Hey everybody! I'm in a little bit of a timely dilemma here. I have been wanting a German Shepherd for a long time, and I fostered an awesome GSD mix a while ago. With her I was able to implement all of Ed's Pack Structure stuff and it turned out wonderful.

Now, I'm not really in a place to adopt right now, but I cam across this guy:

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/16084287?recno=3

He's only about a year old, owner surrender. I don't have the official reason but I strongly suspect that he grew out of cute puppyhood and started acting like an adolescent.

I called the shelter and they hold for 7-14 days depending on crowding, but he said that they never know when they'll get a bunch of animals on one day and have to make room and he's already been there 7 days.

Now my parents would kill me and he would have to live at my boyfriend's apartment for a little bit cause of my roommate. If I could get my parents to accept it, I would be able to take him home with me for the summer (and maybe forever!).

Also, I'm making my money this summer as a dog walker and it might be a good excuse (to my parents) to have an "example."

Worst come to worst, I could save him from the needle and rehome him myself, what do you guys think? Anyone want a young GSD fella?

Well, I suggest to discuss it with your parents first before you decide to bring the dog home. I don't think it is reasonable to adopt a dog and leave it at somebody's house. I don't think that is fair to anyone who is taking care of your dog and someone didn't want a dog for himself. If your boyfriend wants a dog, then he should get one. It should be his decision to make not yours. If you want the dog, get a place of your own.

Well, I do have a place of my own but my roommate doesn't like big dogs. My boy wants a dog, but I don't think I'm ready to be responsible financially for one. Does anybody know how to contact a rescue?

If you haven't sign the lease, then is there a way you can move out or find a new replacement?

You could try the GSD rescue, but they might be too full. If you couldn't afford a dog, it is better not to get one. I'm not trying to be harsh, just be realistic.

I understand, I'm releasing the lease next month and moving home for the summer.

I'll try and contact a few rescues around the area.

Laurel...If I were you, I'd stay away from the petfinder and etc. sites. They'll just drive you crazy with the wanting and desire to save.

The worst thing you could do is take a dog into your life that you are not truly ready to care for, in every way; financially, time and attention wise, etc.

Try to get your dog fixes from the dog walking, or volunteering at a shelter, etc. Even working with some neighbor's dog (they can usually use some training<g>.

I'd be very careful of even taking this one in with the intention of rehoming it. You have no idea what its issues are or what you'd be getting yourself into, let alone how long it would take before you could find a good home for him.

Definitely contact the rescues...worth a try!

JMO
leih

 Quote:

I'd stay away from the petfinder and etc. sites. They'll just drive you crazy with the wanting and desire to save.

I found dog #3 on Petfinder...

Petfinder works IF you go into it knowing what you want and can weed through pages of dogs for the right one. My dog was with a rescue but listed on PF. I emailed back and forth as well as talked with them several times on the phone and met the dog in person before making the decision to get her. If you can go through it that objectively, it works. But you've got to be able to remain objective.

To the OP, if you can't take care of the dog personally when you get it, you should pass on it. It's really not fair to both of you. My one rule of thumb before getting a dog is to have an emergency account set up for the dog. You want to have money for all the dog needs when you get it and have a few hundred set aside as a cushion in case something should come up.

Mara,

I was not saying anything negative about Petfinder, and I know lots of people who have found wonderful pets there.

My comments were directed towards whether the OP was in a positioin to be able to take in a pet, from any source.

For me, if I'm not in a position to adopt, I have to stay away from those kinds of sites (and shelters, etc). The pulls on the heartstrings are just too strong.

leih