How Should I Handle This Situation With My Sister About Our Dogs?

Question

Okay so my sister recently moved to Florida in the summer leaving behind her dog; a German Shepard / Collie Mix named Todd, with our family and my dog Mimi a Pug/? mix. (im 15 shes 17) We've had Todd for i believe 8 years and Mimi for 7, we got them both when they were around 3 or 4 months and they have always lived at the smae place that I am still at in Connecticut.


My dilema is that recently my sister told me that when she comes next month she wants to take her dog with her but she feels that he would get to homesick if he were to go by himself. SoOoOo she asked if she could take my dog. I of course Bluntly told her no F***'in way. And now i feel bad. i want her to be happy because she's so far away but at the same time i dont want to give up my dog.... let alone hers...

What should I do??

Answer 1

I think you need to give her Todd and keep Mimi. Will your parents let you get another dog? Dogs are pack animals and I've always had 2 at least. Of course, you are the pack leader, so Todd's absence doesn't mean the "pack" ceases to exist. I just think Mimi would be happy with another dog to play with and it is good exercize for Mimi. There are a lot of unwanted pets that are very good dogs who need a home. I'm sure you understand your sister misses her dog, too. I have a Corgi and an "American dog of unknown ethnic origin." Mimi will probably become the dominant dog if you bring a puppy into the home. If you bring a full grown dog into the home, they will sort out their roles in the pack. I affectionately refer to my dogs as "the freeloaders."

Answer 2

Maybe you can look at it as an occasional vacation for Todd and Mimi. They can see a different world and have an adventure, and yes, they will miss you and you will miss them. You and your sister could work out joint custody of both dogs (since you've grown attached to Todd at this point) and she can take them for a month or 2 at first and you can take them back after that. The important thing is to make sure they don't get the extremes of each season. It would be best to have Summers in Connecticut and Winters in Florida, as I could imagine Connecticut is very cold in winter and Florida is very hot in summer, and you must take care of Mimi especially because of her smaller size!

It would be a great reason to visit your sister, to get back your dogs, and having them away could make seeing them after a while a very special event. You know, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and with the distance, maybe you will grow to love them even more! Then your sister and you will both have stories to tell each other about the various activities that Mimi and Todd have gotten themselves into, and it could be a better way for not only you and the dogs to bond, but for you and your sister, too.

Animals are very important in my family, they are considered PART of our family, in fact! ;) so I understand just the possibility of being away from them would be a shock, but this involves family trust, and I am sure, after a while of thinking about the possible great benefit it would have on both them and your sibling's relationship, you will make the decision that could lead to the greatest good.

Take care!! And tell us what you decide in the end!

Answer 3

Yes, some dogs do get pretty upset when you take away their pack members, but they do adjust. What if you try a compromise and have a trial period of a couple months where the dogs are separated? If they are acting terribly depressed, maybe you can work something else out. Or, if it's possible (you & your sister are pretty far away) what about bringing the dogs to play during visits home? If you are able to take really good care of your dog and there's no other reason than loneliness, I would say no & keep your dog.

Answer 4

hmm kind of difficult. i think it would make it easier for your sister to have company since she's far from home but then again it probably won't take her long to get acclimated (once she has friends there etc.)

then on the other hand, these 2 dogs have been together for their entire lives and are probably therefore very fond of each other, i don't think they should be seperated, because dogs can't say to themsleves "i can visit my friend/sister soon, she's fine, and i can make other friends here...."

so that being said, it mostly depends on whether or not the dogs are more attached to the people (you and your sister) or to each other. if the dogs are attached to you and your sister respectively, then you can seperate them and they'll get over it, shouldn't be a tragedy. if not, you should find a way to work things out and keep the dogs together (has one of you considered getting a new dog?) and last but not least, why not try having your sister's dog with her and your dog with you, if it doesn't work (the dogs are so sad it makes them sick or something like that) you can always find a new solution!

Answer 5

Couple of things come to mind first....why did she move to Florida? Does she have time for both dogs? One dog? And can she afford to care for both dogs? one dog?

Once those questions are answered, there is more to consider for the dogs sake. For instance, the dogs are older, and the climate in Florida is very different than the climate in Connecticut. I would worry about their health, and their change in environment.

She might want to try it a while first with the one dog. If Todd does well, then the question arises later about Mimi. Either way, they will be sad to separate, but could be sadder later in the wrong environment.

I think I would try to talk calmly with your sister and your family about what her plans are for the dogs, what she can afford, and the impact on the animals to move them first.

Answer 6

okay i am going to type it , your sister put you on the spot for no good reason. wanting to take your dog so hers would feel happy is not right to your dog or you. if she invites you and your dog to stay for a visit fine. but to just take the dog is a joke.
you don't say what your family's thoughts are on this. at 17 moving to Florida from Connecticut sounds like school, i may be wrong but can she watch more than one pet.
as for the words, your family just let each other get over it.

Answer 7

I don't think you should give up your dog at all. There's no way I would give up my dog to anyone!! Even family!

but theres no reason she can't get another dog for Todd to play with at her new place.

& you should get a 2nd dog for Mimi to play with once Todd is gone.

Take her to the shelter & let her play with some dogs there, she could find someone new to be her pal.

Good luck!!

Answer 8

I don't think you should feel obligated to give up the pet you love. I can understand why she wants her pet, probably she feels a little homesick, and her pet is something she loves from home. But the chances are her pet may not adjust well, she should consider getting another pet whether she takes hers or not. If her dog goes it might adjust better with a new friend, and if she doesn't take it, it would give her something to love. I have a pug, I understand why you wouldn't want it to go, they are so darn lovable.

Answer 9

Your dog should stay with you and your sister needs to talk to the adult of the household about the other dog going anywhere. How is a 17 year old affording to live in Fl and keep a dog?

Answer 10

Well your sister can try taking only Todd with her to see if he can get accustomed to being away from his home. Otherwise, if he really can't (it might be hard since he's an older dog too) maybe she should consider getting a new dog? You shouldn't have to have your dog taken away.