Ahh, Nextdog. That word is pretty much constantly in my head. I'm sure everyone knows that my next dog is an ACD. My breeder is picked out, and I've been on a breeding list for a litter next year for about 4 months now. Anddd. I backed out today.
There are just too many things going on right now that I need to figure out before next puppy comes along. Pretty much, I want to go to school. And I may have to move away to go to school. Going for your bachelors, and having a dog, plus a puppy, plus living away from DH = would not be easy. AT ALL. In addition, my favorite breeding pair was bred last year, and created just an AWESOME breeder pick, who if all goes well will be bred in two-three years. That would be my IDEAL dog. And, on top of that, I want to start Futurepuppy on cattle right away and with my resources right now, I just don't have the connections or my own to work him/her consistently. So, I decided to wait.
Sometimes, when you think you have it all figured out (and are Type A/ Plan, Plan, Plan to the brim), you don't. There was a short while when I first joined Chaz where I was just obsessed with Koolies. However, their herding style just didn't fit what I was looking for. I know it sounds silly that something like herding style would turn me away, but it does. I may still own a Koolie someday after I've met a few, but right now I'm hooked on the Cattle Dogs. And so far, they have lived up to everything I ever could have imagined.
Just take life as it comes, and go from there.
You will know when the time is right.