We live in a rural part of Australia...there are a lot of farms and vineyards here and today we'd parked the car on a bit of a lonely road which basically has nothing but vineyards either side...there was one of those honesty boxes with some jars of olives and we wanted some.
DH noticed a big, white dog in a pen (just some chicken wire) ...it was in the garden section of this vineyard....all on it's own and looking forlorn as heck.
We stood there and chatted to it a bit through the fence and a woman appeared, she said he's only 4 months, a Maremma...which is a sheepdog...and that we could have him.
She showed us his parents and explained that the owner of the vineyard had sold all the others and this was the last...and that the parents had now been de-sexed.
The parents were beautiful...the dog was in a poo ridden area...with a shelter and water but wasn't being treated as a pet...so we took him.
We've wanted a dog for a long time and DH is experienced...we're aware Marremas get big and need careful socialisation and we're seeing the vet on Monday..and taking him to a behaviour class on Thursday....he's had his first shots apparently...anyway...the thing is, he's beautiful...well behaved and affectionate but seems uncomfortable coming inside.
He's currently lying on the patio...I've tried to encourage him in...and he HAS had a little look around but then goes back out.
What do I do? He's big but young...I know he's obviously used to sleeping outdoors but is it kind? DH is making him a kennel tomorrow but really we'd like him indoors at night..the woman seemed to love the parents...and took our dog to say goodbye to his Mum....and gave us some advice etc...it wasn't a puppy farm was it?