I'm sure they'll let you check her out more. Usually those places foster the dogs out and they live in someone's home, so if that's the case, the foster parent can tell you whether it's car sick or house trained.

I think one beating heart needs another and you should adopt a pet. But choose carefully.

At a year old, there is still chewing and digging to be dealt with, though not as much as with a younger dog or some breeds.

If you have issues about dog hair on the furniture, come to grips with it now. There will be dog hair. I know some people have trained their dogs to stay in the kitchen or off the furniture in the name of limiting dog hair/mess. I think dogs that are trained to stay in one room away from their "pack" are not the happiest dogs. They're going to be really excited every time you finally come in the kitchen from the living room, so that's one of the trade-offs. It's almost like being in the back yard all the time, from their point of view. If you don't mind it following you around and getting dog hair on the floor, but just can't tolerate dog hair on the sofa, then okay--keep it off the furniture, but give it something lovely to be on, instead.

All that to say, decide now how you're going to think about dog hair, and all the other things that a dog will introduce. Compromise with the dog, remember it's a pack animal, and it needs to be near you. Even with all the advance planning you do, this dog may have quirks and personality and habits that you didn't expect and couldn't have planned for. So, be flexible.

It's a great thing, having a dog! Good on ya for considering taking one in! It will be so grateful!

Karen