Snowy Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 I'm going for a long drive tomorrow! Off up north to visit a potential 'brother' for Candy Trouble is, OH made it clear tonight that he doesn't want this dog - he has his heart set on a younger dog that could be available, but I've heard nothing back on it for over a week This one is 8 years old and a retired sniffer dog. The rescue have spent a small fortune on dog training for him (main problems were recall and livestock chasing! ) and he can supposedly now sit in a chicken run and totally ignore them (not that I will be testing him that well!) I'm taking Candy with me. OH has reluctantly agreed that he trusts my judgement ( ) and I have no qualms about saying no if he clearly is not the right dog. It's just such a long way And I am worried that I may make the wrong decision Ho hum. for me pleeeeaaase! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 My advice would be go with your head and not your heart. I speak from bitter and upsetting experience. 13 years ago, I rescued a dog that had been mistreated, and thought he would be a great brother for Henry, as Henry was a very young dog and I thought it would do him good to have some other canine company. However, after a few months of enduring daily attacks on Henry and serious behavioural problems I had to re-home him. Thankfully he went to retired lady who had previously had dogs with problems and had no other dogs at the time. Henry was a much happier dog once he was on his own again. It broke my heart at the time, as I always take on an animal for life and I felt I let this poor dog down. You need to be sure that Candy, your girls and OH will be happy. I hope it works out, and the right dog will be there for you (and may very well be this dog tomorrow), however I felt duty bound to share my story as a cautionary tale, as I know its not always easy to ignore our hearts. My prayers are with you tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted November 15, 2009 Author Share Posted November 15, 2009 My advice would be go with your head and not your heart. I speak from bitter and upsetting experience. 13 years ago, I rescued a dog that had been mistreated, and thought he would be a great brother for Henry, as Henry was a very young dog and I thought it would do him good to have some other canine company. However, after a few months of enduring daily attacks on Henry and serious behavioural problems I had to re-home him. Thankfully he went to retired lady who had previously had dogs with problems and had no other dogs at the time. Henry was a much happier dog once he was on his own again. It broke my heart at the time, as I always take on an animal for life and I felt I let this poor dog down. You need to be sure that Candy, your girls and OH will be happy. I hope it works out, and the right dog will be there for you (and may very well be this dog tomorrow), however I felt duty bound to share my story as a cautionary tale, as I know its not always easy to ignore our hearts. My prayers are with you tomorrow Thank you for being honest - I think that is what is worrying me, that I will have to decide on my own! With a bit of luck, it will be very obvious to me what the decision should be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Make sure you get the RIGHT dog Think about it..you went without a dog for X amount of time before you got Candy so there is no hurry for a companion no matter how much you want one and you havent been lookng for a second dog for very long 8 is a decent age and you need to consider future vets bills etc.. many insurers wont insure beyond a certain age and even fewer take on new 'customers' of a certain age (meanng the pet) Getting a second dog will also mean that Candy (and the other dog) may look to you less and to each other more and behavioral (sp?) problems in either may come to the fore If this dog is the right one then thats great but if its not dont feel sorry for it. Leave it where it is Sorry if I sound harsh but I took on a second dog with 'my heart' and it was a nightmare for both dogs and me, the other dog has been re-homed for quite a while with a lovely couple but my dog still suffers from a few bad habits he picked up while she was here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Good luck for today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 I hope it goes well Snowy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Good luck Snowy. I can only echo what Tasha has said. I used to foster rescued lurchers, and they often came with awhole bundle of 'issues'. If you're at all unsure, then see if you can have the new dog to stay for a weekend to see how you all get on on Candy's home turf. One bit of advice... just because you have one lovely dog doesn't always mean that two will be just a great - it often works out fine, but sometimes doesn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 God luck mate- I came a cropper too when I tried to get a companion for my American Bully. The dog we got was fantastic, sweet, clever, lovely with people of all ages, but too much time being 'Man of the House' meant he didnt understand pack politics and what a warning growl meant. He always took it as an invitation to fight to the death He hurt Zeus really badly and I had to drive him back nearly 200 miles. The mistake I made was in getting a high-status dog, in future if I rescue again I would look for something submissive. What I am trying to say is choose temperament carefully and intelligently, it broke my heart to take Gavi back and as far as I know he is still in the Rescue Centre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Be strong and go with your gut feeling. It is so hard when you have those eyes looking at you but you have to be strong and do the right thing. You wont be doing him any favours if you aren't the right home for him. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Good luck, I hope you find the right dog. Unfortunately we've never managed two dogs at the same time. There was always fighting and it makes for a very unhappy stressfull home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted November 16, 2009 Author Share Posted November 16, 2009 Thanks for all the advice, it's really helped. It's been a VERY long day! And I didn't bring a dog home with me! He was a lovely little springer, but despite all reassurances, I wasn't happy with his lack of history. You can't afford to take chances when you have children and knowing that a dog shows no signs of aggression in kennels is not the same as knowing how he will cope in a house with two mad boys. He was a stray and has only been known in kennels, if he'd been in a foster home I think I'd have been more reassured. It was very hard to leave him there as he and Candy seemed to get on well (all very low key!). I'm still wondering if I've made the right decision, but too late now! OH well, hopefully when the right one comes along, I'll know for definite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 I have no doubt that you made the right decision. It is not easy to walk away and there must have been a number of alarm bells ringing for you to have done it. Male dogs are very different to females and a working breed such as this coupled with the lack of history could be a disaster with your boys. I am sure that someone will come along that will be a better fit for him. Don't feel guilty, you could have done him more harm than good if you had taken him and things didn't work out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Your vibes were obviously right Snowy - it takes a strong person to know what is and isn't right, and to walk away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Well done, you did the right thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Sorry to hear it didn't work out Snowy, you made the right decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Well done Snowy, that was very brave of you to walk away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
