CC - I have kind of been on this dog kick for awhile. Meaning I want a dog. Meaning for a long time I thought I wanted a corgi but today by some weird chance it changed, but we'll get to that. I've wanted a dog for awhile - especially since my recent breakup or whatever - for a running buddy, cuddle buddy, travel buddy, happy ball of "here love meeeee" fur and happy, y'know, all of the reasons a person gets a dog.

And like I said for a long time I wanted a corgi. I love them. They're happy wads of stumpy fur. And so I've been trying really hard to get in contact with breeders and see what I could do, but most of them don't respond to my emails or don't have pups available, or have pups available but don't really meet my criteria. So all of the signs were saying, "Stop hunting for a dog-friendly apartment you won't need one."

But today after running around online looking for corgi breeders I wound up on a site for Australian Shepherd breeders and out of sheer fate, I think, I clicked on their "Available dog" page and, well... I am pretty sure the only dog they have on that available dog page is the dog I've been looking for without realizing it.

Have you ever had one of those moments where you see something and think, "That was meant to be in my life."? That's what happened to me this afternoon. I saw the image of this dog and got chills the whole shebang.

The thing is.. is, well, 1.) I don't know if the dog is still available. I emailed the owner but I won't get a response back for awhile if at all (apparently my luck lately is to just not have people respond at all even with a "Sorry no!"). I am really anxious that the dog isn't available and I've fallen in love with him for nothing. 2.) My mom kind of worked me out. I mentioned the dog to her and she basically gave me all the reasons it's unwise to have a dog right now in my life. All of which were valid and all of which I had thought about but when she brought them up I began to doubt what I had been thinking: is it really time for me to get a dog right now? Am I able to handle that responsibility? I want the dog to be happy, but I'm in school and I might be moving to Wyoming next year for a couple of months to do an internship and I don't want to just leave the dog with someone.

I really don't know what to do. I am split in half about it. I really love the dog, I don't know why. I mean I connect with this dog on a spiritual and molecular level and it's just a picture. Like. Dog soul mate status. But at the same time would I REALLY be the best option for him?

Argh. CC tell me about a situation where you maybe wanted something you shouldn't have had. Or something. Or just lament with me. or tell me what I should do because jesus I really want this dog ;v;

i say start with a cat!(unless youre allergic to cats then dang girl) theyre awesome and can be great cuddlers! it obviously depends on their personality tho, considering my friends cat(who i recently moved in with) is very distant to people not my friend, and suspiciously watches you all of the time. however my dads cat is the most cuddly, fat little furbag in the world. hes the best and i love him.

cats

i guess i wanted a girlfriend for a long time??? i ended up in a relationship that i just got out of, because it was the worst. she was freaking insane uwu and after a lot of reflection, i realised that romance isnt something i need atm. friends, a steady job, and a stable environment is what i need atm

maybe more cats, idk the spca is having a free cat adoption day in november(kittens are $25!!!!!!!!!), so my friend and i might get another one ormaybetenbecausewelovecats

(my post might not make sense b/c its almost 5am and im v tired haha sorry!!)

I'd be careful, as you're still in education. Your circumstances are probably gonna change in the near future, and it might become difficult to keep a dog, especially if you end up working full time or something. Your mum might be concerned that she could potentially have to care for the dog if you go off and do your internship.

As for me, my boyfriend of several months has just decided to marry his sweetheart back in Poland, after taking a 2 week holiday there. Though I'm 99% certain he was serious about this chick the entire time, and just keeping me on the sidelines until plans could be made for them to be together permanently...

i wish you would adopt one from the pound and not a breeder :/

Sometimes you can really surprise yourself.

I wanted a cat, but was adamant on not getting one until I knew I was in the perfect position to take care of it. Then, surprise, one day I was gifted with the sweetest little kitten, who was abandoned, in rough shape, and desperately needed love and a good home. Before that moment I had my doubts; I wasn't sure if it was the "right" time for me to have a pet, but as soon as I had her... I stepped up. I wanted to be the best kitty-mama she could possibly have. (This was four years ago, now - and taking her in was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I love her to pieces, and can't imagine my life without her. =3)

From where I stand, it sounds like you're much the same as I was. You want a dog, but there are doubts lingering in the back of your head. A little secret? Those thoughts will always be there, because you are in charge of a life that depends heavily on you for survival. It's normal to be a little intimidated by that thought - but it's also what drives you to be and do all that you can for your little fur-baby. It's a huge responsibility, and if you weren't thinking about these things and just jumping in with both feet I'd say you weren't truly prepared.

In the end, it's your decision - and I trust that you'll make the one that's best for both you and your potential pup.

