Should I keep my dog?
I (21f) and my g.f (20f) adopted a dog from a family member that didn’t want him anymore due to having too many pets already. I have 2 dogs at home, one being the dog I’ve had since I was 8. The other we’ve had since she was a puppy, she’s 4.
The dog we adopted (Andie) is so sweet. He was 4 months when we took him in, and he is now 6 months. I adore him! I take great care of him and have never had an issue with responsibility. He’s a medium sized dog and I take him on runs everyday, as well as brush him daily to keep him from shedding in the house.
However, him being a medium sized dog clashes with the fact that my other 2 dogs are 5 pound each. When we adopted Andie, he was very small, the same size as my other 2. Seeing as he was a rescue, we didn’t know the breed and didn’t think he would get much bigger, but he more than doubled in size.
He is very high energy and often hurts the other 2 small dogs unintentionally during play. Because of this, they are scared of him. My family and I keep them separated most of the time, Andie stays in our room while the 2 girl dogs free roam in the house. When switch back and forth with who gets to free roam, but most of the time, they aren’t out together unless someone is holding the littlest one (Andie targets her for play, she gets very scared)
Because they clash personality wise, Andie has to be in a crate some of the time/if I’m not home. When I am home, he doesn’t get to spend very much time outside (aside from daily 0.5/1 mile run) because our backyard is not fenced.
It makes me sad for him because I want him to have other dogs to play with and roam outside with, but I don’t have many options.
My mom came into my room earlier today and asked if I’d considered giving Andie to a family more equipped for him (another medium-sized dog, fenced backyard, etc.) She thinks he doesn’t have the best quality of life that he could because he has to spend a few hours a day caged. I agree and wish he didn’t have to, but Andie has grown on me!! He sleeps next to me every night. We cuddle during the day and play, we have fun together, but he is often confined to my room or his crate unless I’m taking him out.
Should I help find him a better home? I would be devastated to see him go because I luv him unconditionally, but I also what him to be happy. Any way I could keep him while also improving his quality of life?
I appreciate any help or advice. 🥰