Things I shouldn't look at

My sister has spent a while considering getting a dog. I think she and I both have similar dog-wanting desires, as we've both been raised with the same dogs for most of our lives and we've both recently begun living on our own in places where having a dog might be plausible. Her more than me, in that regard. Since she moved into a condo I get the impression that she's felt a more and more pressing urge to get a dog of her own.

We grew up with purebred dogs from breeders. And while I can't complain about how that worked out, I've definitely come to be an advocate of rescue programs more and more lately. And I was pleasantly surprised to hear that she felt the same way.

Me, being as teacherly as I am, I have trouble considering getting a dog that someone else trained before me. I certainly wasn't alone in the process, but I think I did as much as anyone else did when training Jake, and I just have trouble with the idea of getting a dog I don't get to train.

But Meagan's far busier, and in turn, far more of an advocate of getting a dog that has some training already. Not to mention that she's far more ready to actually get a dog. She's looking to get one in the next year or so. I'm at least a couple years away from being able to handle/afford having a dog of my own. But I've offered to help with her dog whenever I can, whether it's in terms of training or anything else.

And as part of that, I tend to check up on local rescue dogs from time to time. I don't doubt that she's doing the same thing, but I still like to be able to say "Hey, here's an adorable dog you should check out."

And while that's generally all well and good, I can't help but get the occasional "I must have that dog" feeling. Tonight's instance was Liam, who I would not be surprised to find that he's been adopted and taken off the page before you read this. And, bearing that in mind, here's a pic that won't get deleted:



He's pretty much exactly what I want in a puppy, but probably a little younger than what Meagan's looking for. And with that in mind, I'm stuck with that "I desperately want him but can't have him" feeling.

And that's the biggest problem with looking at these dogs. At least, there's like 10% of them who leave me feeling like "Wow, he/she's adorable and I must have him/her" But, at most, Meagan will end up with one of these dogs. And I'll likely end up with none of them, at least in the relevant future. So I'm mostly just left feeling guilty for not adopting all of these dogs.

But I swear I would if I could. Liam, especially.