[doggiedo]

My dog's name is Stormy and I applied to adopt a new dog, named Smokey. I think it's a perfect fit - ha, if it were only that easy.

We'll keep my fingers cross. He seems like a good fit for my current dog, in terms of temperment and demeanor. I think my dog would love the company and I'd love to open my home to welcome another pet.

Next step is to see if they get along. Wish us luck.

[Fresia]

Awesome to adopt!!! It is great to be able to have them meet first. I hope it goes really well. Best wishes.

[doggiedo]

So idk...I always chicken out at the end.. They just called me to set up a meet and greet and now I'm nervous!

I'm second guesssing things...like do I have enough room in my apartment, would my dog hate him, can I give him enough love? Am I just being selfish? I just love animals so much and I have wanted a second dog. I guess the lady said they have a few meet and greets set up, so if I really want to meet him, I better do it soon. I'm so nervous. Do I go and check him out and see if my dog likes him? Or do I let one of the other famillies do take him?

[BlessedRhiannon]

Go meet him! It may be the absolutely perfect match...and it may not be...but you'll never know if you don't go meet him.

[seeker1950]

Doggiedo...I want to hear what you've decided! I have two rescues, a
Golden mix and an old female longhaired dachshund who was used for breeding. She is so very sweet, and my younger Golden loves her and she loves him. They DO love having each others' company, but I can understand your trepidation if you live in an apartment. You are really lucky to live in an apt that allows pets, but two means twice the expense.
Let us know what you decide.
Patty

[doggiedo]

I called them - the dog, Smokey, has two meet and greets set up for this weekend, which will be a little stressful on him. THey said I can call back on Monday to see if he's still there and if he is, they can set somethign up.

I told them a little about my situation and asked if he would be a good fit, etc. They said he's more laid back and would be good for an older couple or a more chill/relax environment, probably without other dogs. Probably for the best.

I did see this other little guy on petfinder.com that looks adorable. He's got a little deformed paw, but that doesn't stop him from running around. He's social, good with kids (in case I have them someday), dogs, and cats. He's a good size.

The only thing is, he's being fostered about 5 states away. I'd have to adopt him before he gets to meet my current dog - not an ideal situation...

Hum...I'll have to think on it more. I always wanted to get a few dogs - I'll just have to figure out a way to make it happen..with the renting and stuff. If the complex I live in allows up to 2 dogs, then why not? I can afford it (and all the other expenses, vet appts, etc that comes along with an additional dog)...why not spread the love. Right?

AM I nutzo?

[doggiedo]

maybe Fostering is a better option for me? Short term committment, anywehre from a few days to a few months (or longer, which would be fine)...

don't worry about him being a distance away..transports can usually be arranged...if it is with a rescue contact them. sometimes you have to drive the last leg of the trip but if it is a good rescue & they think it (the adoption) is possible (because of out of state) they will work with you.

call the rescue.

expect to supply a list of references, vet info, to have a home visit done & an interview.

fostering is a great thing..many shelters & rescues are in desperate need for foster homes...most will want you to go thru the same process above anyway...just to make sure everything is safe for one of their animals to be housed there.

most times for fostering the rescue pays for vet bills. you will cover food, toys, etc. some dogs come with behavioral issues (many) such as separation anxiety, fear issues, housebreaking, never having been inside, food aggression...it is the job of the foster home to work with the rescue to prepare the dog for it's next step in life..it's for ever home. fostering is hard work...it's incredibly rewarding but no lie..very difficult too.

i am not trying to scare you off..but being honest about it..i foster all the time..have probably had 20+ dogs thru my place. some were good, some great & a few downright evil. one ate my couch, one chewed my car seat, all have peed on the carpet, chewed things, scuffled with my guys, a few bites here & there..but it has also been very rewarding..to see a dog who had never played or been insdie a house learn to sleep on a bed or play with a favorite toy & be adopted.

anyway.. contact the rescue if you see a dog you like..or of one in your area. speak with them..if you have a breed you like research them..every breed has a rescue & they would almost all have dogs.

good luck.

[tear_drop]

i would love to adopt but i have no space

[doggiedo]

Argh, i still don't know what to do, but i appreciate you guys listening and your support.

Tear-Drop, I hear ya. Can you volunteer somewhere?

[doggiedo]

I actually found this really cute dog at the local pound - visited him yesterday. Very sweet dog...I am tempted to adopt him.

Thoughts?

[kindachaotic]

If you can financially afford the care I say go for it.
If you work or go to school one dog can get very lonely.
Having a buddy can give them a whole new world.

Best wishes.

Originally Posted by kindachaotic

If you can financially afford the care I say go for it.
If you work or go to school one dog can get very lonely.
Having a buddy can give them a whole new world.

