I need everyone's advice.

Zhucca

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#1
So I was pretty sure another dog wasn't going to happen until next year because I was pretty set on getting a lab *puppy*. A female. I have a busy work schedule and I have no time for a puppy, but for my adult dog it works fine.

However this seems to be a recurring theme for me in that I want to take in all customer dogs from the daycare I used to work at. That's how I got Duke, after all. I knew him since he was a 14wk old puppy and ended up with him at 7 months once his previous family decided they didn't want him anymore.

So, there's this Rottie named Lily, whom I've also known since she was a young pup. Rottie's aren't typically a breed I would seek out, but she's an exceptional individual. She's very sweet, playful and quite frankly reminds me more of a lab in a rottie suit. So I happened to stumble across this ad a few days ago...
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-pets-dogs-puppies-for-sale-Free-Rotti-to-a-Good-Home-W0QQAdIdZ391085090

It's been torturous. I emailed them to confirm that she is the dog I know (there was little doubt, I recognize the man in the pic) and I'm just wringing my hands. I really want to pursue this further but unsure if this is a good situation to add another dog into.

Usually I work 6 days a week. Usually 8hr shifts, and a half day on saturday (full day if it's raining/crappy out) Duke isn't left home alone, during the week he also goes to 'work'. My friend Dean, who owns Boomer, takes him during the day. Dean would NOT be willing to do this for another dog. Three large dogs is a lot to cart around and it's special circumstances because Duke has separation anxiety, and it's also so Boomer can have a buddy and entertain himself during the day. So Lily would be left home alone, because going to 'work' for Duke is definitely the highlights of his life in his mind, really.

Duke and Lily have met each other, as he went to the daycare every day with me and she came 2 times a week. They get along fine, but they weren't friends. lol Where I live is also very dog accommodating and I don't predict to move any time soon. The biggest con to me is that once I get a second dog, I very likely won't ever add a third until one passes. So my dream of puppy would be gonzo for 10yrs +

Thoughts??
 
K

Kaydee

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#2
Oooh puppies are over rated anyways...cute,sweet and adorable...but on par with adopting a human child...so much work, teething and housebreaking. A well brought up adult dog and you have instant mannerly and housebroken.

The ad says she's happy sleeping during the day and she's crate trained already. Sounds like it could work out nicely. My only thought, I don't know from breeds but I see Doberman, I dunno
 

Doberluv

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#3
She looks like like a Doberman to me...or mixed. She does indeed look sweet. Gosh, what a conundrum. It sounds like you might be too busy and it would be hard for her to be all alone for such a long time I would think. These dogs in particular HATE to be without their person around. They will sleep when there's nothing else to do, but these working type breeds really thrive on keeping busy. On the other hand...if you could figure out some other arrangement for someone to take her out, spend some times with her, maybe it would work. I guess as far as adopting her preventing you from getting the dog you always wanted, that would have to be weighed and measured and only you can know how important it is to wait for your dream dog. If you think she could wind up being THE dog for you instead, then go for it. I guess I wasn't any help. It must indeed be frustrating. She is adorable. Best wishes for whatever you decide to do.
 

Maxy24

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#4
Do you know how desperate they are to adopt her out? If they need her gone fast maybe they'd let you foster her and then you could decide whether to make it permanent after you've had her for a little bit. I don't think 8 hours home alone is bad so long as you are ready to spend some quality time with her when you get home. If you're used to coming home to a tired dog that might be difficult for you. The only other thing is that Rotties, especially females I believe can be same sex aggressive, but you'd know more about her in particular since you've seen her at daycare.

I think puppies are miserable, so I'm not really objective in that regard :p
 

Xandra

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#5
Normally I'm very "stick to your guns" but she sounds like a really nice dog and she's quite pretty and she's grown (can't help but see that as a plus lol).

The only thing is, they're giving her away because they think she needs more time... and it sounds like you're quite busy yourself. Could you alternate days on which they get to go to work with your friend?

I do think that your decision to get a lab pup is perhaps more stable/ has 'withstood the test of time' (not on impulse), and that if you are really conscientious about getting the pup of your dreams then it's unlikely you'll regret it. I see more potential for regret getting this dog when you're away so much, and it will push back any puppy-getting for a decade (!!). Not that 8 hours + Saturday is the end of the world, but it doesn't sound like the ideal time to add a new dog.
 

momto8

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#6
I say if it fits for you then do it. But make sure she is what you want, and not just what you can get because you know her or feel bad for her or something.
We are getting a puppy this year, our last dog for many years and the litter didn't take in the spring when they bred, we've been waiting around 2yrs for the puppy now..and I had offers after offers for puppies and even a few adults that we could have had by now..at first i got excited and considered getting on this year anyway, but when i stopped and really thought about it I know that they are not exactly what I want...so we still wait lol
 

Dekka

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#8
I have nothing to add in the way of your decision. But I agree with dober.. I don't see rottie I see doberman. Not that that affects your decision really. She looks lovely.
 

