for dog people

[tulip]

Thank you all so much for your thoughtful replies and advice! It's really nice to see how much you care for your (and others') dogs. After reading all of your responses (several times), I know that having a dog could be really wonderful. I would love to give a dog a good home, and of course, dogs love you no matter what (within reason of course).

My SO is very supportive of the dog idea. We do not live together. If that were to change eventually, the dog would be one of several issues that we would have to work out.

Still no decision, although I'm leaning towards "not yet." The new dog park is having a grand opening this morning and the SPCA will be there with adoptable dogs. Who knows if the same dog will be there, but she might be.

The reasons I'm leaning toward "not yet" are varied. The most immediate reason is that I'll be moving into my new house next week and then the kitchen renovation starts. It's hard enough (for me AND for the dog) to move into new surroundings, and then to have power tools and walls knocked out...well, that kind of commotion is not conducive to settling into a new house. I'm choosing to go through that and will be fine, but it wouldn't be a very smooth start for the dog. When the kitchen is done, I'll revisit the situation and restart the search. Thanks for reminding me that there will be plenty of other dogs if this is not the right time.

Of course, if that dog is at the dog park today and makes a beeline for me, I might change my mind...

[sundial]

The reasons I'm leaning toward "not yet" are varied. The most immediate reason is that I'll be moving into my new house next week and then the kitchen renovation starts.

You are wise to consider the needs of the dog during your renovation. Rescues have about a 2 week honeymoon period as they adjust to their new home. Having your home remodeled may put more stress on the dog and may delay the bonding and trust even further, much less establishing a routine. Dogs are very routine oriented. They need to have one established to feel secure.

[Trek420]

The most immediate reason is that I'll be moving into my new house next week and then the kitchen renovation starts. It's hard enough (for me AND for the dog) to move into new surroundings, and then to have power tools and walls knocked out...well, that kind of commotion is not conducive to settling into a new house. I'm choosing to go

Ah, moving and remodeling. When I moved here I was aware that the doggiee may have issues with moving. Who knows, that's how she might have ended in the shelter. Sometimes families move without the dog, dog gets lost in the confusion ... I wanted to make sure she was as relaxed about the situation as I could.

As I packed I made it into a game we still play called "find it".

She already knew "stay", I put her in a stay take a treat to another room and put it in, near, under a box. Then call "find it!" as the release and she sniffs, searches and finds the treat.

Same thing as I unpacked, and remodeling Oy, it's like moving again. First everything moved from downstairs to upstairs. Now that the kitchen is nearly done I'm taking everything from upstairs to the downstairs to get ready for new flooring .... "find it" again.

Result: she likes boxes.

She was a doll with the confusion of the remodel. I found out for one that she like power tools and the people who use them Electricians, plumbers, my carpenters assistants .... she liked them all. She probably cost me some extra hours because if they were working near floor level there's Mae to offer a slobbery dog kiss.

It helped that my carpenter is a dog person, has a wonderful dog and has fostered dogs. She and Mae had a sit down heart to heart chat "I'm not putting up with any bad behavior. If you're good you can hang out with us and go with me to Lowes, if not you watch this from the patio"

She enjoyed the company too, her dog gets a little carsick, where Mae loves going in the car. So she got company on errands.