Dog Community

I am falling in love, but complicated..

Posted : 9/27/2006 5:11:55 PM

Alright, where to start.

I am in the vet tech program at my college and I adore it. Each of the dogs in the program are death row rescues and while in the program they are fully health checked, spayed/neutered, trained and house broken, in April all the animals are adopted out (there are also cats). There are 8 dogs in the program and the one that is pulling my heart strings is named Cher.

Cher is probably around 4-5 years old. She is really afraid of the enviorment she is in, and normally can be found in the back of her cage growling at anyone that looks at her. Don't let that fool you though because she is just a big sweety who is scared. If you go into the pen with her she is as sweet as can be and will sit next to you or on you and just wants to be loved. If you are outside of her run though with her in it, that is a different story (she is good if she is outside her run with you, she just feels trapped if you are standing outside of her cage with her in it). I have been working with cher (sitting outside of her run talking softly to her) while standing outside of her run and had a huge break through today now when she see's me she runs to the cage door for loving and pets, while if anyone else walks near it, she runs back to the back of her pen and starts to cower and growl, as soon as they leave back to the door she goes tail wagging wanting love.

This little girl reminds me so much of my parents Jack russell who I adore and love dearly and I cannot help but start to fall in love with her.

While I started looking into adopting a dog a few months ago I found my apartment has a $300 non refundable deposite, which money really isn't and issue, but I thought I would rather spend that money on the dogs needs once I move out instead giving it to the apartment complex since I am only here until I graduate (may 200

or on an apartment I will be staying long term in. But now that I am falling and falling hard for Cher I am rethinking that $300 but it still seems like a lot on money when I will only be staying in the apartment complex for 11 months by the time I get her. I feel mentally, physically and money wise I can afford and give a loving home to her that she deserves. Just looking at her you can tell she has had a rough life and just needs a place to call home and a loving person to spoil her and show her what her life should be like.

One thing I need to talk to the director about is how she responds to the other dogs (Getting along I mean). As in the future I would like more then one dog, and the fact that I am often found spending holidays at my parents who have two dogs, she would have to be okay with other dogs. That is one major deciding factor.

I do feel she would make a good apartment dog, she is low energy, very sweet and just overall a good girl. She is also the perfect size weighing in at about 14 pounds, and I feel such a pull towards her, that I have had before and usually those pulls mean I have found my perfect match for me.

So why am I so hesitant? It is that stupid $300, I know if I really want to give her a home and truly fall in love with her like I am that shouldn't matter. But I keep thinking off all the stuff that $300 could provide a dog with if I decide to wait until I am more settled in life. If it wasn't for that I would not even be questioning this other then how she does with other dogs. And I feel that if I am having any doubts that maybe right now is not the right time to get a dog, but yet I can't help but not think about her and what a wonderful and loving home I could provide her.

Any suggestions you can give me to help me decide. The dogs are adopted on a first come first serve basis with the students, meaning if I decide to adopt her, I need to get my name down on the card to let them know before someone else does. But if i put my name down I do have till April to back out, but I don't want to put my name down and not have another student put their name down for her as well because they think she already has a home, and she misses out on the chance to be adopted by someone else. If the animals are not adopted by students we then adopt out to the public which the students are involved in finding the dogs a perfect home (aka amos the hyper jumping dog would not be a good dog for older quiet women).

Suggestions please!

Sherri

Ps: if I do adopt her, she will have to have a name change, cher and sherri, it would sound like I named her after myself.

calliecritturs

Posted : 9/27/2006 5:32:01 PM

Bottom line -- you'll have to make this decision yourself. BUT I can tell you a few things.

There may be a LOT of times you spend money on your dog when it sounds like a waste -- but I can promise you that you will put down more than ONE dog deposit in your life and maybe a whole LOT of them.

When we go to a motel with the dogs -- it can be $20 PER dog -- that means at 3 dogs it can cost as much to take the dogs as it does for the room for David and I!!!!!! A waste? No -- because WE want to take them and it's right and enhances our bond with them to take them, and it keeps us all together as a family.

Could I spend that money elsewhere? YOU BET!!!

When it comes to an animal that you accept responsibility for -- you can't look at money like that as a waste -- it's simply an investment. Dog deposits are a fact of life. And you will likely pay many of them.

Will you be tempted LATER if you move to yet another apartment (and sometimes life hands us curve balls -- you may have to MOVE before your lease is up and then you lose bazoodles of money!!!) and they tell you to fork over an entire months' rent (which in the Orlando area can be $1000 or more) JUST for a pet deposit???