As far as waiting to hear back - that's unfortunately out of your hands. You've done what you can, and now you play the waiting game. I sincerely hope you get a response. =3

As for the secondary topic? I'm going to take a moment to be a bit of a downer.

In February I discovered I was pregnant. It wasn't planned, because I had previously been told I would likely never have children. I had spent the last decade coming to terms with the fact that I would likely never be a mother - and suddenly... I was? I was euphoric, and I knew in that moment I had never wanted anything more in my entire life. Just over three months later, I had a miscarriage. This was May, and I still struggle with it every day. My due-date was for (roughly) a month from now, and instead of preparing to welcome a new life, I feel hollow and alone... My fiance and I, although the previous pregnancy hadn't been planned, have been trying to get pregnant ever since. But, as the months go on, I lose a little bit more hope that it'll happen again...

It might be best to hold off on a dog right now. pets are great and they can really add a lot to someone's life but for the dog's sake I would wait until you are settled in somewhere. I know how you feel, though. I really want a shiba inu because they're perfect for my lifestyle but I'm still in school and there's no telling where I'll be when I graduate this year. I know that ONE DAY in the near future I'll have my own dog though, and that's enough for me. I know you're really settled on this dog but there will be more that you will love just as much even if you don't think so right now.

oh no that sounds like a terrible romcom :( At least it doesn't sound like it was too much of a shock? IDK I'd probably annihilate someone if they did that to me.

I suppose it does, haha. Nah, I'm not too disheartened... I kind of knew the only reason they weren't together in the first place was because they live in different countries. He just led me to believe they were not together at all, and was staying with me.

I'd like to add OP, even though you've got your heart set on this particular dog, I'm sure you'll feel the same way about another one in the future, if you don't get him. E.g. every time I look on pet adoption sites for 'fun' I find at least one animal I desperately want :P

My parents and I are in the same situation regarding dogs. We really want one, at least my mom and I really do, dad's on the fence yet. And we keep finding 'the perfect one' and then for whatever reason, we don't get the dog. We've been hurt so many times by taking a dog home and then having it not work out with my two cats and the housetraining that we're a little leery of taking another dog in. I don't know, at this point, if we're ever going to get a dog.

SO MAC IS GONE and I am really bummed. But the woman says she has a 5-week old blue merle female available and I asked to see some photos? I don't know. I am still really on the fence. I don't know what to do. I told her I didn't want to see photos and wasn't interested yesterday after she informed me that Mac was gone, but this morning while counseling in a camp I ran into a blue merle on the beach and, man, what a change of heart I had? I asked to see photos. I didn't say I would put a deposit down or anything, I don't know. I might take it as a sign to just either keep looking or wait for the right time because when it's right it's right (kind of how I felt about Mac).

-is allergic to cats- XD

Ouch :C And to your second post - yes. I hope so. I would be really really disheartened if it turned out that Mac being unavailable meant I would never find my "perfect" dog again. XD

I volunteer at shelters constantly, actually, and whereas I would usually agree with this I... really want a specific dog. And I have been looking at rescues more often than breeders, and shelters in the in between in my area, just in case I find the dog I want. The thing is I REALLY want to get into agility trials and in order to compete in agility trials you need to have an AKC registered dog :/ I understand the issues with breeders and purebreds, I do, but choosing a dog that's right for me is my choice - whether it turns out in the end to be from a shelter, rescue, or breeder.

Oh babe I'm so sorry ❤ the same thing happened to a friend of mine awhile back, but in the end she wound up having a baby boy just by chance a few years later. I really hope it works out for you two ❤ ❤ ❤ I can only imagine how absolutely devastating that would be :C

My only concern would be that aren't Shepherds a VERY active breed of dog? You mentioned looking for a dog friendly apartment, and thankfully they aren't huge dogs, but if they are that active will you have time and energy to make sure it got the proper exercise and training so it won't end up destroying your home out of boredom?

Yes. If I wind up getting an active breed dog the dog will definitely be active. I run, I travel, hike, etc. Not to mention the house that I am potentially staying at (if I can't find a better one that works better) has other dogs and a large number of people (: PLUS I am really interested in starting agility training and competing, which is one reason I really want an Aussie. Plus I am trained (as in a year and a half of it) in "Clicker training" because I volunteered at a shelter not too long ago for ages rehabilitating shelter dogs. Plus, once I'm done studying I'm going to be going back to my family farm/ranch where we have cattle and lots of land :P For me it's just a matter of responsibility and time - like... would I be able to really make the dog happy? I feel like yes, but I feel also, "How long?"