New puppy on Thursday. Getting cold feet about it Am I mad?

[Paddlinglikehell]

I got my first border collie in '85 done agility and obed. Took on a problem 9 month old collie in '92. Worked agility and fly ball. Then an unwanted terrier puppy. in '96. Did a bit of agility.

I desperately wanted another bc puppy when original collie died, but had a baby! Then just as 2nd collie coming to the end, i found a stray, a 6 monthish old corgi x came along, which was never claimed, so no bc pup for me and anyway, terrier was old so lots to cope with there.

Terrier died a few weeks before Christmas, she was 17 so had a good innings, but now is the chance to get my collie pup.

The local rescue, had a litter of bc pups in over Christmas. I have visited twice and reserved a puppy to collect on Thurs. our home check has been done, but I am feeling really anxious about it.

I have worked with dogs as a trainer for 10 years prior to having my dd. I worked agility and obedience so have lots of experience, but I woke this morning, thinking what am I doing?! We only now have one corgi x who is so easy it is unbelievable, for the first time in over 20 years we can go off for spontaneous weekends as mum can cope with one easy dog.

What am I doing getting a boisterous collie now. Am I mad? What would you do?

[GrimmaTheNome]

You're a bit mad, but unlike many you will be able to cope.

[monkeyfacegrace]

You are a little mad!

However, I know an awesome 2yr old border collie that I need to rehome desperatley, will be going to blue cross next week. Consider him instead-no puppy stage!

Pick us, pick us!

[Feckthehalls]

Yes you are mad, exactly the right kind of mad for this task!

In all seriousnesss, take your cold feet seriously. There is no shame in changing your mind if it's really not the right thing to do.
A lot of my friends got pups when their youngest children were about 7 or 8. Many have struggled.

You do seem to have a very realistic view of how it will be.

Think carefully !

[Cuebill]

You are mad but you know you have to do it! Once you have had a border collie you just have to have another one.

You can have weekends away at agility, obedience competitions, fantastic weekends walking your dog in new areas.

You will remake all those friends again at agility, obedience and training.

You will have a great 2013 training your new puppy - enjoy

Merle border collie puppies here need rehoming if you are interested............

[Pooka]

Go for monkeyfqce's 2 year old!

[Paddlinglikehell]

Thanks

Monkey face. That's what I keep doing, taking on all these older dogs. Even when I went to the rescue there was a 2 year old blue merle in the next kennel and I went and asked bout the blooming thing as it was obviously very anxious. And lovely! Thankfully it has been reserved.

[Onlyaphase]

We're getting a puppy in January as well, and I'm having second thoughts. Our current dogs are old-ish, well behaved and tolerant, and going back to chewed furniture and shoes and puddles on the floor isn't appealing.

BUT, I think that once the puppy is here and is lovely and chubby and foolish and entertaining, then these things won't matter so much, and it will just be a lovely addition to the family. Hope so anyway.

[monkeyfacegrace]

I have 3 older rescue dogs. Couldnt bear the thought of a puppy. Ok, so I always beg relentlessly ask DH if I can have one after seeing adorable pups, but the thought of looking after one day in, day out, for 2 years...noooo.

However, Im not anywhere near as commited/experienced as you.

Otherwise Id have this border col myself

[Paddlinglikehell]

Onlyaphase. Exactly my thoughts. Sitting here on the sofa having a quiet wine, I think that in a couple of days I will be having toys thrown at me and be getting up every hour or so waiting for it to pee in the freezing cold! At least we are realistic about it.

I think it is the waiting that is the worst, if I had it now it would be great and we would be getting on with it, but having time to think isn't good!

Monkey, I used to be like that, kept saying I wanted a puppy since my first bc went and always ended up with second hand dogs, now I CAN have a puppy and it is scary - beware of what you wish for!

Maybe I'm just over thinking it, but our dog is so easy and tolerant too, but she is also depressed after the old terriers demise, so it will be good for her.

Can you see how I am talking myself round?

[LadyTurmoil]

What about fostering dogs instead? I'm sure there must be rescues, particularly ones that specialise in collies, who would be SO happy if you would help them by fostering and rehabilitating some of their rescues. You have so much to offer them as you are experienced but fostering would give you more freedom than taking on a puppy with a lifetime commitment. I think I'd go for the spontaneous weekends rather than freezing in the garden every hour!

[Scuttlebutter]

Sorry if I sound negative, but I'd be listening to your reservations very carefully. You are making at least a fifteen year commitment to a dog which as you know needs very careful handling and a lot of input.

I think Lady Turmoil's idea of fostering is great - you will have such a lot to offer a rescue like Wiccaweys or Border collie Rescue who specialise in this breed. Between fosters (and you get to choose the gaps) you can dash off and be as madly spontaneous as you like.

[diddl]

I got a rescue dog as I knew that I cba with the puppy stage.

If you decide against the puppy-it´ll soon be taken on.

[Paddlinglikehell]

Went to see it again today and am definitely going ahead. I feel a little guilty for all the older ones, but I think after taking on three, two of which lived to 17 and one still with us, I deserve my puppy now!

I have an 8 year old dd and what with her friends visiting and that we would find it hard to pass them on, I don't feel fostering is right for us.

I did a little assessment on him today and he assessed really well. Unfortunately he is only having his first jab tomorrow, at 11 weeks, which isn't good for a socialisation point if view, but I can carry him around!

So - I have taken up the rug in the kitchen, moved the table a little to accommodate the crate and put a baby gate on the door.

Collect 3pm tomorrow

[Cuebill]

I am so glad. Enjoy those fantastic puppy days

[GrimmaTheNome]

We'll want photos, you know

[Paddlinglikehell]

Took a photo today, have posted it, but for some reason it has come out on its side, don't know how to turn it!

Cute or what?

[HelgatheHairy]

paddling think your profile is set to private- nothing is coming up for me and I want to see cute puppy!

[Paddlinglikehell]

Had a look and says visible to all mumsnetters.

Puppy settled in well, peed outside had a play with our other dog and went into crate and had a sleep, not shut the door on him yet.

The dogs trust were excellent, even sent him home with an Apdaptil collar.

[diddl]

Your name isn´t "clickable" for me!

[monkeyfacegrace]

Awwwww.

He is going to be a whole load of trouble

[CheeryCherry]

That pup is sooooo cute! Love border collies, always have tri colour but would love a b&w one. Name??

[diddl]

Aww he´s lovely.

What´s he called?

[Paddlinglikehell]

At the risk of outing myself - Puzzle, as the white on his nose has a bit missing, like a Jigsaw.

I also knew a really good obed. and agility dog of the same name back in the late 80's when I was running my very first BC.

To date he has been a darling, so laid back and only one wee inside, because dp didn't take him out after a nap. First night no crying and I went down at 5am to let him out, he had a wee and went back into bed, slept until 7!

Sleepy photo added, he sleeps with his tongue out!

[Paddlinglikehell]

Quick update as posted on another thread.

Puppy was sick on Sat morning, but was still his lively little self, but by tea time had gone very lethargic. Took him to vets, who gave antibiotics. No better in the morning and had upset tummy, so vet had him him.

They have confirmed that he has Parvovirus, I have been in touch with Dogs Trust and they have another in the same litter that went home Sat. with the same.

On a drip now, just waiting. Maybe I was never supposed to have my long awaited puppy. We are all devastated, just helpless not being able to do anything.

[diddl]

Oh that is heartbreaking.

Hope he pulls through.