Dilemma

[stacwase]

OK - here's my dilemma.

There's a lady I know whos health is declining, and she has to find a home for her German Shepherd.

The dog is 1 1/2 years old, obedience trained and very well-behaved, spayed, and female. I don't know her name so I'll just call her "Lady".

I would really like to take "Lady". Max would love to have a big energetic dog who would play with him. I love Max to pieces, and we're very excited about the prospect of getting her. We camp and hike and spend a lot of time outdoors, and we'd like another dog who'd enjoy it as much as Max does.

We really couldn't have 3 dogs, though. It's just not a very good idea for our family right now.

Jake and Max don't get along very well - they're always spatting over dominance issues. But I'm sure Max would get along great with "Lady".

I know a few people who might be very happy to give Jake a new home - and I really don't think Jake would mind. Max is sort of overbearing for him, and Jake would probably be happier in a home with either no other dogs or just a small dog.

Do you think it would be bad, or immoral, for us to offer Jake to somebody else and take "Lady"? Jake is 7 years old, and we've had him since he was a puppy.

Opinions - please!

[cloverfdx]

JMHO

as jake was the first dog, he should stay, you could work on the dominance issues with max and jake. i think it would be unfair to re-home poor jake at this point in his life. as he has been with you for 7 years and know you as his only family.

also you could help to rehome "lady" into a suitable home where she will be well cared for, or even try fostering her for a while to see how things go.

[Samantha Puppy]

I'm, by no means, an animal expert, but I agree with clover here... Jake should stay since you are his only family... and maybe you could foster "Lady" and see if maybe 3 dogs wouldn't be so bad for your family.

[Linda York]

I too agree. You have had Jake since he was a baby and after 7 years he knows you as his family. Maybe, as suggested, you could find a solution to the "brotherly" rivalry. Jake is a beautiful dog. I wish it possible for you to take "Lady" and complete your family. I have three BUT they are very little. Your babies are a lot bigger. My "opinion" (gets us in trouble sometimes) is to keep your Jake, take the other one if you can, but not if you would have to give up Jake.

[Kater]

I think it will be easier to find a home for a 1.5 years old, obedience trained, very well-behaved & spayed female GSD than Jake an "older" dog. Have you looked into GSD rescues in your area? I think this girl would be "snatched up" quite quickly.

There will be time for more *big doggies* in your life but right now you have Jake who is undoubtedly very attached to you and his current living situation.

I would suggest helping your friend re-home "Lady" but don't make that home yours!

[delidog]

I agree with everyone else...
Jake is First Dog....he has known nothing and nobody else...personally,I am not sure how you could even consider this...

Give Ladys' owner the num. to a german shepherd rescue group in michigan...they will help her

[stacwase]

I think it sounds worse than it is.

Jake has always known my stepdaughter and her children, and loves her children (ages 2 and 5). My stepdaughter has been asking us to please let him come and live with her since her oldest son was 1 year old. Jake and Shane get along very well. When Shane was a toddler, Jake would pace back and forth in front of the stairs to prevent Shane from falling. Whenever Shane would fall, Jake would try to pick him up by pulling him up by the diaper. Shane slept in Jake's crate with him!

Melissa is excellent with dogs and has had her female, Monroe, for about 5 years.

Both of the dogs I've adopted from the shelter adjusted almost immediately to their new surroundings and were extremely happy. Why should Jake do differently?

Of course - Jake is 7 years old. That's why I wanted your opinion. I don't know if his age would make the adjustment more difficult for him.

If it would be difficult for Jake, I won't do it. However if the transition would go smoothly I think everybody involved would benefit. Jake would have a good home with great people and a more gentle, older dog. I don't think there would be the constant dominance battles, since Monroe is female. Max would have a younger, more enthusiastic playmate - also female, so the dominance battle would be reduced. "Lady" would come to a loving home.

Please don't think I'm a bad person - I'm just feeling the situation out.

[stacwase]

I just asked Melissa how old Monroe is - and she said that she's almost 8. Gosh - it seems like she just got her.

