Clunk.

[peonyfoxburr]

The rejoicing was, it turns out, premature. The present owner called Sunday afternoon to back out. Essentially, the dog trainer and boarder whom she uses is very anti-"electric fence" as she terms them, and talked her out of it yet again (remember there was another point where it seemed the adoption was in jeopardy). Here's the thing: the

Comments

[plaidpjs]

In all honesty, I'm all for protecting the health of an animal and finding the right environment but I'm completely perplexed as to why someone would deny one such an obviously good home. There's something about the present owner that I distrust, they've already considered backing out of the adoption twice. I really don't know if I'd place much faith in their word. And what exactly do they mean by "work out"? Is this based on any whim they decide makes the adoption unacceptable?

On the other hand, you've obviously already developed an attachment to Shayne so I'd balance my decision with that relationship in mind.

Sorry I couldn't be more definitive, but when the heart is involved the rational for making decisions is pretty skewed. :)

[peonyfoxburr]

I really appreciate your thoughtful input, more than I can say. Yes, there's a big emotional component here, a mix of Shayne's appealing personality, missing my dogs, and my tendency to fall in love with GSDs almost on sight. I shouldn't be so hard on the present owners' initial mixed signals, as we had not yet even agreed when and where to meet--but with the first call, she said we should come there; then, the second call (after talking with this trainer), she wanted to see our place first; and then the third call, we were back to the original plan. But you do raise a good point about how they might see an adoption "not working out--" on their terms, or on mine, or maybe on that trainer's? But usually what that phrase means is that, rather than have you pass the dog on to yet another owner or to a shelter, they would take the dog back themselves. The most reputable breeders tell you the same thing. Anyway, I've been arguing both sides of the question with myself since yesterday. I'll probably hold back on any action till after

[plaidpjs]

That sounds wise, especially considering all that's gone on. You know it sounds like the owners are having a very difficult time letting go because they love Shayne so much, perhaps that is the cause of the drama?

I don't blame them (or you) the first dog I can recall from my childhood is a GSD named "Bingo". Yes, from the childhood song about the farmer and yes, my parents let my brother and I name her. I was about 3, he about 6. :)