure of a lovely rescue dog, good treatment from the people in the house, under the watchful eye of a most respected rescue organisation. AWL Qld would have carefully selected Delilah for traits of sociability and adaptability.

Adoptive family waiting in the wings... and their present dogs... would also have been carefully screened.

To be fair to the OP, I also had a tinge of concern when it was first announced a dog would be in the house. But, as I actually looked at the situation further, it seemed an excellent move. My original reaction was largely based on my own prejudices about the BB program. And having to re-think about Delilah, made me realize that. :) The program mightn't be my cup of tea.... but there's nothing terribly awful about it which would make life difficult for a dog. Seems it turned out quite the opposite! Thanks, Delilah. :)

Edited November 4, 2012 by mita

[mantis]

OK, well it's obviously just me. :laugh:

I just was worried the dog was being used for ratings & was having her life being shipped around & might unsettle her. I hope that her new home ends up being her forever home & she doesn't end up back in rescue.

Good luck in your new home Delilah, you were the only reason I watched that stupid show.

[juice]

She could easily have been stuck in a kennel for the last 3 months going stir crazy.

I reckon its been really well done.

Sam took her under his wing and did lots with her.

Great boost for rescue, lets just hope we don't get a surge of red kelpie's being bred for suburbia though.

[Guest donatella]

I think the movie Red Dog ran with the red kelpie phase :laugh:

[Weasels]

A friend of mine wrote a letter to AWL after one episode in the beginning when some of the boys were handling her inappropriately and she was displaying stress signals. They responded promptly (with what I'm sure was a form letter) saying she had been extensively temp tested and the housemates briefed on dog interaction etc. I don't have channel 10(?) here so I'm not sure if the humans stuck with their instructions or not but it sounds like it from the responses here

Tell me what dog wouldn't be in their element in that situation.

Many many many dogs, especially shelter dogs that may not have been well socialised as pups! I have one lying on my floor right now who would be hiding in a corner trying to disappear into the wall

Edit - AWL also said they had the ability to remove her from the house at any time they considered it to be in the best interests of Delilah, which is somewhat comforting :)

Edited November 5, 2012 by Weasels

[Guest donatella]

They wouldn't have thrown any old dog in there, she was chosen for her good nature and very relaxed temperament and this was very apparent when you watched her on the show interacting with the housemates. She went with them to the diary room, sat on the lounge, danced around the pool with them, slept on their beds and a few of the more dog savvy folk were training her and giving her some stimulation.

I never saw any signs of stress but then again i'm not a behaviorist either.

[Animal House]

The homes that the housemates had to choose from had been extensively screened by AWL.

Delilah fitted in very well with the housemates, she really was a happy, well socialised girl, lucky family who got to adopt her. :D

My own dog would be quivering in a corner as well if she was in there, way too much going on for her anxiety to handle.

[wuffles]

One of the moments that I think showed Delilah's amazing resilience was when they had strangers coming into the house, one of whom whas a big, muscly, LOUD man with weights. He yelled in an aggressive manner and threw things around... and Delilah just pranced around him wanting to play :) I don't think many dogs would have reacted that way.

[kiesha09]

I agree with the others who think it worked out well. I actually think the AWL and BB really got it right with the dog that they selected so its a well done from me

[Alkhe]

I was a bit worried when I heard about it, but I've actually been watching BB for the last few weeks and Delilah seems to be having a great time! She seems like a very happy dog who's definitely getting lots of attention, I have no real qualms about it.