Help me make the right decision re: adopting puppy

[prozacnation]

I am fostering the most wonderful liter of puppies right now. I started with six and I am down to two. I am completely in love with the remaining boy.

Here is his photo:




He is a German short-haired pointer mixed with a bloodhound.

Anyway, I had no problem letting go of my last liter but it's different with this little guy. I want to adopt him, I really do but is that the right thing to do?

We have two dogs. One is an 8 year old Aussie and the other is an approximately 3 year old Aussie that we adopted last week. In addition we have one cat (let's not talk about all of the foster cats, they don't count because we aren't keeping them). Also, we have three kids (5, 9 and 12).

I allowed a family to meet with him today and they really liked him but they want to look at one more dog tomorrow. I'm just so torn. They would give him a good home, lots of love. He would be the only dog with two parents and a teenage son.

I would give him a lot of love and attention but is it fair to keep him? Is the right thing to do to adopt him out? I am so confused. I do plan on continuing to foster but I won't ever have more then 3 dogs.

Advice, anyone?

[legally blonde]

1. that is the cutest puppy I've ever seen!

He's adorable. Bless your heart for fostering so many kitties and puppies!

I'm not sure that there's a good answer for your question. You love this puppy and would give him a good home. But this family would give him a good home, too. Maybe this puppy is just what this family needs--their teenage son will probably be moving out in a few years, and the puppy would probably spoiled rotten (just like my parent's dogs after my sisters and I moved out).

It's a difficult decision. I don't know what I would do. Just think about it some more. No one is in a better position to tell you what to do than you.

[RebelOne]

2. That's a cute pup. If you are sure that that family

will give him a good and happy home, I would advise letting them adopt him. But if you really want to keep him, I say to go for it.

It's wonderful that you are fostering animals. I just wish I could do it. But I live in a mobile home with a 100-pound Rottweiler and there is just not enough room for more animals. Plus I am gone most of the day from 6:00 a.m. until 4:30.

[demnan]

3. If he's the one you love, keep him

You'll regret it if you don't. What's one more dog. Make it the charge of one of the kids to take care of him and make sure he goes out. The dog can sleep with the child so you won't have to displace your others. That will teach your child responsibility and how to love and care for a dog too.

[livetohike]

4. I wouldn't be able to let him go either

:-)

I think that the other family who went to "look at another dog" doesn't want this puppy.

Maybe it's me, but I fall in love with the first dog I see. I can't imagine "shopping" for a puppy. :shrug:

[prozacnation]

5. Thanks for all of your input

I'm still debating. I could seriously keep like 6 of the cats I'm fostering to equal the work of adding another dog. In my heart and head I have to be sure that he is going to get enough attention and love. If not then I will give him up. Darn, he is cute. It would be easier if he were just ugly and mean. Those puppy kisses will get you every time.

[ernstbass]

6. I love that pup

I'm a sucker for hounds. I would have to keep him personally - I have 4 rescue dogs and it is very time consuming to give them the attention they require. I decline many social invitations to be with the dawgs (but it isn't a hard choice at all). I will never bring a pup into a home with geriatric dogs - I did this before and the pup drove my ancient lab crazy - it was very unfair to the old guy and I still regret it many years later.

[retread]

8. You never know how bringing a pup into a home with a geriatric dog will

work out. I know people who have done it and claimed it added years and spark to the older dog's life and on the other hand I have heard stories like your's.

[prozacnation]

7. Update - she chose the other puppy

Well it turns out that she fell in love with his brother, Marty. So now the decision is entirely on me.. Must avoid cute puppy face.

Any thoughts on names?

[livetohike]

9. Congratulations!

Seeing that he is part German short-hair pointer, how about something German like Schultz (Schultzie), or Kaiser, or Cooper. :-)

[prozacnation]

11. Thanks for the suggestions I am getting some great names..

[legally blonde]

12. Congrats on your new addition!

let us know when you've decided on a name!

[hobbit709]

10. Go for it

That's how we ended up with 8 dogs. Neither my wife nor I could ever let one go.

