So the guy 2 doors down from us at the lake house passed away. His dog always came over as soon as we pulled into the driveway. His son is asking us to adopt the dog, I've already got 2. One being a year old lab,the other a 12 year old Aussie. Not sure how to handle the situation. It's one of the sweetest dogs I've ever met, lab/shepherd mix about 80 lbs. Anyone ever had this situation? Pretty sure they'll put her down if there isn't a home for her.

How old is the dog you are considering adopting? We are dog fosters....we have 6 dogs...in the house...right now. So, I can offer at least some limited experience that might help you with the decision.

8ish, not sure exactly but she was a pup then when she started coming around.

Sounds like the dog has already adopted you.

Me? I'd have a new dog, no question about it. I have 3 now, really isn't all that bad or different than having 2 IMO. Especially since one of your current pups is getting on up in age and probably not nearly as active as he used to be.

If you like the doggo (post a pic) and it gets along with your current dogs (again, post pics) and you have the means to take on the added pooch, go for it. You get what is in your own words "one of the sweetest dogs" you've ever met, and the dog gets a welcoming home and avoids a shelter or worse. Win-win.

Do a temp adoption where you house the dog until you find it a forever home.

If it becomes a burden, give it to a local no kill shelter where they can get more eyes on the pup

DO IT!

We had 2 adopted dogs - 1 dachshund and 1 lab mix. We worked at A&M… had a student worker whose dog kept breaking out of her tiny backyard and getting picked up by dog catcher. We adopted it… it wasn't a great dog but we still feel good about adopting it. She never broke out of our yard in the country.

If I was in your position and already had an emotional bond with a dog like that, the thought of it going somewhere else and being in a worse situation would be enough for me to adopt it.

Just to play devil's advocate. You have no responsibility to that dog whatsoever. If you want the dog great. If not, great. It's someone else's responsibility. If you don't take the dog 2 months from now you will never think about it again.

just remember. the dog lost someone too and i personally think dogs are aware and can experience sadness from loss

I know there's a lot of folks on this board who hold dogs in the same regard as insects, but I don't. dogs are badass and better than most people i've met.

We foster dogs and currently have 6…SIX…dogs. All on my couch watching family feud right now. I have never, and I mean NEVER, met or had a bad dog. Never had a bad horse either. They are all products of their humans. If he's as friendly as you say, he's worth keeping. The shelters are over run with animals that have been discarded. It's not place for a dog. They are a necessary place and resources are limited. The dog didn't pick his lot in life and if you have the means to help him out with some stability, then why not?

That said, you are under no obligation to take him in and frankly, neither is the old man's son but life happens and sometimes we gotta step up.

But you must be the judge. At the end of the day, you're the king of the castle and the pack leader. You know your dogs and family and if he won't mesh, then that's also a valid decision.

My wife spends hours at the shelter before selecting a foster to bring in.

Sometimes they don't leave. lol.

schmellba99 said:

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Sounds like the dog has already adopted you.

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bingo

Do it. Sounds like you already halfway made up your mind.

we are on our 4th adopted dog right now. A 16 week old puppy. I forgot how much work a puppy was, lol

I can't offer anything useful on this but my GF had a lab/shep mix in the '70s and early '80s. "Punch" was one of the best dogs I've ever seen. He'd do everything my GF told him to, obviously. But he'd also do most anything I told him to, and I only saw him about 6x a year!

I've told this on here before, but once we were sitting in my g-parent's farm house "living" room, with the back door (if you want to call it that) open. My dad out on the porch saw a rooster starting to get into it with some chickens or another rooster, perhaps. They were all outside the chain link fence about 15-ish yards away. Anyway, my dad said something to my GF who stood up from his chair and yelled, "Punch!" With that one word, the dog (already in the fenced in yard) raced out there barking up a storm and broke all that up. He could get over the fence if needed, but I don't recall if he did that time.

That dog had a higher IQ than some people I've known.

This. My grandfather use to say you can tell a lot about people by how they treat their horse and dog…. and respect for animals in general.

TresPuertas said:

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just remember. the dog lost someone too and i personally think dogs are aware and can experience sadness from loss

I know there's a lot of folks on this board who hold dogs in the same regard as insects, but I don't. dogs are badass and better than most people i've met.

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I agree with you on everything except that there are a lot of folks on the OB who devalue dogs to the point of insects. One look at this thread should show that is not true. Sure, there are a few outliers. But this board is overwhelmingly pro-dog. I would say the vast majority of people here prefer dogs to the average human, vs people who treat them as a nuisance or pest.

Gunny456 said:

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This. My grandfather use to say you can tell a lot about people by how they treat their horse and dog…. and respect for animals in general.

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That's the gospel truth right there.

cupofjoe04 said:

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Gunny456 said:

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This. My grandfather use to say you can tell a lot about people by how they treat their horse and dog…. and respect for animals in general.

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That's the gospel truth right there.

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Yes it is…. Well the part about the dog anyway….

We recently adopted a dog from an extended family member who was forced to get rid of him and tried to adopt him out but the pup was nervous around men and wouldn't stay adopted.

We already have two dogs in a 900 sq ft barndo but reluctantly I said ok, we have land and room to run so we'll take him. He got in a fight with my vizsla during the initial meeting and bit my wife's tiny poodle in the first month.

Turned out to be the best damn dog I've ever had. Took about a couple of weeks for the new dog to get adjusted to me though he clung to my wife. Now he's my shadow and an awesome dog to have around. He's now part of the pack with the other two dogs and is currently curled up on the couch with both.

Adopt the dog. I guarantee you have more space than I do and I also guarantee that 80 pound dog will take up less space in your home than the head space of what happens if you dont. You will grow to adore the dog and the dog will appreciate it.

About to leave to go pick her up. Here's the other 2.

How much for the TV stand?

Actually 2 different standa pieced together, one to raise and lower and one to pivot when we open the doors and watch football in the yard in the fall. All told aaboht $250

You're a good man.

JD05AG said:

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Actually 2 different standa pieced together, one to raise and lower and one to pivot when we open the doors and watch football in the yard in the fall. All told aaboht $250

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That plastic wicker chair was $250?

JD05AG said:

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Awesome! Congrats

This made my day. Thanks for taking the pup!

Awesome! What's the dogs name?

Zayda. Former owner was kind of an odd dude.

Congrats! I was hoping this would be the outcome. As an owner of 3 large dogs, and now 2, there really isn't a difference other than the vet bills.

The thing about dogs is they know they've been rescued. You can see it in general, but if only they could tell us their story in detail. Well done!

Blessings on you sir. As was mentioned, dogs know when they have been given a hand, and as opposed to people, they remain grateful and loyal for the inclusion. St. Francis tipped his hat to you.

Picked up on the streets of Houston. Gotcha ride home. They know.

Gunny456 said:

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This. My grandfather use to say you can tell a lot about people by how they treat their horse and dog…. and respect for animals in general.

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We had to put down our "foster" last month. Border Collie. Joey. We had him for 10 years. Someone found huim running in their pasture and dropped him off at the local feedstore. We volunteered to care for him until his owners were found. They never were. They missed out on a badass pup. Smartest dog I've ever met. Melted everyone's heart who met him. He could look into your eyes and steal your heart. Miss that guy more than anything. We gave him the absolute best life possible.

We don't deserve them.

Here.
Just did the same with my Beagle 2 weeks ago. Brutal. Prayers.