I think Tommyrot may have a solution for that...

sumi, good grief, much ~ma for you!

Hil, if you still want a dog, you'd probably be better off with an older, laid-back dog who's already housetrained and knows the deal. Buffy's probably picking up on your stress and anxiety, and that's adding to hers. Don't feel bad if it doesn't work out. She might be better off with someone who's accustomed to housetraining and can deal with an anxious dog.

They are doing Shakespeare outside my office. The joys of working in the School of the Arts, with a gorgeous sunny day. I think it's Romeo & Juliet. But the acting is a bit... well.. forceful. Time to break out the sandwhich and listen to the show.

I'm sorry it didn't work out, Hil.

But the acting is a bit... well.. forceful.

Is that code for "loud"? Whereabouts on campus are you? I'm trying to picture it but I don't know where the drama department is.

Thanks, everyone. It really hurts, but I know it's the right decision to make. The shelter will find a better home for her. I'd hoped that I could bring her back tonight, but it looks like it might have to wait until tomorrow, because there won't be someone at the shelter who's authorized to do the paperwork today.

Hil, don't think of this as the end of your chance to have a dog. It's given you a better idea of what you can handle. You need a dog that's toilet trained and crate trained and can help narrow your search.

Buffy looks like a cutie and I'm sure there's a right home for her out there.

And now I'm hanging around in a classroom, because only about a third of my class showed up, and I finished the lecture material in about 20 minutes, but I'm got to wait for my next class now. It's the day before spring break, and most students have left already. (Which I totally don't get -- we always partied on the Friday before break, and then went home on Saturday, but here it seems like most people leave sometime during the day on Friday, even if that means missing classes.) I'm nearly certain that there will be no more than two students in my next class -- there are 11 registered, and 7 who generally come to class, and at least three of those seven told me they wouldn't be here -- but I've got to wait and see.

Hil, don't think of this as the end of your chance to have a dog. It's given you a better idea of what you can handle. You need a dog that's toilet trained and crate trained and can help narrow your search.

Thanks. I'm not going to try again for a little while, but maybe sometime later.

I'm sorry Buffy didn't work out, Hil. I have always had dogs in my life, but each and every one has been mature when I got them because I know I don't have the time or energy to housebreak an animal, or deal with puppyhood. Zoe was 2ish, Brandy was 3, Ladyjane was only 18 months, but already very well trained and disciplined. My thing was always that I wasn't willing to deal with chewing. But animals have been a constant in my life for 59 years. I just know my limits.

I just know my limits.

I think this is really so important with pets.

I'm sorry that the rescue agency couldn't find a more appropriate pairing, Hil. That's what all of the questions and home visits should help work out - if a particular dog, training for dog and/or owner or any dog is a good choice for everyone involved.

It must be very hard to have a pet adoption not work out.