for dog people

[Trek420]

Thank you for considering adopting a dog. I got "custody of the dog" in the divorce and have never regretted it .... well, maybe briefly the whole flexibility thing. But then she's saved my life so there is that in trade

A well trained dog is a dog your friends may be willing to pet sit, a well trained dog is one you can get professional pet sitters for as a back up.

So events and epic rides are possible, it may take a little planning. And it will take training for both of you. But that's fun on both ends of the leash.

But please consider your decision and the dog carefully

The SPCA has a 30-day return policy if things don't work out.

The dog is not a shirt, a bike, a cell phone plan you may regret or have buyers remorse .... it's a sentient being (cue new age music in the background, maybe some Yani ).

Your dog (you know you're gonna adopt this dog ) has gone from cute adorable/adored puppy to somehow abandoned, forgotten at least once, maybe multiple times. House to house, now fostered .... so when you adopt my feeling is that's it, consider all the options possibilities, can you commit that for the next 10 years or so nothing could or would happen that you would leave this dog?

Yes, I think if you have any doubts volunteering at a local shelter, fostering a dog yourself may help. All the local shelters need volunteers to walk their dogs and help keep them adoptable. That could be a great way to try dogs out. And who knows you may meet "your dog" that way.

But it's not like the epic ride you plan and train for, it's a little bit of a stretch but you think "there is a always the SAG wagon". The day I went to pick up my mutt from the pound there was a guy bringing BACK a beautiful German Shepherd dog. I overheard him say the dog did not get along with his wife, had nipped or bit her and she demanded he bring it back. I saw the look on the officer and the volunteers as they explained training options, what might have happened in socialization, help and classes available .... all to no avail. These were his orders, here's the dog.

This made an impression to me.

If I ever have another dog s/he will be a rescue, I could never bring one back.