Some advice or just some reassurance needed please

[bonnie mae]

Hey! I am 15 years old. This week my grade was given the chance to work as volunteers at a workplace of our choice for work experience. I decided to work at a veterinary clinic as I want to become a vet when I leave school. The first three days were fine. On the fourth day a dog was bought in for boarding. He is a miniature poodle and is gorgeous. I have always wanted a poodle but didn’t think about him because he was boarding and would be returning home at the end of the week. His name is Spyda and he is only 10 months old. I think he is great and really made sure he was happy. I did not favour him over the other dogs at all however. I would walk the other dogs first, then him. Give the other dogs treats, give him a treat. I don’t want to brag at all but he really liked me. If I was in the room he would whimper continually and jump up and down to get my attention. He is friendly to everyone however I could not help but notice he was always more excited when he saw me. I told my mum that if a dog like Spyda was ever available I would buy him for personality alone. I went to work experience today (Friday) for the last time. I overheard the head nurse talking to the vet about Spyda saying that his owner wanted to find a new home for him. I was so excited and started grinning. Then I remembered that my cat had died less than a month ago and it would not be right to replace him so soon. I was trying to talk myself out of wanting Spyda but it was hard when he wanted my attention constantly. Within two hours an elderly couple had come to look at Spyda. I was pretty upset when I heard why they were there and I left the room. I busied myself with filing some patient records and was rather alarmed when I came across my cats. I began to read it when Spyda jumped into my lap. I looked over my shoulder to see the elderly couple looking surprised. I picked Spyda up and took him back to them before returning to the next room. Once again he jumped back onto my lap. The last thing I wanted was to be in the same room as the couple who were looking at Spyda but it was obvious I was going to have to stay with them while they looked at him. I nursed Spyda and it was the first time I realised how much he meant to me. To make it worse the gentleman said “Boy, he really is attached to you”. When he made that comment I realised that I was attached to Spyda too. I smiled and then the gentleman added “It looks like your attached to him too”. I just continued to smile feeling really jealous. The couple have decided to take Spyda if Spyda’s owner approves when she returns from her holiday. And now.....I want Spyda. But I know I cannot have him. I live in a family of five, each of my brothers have a dog. So we already have two dogs. We also have two cats. One of them we inherited from my grandfather and the other I found under a school building and I brought him home. I had three pets altogether. I had a guineapig named Snoopy, a mouse named BJ and my cat Marty. It hurts so much and I am crying as I write it but all three of my pets. ALL THREE OF THEM! Passed away within 13months of each other. What did I do wrong? Snoopy first, he was 6. Then BJ, he was 4. And Marty not even a month ago, he was 14. I’ve had him my whole life. I’m pretty devastated and I cannot believe that I let Spyda capture my heart so easily. I don’t know what to do. I know it sounds really stuck up but I hope that Spyda does not remember me and I hope he will be happy with the elderly couple. I would like to own him but the elderly couple want him and I don’t want them to be disappointed like I am. He is a beautiful dog. I work and could pay for his vet bills and everything. But I’m too scared to ask my parents if I can have him because I know deep down that the answer will be no. Why have I had continued bad luck by losing all three of my pets? Two of them just happened to be my best friends. Having this elderly couple interested in Spyda feels almost like another death to me and I have only known him for two days. I guess I just want some reassurance or some nice words now because since Marty has died I have no-one at all to talk to. I can’t talk to my family because I will cry and they will just say that I cannot have him and I don’t really have any friends who would care. I stopped talking to my friends when I told them Snoopy died and they just laughed at me. They were so nasty about it so I don’t talk to people if I can avoid it. Please give me some advice. I probably won’t be online until this time tomorrow. Should I try to get Spyda or let the elderly couple have him? Thankyou to anyone who reads this and responds I know it is long and a really silly matter to be crying about. Please everyone I'm not thinking properly at the moment and I can't stop crying and mum is asking me if I am sick or tired.

[S t e p h]

Try And Get Him, Goodluck!

