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Post by Nicole on Feb 1, 2004 12:03:09 GMT -5
*sigh* Reign is legally my brothers dog. He paid for him and he is the legal owner. I lived with my brother (our parents are deceased) until last year when he got married and moved out. At the time he moved out he had a 4mo old GSD puppy and Reign. My brother is an occasional trainer. Anyway, to try to make a long story short, when he moved out he initially took both dogs. Both are his. But Reign was depressed at first so he agreed to leave him with me until my brother settled in and he trained the pup. Honestly, I never imagined he would want to take him back. He never said one word about it in the past year. So, recently he has been working with a dog and he learns that the owners don't want the dog. The wife is pregnant..they don't have the time etc.. He thinks it is a great dog. I assume this gives him the courage to tell me he wants Reign back and he wants me to meet this other dog and consider adopting him. This has all happened since yesterday. I am not even going to get into how I feel about all of this or I will lose it, or the arguments that I have been having with my brother. It is his dog, we had an agreement and there is nothing I can do about it. I just wanted to tell everyone so you don't wonder why I am not mentioning Reign anymore. About this other dog. I am really considering it because I just can't imagine living without a dog. Although I do not like my brother much right now AT ALL I do respect and trust his judgment when it comes to dogs. I am going to get a pic of the dog later by e-mail and then I will meet it. The dog is about 2 1/2, male, large, mix lab/shepherd and he thinks husky or malamute. He says he is healthy, extremely social, trained but needs work, no aggression issues that have surfaced and beautiful.
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Post by amyjo on Feb 1, 2004 12:11:15 GMT -5
Oh man Nicki - I don't know what to say ... I am sorry for your loss. I know how close you and Reign are.
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Post by Nicole on Feb 1, 2004 13:00:55 GMT -5
Thanks. I am actually feeling better. My brother and I have sort of made up. He pointed out that Reign is still "ours" and that I can see him whenever I want. My brother is only 45 minutes away. I am okay. It was just so shocking. What do you think about me adopting the dog? I am running a bit on impulse here.
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Post by sibemom on Feb 1, 2004 13:57:47 GMT -5
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Post by Boxerman on Feb 1, 2004 14:13:50 GMT -5
Damn, I don't know what to say except I am very sorry to hear that. I know how close of a bond you have with him, and hope it doesn't confuse Reign....how terrible. I couldn't imagine having to give up one of mine even though I had to rehome Lola, it's a pain that doesn;t go away for a long time.....Just know that I am available to chat anytime for you, and hope things between the dog and your brother get better. Please stay in touch and hang in there! XXXXOOOO, Jay, Roxie, and Cracker
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Post by amyjo on Feb 1, 2004 14:25:13 GMT -5
Nicki - I have a soft spot for Lab/shep crosses But here is what I think. Give yourself some time after Reign leaves and then go meet the dog - you'll know when you are ready. Once you meet the pooch - follow your gut. You will know what to do. I couldn't live without a dog either
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Post by Richard on Feb 1, 2004 15:08:41 GMT -5
Thanks. I am actually feeling better. My brother and I have sort of made up. He pointed out that Reign is still "ours" and that I can see him whenever I want. My brother is only 45 minutes away. I am okay. It was just so shocking. What do you think about me adopting the dog? I am running a bit on impulse here. Hey Nicki, This is a key point in the relationship you and your brother have with each other....something tells me though, deep down inside you, you knew this day could happen eventually. I guess an analogy is like how we parents are with our kids....we dont' really "own" them, we just have them with us for a bit while we give them the tools and skills necessary to survive in this big world....your situation is similar: you've given a lot to Reign and I'm sure he's a better dog than he could of been in any other place...be proud of that fact...now it is time for him to go back to his owner and you to look out for the next member of your home. As amyjo said, maybe take some time (obviously you're the best judge of that) and know you did good by Reign...and as far as the next four legged character that shows up at your front door...well let's just say that he'll be the luckiest dog around living with you and you getting the best you can out of him....and to me, that is the best kind of canine/human relationship you can have!! (and after being with Rocky for the last 3 years, I wouldn't want to be in a house without a dog either) -Richard
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Post by Nicole on Feb 1, 2004 15:32:03 GMT -5
Thank you so much guys. You have no idea how soothing your words are. Richard you hit the nail on the head. As much as I want to scream at my brother, the placement was never supposed to be permanent. I just convinced myself that it was. He loves the dog too. He left him with me in part because Reign was unsettled by the chaos of the move and because he thought I would be lonely because he was moving out. The important part is that he is still in my family. I will probably visit every day!! As for Petey, that's the new dogs name, I posted seperately about him. Brooke is going to help me post a pic I got by email. So keep a look out for it under Petey's thread and let me know what you all think. Thanks again
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Post by Willow on Feb 1, 2004 17:08:30 GMT -5
Hey, Nicki...chin up, gal. Wonderful posts from every one. Richard...you made me cry reliving about when we had to give up our two boys to the big old world out there and then to their own wives and children. It hurts and never completely goes away. We would love to keep them with us forever, and the same is true of our dogs, but I agree with all of you and any dog Nicki gets will have the most wonderful home!!!
You go girl. Maybe you will decide to get into some dog things, like agility or SAR or therapy work. I bet Petey would be great at it, and if not Petey...what ever dog you decide to adopt in the future.
The sky is the limit!
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Post by Laura on Feb 1, 2004 17:21:01 GMT -5
Nicki, I second Richard's post, but I still feel for you , Reign is still part of you and that will never change. But on the flip side, you'd be doing a wonderful thing taking in Petey, who obviously needs someone who will love him properly, and I can't think of a better person for the job than you .
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Post by Dobemom on Feb 2, 2004 19:47:39 GMT -5
I know you'll miss Reign but you may fall hopelessly for Petey. You'll know when you meet him if he's your new best friend. If not Petey, than maybe another pup out there is waiting for you.
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