The inevitable has happened. After a couple of carefree months walking dogs at a local rescue with no strings, no morning-after-the night-before guilt (just betrayed looks from my two after a quick sniff 'Have you been with other dogs??') and now this.  Falling for the most unsuitable dog there (no, not Bonzo; he's still out of bounds). 

Had finally persuade OH that we could manage another dog as long as it fit our specific requirements i.e.quiet, calm, preferably non-shedding, small, submissive, oldie preferred. (OH said he'd cracked it last week and brought home a small JRT; it cost £1.99 from Oxfam and Miss Thing is probably ragging it around the house as I type - laugh? I thought I'd never start.)

Anyway the object of my adoration is a big, lively, hair factory of a four year old Dalmation/Greyhound dog. Often on the 'naughty list' for being a handful but we just love walking together. This Saturday our eyes met...and now I sit here typing this out, not expecting a response but wondering how I can possible have this dog given our other two but also how I can just leave him in rescue where there's been no interest in him for ten months... answers on a postcard please to: Are You Out of Your Mind?, Birmingham.

Thanks for listening.

Dear Out Of Your Mind, Brum

I very much feel for you, having been in this position with one or two horses in my time. Hence I now have 7, with 2 in foal.

I suggest you go with your instincts and go get your boy. You will manage and he clearly needs you.

What are you waiting for?

Yours, Bad Influence, Stafford.

LOL! :D :D

Can you tire him out so he appears quiet and well behaved until you've got your OH hooked?? :-D

oh dear. thats why I couldnt do the walking thing I'd end up with them all at home with me!! I hope you get to have him. good luck

It was bound to happen!  You'd have to have a heart of steal, or a very good head on your shoulders. :-D  I would have a house and garden full which is why I could never work in such a place, and prefer to just send money instead to those of you more level headed. ;-)

Oh, what do, are you sure you really want him, if so you need to get hubby on side, take him to see his sad face in the kennels and tell him his life story, perhaps you can soften him up.  But............... what if there is another one the same 6 months from now, you're going to have to learn to say no.

Let us know what you do. :-D

While I lived with my friend she use to foster dogs at our house she asked if I minded and I said no as long as they got on with my dog and cat but everytime we got ready to say goodbye I would ask if we could keep it and she would say yes but that we couldn't foster again so one dog would get a good home but others would miss out on somewhere safe to stay while they recoved I could see the sense in this and we never kept any although I secretly cried for several If you offer this dog a home I would consider giving up walking them as there will always be another along with an even sadder story.  As for your oh if he is anything like mine if you have your heart stuck on this dog I am sure he will soon realise he is fighting a loosing battle that is why we marry them in the end or get him drunk bring home the dog and tell him it was his idea that is how I got my cat.

sorry - laughing at cindyloosmum - thats how I got my kids!

As for the dog - could youget OH to join you on a couple of walks with him so he can see what he thinks...

You'll end up getting him I'm sure - good luck,

Many thanks for your replies - but I'm very disappointed with the response - you all appear to be egging me on!  You're all clearly as daft as me.

Carrington: I am a social worker so I do have a heart of steel. (The jury's still out on the state of the head).  But that's the attraction: the 'problem kid' that no-one sees any good in but you know has the seeds of greatness - or at least goodness- within. 

And anyway I am only tempted because I think we could manage three dogs but absolutely no more (says she knowing that, somewhere in the not too distant future, there will be an old lady surrounded by baying mutts answering the door to the Environmental Health Officer and a mob of outraged neighbours complaining about the noise and the smell...) 

I should have stuck to knitting the coats for oldies. 

Ok Mutts you really shouldn't bring home that dog (did that help ) as for bringing home the problem Kid with a heart of gold I did that he made great mash and ran of with the video :rolleyes: you gotta laugh.  When is the dog coming home?