Originally Posted by
4 Dog Mother
The mystery is solved. Phred's dogs will be come to live with us. His friends don't feel they can take them permanently. His sister will not be a part of the equation. I hope they will be ours the rest of their lives but that makes us a 7 dog family with 6 grandogs who often visit (although now that Christy lives in Findlay her 3 don't come as often). The important part of this is that not only do all the dogs need to get along on a day to day basis (which is quite different from a visiting basis) but the dogs have to get along with the grandkids. Can't have a biting dog here. Not too worried about Jasmine at almost 7 but that 4 year old Dominic has no fear of dogs and can pull some not so thought out tricks. Like jumping at them and screaming "boo!" Or just running pell-mell at them. Or getting down in their faces when they are eating. He is way too used to all the dogs in his life putting up with his shenanigans. Remember little boys aren't long for warnings and have a heck of an impulse factor going for them.
For the most part I think things will work out. Phred's dogs are around the age of 10 now and ours are getting older too which certainly mellows them out. I am a little concerned about the money - Carl and I both had are jobs eliminated over five years ago and with the ones we now have we are living on less than half of what we did then. Brian has left Christy and is not sending as much money as he should be so we find ourselves helping them out often. The day to day costs aren't so much of a worry but dog licenses are coming up and of course vetting fees. I think Phred gives the dogs heartworm medicine year round and I am sure he must use the flea meds in the summer. However, I can't see letting the Prayer Pups go to strangers so we may have to look into welfare for dogs (LOL). I am sure the neighbors and many others will think we are crazy (I certainly don't intend to tell my mother) but you got to do what you got to do.
Phred was always there for us and now we have to be there for his pets.