Help me look at this from every angle, please?

OK, so I don't know that I can bear to give up one of my foster pups....I'm trying to decide if I can provide him with the home he needs. He will be a medium-large Black Lab X....I already have 2 dogs & 5 cats. I'm home like 99% of the day. I live at home with my parents... When I do move out, I will be buying a house as there is no way I can get an apt. that will let me have 3+ cats. I am saving $$$ for a down payment on a house. Neither of the dogs will be moving with me as my parents really love the girls...& both would likely be happiest on a farm. So, I'm looking at having Ophelia, Damita, & Dorian when I move out....I was told I couldn't take Twitch & Lily & while I am sad about that, I know they'll be well cared for with my parents.

I have no idea where I'll be in 3 years, though. That sorta scares me, but then again, how many people know where they'll be in 3 years? I can live at home until I find a job after I graduate. I look at all the people job hunting & wonder what kind of a job I can get, sometimes!

Am I forgetting to look at anything? I don't want to make a decision I'm going to regret, I want my boy to have the perfect home. It's just that he's such a good dog! He's so mellow, I think he will always be low-maintenance in terms of playing, etc(he's so low-maintenance now). He is already housetrained for up to 6 hours. He doesn't chew things. He gets along with cats & dogs. He just likes to sit in my lap.

I don't know if I'm just emotional right now or what, but I'm really having a hard time with the thought of loosing my baby boy!

I think with enough time and patience you will be able to find affordable housing and a job that will support you and your furbabies. But you will have all of us here pulling for you too!

I am assuming you are fostering for a no-kill shelter and they have located a home for the dog. IF that is the case, I would say let him go, because he is probably getting a good home and he may be the only dog, and a child to play with. He will receive more attention and bask in the love.
It will be hard, but if it is the above scenario, it will be the best for him.

You have a lot to do, and you should get a job you intend to stick with for awhile, before you invest in a house. You can rent a house if you need to, houses usually permit pets.

It's not a no-kill shelter & he hasn't found a home yet, at all. He will be hard to place as we currently have something like 20+ puppies....most of which are black & younger than him. Many dogs go to farm homes, which he cannot(he's too dumb to live as an outside dog). A rescue *might* take him in the future, but when that will be we do not know.

OOhhh, I wish I had some wonderful advice for you, but I think it will all work out for you....you wait and see if I'm not right!

Well, if you don't have a place for him and your parents don't mind, I guess he is not going anywhere. Just get through school and get a job and buy a house. Get a big one, at this rate, you will have about 12 animals by then.

If you love him and can provide the home and care that he needs, then I think he's better off staying with you. He already know's and loves you, why make him go through a transition into the unknown, when you could provide what he needs.

I just cannot help but wonder if I am going to get myself in too deep. I do not know what sort of job I can get & after watching Kenz search for a job for so long & she has the exact same degree from the exact same place.... I don't know! I will give it time to think things through thoroughly & make a list of pros & cons....

Originally Posted by white cat lover

I just cannot help but wonder if I am going to get myself in too deep. I do not know what sort of job I can get & after watching Kenz search for a job for so long & she has the exact same degree from the exact same place.... I don't know! I will give it time to think things through thoroughly & make a list of pros & cons....

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Yeah- its tough out in the job market right now! What are you looking for in Business- Admin jobs? You'll find something- especially if your willing to travel towards the Mkto area.

I'd definately be making a list of pros and cons- that'll help you out a lot!

Well, the way I see it, you don't actually have to decide right now. Because there are so many puppies available, and it isn't likely he'll be placed in a furrever home soon, maybe you'll be working - or just have more info about what kind of shape your life will be taking - by the time there's a family that's interested in adopting him. If you decide then that you want to keep him permanently, it'll be a bummer for the potential adopters - but it just means another dog will find a furrever home!

Gary and I keep a schedule that's just too crazy to have a dog - or we'd probably be rescuing dogs, not cats.

Laurie

It feels weird for me, but I always have a huge list of fears or worries about adopting. I was scared outta my mind when I adopted Damita & Dorian after fostering for 9 months. That has been the best decision ever!!! I just don't know how easily I can fit a 95 lbs dog, a 60 lbs dog, & possibly an 80 lbs. dog into this house! I'd have to buy another crate, so there'd be lotsa one time expenses that I don't want to have.....but I want my Courage!!!!