I've been wrestling for a long time with the idea of placing my dog,Shyanne, into a new home.  Allergies to her dander, cost of upkeep, her loneliness while I'm gone a lot, hair dropped all over right after I vacumn, me not being able to lift her into the tub for a bath every few months until one of my sons come over...

I "rescued" her over 3 years ago.  Shyanne's a mixed Gordon Setter.  Very loyal, loving and protective.  But these dogs don't run to the door barking if someone invades our space.  I thought this breed were wusses.  Apparently they are so loyal, that they don't leave their owners side, for fear of trouble to the owners.  They'll stay by your side, barking off the "intruder" right next to you, so they can be there for you!

I finally placed an ad in our neighborhood newspaper last week.  It's like adopting a child out!  The screening process, should I or should I not, do I really want to, is this a good place for her??  I've gotten several calls already, and some - you just know when you talk to the person that it's NOT right.  So you make an excuse or lie. "I decided not to give her away". "Someone else took her".  Well, tonight I was on the phone for an hour with a man that lives in my area.  It feels right.  We exchanged dog handling beliefs.  I'll bring Shyanne over to his house this Monday, and we'll see.  Afterall, it's not our decision...it's Shyanne's.  And Trouble's!

Seems as if he has a dog around the same age (7).  Both females - spayed.  Doesn't indulge in table food.  Has a large fenced yard.  Likes to chase toys.  Still doesn't know to leave owner's food alone when left right on the coffee table!!  Trouble is also a "latchkey" dog.  Both are very well trained while moms & dads are gone at work for long periods of time.  But, both are lonely for companionship.  Both are well-mannered, but love a LOT.  Sometimes too much. They need company.

I'll take Shyanne over to meet Trouble.  If they get along, we'll give it a week to see if they really mean it.  Otherwise there's NO problem with me taking Shyanne back here.  Maybe instead, they'll both find that their days are finally filled with fun (hopefully not trouble, as her name suggests! )  And they can both be outside, free to roam inside a fence.  Free to chase squirrels in the orchard.  Free to run along the fence after people ("Won't you please stop and play with us?!".

Why is letting a child go, even if you know it's for the best, so hard?