[lizbud]

I don't think you're a bad person. I just think you do not
have a deep attachment to Jake. You would be doing him a
favor if the transition went smoothly. Jake clearly needs some
person to love him as much as he would love them.If the house
and situation you plan for him is as you say it is, Jake would
be in heaven. Good luck to both of you.

[stacwase]

You kind of summed it up, lizbud - thank you. Although we've had Jake for almost 7 years, there actually isn't a deep attachment. Don't get me wrong - we have taken good care of him. He gets good food and good vet care and I brush him at least every 2 days, and take him for walks. But he certainly doesn't run to meet anybody when we come home. He's sweet and sometimes playful, and I play fetch with him in the house. He's a very nice dog. There's just never been a time when our hearts were filled to almost bursting with love for eachother - like it is with Max.

On the other hand, Max is just way too much for Melissa and the kids. His exhuberance (sp?) makes them nervous. Melissa loves Jake's gentle quietness, and the kids feel comfortable with him. The only question is whether or not her husband will agree - he's really good with Monroe, so I'm sure he'd be good with Jake.

I guess it's a personality thing - I'm a high-drive, adventurous type of person (like Max) and Melissa is a quiet, reserved, shy person (like Jake).

Still it sounds bad when you say it out loud, you know? "I'm giving my 7-year-old dog to my stepdaughter and getting a new dog". Kind of like trading up to a better model.

[Cincy'sMom]

At first I agreed with everyone else...Jake was your first dog and should get priority in your home. We have said as we added Cincy and Spot, if there was a problem with Sadie, she was here first. Thankfully we have not had to face that, she loves her brother and sisters immensely.

Hearing more about where Jake would be going (with family), it may be the right choice. If you are truely doing this for him, becuase he would be happier, than maybe it is the right answer. I don't agree with with rehooming Jake in order to bring a new dog in, however if he would be happier AND you can bring another dog in, I can understand that.

Only you know the whole situation and you have to do what you know is best for all the dogs involved.

[carole]

I too at first agreed with everyone else, that you should keep Jake.

Honestly if you can live with that decision and know Jake will be happy there or maybe even happier, then I guess you have your answer.

I just hope you don't regret your decision , if you go ahead and give him to Melissa, and that all works out amicably, I wish you well and good luck.

[Kater]

Originally posted by Cincy'sMom
Hearing more about where Jake would be going (with family), it may be the right choice. If you are truely doing this for him, becuase he would be happier, than maybe it is the right answer. I don't agree with with rehooming Jake in order to bring a new dog in, however if he would be happier AND you can bring another dog in, I can understand that.

Only you know the whole situation and you have to do what you know is best for all the dogs involved.

I agree. Very well said. It does sound like you already know what would be best for the dogs involved. Just make sure Melissa communicates with her husband about this before you guys do anything drastic! LOL!

Originally posted by stacwase
"I'm giving my 7-year-old dog to my stepdaughter and getting a new dog". Kind of like trading up to a better model.

Actually that is sort of what it sounded like in your first post, but you've clarified and given more details since and now everything makes a lot more sense.

[sabies]

Why don't you see how things go with Jake at your stepdaughter's? You should make sure he has a good home and is truly happier there and then consider taking in Lady.

[Kfamr]

Poor Jake.
After being in your family for 7 years, he should remain that way.
Seven years, and you're not attached to him!? How is that possible??

If you have a LOVING home, with people he knows and has known his whole life, you should give them to him. He deserves love.
I don't think you should give him to just any person who's looking for a dog, even if they are responsible enough. He should be with someone he knows.

Maybe you should have looked around before bringing Jake, since he obviously doesn't "fit" you.

Make sure this next dog does, so the same thing doesn't happen 7 years or so down the road.

I can't even imagine getting rid of Simba or Nala for another dog. I've only had Nala for a few months, and i'm more than attachted She may be annoying and goofy, but I love her. I mean, To me, it's sort of like giving your child away because he/she doesn't have the personality or attitude you want out of them.

Having her also takes the quiet, lazy dog out of Simba. He plays with her and she gets him going to play.

He's been more playful and active since we've got her. Most of the time when I'm playing with Nala, Simba gets up and joins in. They love when I hold the middle of the snake tug toy that sandra got us. We all pull different directions, and have fun together -- although our personalities are different.