2 year old or puppy -dont know what to do-SHES STAYING

[Annie's Mum]

Go for the rescue, I know it sounds corny but they don't stay pups for long anyway. Ive got 2 now both from pups, but if I had a rescue offered and had already had them home to see how they were, no contest. Too many unwanted Cockers at the mo, look at the rescue links. My next will be a rescue

[JasperPop]

Without your heart being involved it would be an easy decision and I think it is clear that you know rescuing is important.  The thing is that you have to love the dog and even with rescues I think you would just know that this was the dog for you.  You need to go with your heart imo, just give this dog a little while to show it's personality and see what happens    I am sure you will make the best decision for both of you x

[Victoria Plumb]

Go for the rescue, I know it sounds corny but they don't stay pups for long anyway. Ive got 2 now both from pups, but if I had a rescue offered and had already had them home to see how they were, no contest. Too many unwanted Cockers at the mo, look at the rescue links. My next will be a rescue

This is so true, you get a puppy and in a few months that stage has passed anyway. I would personally go for the rescue one, what better satisfaction that knowing you have given her a better life.Spend the £500 on some really cool dog beds, toys etc (well not the full £500!! )

[Rhona W]

Oh I am getting vibes that you really want a puppy, and whilst it is kind to "rescue" a dog, it's got to be what is right for you and your family. She sounds a lovely dog, and I am sure she would find a good home, if you decide against keeping her.

I agree with cdpops. I'd go for the puppy as it is what you really want. Don't take on a rescue dog because it is 'the right thing to do' if there is a chance that you will regret having her in the future.  And TBH, if she was the right dog for you then you would not be having this dilemma; you'd have fallen in love with her already.

[stuffster]

Oh I am getting vibes that you really want a puppy, and whilst it is kind to "rescue" a dog, it's got to be what is right for you and your family. She sounds a lovely dog, and I am sure she would find a good home, if you decide against keeping her.

I agree with cdpops. I'd go for the puppy as it is what you really want. Don't take on a rescue dog because it is 'the right thing to do' if there is a chance that you will regret having her in the future.  And TBH, if she was the right dog for you then you would not be having this dilemma; you'd have fallen in love with her already.

I would agree. I know that getting a rescue is the RIGHT and proper thing to do, and if I had been after a staffie or alsation, I would have definitely gone for a rescue because they really do need homes.

But to be honest, I spent months and months trying to find a cocker to give a home to, and because they are such a popular breed, they dont seem to stay in a rescue very long. (apart from the very old ones or ones with difficulties).

After month after month of having my heart broken, each time I fell in love with and applied for a rescue cocker only to be told it had been rehomed already, I gave up and looked into puppies instead. Now I have the sleepless nights, the biting and the toilet training to cope with, but I do get those few precious months of puppyhood and I get to bring her up the way we want to.

Whatever decision you make, its going to be hard, so good luck, and let us know what you decide.

[minimoo]

well shes still here, the owner and i are going to decide on thurs,if we keep her or not , shes really grown on me and is so like bruno in personality its eerie, shes got the same colouring too, i will be interested to know if they have any relatives down the line, the owners are devastated to let her go ,but the vet told them they are  doing the right thing, but they could change their minds by thursday, we will see, anyway i will post again on thurs maybe with some pictures if i can get my OH to post the damn things (i cant do the pics at all  ) i will leave it all to fate now 

[emilyjw]

Good luck with whatever you decide 

[pinkcarys]

Good luck with whatever choice you make. When I'm facing big decisions I try each solution for size. I make th edecision one way for a day and see how I feel. Every time I think of teh situation I think of it from the veiwpoint of the decision I made. Then the next day I swap and live it from the other veiwpoint. Then see how I feel. In your case were you more excited living the day saying that yo'll get a puppy or keep the escue? Did you feel guilty or resentful if you play through either decision. I know it sounds mad, but it works for me.

[chudleigh]

I felt just the same as you ! But I didnt have a dog already. i desperatly wanted to see that cute little puppy grow up. theres nothing like a puppy !!! It brings that warm glow to you just thinking about it.
And then I saw that Betty was looking for a new home !!!
She was almost 6 yrs old. I fell in love with her straight away. She was and still is just everything I dreamed of. But I agree with everyone the behaviour does change over the months. Betty is getting more confident with every day. She wouldnt say boo to a goose in the begining and now she is making her presence known !!
I know you feel like you want to do right by this dog and feel that you SHOULD rehome her. But is that HONESTLY what you REALLY want !!! Why do YOU have to be the one to rehome her. Perhaps if you just give yourself a little time to either fall in love with her or realise that it really is a puppy that you want !!!
Stop being so hard on yourself. What ever you decide is for a lifetime !!! I hope you can find some answers soon
Love , hugs and woofs
Val and Betty x

[Eceni]

I do the 'living in each shoes' as well.  Usually by the end of the second day, I'm paralysed with indecision and end up taking the 'least worst' option. then I hate myself and think it was a huge mistake for a period of time exactly equal to the enormity of the decision (life partners - took about 10 years to realise it wasn't a mistake.  Buying the current house, took about a year)

then I realise it was absolutely *exactly* the right thing to do and can't imagine why I ever thought otherwise.

so actually, either of them will be right.  go with where your heart sings loudest.

good luck

e

[MegandMolly]

I felt just the same as you ! But I didnt have a dog already. i desperatly wanted to see that cute little puppy grow up. theres nothing like a puppy !!! It brings that warm glow to you just thinking about it.
And then I saw that Betty was looking for a new home !!!
She was almost 6 yrs old. I fell in love with her straight away. She was and still is just everything I dreamed of. But I agree with everyone the behaviour does change over the months. Betty is getting more confident with every day. She wouldnt say boo to a goose in the begining and now she is making her presence known !!
I know you feel like you want to do right by this dog and feel that you SHOULD rehome her. But is that HONESTLY what you REALLY want !!! Why do YOU have to be the one to rehome her. Perhaps if you just give yourself a little time to either fall in love with her or realise that it really is a puppy that you want !!!
Stop being so hard on yourself. What ever you decide is for a lifetime !!! I hope you can find some answers soon
Love , hugs and woofs
Val and Betty x

Very good advice - follow your heart 

[minimoo]

well it looks like we have got another cocker ,shes an  so far,  the people are bringing round the rest of her stuff tomorrow , when i first saw her i thought , no ,but shes Sooooo lovely , you cant help but fall for her , though shes a greedy piglet and needs to lose ALOT of weight  , but i will sort that out qiuck enough ( wish someone would do the same for me  ) i will try and post some pics of her this weekend , thanks for all of your advice and thoughts 

[Victoria Plumb]

Aaaawww thats lovely news~ really pleased for you. 
Looking forward to seeing the pictures! 

[Sarah.H]

well it looks like we have got another cocker ,shes an  so far,  the people are bringing round the rest of her stuff tomorrow , when i first saw her i thought , no ,but shes Sooooo lovely , you cant help but fall for her , though shes a greedy piglet and needs to lose ALOT of weight  , but i will sort that out qiuck enough ( wish someone would do the same for me  ) i will try and post some pics of her this weekend , thanks for all of your advice and thoughts 

She's a lucky little dog  , whats her name?  She might get a bit more whizzy when she looses the weight though 

[MegandMolly]

congrats!!

Are you having pupster too?