What is best for the dogs??

[Catty1]

This is hard...trying to think of what's best for the dogs, and then best for Granpa.

Granpa loves the dogs. What do the dogs think of him? And is he well enough to take care of them?

Likely he has friends that visit, so they might help out.

[Toby's my baby]

We will be living WAY out in the country, on 40 acres. The land is all desert, no trees or anything, a few little mountains, but all sand. The yard will not be fenced, so they would have free range, but I dont want them to be outside on there own and get bit by a snake or give chase to a rabbit and not know where they are when the stop, and nobody is home...

My mom, sister, and I will be at school and work, and my dad will be home most of the time, but he is gone a week out of every month to come back to Minnesota.

My grandpa is staying on the farm in his trailer house, and we are going to rent the house out. So there will be another couple living in our house, but my grandpa isn't leaving, the dogs will be in the exact same place.

My grandpa will not have any other pets, but I was HOPING that if it came down to us bringing the dogs, we could adopt an elderly dog from the HS for him, but I'm not sure he would go for that as he doesn't like a lot of change.

He is very very well and does everythign on his own, so he is well enough to take care of the dogs. He loves the dogs like they were his own, and they adore him. He has treats in his shop and water for them, and Autumn sleeps on his deck at night instead of across the yard on ours. So they love him too.

[bckrazy]

hmm... well, I know if it was me, I would never be able to leave my boys behind anywhere. But it is a complicated situation.

Just consider all of the possibilities. Would people renting the house appreciate the dogs roaming? What if they have dogs? Your girls are young now, will your Grandpa still live there and be healthy enough to take care of them in 10 years? What if one of your girls was hit by a car? It just doesn't sound safe.

In my experience, it is not hard for "outside" dogs to adjust to living indoors. Gonzo was an "outside" dog from birth in his former home... and he LOVES being an inside dog, now. It's just a matter of adjusting them slowly, giving them plenty of outside exercise, and teaching them inside manners.

[k9krazee]

I know if it were me there would be no way I could leave my dogs behind, but I do understand your dilemma.

You're afraid of the changes they might have to endure moving? The dogs will adjust just like the rest of you will. They'll adjust to no grass or trees, and get used to being in the house. I also thought about the same thing as Erika, would the renters mind free-roaming dogs? My vote goes for taking them with you...but I'd support you either way.

[ratdogg]

This is hard...trying to think of what's best for the dogs, and then best for Granpa.

Granpa loves the dogs. What do the dogs think of him? And is he well enough to take care of them?

Likely he has friends that visit, so they might help out.

I can't properly explain my reasons, but I would go with what Catty1 said. Its a decision you have to arrive at yourself, but I would think of whats best for your dogs and your grandpa and yourself. I'm sorry you have to make such a difficult and painful decision.

[kallisto4529]

I totally understand why you are having a dilema on this, but trust me, dogs adjust very well, mine when they were alive moved from florida to oregon, back to florida in a two year time frame, as long as they are with the humans that love them and care for them and keep them safe they can adjust to anything. But you have to be patient and work with them and teach them its fun and its ok to be inside. I vote for them going with you, I know your Grandpa will miss them, but if he really wants a pet, he can get a dog of his own right??