Co-ownership

[wolfsoul]

Some of you remember when my aunt took Timber around the time we both moved.

Well, first she told me that she didn't want to give her back to me because my cousins would be upset. Then she told that she felt bad because Timber would be so much better off with me, so I could have her back when I moved out.

But now she says -- and I think it's a good compromise -- that after I move out, we could have her together. It is pretty much exactly like how it was before, except before she lived with me all the time. She said that when she goes to work, she can drop Timber off with me (I will undoubtedly be working somewhere where I could bring a dog to work -- probably Petcetera at first where she could go in the doggy daycare and play while I work). After I work I can take time doing the good stuff with her -- playing, training etc. Then my aunt picks her up. She said I could keep her on weekends. She will pay for food, vet bills, etc, and if I want to put her in obedience classes or agility or anything like that, I pay for it. So it will be a co-ownership. This way, Timber can get all of her mental and physical stimulation from her time with me, my aunt won't feel bad that Timber isn't getting what she deserves, my cousins won't be upset that Timber is never with them anymore, and my uncle can be satisfied that they have a large dog there at most times to intimidate anyone that might want to break in or something. I am a little dissapointed because I feel like she would do better with me full-time, but this way everyone is happy, right?

Plus, I'm getting my catahoula puppy just next year. Paying for both his and Timber's medical costs and food might a little hard on my bank account. If all I have to pay for are her obedience classes and agility lessons, I think that would be very fair.

I've already gotten one person that said they don't think it's a good idea. They think I should bug my aunt to let me have her all to myself. And I've gotten one person who thinks it's a great idea.

What do you guys think? Is this a fair deal?

[vinjashira]

won't Timber get confused?

[wolfsoul]

I had thought of that...she does adjust very well though; she goes camping very often and seems to love the change of scenery.

[cali]

I would not think it would confuse her, as it would be a routine it would not be like this month shes my dog and the next she's yours kinda thing. I think its a good idea

[wolfsoul]

Thanks for your reply.

By the way, can everyone please state their reasons for why they think I should keep her full-time or my aunt should? I need more insight please!

[bckrazy]

hm.. I'm just basing this on my dogs, but I think it would be confusing for Timber. just trying to establish who she is in the pack, and the difference of how she's treated at your aunt's house and your house, and the change of activity would confuse all of the dogs I've ever had. personally, I would prefer to let my dog visit occasionally, but its up to you!

[schteve_d]

I think if a routine was kept, it would work out fine. It sounds like Timber's best interests are in all of your minds. I knew people who divorced and the man moved to a different city, they kept "joint custody" and flew the dog back and forth every month (each kept him for a month at a time! I know, it sounds ridiculous and it probably is, but it worked for them and he was a very loving, happy dog. As long as everyone is happy with the arrangements, I can't think of a problem. I can see what bckrazy is saying though, I think you would have to come to some sort of agreement and treat Timber roughly the same in both environments.

[carole]

It sounds to me that Timber would have the best of both world's, I cannot see a big problem with it, maybe you could tell you Aunt to give it a trial period first, to see how Timber adapts and if all goes well, then continue with it.

My girlfriend down the road from me, has a good thing going with her neighbour, he is away at work all day long,so Duke lives at her house as she is home mostly, he goes everywhere with her during the day, and at night pops home to his owner's he does not seem confused at all, and best thing is he is happy and content, and not lonely and my friend has a dog without all the pet expenses, so going on that I cannot see why it would not work.

Good luck with whatever you decide, you will know what is best for Timber.

[Aspen and Misty]

I agree, tell your aunt you want to try it, and make this certain after a little while. I think it would be great and I think Timber would be happy either way (if you kept her or if you co-owned her)

Ashley

[Dixieland Dancer]

You have to do whats best for the dog. If Timber can adjust without being too confused then go for it. If it causes stress then somebody is going to have to bow out.

[K9soul]

I think it's based off of how Timber would handle the situation and of course you and your aunt know her best and have an idea how this would affect Timber. I know my RB collie, Cody, would have worked out just fine doing something like this because he was a social butterfly and it made his day meeting and greeting people. I used to feel dismayed at how it seemed like he would easily and willingly trot off with some new person without really looking back , but it was just his personality. Like some people are very social and love all people, so did Cody, and it made him a wonderful therapy dog.

Willie, on the other hand, would have been torn to pieces in an arrangement like you describe. He was VERY attached to me and while he loved my mom and was good pals with his breeder who he saw off and on and stayed with when we had to travel, he wanted most to just be with me. So if she were like Willie in personality I'd definitely say one solid home would be best. My guess is, from how you have described her in the past, that she is more like Cody was though.

I think you personally would prefer to have her full time, but if you think she'll enjoy and do well this way and that everyone ends up better off overall, there's nothing wrong with it.

[wolfsoul]

Thanks for your replies and suggestions everyone!

Timber really isn't the type of dog that is easily confused by a change in her environment -- what really stressed her out was the change from having me with her 24/7, to barely getting to see me at all, due to my aunt moving, and then school and the bus schedule change. If the change does stress her out at all, I can cut out the weekends and just let her come over for a half day, like I would do on weekdays. I feel though, the if she is confused, it would be better than having her stuck at my aunt's all the time. When I had her she got 2-5 hours of running exersise everyday. Now they they have her, she gets two 10-20 min walks everyday. She has so much cooped up energy. She is tied up outside because they don't have a fenced yard, and she hates being inside unless I'm inside. I think that any confusion she would feel would be much better than the frustraion she is feeling right now.

[Suki Wingy]

My aunt and her close friens basically have their houses set up for two dogs because they watch eachother's dogs about every other day. They are a Border Collie and a Rodisian Ridgeback mix. They (the dogs) love it this way!

[lute]

i think co-owning as a pretty good idea. he'll get to be with BOTH families and be spoiled twice as much.

[Uabassoon]

Co-ownership has it's ups and downs. I did that with my dog Missy, I shared the ownership with my friends mom who at the time was my lanlord and I lived in her guesthouse. Missy would stay there, but I'd take her out every day and we'd go to the park or for long walks around the neighborhood. Last year Bev had to move away and I was heartbroken. She asked if I wanted to keep Missy but I had to think about what was best for her and i knew in the long run she'd be better of living with Bev. She said if I ever want her back I could take her but I could never do that. Bev is too attatched and she lives out in the country with 3 other dogs, so to bring her into a small apartment in the city just wouldn't be right.