Will you get rid of the dog because of the deposit? YOu shouldn't. You should be prepared to absorb that as part of the cost of owning a dog and being it's guardian.

This past week my husband and I had to "go home" to where my parents lived. Push came to shove and we HAD to fly. It was literally the ONLY option. Let's say that cost us $1000 (it was more than that -- simply because I have special needs too so it was more expensive).

This meant we couldn't take the dogs. They're all too big for 'under the seat' and no way am I flying a dog in the luggage bin where they may get sick, scared, etc. Billy's been a TON of care because of health issues -- so my vet actually boarded him in his (the vet's) OWN home. $18 per day for 7 days. $126.

Kee and Luna went to a reputable boarding kennel. They tacked on $5 a day for the bird. For the 2 dogs and bird it was $307.

I plopped down around $500 today JUST for one weeks' kennelling - cos in OUR opinions we had to. Was there cheaper kennel available? Probably. But we did what we had to for our dogs.

We may eat rice for a while.

My point is this -- it's never a waste if you love them and are committed to taking care of them.

But look way way beyond March. What if you move in with a boyfriend who hates dogs -- are you TRULY and REALLY strong enough to say no to the "love of your life" (human terms) if they say "no dogs! I'm allergic" or 'no dogs -- I just plain hate them"??

The $300 is just a test for you -- It IS a lot of money -- no denying that. But it's a drop in the bucket and if Cher is THE dog for you, but if you can already see $300 being a drop dead deal breaker -- then maybe you honestly just aren't fiancially liquid enough to be able to realistically take on the responsibility of a dog.

I'm not, in any way, casting doubt on your love for this dog -- but reality bites sometimes -- and I know for a solid fact that my first dog, Prissy, cost me boyfriends, and
'better' apartments MANY times -- but I always chose her. ALWAYS. And I'm really glad I did. I will never regret any of the choices I made because Pris was in my life. Some of them were VERY hard -- but we got thru it.

This is just the first of many, many choices you will make for Cher if you take her.

And you'll nickname her 100 things -- you could call her "Ditto" (Sher, Cher -- DITTO!) That's silly but you can always say the one with the sweetest temperament has the name starting with C, or the one who got the best grades on vet tech stuff spells her name with an S. George Forman had HOW many sons named George? Cher means sweetheart in French -- I think it's a GREAT name for both of you!!

smilee1079

Posted : 9/27/2006 5:55:22 PM

This could be ummm "wrong" but could you have her and just not "tell" the apt. complex.

My apt. complex was fairly large and dogs were allowed but there was some fee (I dunno what it was). I got Zoe in late May and knew I'd be there to Oct. so I never told them. I figured any damage she might cause, I could afford so I didn't want to pay an extra pet fee too. She was not a chewer and was little so I didn't think she'd do any great damage and I was right. I didn't want to waste my money giving it to an apt. complex when they already charged enough. Could that work maybe?

It may be wrong, but ehhh... I did it and so have many others I know

.

Sherri Johnson

Posted : 9/27/2006 6:02:55 PM

It isn't so much that I am looking at the $300 as a waste, it is more I am looking at it as in the future what could this money provide for another dog that needs a good home as well. I know that I will probably be staying in other apartments, once I graduate in May of next year I will be moving back to my home town (vet techs are in high demand right now in Ohio (they call the school looking for students who need jobs) and I am pretty sure I wont have too hard of a time finding a job near my home town), nor a hard time finding a place to live with her. But I am considering the future and how not only will it affect my life but also hers. Apartments are no where near $1000 a month rent, my rent right now is $565 including heat, water, sewage and electric, and it is pretty much the same in Madison.

As of right now all of my family is in NE ohio (and I don't see any of them moving out of NE ohio), nor do I see myself moving. I love it here.

Money wise, I have done the math and I can have a couple of thousands saved for her by the time I get her. I have and have always planned on when I get a dog to have a checking account soley for her and her needs alone, which I would add into with every paycheck and I am extremally good at saving money.

I also would go into debt for any of my animals (I also have three bunnies) and my parents are pretty well off and would loan me anything I need to care for them instead of running up my credit.

For vacation, I always go with my parents in their camper so no extra fee's are added for boarding. If I could not take her with me I have a older sister and a older brother who would be more then willing to watch her for me, and I would 100% trust them with her. They both own their own houses.

As for a boyfriend, it would be perfectly clear that with me comes my pets to anyone, I could not live without an animal by my side. If he is allergic it would be tough one, it would be no fault of his own, but that being said, I never would ever be able to just up and give her away because of it. I am one of those people that looks as her animals as more then just pets, they are part of the family. I would have to work it out the best I could, and getting rid of her would not be an option unless he was deadly allergic to her and would not be able to be on medication for it. Even so she would not just goto anyone, I would screen and nit pick who she would go to.