[bonnie mae]

Thankyou. But I don't know how to ask my parents. Will the elderly couple be mad with me? how do I ask my parents? The cople didnt even seem that interested they just said they would contact the owner and when asked if theyd like to come back and visit him this week they said no-we will just contact the owner. I feel like a little girl who wants a lollipop and her mother says no!

[1993Kat1993]

Write your parents a letter. That is what I did when I saw Skip at the shelter and wanted him.. At first I actually saw him on the shelter web site, he had been there for months.. And I knew he had to be mine. The letter worked though. Dad brought him here as a foster, and after 4 months of fostering the shelter said we needed to adopt him or bring him back so he became ours! I know you said you have a job but one of the most important things is making sure you have enough money to give 3 dogs and 2 cats a good diet (that would mean dog food that has meat as the first ingredient.. And no corn or soy in it).

-~Ketlin

[ScarlettDesire2]

I would take him if I were you. I think you should at least try to get permission from your parents. If not you may ask yourself "what if I had asked?" And if they say no, you know you tried and you will at least have the comfort of knowing he's going to good owners. Good luck with everything. :)

[MokeyBird]

Darlin' you seem to have a great love for your pets. Four years for a mouse is GREAT! In a lot of places where you read, two is an average age. And I'm not sure about the GP, but do doubt that is a ripe age too.

You need to be very mature about it. Writing a letter works very well. You need to present the information that you are a good pet-keeper and will care for it. Make it clear that you are emotionally ready to bring another into your life.

There is no set amount of time of mourning of passed pets. It is what feels right. It took me over six months to ready myself for a new dog after my dear Sugar passed away. Basil is by no means a "replacement" for her. He is just a way of moving on. Mom knew it was time because of how I went about it. It has been three years, so I don't know how I went about it, but I don't remember much resistance from her or any others in my family.

*hugs* I wish you luck. It is all up to you whether you think it is time or not. And think about the elderly couple in your favor. Is he a high energy/excitable dog? Those type are not often the best dogs for the elderly. You are young. Need a dog that can keep up with you. And this boy sure does seem willing. Hah, I think I got Basil when I was 17. Close to you.

And if you have to pass up this good boy, believe me, there will be many more who will come into your life that need you and connect with you just as much. Just keep your eyes and your heart open, and they will find you.

[VelvetFuzzbutt]

hon, don't be down on yourself! all your pets lived good, and long lives!

I say try your best to get him! If I was rehoming a dog i'd want someone passionate for him, and young enough to keep up with a puppy! I would try and explain to your parents how attached you both are, and how nice it would be to have someone to bond with and spill on when you are upset. Try and explain marty was always there for you, and you miss that. We adopted our Lab, buster, in honnor of a dog we had to put to sleep- I think less than a week later. The elderly couple might be a little upset, but if they saw how loving he was towars you i'm sure they would be happy he went to a good home. I would try and get him.

I love having my teencie, I can hug her and tell her anything. I miss having my dog who was like that, he was put down last fall at 10. :(

[bonnie mae]

Thankyou everyone! WOW! I cannot believe not one of you told me to let the elderly couple have him. He is a beautiful dog. You all had very heart warming comments. Thankyou. Well I spoke to mum and she said yes but only if the couple changed their minds about him. I know they are ringing Spyda's owner on Monday so I will be at school :( So I guess they will get him. They didn't seem that kene on him though but they definately said theyd take him. I think I'll call the vet on Monday morning before school and ask them to contact the owner for me if the couple do change their minds. Should I offer to pay for him? Thankyou everyone. I'll be back on tommorrow sometime. THANKYOU! :)

[bonnie mae]

Hey I was just researching poodles and I found this on minature poodles

Ideal owner

"The two smaller varieties are popular indoor dogs with the added benefit of having a non-shedding coat, an advantage for some, though not all, allergy suffers. The coat doesn't really have a particularly strong doggy odour either. The Poodle's habit of bonding closely with their owner really does suit them to single owners and the elderly, as long as the owner is prepared and able to maintain the dog's coat. And remember this can be a long lived breed, which requires regular, daily exercise, so consider what your lifestyle may entail in 10 to 15 years time. Will a poodle still be practical then?"

Maybe he is more suitable for the couple then.