Best wishes.

I agree! If you can afford it financially and time-wise! Adopting / Rescue is so wonderful!

be careful since your one dog already has an active case of kennel cough this dog might cause a relapse in it..since it might arrive with a different strain or this new one might catch it as well...

not saying don't adopt but your other guy still might have an active strain.

[Aprilape4]

Wish you all the best of luck. I have a sad story on adopting. But I still think adopting a dog is great.

I was in the last stages of adopting a dog. I met here and feel in love. Once she went to a foster home one family was ahead of me. After a couple of days they weren't approved of by the foster parent. I was next. One day I was suppose get my current dog and adopted dog to meet and the foster parent never showed up. After that I never got a hold of her. I kept contacting the animal shelter and they kept telling me it was on the ladies part to get back to me. One day I got a call from the shelter and they said that the foster parent adopted the dog. Even though I was first on list. What ever. She was the cutest Chihuahua, Moo was her name. I feel in love with her and got my hopes too high.

that's crappy...some rescues put the final say on the foster home but it is not responsible of them to contact you & let you know regardless. i have worked with one rescue that did that & one that does not...personally as a foster home i could go either way..i know i have input on where the dog goes because i do provide updates on the dog throughout it's stay at my home.

as a foster home i never plan on adopting a foster...that is not my goal..my goal is to prepare the dog (puppy) for it's next stage in life...as it moves from shelter, stray, owner turn in, what ever to a for ever home. honestly after about 25 fosters i have only wanted to keep about 2 of them...1 who i was too sick to keep & i did not, & one "stumpy" who i fell in love with as i met the president of the rescue for the transfer of his sorry butt in a parking lot for a temporary foster. one look into his eyes & at his badly misaligned teeth & i fell hard.

[doggiedo]

I’m so sorry to hear about your adoption attempt – it’s really disconcerting when something like that happens and it ruins what could be a great match for the dog and family. Did you ever end up adopting somewhere else?

I actually did end up adopting Lucky. I went shopping yesterday and realized I forgot my license at the shelter (you have to give your license to take the dog out in the yard for a walk, so you don’t steal the dog). I ended up grabbing my dog and taking him down to meet Lucky, since I had to get my license anyhow. I figured it might be “a sign.” They got along pretty well, actually. I gave it some thought, talked to the people there, went over his behavioral records (when he was evaluated) and decided to do it.

We were home for our first night together last night. It went pretty well. He just got neutered the first week of March, so he is still marking, which is a little frustrating. Not sure how to get him to stop that. Normally I would say “at-ah” firmly and take him outside, but I don’t think he NEEDS to go, I think it’s a territorial thing. Anyhow, I’m crate training him, and he is still weary about going into new rooms in the house.

I am still a little nervous. I have a 2 week trial period to see if he’s a good fit. I don’t think I could live with myself if I returned him, but I also want to make sure it’s a good fit.
Last night my dog was laying on the couch with my, and so was Lucky. My dog was on my lap on his back letting me rub his belly with Lucky right by my side, laying down on the couch! I think that’s a good sign that my dog doesn’t feel intimidated or anything.
I am also making sure I feed my dog first, let him out first, still give him lovin’ and stuff. But also try and do that with the new dog.

Is it normal to be so nervous? I’m still not 100% sure it’s the right decision.

congrats.

he will mark for a little bit..takes a while for the hormones to get out of the system..& he is a new male in the house..so he has to leave his scent there so the others know...he wants to be the top dog...which will all work out in time...i always expect a new male in the house to try to mark at least once.

nervous? yeah...unless it's one of those chosen by dog & god things when you don't have a say in it yeah you are always nervous. play it slowly. watch for signs of pissiness..there will probably be some little she loves me best things...it's all to be expected..every dog wants to at least try to make a run for top dog...

just remember YOU are the alpha dog. you have the hands that open the kibble bag (never mind that you have the $$ that buys the kibble bag) . make everyone sit before eating. then feed the old dogs first.

it may turn out the new dog is the alpha...they will work that out..stumpy has been in my house the longest. he thinks he is the alpha...we all let him think that. the puppy so isn't & she knows that..once & awhile she growls & we all laugh at her but let her get ehr way because she is cute. but the long term foster..well she is the alpha queen. she rules the pack. she makes the call as to what goes on here & at the park with the other bassets. even tho she is a foster & has come & then left & then come back & has a brain tumor..she is large & in charge.

so..it will settle out.

a good book to read is by suzanne clothier..if bones would rain from the sky...(or something darn close to that i am not at home so don't have it near to me for the exact title)..awesome book on dog behavior...& pack dynamics. not aggressive manhandling training..just common sense