I think I answered everything, I am trying to be as honest as I can in all my answers (it is hard to do in text) so I can make the right decision for both me and cher.

Sherri

Edit to add: I thought about that Smilee, but I will be in my apartment for a little longer, about 11 months, so I would have to keep her there for that long without them noticing. Which wouldn't be all that hard since I always use the side enterances, but if I do get caught with her I could be in big trouble.

Sherri Johnson

Posted : 9/27/2006 6:40:39 PM

After sitting down and thinking really hard about this, while I have yet to decide I have narrowed it down to this and maybe as times goes on I will be able to answer it.

While I know I could provide her with everything she needs and more, I also know that whoever adopts her will also give her everything she needs. I know Cher is safe and will get the life she deserves whether it is with me or not. Do I go along with the my heart which tells me she is the dog for me and I the human for her, or do I wait and get a dog who may not have another chance at life if I don't adopt him or her. Everyone of these dogs are death row rescues and they are all perfectly wonderful dogs, sure they have their problems but all they need is a bit of love and training, and I am sure they are just the very little tip of the iceburg when it comes to death row dogs.

My mind is kinda going towards wait and get a dog who has no other chance at life, but yet my heart is pulling to Cher and saying you two are a match.

Christi

Posted : 9/27/2006 6:55:46 PM

You could always wait and see. If Cher doesn't have an adopter from your class, you could put your name on the list right before she was available to the public. That way you would know exactly who she would be with, or she would be with you. You have a ton of time to make this decision and save money either way. I think it's great you are planning so far in advance.

Just so you know, I'd bet she comes home with you!

spiritdogs

Posted : 9/27/2006 7:32:32 PM

If she is the dog for you, taking her may mean a dog that needs a home will get the next available slot in the program she was a part of.
The thing you may want to consider, that no one has yet mentioned, is how do you think she will do with strange children? If you plan a life that includes marriage and kids, you must consider that now. It would be awful to get her, have her for five years, and then figure out that you can't keep her because you get pregnant. Have her behaviorally tested with other dogs, and kids, before you make the decision.
If she seems ok, and you still want her, go for it!

jennie_c_d

Posted : 9/27/2006 7:42:07 PM

Now, here's something you may or may not have thought about. You said she reminds you of your parents' Jack Russell. Jack Russells *are* hunting dogs, and have *strong* hunting instincts. Mine was 9 weeks old, when I introduced her to my rabbit, and she immediately tried to kill Daisy (who outweighed her by 6 pounds, LOL!). She was never around either of my rabbits, after that point. She has killed rabbits (plural) since. She kills birds, mice, rats, bugs, fish, anything that's small and moves in a prey kind of way. She's ok with cats, but many are not. I have accepted her prey drive, as a part of who she is, and I engage her in hunting activities (today, I let her into the feild to flush birds, and called her off when she started leaping for them[

]). It took a lot of training to get her to the point where she can be called off. She is only three, and I will not have a small pet until I do not have a Jack Russell. That's a big deal for me, since I *love* rats, rabbits, mice, hampsters, you name it. You may have to keep Cher and your rabbits seperated, for the duration of their lives. It is normal for terriers to have that kind of drive.

Otherwise, she sounds absolutely wonderful. Could you post some pictures, for us?

Sherri Johnson

Posted : 9/27/2006 8:12:19 PM

I thought about her and the rabbits and I was always able to keep them safe while living at my parents house with Gracie around, and Gracie also has a large prey drive. I figure if need be, the rabbits will be in a room which Cher will not be allowed and the door would always be shut. I am a huge fan of crate training as well, so when I am not in my apartment she would be crate trained while I am away.

I am going to talk to the person in charge of all the dogs to see what more she can tell me about Cher. I tried to talk to her today, but she wasn't in the building.

Dog testing would be easy, seeing as there are several dogs in the program that love other dogs.

As for pictures I only have one blurry one from the first day they got her and she would not come out of her corner.

Now that she is coming around a bit more I am going to try and get her a better pic.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 9/27/2006 8:42:37 PM

Aww, she looks like a cute little dog.

I'm really glad that you've thought about the rabbits, already. A lot of times, people don't, and they're shocked when their adorable little dog wants to eat Fluffy. It sounds like you will be a wonderful dog owner. Let us know what you find out.