Zhucca

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#9
Thank you so much for the replies everyone. Each post has been super helpful. I would quote and respond individually but I've been really ruminating about this the whole morning and exploring my options. So I think I've made up my mind.

I think at this time it would be a bad move for me. Lily would make a great pet but I have a really strong routine set in place and I think that would be jamming a stick into my gears. There's so much I am able to do with my current situation with Duke because he's busy during the day. I can leave him home alone after work without feeling guilty because he's had people/dog/play interaction all day. I'm learning how to tape during my free time, have my social life and am able to work 10hr shifts all based around not having a dog whose been couped up all day. All that aside, however, she would be a great fit for me otherwise. I have no doubt she would fit in and get along with Duke (and boomer) fabulously. if I did still work at the daycare (i now work in construction) this would be an easier decision.

More importantly, however, I really do want my lab pup. Even in the next year I will have to evaluate whether the time is right but I definitely have built up my ideal dog and not sure if I'm willing to give that "goal" up. I mean, i have wavered a little between breed (toller vs lab) but I always come back to lab puppy. It's a consistent and I think Xandra you're on the ball when you say it has little chance of regret because it has withstood the test of time.

Thanks again guys!

I don't really agree with doberman, she does have a really snipey snout for a rottie but when you see her in front of you she doesn't look like a dobe at all in the body. Her snout is the most dobe-ish but otherwise not much. I can see how it looks like it in the pictures though. She's definitely out of standard.
 

ihartgonzo

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#10
I love the second picture! To me it sounds like she doesn't desperately need a home, and you don't desperately want her. Don't commit yourself to 15 years of ownership when you have doubts & had other plans. I'm sure it's tugging at your heart, I'd feel the same if one of my favorites from daycare was being rehomed. But think about you!!!

Honestly, I'd try to convince the owners not to rehome her. It aggravates me soooo much when people rehome their dog because they want them to be SUPER DUPER EXTRA spoiled. 90% of dogs live in a backyard and receive very little attention at all! Clearly she gets much more love and care than the average dog. And they always wait until the dog is 1-2 years old, past their cute puppyness, and the whole routine has just gotten old to them. Makes me wanna smack a hoe. D: They don't have time to exercise her, and can't take her to doggy daycare as much as they would want?! Umm let's see. Probably 1% of dogs EVER visit doggy daycare, much less do they regularly go. She is now 2 years old and she's going to start maturing and demanding way less exercise. Maybe a walk a day, some fetch or tug games, a park visit on the weekend? Can they not sacrifice one TV show a day to play with their dog? Is 20 minutes that much to ask!!! And who wants to bet that in a year or less they'll miss having a dog and get something else? Not to mention this is a breed that is in dire need of any foster or adoptive homes, people are not clammoring to adopt a poorly bred Rottweiler and spend $100 a week taking her to doggy daycare. I found a Rottie and Rottie rescue said they were overflowing, couldn't take in owner placements or even shelter dogs who were facing death.
 

Aleron

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#11
Honestly, I'd try to convince the owners not to rehome her. It aggravates me soooo much when people rehome their dog because they want them to be SUPER DUPER EXTRA spoiled. 90% of dogs live in a backyard and receive very little attention at all! Clearly she gets much more love and care than the average dog. And they always wait until the dog is 1-2 years old, past their cute puppyness, and the whole routine has just gotten old to them. Makes me wanna smack a hoe. D: They don't have time to exercise her, and can't take her to doggy daycare as much as they would want?! Umm let's see.
I agree with this. Maybe you can help them figure out a way to keep Lily?

And she doesn't look like a Dobe to me but then, I see a lot of pet bred Rotties. They range from looking like her to having giant blocky heads and short wide muzzles and everything in between. As with most common breeds, the average ones you see out and about often look quite different from the dogs you see bred for work or show.
 

*blackrose

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#12
Sounds like you've made your decision, and I think it is the right one. I've had to ask myself that a lot lately with some dogs I've seen. "Do I want this dog, or do I just care enough about this dog to want it to go to a good home?"

Like with Fuzz, the Rottie/Pit mix I knew from work who was being rehomed. I loved that dog and at any other point in my life I would have scooped him up - but even though I adored him, what I really wanted was for him to have a good home. And, as far as I know, he has one now.

And I, too, really want that Lab pup. ;)
 

Kilter

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#13
I know it's hard but sometimes it's best to say no and wait. Which daycare do you work at? I almost interviewed at a few in Calgary.
 

crazedACD

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#14
More importantly, however, I really do want my lab pup. Even in the next year I will have to evaluate whether the time is right but I definitely have built up my ideal dog and not sure if I'm willing to give that "goal" up. I mean, i have wavered a little between breed (toller vs lab) but I always come back to lab puppy. It's a consistent and I think Xandra you're on the ball when you say it has little chance of regret because it has withstood the test of time.
Agreed...stick with your plans. There aren't many homeless dogs here and far less ACDs. I know I want a puppy in the spring...and just in the last two weeks TWO 1yr female ACDs have come up on CL. It's really hard but I want something specific, and want to be able to raise a dog on my terms.
 

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