[Cody Dawg]

I need some good solid advice.

I've been doing dog (cat, bird, lizard, and fish - yes, fish) rescue for a long time now. Although I also work with an organization, I privately will take animals that require more involved medical care such as corrective surgeries. After they are "better" I find them a home. I receive a lot of animals from the purebreed dog rescues because they know that I will provide the funding to take care of the animal.

I really love this work and I love connecting a dog to a new owner. Somehow the dog always goes to the person that it should be with for the rest of it's life. It's very rewarding.

Here's the thing: I received a little French bulldog about a month ago who had serious skin conditions, eye conditions requiring surgery, and now I've found out that she also needs tooth extraction (baby teeth not falling out) and I've had most everything taken care of. The only thing left is a spay and the tooth extraction.

This little dog is just wonderful. I adore her. She's the smartest dog I've ever interacted with. She is only 5 months old and I've taught her to bat (with her paw) a little bell by the door when she wants to go outside? She rings the bell to go outside!

The thing is, I've been interviewing people for the last week who might possibly adopt her and the couple that I have decided that she should go to is an absolutely wonderful gay couple in Miami Beach. They are wonderful guys - just love them to pieces. (In fact, Jakey the Yorkie, went to a gay man too - must be something in the water?) They have a wonderful, beautiful home, one is an executive with the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Miami Beach, and I know that the dog would be loved and doted on.

I've never kept one of the dogs that I've rescued. The longest they've stayed with me is about 3 months while they get their surgeries, learn basic manners and obedience, and I find a home for them.

But, with this little dog, I'm so tempted to keep her. I've loved every single one of them, but this one I just adore. My little boy (4) loves her to pieces. I don't want to break the hearts of the guys that want her; one says that he has waited 10 years to get a French bulldog and when he met this little girl, he said that she was the dog that he has been waiting for all of this time. On the other hand, I feel a particular affinity for her, she sleeps on my bed, she loves the children and she's good to them (they play all day long together). I feel like there will be a big huge empty hole - like I've given one of my children away - if she goes.

But, maybe I should just bite the bullet and drive her down to them. That's my prevailing thought because I don't want to hurt their feelings.

What do I do? Keep her or let her go? I asked WDLove about this last night and maybe he'll add more information that I can use to make a decision.

I know you've already seen her picture, but I'll post a picture again.

Thanks everyone.

[RAILhead]

You've got dibs on her, Cody, and since you love her so much, I say you keep her. Unless you signed a contract to give her up, you can always choose not to give her up.

Maury

[Cody Dawg]

No, no contract with anyone at all.

The other thing I worry about is if she has ongoing health issues. I'm prepared to take care of them all, but I would hate to have her go to someone and they expect a healthy dog 100% and she ends up costing a lot of money in ongoing eye problems or skin problems. She has something called pyoderma which is a skin condition requiring antibiotics periodically when there is a flare up. It is chronic and unpredictable. It causes little red spots to appear all over and they sometimes make the dog smell bad. If the dog has a "doggy odor" that is particularly strong - especially when coming in from outside - and it has these little red spots that is a clear indicator that the dog has pyoderma. It's common in pugs and French bulldogs and English bulldogs because of the thin and loose wrinkly skin.

Anyway, she's just so great. I know if she goes to them I'll be happy for her. But, I'll always feel like a family member is living with someone else.

But, I did get her to find her another home and who's to say that I wouldn't, someday, find another dog that I love as much?

Thanks for the opinion and by the way, maybe I'll name her "Dibsy" for "dibs" since she really has no name!



Thanks, Maury.

[wdlove]

Hi Cody,

Good morning, thanks again for the chat. It was appreciated.

You are in my prayers, I know that you will make the correct decision. Would be a shame fro you to not be able to continue your rescue league work.

I'm here if you want to chat.

[Scandalous Ion Cannon]

She is the cutest thing ever! Keep her!

[Doofy]

Keep the dog, Cody.
Your family love it, it obviously loves your family. Don't screw up that love just to keep a promise to a stranger.

The fact that this guy has been waiting 10 years for a particular breed of dog tells me that she'll be more like a possession to him than a family member. Not good.

[wdlove]

Dibsy a cute name for a very cute dog. Is the potential owner aware of her health issues now and in the future?

[isao bered]

hmmmmm... not to advocate a household democracy (parents should be parents and make final family decisions), but what choice would your children make? If they could only have a single dog for the family would this be the one? Would their hearts be broken far more than the gentlemen's feelings hurt? Or would they have a greater benefit of joy in seeing the dog placed well than any damage they would suffer from the loss.

Maybe let them help make the decision in this case. I would hope the gentlemen would be understanding if the children couldn't part with the dog.

be well.

laeth

[Cody Dawg]

That's good advice, laeth.

[Teronzhul]

That is one cool dog. I don't like dogs at all, and I'd still be tempted to keep her.