[SW FL Dem]

13. Trust your gut.

We have fostered several dogs, and let most go on to wonderful forever homes. My last foster became a part of the family and we couldn't let her go. We are at our limit, we are allowed 4 adult pets, we have a 17 yr old cat, and three cairn terriers. We know that the fosters we let go have gone to wonderful families. We also know that we made the right decision to add Libby to our family.

[prozacnation]

14. I think we have a winner

My husband and kids like the name Lars (as in Metallica). My husband thinks it also fits into our western dog names, Jake and Kit. I'm not sure how western Lars is, but I do know it was Mr. Hanson's name on Little House on The Prairie. Sort of counts, right?

My favorite is still Bogart. I was shot down 4 to 1.

[legally blonde]

15. I like it!

[roguevalley]

16. I have five dogs. Never regretted it.

[radfringe]

17. we were torn last October

when we fostered "Mint" -- she was a hard one to give up.

we learned that she may be available for adoption again -- her "family" is getting a divorce and can't seem to find a place that allows dogs... This was last month -- haven't heard anything about it since

but my partner really fell in love with Mint -- so the debate is whether or not we can hand 3 permanent dogs (plus our 4 cats) should this sweetie be up for adoption again...

we are currently fostering Abeline -- a sweetie and great dog -- but she hasn't wormed her way into our hearts like Mint did...

[prozacnation]

18. I think when you foster it's always like that

I've noticed that some of the cats and dogs I foster I care about but I'm not in love with. Some I am in love with but I can still hand over to great homes. Then there are the ones that melt your heart and make you change your life.

I was not planning on two or even three dogs. The dog we adopted from the shelter last week just grew on us. She was sweet and knew how to work the heart strings.

Lars (our new puppy) was mine from day one. I just didn't admit it until yesterday. I am just hoping that I don't lose my mind trying to raise three kids and three dogs, one cat, and 14 foster cats. Life is good though.

I truly believe that if you are meant to have this other dog then you will both know it. Trust your instincts. It sounds like she would have a great home with you.

I wish you well. Let me know what happens.

[American Tragedy]

19. Do bear in mind that cute little puppy is going to grow up

In a matter of months you'll have a big, rambunctious adolescent, with considerable exercise demands.

Honestly, I wouldn't do it, but that's probably reflective of personal preference; I'm not much of a sporting breed enthusiast. He is a cutie, though.

[prozacnation]

20. That is an important consideration.

I have had second, third and fourth thoughts on the matter. My family is bound and determined to keep him. I could be persuaded to adopt him to a great home. Not because I'm afraid of the work or I don't love him but because I don't think it's a benefit to the two dogs we have now. They are not amused with his puppy ways.

I think I'll stick with just cat fostering for now.

[bvar22]

21. Keep them both....the puppy and the little blond haired girl.

They are both adorable!!!!

Seriously, you already KNOW what is best for you and your family. It is possible to do too much and then everything suffers. Somewhere in the middle is that perfect balance. The Buddhists say, "In the middle is where you find god."

Good Luck, no matter what you choose to do.
Great picture.

[prozacnation]

22. LOL

The blonde, her sister and brother are here to stay. Although at times I've been tempted to foster them all out. :) Especially the blonde because she is so darn sassy. She reminds me of a young me and that is truly scary.

Thanks for your input, it is appreciated.

[Lorien]

23. I'm in the same boat!

My little foster kitten-"the Goblin"-is at another foster home right now so that he can learn proper socalization, litter box skills, etc. from the other kittens that she has. But I really miss him! My big kitty Oberon misses him too. I also think that 3 cats is the perfect number for me-but my cats age aged 1, 2, and 16-so I'll need another at some point in the next several years. The Goblin is also bonding with a ginger kitten at the other foster home. It would be ideal if they could both be adopted out together (the ginger kitten is a real character,too-and just adorable) but five kitties is just too much for me. I guess I'll wait the two weeks while he's at "kitten camp" and try him out again after he's been fixed...I just don't know!