[bonnie mae]

One more thing I found

Desexed males are perhaps best suited to families with children. Females are most prone to a single attachment to one member of the family, allowing possible undesirable behaviour towards other family members, especially kids. A desexed male will not necessarily attach himself solely to one member of the family, however the one golden rule to remember is that over-pampering will still spoil any dog. So treat your poodle right and you'll have an adoring, intelligent and stable companion for many years to come.


he is a male, his 10months. I don't know if he is desexed though. Now Im confused? is he siutable for a family with animals or not really?

[bonnie mae]

I really want Spyda but I don't know. I still feel guilty towards the couple. I'll let them have him and if they change their mind then I will offer to take him. Any advice? Thankyou everyone. You have all been great! :)

[MokeyBird]

I think that is a good plan. You seem to be going about this very well. There is nothing better than an unselfish teenager. Mwah! Good girl.

And ask the vet office to mention that to the couple. Have them tell the couple that if something comes up or if it doesn't work out, that he will have a home with that little girl he likes at the office.

Have you asked your parents yet? If not, I say leave your options open. Ask your parents if you can start looking for a dog of your own, so that if they say yes to this dog, they can't say no to another if you can't get this one. KnowwhatImean?

[bonnie mae]

Thankyou MokeyBird! And thankyou everyone else. I have asked mum and she has said yes. She has offered to pay $600 for him too instead of a birthday present. I couldn't believe it when she said $600! I'll tell the vets Im happy to pay for him. But is it a good idea to say how much or let the owner suggest a price? Oh well. I will ring in the morning and hope for the best! lol! I will let you all know what happens when I hear news! Thankyou once again! :)

[VelvetFuzzbutt]

I would definetly not mention the price. Maybe say you would be more than happy to pay an adoption fee, but I wouldn't offer any amount of money. hold your cards up so they can't see. :P lol you may wind up with no fee, or a small one and have the rest of the $600 for toys, treats, beds, and vet stuff. if he isn't neutered then you'll be paying for that too. :)

[S t e p h]

Goodluck!:D

[MokeyBird]

OH yeah. Don't mention how much you are willing to spend. Find out how much they want first. I would gladly take six hundred for a dog that I only wanted fifty for, for example. I might feel a bit guilty for a while, but I would eventually think that if they have that much to spend, they must have more. KnowwhatImean?

People, even the most openly kind people often have a nasty little habit of being swindlers.

Oh yeah...and keep us updated, of course!

[bonnie mae]

Hey! Thankyou everyone so much! Well I rang the vets and the head nurse was there. She had no idea about Spyda having that couple come to look at him on Friday as it was her day off so I explained a couple had come to look at him. But otherwise no-one else has expressed any interest as of yet. She said that she would tell the vet and find out what was happening with the couple and Spyda. I will ring back in 2 days i suppose for an update. I told the vet I was happy to apy for him but I did not give a price. She said the dog was going for free. So I have my fingers crossed now. So I guess I'll see if the couple takes him! Thankyou for helping me everyone ebcause I probably would not have tried. THANKYOU! :D now I just have to wait and see! cya! Will come on in 2 days when I've spoken to the vet! buh-bye! :)

[ScarlettDesire2]

I'm so glad for you :hyper: Let us know what happens.
**Wishing you good luck** :hug:

[bonnie mae]

Bad news! The couple have taken him. I found out on Tuesday. I’m pretty upset. Will be on later as I’m at school. Maybe 2 days. Cya. Thankyou everyone! I'm at school so I have to go. Will be back in a couple of days! cya

[bonnie mae]

I cannot believe they took him :(

[MokeyBird]

*hugs* it is alright, hon. I'm sorry.

[bonnie mae]

Thankyou to everyone who helped! I appreciate it :)
I am pretty upset but there will be others. Thankyou everyone

[MokeyBird]

A good, but sadly sometimes depressing, passtime is browsing through www.petfinder.com . You can get an idea of what is available in your area, though nothing beats going and seeing for yourself at the shelter. More often than not, they don't list all the dogs they have. And going there you can see who will click with you.

Don't forget a good dog, no matter how brief you knew him.