Re: Ready to Adopt a Dog - Petfinder Addiction, Questions

Hi Paulette, thanks for the reply! That's so cool that you have a new baby, and helpful to know it took a few weeks to get used to each other and start to fall in love. Interesting that you also had reservations about the wire coat. I'm a big smoocher with my pets, I don't let them lick me too much, and definitely not on the mouth, but I couldn't help myself from burying my face in my little yorkie's fur, she was SOOOOO soft. I know that's a good way to pick up parasites, and I probably did, but I think if you are living with them, they are everywhere, anyway. I just couldn't see myself snuggling a wiry, stinky dog, but maybe if she smelled better I could adjust to the texture thing. My husband said she didn't pass his "softness test," either (though she can't help it!), and he wants instant appeal, instant chemistry, like he thinks he will just "know" when it's the right one, and I thought I would too, but I'm not so sure anymore. I think I will just have to make a choice, a good educated guess that a particular dog might be right for us, and work on the bonding aspect of it over a couple of weeks. He will just have to get on board with it! Really, I know he will come around and probably the dog will choose him as her favorite. He's resisting taking on any more responsibility (although I already know who will do all the work, and it's not him), but he thinks I've got too much on my plate already, so I'll have to prove it to him over time that this is a good addition to our home and we will manage to make room in our lives. I think he needs it, actually, he just doesn't know it!

As to their temperament, being rescues - yeah, I'm expecting more issues, but I'm aiming toward the ones that come from non-abusive situations, at least, and have good reviews from their fosters or people taking care of them so I have some idea of what I'm getting into.

Well, I'm sure I will drive myself crazy on this search, and I'm hoping either the most recent one that's caught my eye will be available when I get back from my trip, or that we will get a second chance with Maya, the bichon/Jack russel mix. I suppose if it's meant to be, it'll be, but it's quite a stressful chase! I'm just SO ready, it's all I can think about. And I can't believe how fast the really cute little ones get snapped up. I guess that's good, though, for the dogs. Tweet