We're keeping Dozer. No questions, no doubts. He's staying.
We didn't choose to adopt this dog. If it had been up to us, we would have waited about two more years and purchased a pure-bred dog from a breeder, or gone to a (good) rescue and adopted an older dog.
That being said, we made the decision not to allow him to go to a kill shelter. We made the decision not to drop him off with some unsuspecting friend. We chose not to allow him to be returned to the pet store where he was treated so badly. We *chose* to take care of him the way he deserves to be cared for.
We haven't gotten it right every single time. DH and I disagree on how a dog's mind works. But I think I'm finally beginning to bring him around to my way of thinking, and the more progress we make there, the more he helps with the necessary training. He's beginning to understand, and the more DH understands, the more Dozer understands.
He's got more energy than we do. But neither of us could hurt from increasing our activity levels. And who knows, maybe increasing our activity levels will affect our energy levels too, right?
Yes, there's a baby on the way. But I don't worry about Dozer hurting the baby. I also know that I can get child-care if I need it for an hour a day to walk him, or I can put the baby in the stroller when the days are warm enough. It won't kill me, and it won't kill the baby, either.
Dozer isn't a "good dog." He's a *wonderful* dog and family pet. He loves his humans (even if he isn't particularly possessive or protective of us!). He loves to play. He's friendly, and he's great with children. His prey-drive is low, and he's good with the cats (even if Molly's the only one who accepts him as part of her family).
He regresses from time to time: I think everybody does.
I love him and I'm willing to put forth the work and effort for this dog. He doesn't need a *new* forever home. He already has his forever home!
Thank you all for your support and suggestions. I every once in awhile I think that all of need a reminder. I'm glad to have him in our lives, even if he isn't "perfect." After all, who is?
We didn't choose to adopt this dog. If it had been up to us, we would have waited about two more years and purchased a pure-bred dog from a breeder, or gone to a (good) rescue and adopted an older dog.
That being said, we made the decision not to allow him to go to a kill shelter. We made the decision not to drop him off with some unsuspecting friend. We chose not to allow him to be returned to the pet store where he was treated so badly. We *chose* to take care of him the way he deserves to be cared for.
We haven't gotten it right every single time. DH and I disagree on how a dog's mind works. But I think I'm finally beginning to bring him around to my way of thinking, and the more progress we make there, the more he helps with the necessary training. He's beginning to understand, and the more DH understands, the more Dozer understands.
He's got more energy than we do. But neither of us could hurt from increasing our activity levels. And who knows, maybe increasing our activity levels will affect our energy levels too, right?
Yes, there's a baby on the way. But I don't worry about Dozer hurting the baby. I also know that I can get child-care if I need it for an hour a day to walk him, or I can put the baby in the stroller when the days are warm enough. It won't kill me, and it won't kill the baby, either.
Dozer isn't a "good dog." He's a *wonderful* dog and family pet. He loves his humans (even if he isn't particularly possessive or protective of us!). He loves to play. He's friendly, and he's great with children. His prey-drive is low, and he's good with the cats (even if Molly's the only one who accepts him as part of her family).
He regresses from time to time: I think everybody does.
I love him and I'm willing to put forth the work and effort for this dog. He doesn't need a *new* forever home. He already has his forever home!
Thank you all for your support and suggestions. I every once in awhile I think that all of need a reminder. I'm glad to have him in our lives, even if he isn't "perfect." After all, who is?
