Should I keep or return my dog to the shelter?

Question

My husband used to work from home but is now working a regular office job. We wanted to find a companion for our dog Maggie so she wouldn't be lonely. We adopted Pookie two weeks ago but I'm not sure if it's a good fit. Both are rescue shelter dogs. I feel the shelter where we got Pookie misled us a bit. Maggie is about 2 yrs old, 15 lbs and very high energy. Pookie is supposed to be about 15 lbs but actually weighs 21 lbs. supposed to be 2 yrs old, actually 4 yrs old. She is very low energy and can't keep up on walks with Maggie so now we have to walk them separately. They are opposites and even sit on opposite sides of the room. Maggie loves car rides. Pookie vomits every time she gets in the car. Our family likes to go on RV trips.

My heart is torn. I like Pookie but she's just not a match for Maggie. Should I return her to the shelter where they can find Pookie a less active family and try to find a better match for Maggie?

Pookie just doesn't seem happy in our home. If we do decide to send Pookie back, we would foster her until she gets a new home. The shelter has a no kill policy so we know she will not be euthanized. The lady told us she received 20+ applications for Pookie after we adopted her so perhaps there's a better family out there for her. It's really difficult to have one dog that wants to run 3 miles and another dog that quits after a block. We have to put Pookie back in the house while we finish Maggie's walk. I don't want to leave her out but I also don't want her to have a heart attack.

Answer 1

I WOULD DISSCUSS THE MATTER WITH YOU DOG SHELTER; I WOULD PERSONALY RETURN HIM AS IT SOUNDS LIKE HE DOES NOT 'FIT IN' WITH OUR LIFESTYLE ECT.

Answer 2

It's a very hard decision. You are doing the right thing by adopting a shelter animal, and I'm surprised the Shelter misled you so badly. They are supposed to work very hard in the best interests of each animal to find the right home.

From the sound of what you say, you know in your heart that Pookie is not the right fit for Maggie or your family life. And as hard as it is to do, I think you should return Pookie, and try and find another dog who will fit in better. If another dog is supposed to be company for Maggie and you are having to walk them separately, then it is just not working. You will find the right dog, and I am sure Pookie will find the right family.

If you can, speak almost sternly to the Shelter. They let you down and put you in this terrible position.

Answer 3

Don't. At least not at this point. Sometimes it can take a dog a while to feel comfortable and safe. When getting a dog from a shelter there is an assumed transition period for the animal. Pookie may need to take a medication from the vet to prevent car sickness (it's not expensive and it really works) She is now a part of the family and you really have to stick it out for her sake. Given time and love and more research on your part... this pet will find her little voice in the family and fit right in. The more you walk the better she'll get. Who knows how long she's been made to sit in a small space and not get any activity. I know that if I haven't worked out in a while, I'm MIGHTY sluggish at the gym for a bit. The issues you're having are more of an inconvenience type, not really safety, so on that I'm going to have to say that you made a commitment to this dog and she's a family member now so please for her, stick it out like you promised when you adopted her. I know you're frustrated, but it will get better with time.

Answer 4

You do need to talk with the shelter that you adopted Pookie from. I don't think that they intentionally misled you since it's very hard to tell what a dog will be like when it's out of a shelter. They will probably agree that your home isn't right for Pookie and will find her a more appropriate living situation. They should also help you find another dog. Good luck!

Answer 5

Well, excuse the heck out of Pookie for being homeless in the first place (likely due to irresponsible pet ownership the first time around) and burdening you with her problems. I think you committed to the animal and you should honor your commitment to care for her. I'm sure she's fine company for Maggie, it sounds like she doesn't fit your human requirements though. A responsible shelter will take the animal back and you'll be out the adoption fees. A responsible shelter will NOT let you trade your animal for another animal. They're not disposable or exchangeable... Besides anyone that knows anything about shelter animals will tell you it typically takes 2-6 months to see the dogs true personality...

Answer 6

no, keep her. it is always best to have a less energetic dog around a more active dog, to teach your pet how to settle down and become wiser. You love pookie and you should never let anything get in the way of that love. If you take her back to the shelter you are making a terrible risk that could make pookie's life end very short, because the shelter will probably put her down, nad you would feel depressed and terrible because you miss her and/or from the loss of her because of her death. You do not want to be rsponsible for her death do you? So i say keep her.

Answer 7

A shelter is responsible for having as much information as possible to help make an ideal match between an animal & it's prospective owners. If information given to you was not completely accurate, & you used that information to make an adoption choice which is not fitting well with your family, then you would be fully within your rights to ask the shelter to take the dog back.

After two weeks, the dog has had ample time to demonstrate its energy level (this is different from its personality, which sometimes requires more time & bonding, but is not going to result in a dog all of a sudden being able to take a 1/2 hour walk without collapsing)

You mention that the shelter had a lot of interest in this particular dog. Since the time has been short since she was adopted, chances are the shelter can take her back & place her quickly in a good home, & more appropriately with the information you will be able to provide having incorporated her into your household for the last 2 weeks.

Once the dog has been taken back, make sure you are more thorough in your search. You should be able to spend time with the dog, & perhaps even bring your permanent pooch to have a 'meet & sniff'.

If the shelter will not take her back, I think it would be in the best interest of your household to find an alternative home for her, either through another local shelter, or on your own (you can screen possible families & are allowed the final say in who can take her). Try listing in the 'pets' section on www.craigslist.org for your city/area. You are allowed to ask for an adoption fee of up to $200 (not only to cover any costs incurred to you, but to ensure that the person taking the dog is not looking to get a 'freebie' that they will be unable to care for later)

This statement is based on your assessment that she is not providing the companionship your other dog needs while you are gone at work, & that she is not providing the cohesiveness you are seeking for your 'family' to be able to participate in all activities. It sounds like you would need to either kennel her during RV vacations, or forgoe them alltogether.

Answer 8

It sounds like you gave it a fair try. Under the circumstances, it would not be fair to Maggie for you to keep Pookie. Bring her back and give her a chance at happiness with a family better suited to her low-energy personality. Maybe while you're there, you'll find another dog that is more energetic and a better fit for your family.

Answer 9

That all depends on whether you have grown close to Pookie, and if Pookie does not like RV trips, will some one be able to care for her when you are gone? I think you should try to make it work if that is something you are willing to spend your time and energy doing, but the main question would be, does Pookie like it there? Do you get along with her good?

Answer 10

If you are going to return her do it sooner rather than later and be fully honest as to why - tell the manager you beleive you were misled somewhat on Pookies behavior and that Maggie is just too active for her.. hopefully they will agree and understand, and allow you to adopt a different dog (some shelters wont allow this some will- so talk to the manager and do it soon rather than later)

Answer 11

Well, you could return her to the shelter. You could also work to find another home for her that's more suitable. It sounds to me as if she might be a good friend for an elderly person, or perhaps someone who has a confined lifestyle. My guess is that your local Visiting Nurse's Association office would have info on folks who could use a new friend.

This might be an option that leaves you with a little less guilt than bringing her back to the shelter.

It sounds as if she's not a good match for your house. I suspect everyone, including Pookie, would be happier if she lived somewhere else.

Thanks for being such a conscientious pet owner! Good luck!