I am a terrible person

NavyBlue143

Yesterday I adopted a shelter dog. As some of you may remember, I lost my dog to cancer a few weeks ago. On a whim, we went to a shelter. I picked a dog, a deaf 9 month old puppy. We got home and I immediately regretted my decision. It was far too soon. I'm not ready. There's nothing wrong with her, aside from being a bit more difficult because she's deaf. She's sweet and affectionate, if bouncy. But I resent her. She isn't the dog I lost, I got her for the wrong reasons. I don't know if I can live with myself if we take her back, since it's a kill shelter, and there is a chance she may not get adopted again. But I don't want her to live with a resentful mom either. She deserves love. I care what happens to her, since she is an innocent in all of this. What do I do?

HaileyDancingbear

I think you should give it some time, you might just be feeling this way because it's a new situation, and having a new dog is bringing up some bad feelings, but I think they'll fade as you get used to the new dog, and she may grow on you.  If  time passes and you still feel this way, I would suggest you do some searching on your own to put her right into a new home- I agree that the dog should not go back to the same shelter.

pittiemama14

Give it a few more days and see how you feel then, and if you still can't handle it, see if there is a private, no kill, rescue group that will take her. I'm really sorry that you are going through this, and I know it's hard, but give her a chance. She may be good for you in the long run.

AshleyNicole1218

My heart goes out to you. Maybe it was too early, but like PP's, please give it a few days, if not a few weeks. It takes quite a while to get into a new routine and rythem...for both you and the dog.

There is something special about each and every single dog. No pup is ever going to take the place of yours. But I'm sure there is room in your heart for this new little one. And if it just doesn't work out, please find a no-kill shelter for her to have a new chance. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your furbaby. Xo

NavyBlue143

You are all right, especially @HaileyDancingbear.

Having another dog here who isn't my Rocky is bringing back just how much I miss him. It's not the new pup herself. I love all furry critters (except ferrets for some reason) so of course she will grow on me. There's a chance she may bond with H better than me, but that's a chance with any new dog. I talked to H, and he and I both agreed no way is she going back to the shelter. I will give her some time, and if it just isn't working, we'll try and find her a home where she can be loved fully. But chances are she'll win me over. She is sweet, and we can already tell she'll be a derp. Either way, she deserves a chance at life, and taking her back won't really give her one. H feels bad he didn't try to convince me to wait, I feel bad I didn't wait. But the pup doesn't need to be punished for my impetuousness.

KPBM89

I agree to give it some time.  My friend once found a kind of old, blind dog along the road and took it in.  She tried to find its owner and couldn't, and also felt bad because she had to give her own dog away a couple years before when she had moved back in with her mom (she now lives with her FI).  The dog frustrated her a lot at first because he is blind and she felt bad taking in a new dog when she still loved her old dog so much, but she knew she couldn't take it to a shelter.  He still has his frustrating moments, as any pet does, but she has grown to love him so much.  He's basically now her best friend and she has even now adopted a second dog of the same breed.  

MairePoppy

NavyBlue143 My condolences on the loss of your dog. It's never easy to lose a devoted companion. 

My experience - I lost my dear basset hound, Lucy, last May. She passed away at 2 1/2 years from lymphoma. We tried chemo, to no avail. It was heart wrenching to realize she was suffering and no longer enjoying life We had to make that decision that we all dread, so early in her life.  My husband needed another basset hound, my rescue (picked out by Lucy) needed a canine companion. I wasn't ready and felt that a new puppy was being forced on me. But I acquiesced. I never thought I would grow to love this adorable puppy as much as I do, now. She's six months old and she's MY baby. She's not a replacement for Lucy. I still miss her every day, but Luna has made my life better. We all adore her. 

Give yourself and the puppy a chance. A month from now, you may find joy in the antics of your puppy. What do you have to lose? I have a feeling that it's going to work out. And thank you for not returning her to the kill shelter.