Michelle

Posted : 9/27/2006 8:59:07 PM

Hi, I'm new here, but you're post caught my eye and sounds so familiar I just had to share. When I was in grad school, a little terrier mix showed up at the clinic I worked at. We all took turns taking him home while we tried to find his owner, but I knew, KNEW in my heart he was mine (much as I would KNOW several years later that I was going to marry my husband!). I was in a No Pets Allowed apt. and I tried hiding him for awhile, but that didn't work, so I forfeited my deposit and moved on. I don't remember the exact amount, but it was somewhere in the neighborhood of $200 or $250. My point is . . . when it's love, the money doesn't matter. Money will come and money will go, but when it's the right dog or the right guy you have to follow your heart. You already know the answer to what you need to do, either it's love or it's not!

calliecritturs

Posted : 9/28/2006 7:38:43 AM

Sherri - I honestly wasn't comparing your exact situation to mine -- just giving you examples is all. (and incidentally -- I'm from western NY State and never in a zillion years did I think I'd ever leave there, but I did and it was a wonderful thing for me AND Pris my first dog)

Your situation is unique -- but you're working thru the decision and that's what you have to do. Good luck.

Christine Langley

Posted : 9/28/2006 9:05:05 AM

It sounds like Cher has chosen you. If you don't take her you will always wonder how she is. You know she'll be happy with you. Follow your heart and the rest will fall into place.

MissMandy

Posted : 9/28/2006 3:03:57 PM

I have to say that I agree. I'd go with your heart - it's typically right on. If you truly feel as though you've made such a connection with this dog, then you shouldn't pass it up. Yes, someone else could provide her with an adequate home - but would they also have the loving connection that you do with her? You're the person that brought her out of her shell, and quite obviously, she knows that. I would follow your heart and bring this sweet girl into her forever home. I do agree that you should have her behavior tested with kids and other dogs as well though. Let us know the final decision!

Sherri Johnson

Posted : 9/28/2006 4:34:52 PM

Update on some more.

Audrey, the person in charge of the dogs was in there today, so I flagged her down and talked to her about Cher.

Cher is not a barker, with 7 other dogs around barking all the time she never barks, but she does have a very ear peircing high pitch whine to her. I asked if I could let Cher out just to play and see a little more of her and Audrey said sure, and boy was she happy to get out of the cage. She just ran up and down the kennel, just being a silly girl.

Then I asked her how she does with other dogs so she pulled cocoa a dog that has already been tested for temper towards other dogs and Cher was submissive, but playful with cocoa, and cocoa was about twice her size so cher was always on the bottom.

Cher has no traning right now she she is a bit of a handful, but they are working with her on it, and it does take time. But overall she is very well tempered and just happy as can be when she feels safe.

Umm trying to think of what else. Oh if I get her I have 30 days to say she is not the right dog for me and let someone else adopt her. Students have no adoption fee, so she comes spayed, UTD on shots, house broken and trained (she may need obdience training though for futher learning).

She is a bit more high strung then I expected, but that isn't a huge issue for me because I am also high strung and energentic. But that brings me back to the rabbits, now from my previous post I have already thought about the rabbits, but her being a little more rambuntious then I thought causes me to rethink this, for I want to do what is best for all my animals and even if she just spooks them she could cause them to have a heart attack.

My rabbits are use to dogs, my parents jack and them where okay together. I would never let them loose but Gracie was trained how to behave around them, she knows leave it really well and whenever I saw her getting annory watching them in the cage that is all I ever had to say.

Cher has me a bit more concerened because she has never had any form of training and I do not know if she would be as willing to take up the leave it command. I guess only time will tell I will watch and see how well her obdience training goes and how well she takes to things.

This is why I have been more leaning towards getting a puppy instead of an adult dog. I know you can never get an instict out of a dog, but I feel that raising a puppy around the rabbits she would not be so obessed with the rabbits themselves and can be trained young what is the proper way to act around them (well around them caged, I just could never trust a dog and a rabbit together). I am sure this is not true in all cases, for there will always be a dog just obesessed the prey, but I feel I would have a better chance with a puppy of this then an adult dog.

If I do decide to get a puppy instead (could be mix, could be pure it depends on what I can find, I prefer a rescue, but finding a small mix rescue puppy, not in a rescue group (usually wont adopt to apartments) is not easy thing to do in Ohio). If I decide on a puppy I am highly thinking I am going to wait until I graduate from school and get a little bit more steady of a life. I want a dog with all my being, but I have to remind myself just because I want it, does not mean I am ready for it. While I do think I could handle a puppy right now, I also feel that puppies need a good start at life and need a owner who is a bit more settled in life then I am.

Sherri