Im a baaaaaad woman.
OK first some backstory. For those of you who might be confused because of the never ending rotating plethera of dogs that come through my house, let me break it down for you.
I have 1 full time my-very-own dog. That is Whiskey, my 2.5 year old tail-less golden retriever.
I have 6 other big dogs that I co-own with my parents- these are siberian huskies and afghan hounds. They live 75% of the time with my parents, 20% with handlers, 5% of the time with me. (basically, they come for extended visits). I also co-own a few chinese cresteds with my mom, same deal
Then of course there are the rescues...in which case there can be anywhere from 1-14 here depending on size and health. Right now I have 10 dogs here: whiskey, two border collie mixes, a dachshund, a shih tsu, a doberman, 3 boxer puppies (the rest are in foster care now)and a lab beagle mix.
Today I decided to actually go to a show with my folks, something I havent done in a while. I wandered away from the conformation rings to go purusing for some stainless steel buckets in the vendors isle, and this absolutely beautiful blonde tail wizzed by out of the corner of my eye. I walk around and I see a woman practicing obedience with this stunning golden... I mean, stunning doesnt even describe him. STUNNING. BEAUTIFUL. GORGEOUS IN EVERY WAY EACH HAIR WAS LIKE SUNLIGHT WITH MELTED BUTTER ON IT. He sailed over a jump and when he landed it was so graceful I almost didnt even believe that he hit the ground.
So I started talking to the owner when she was finished working him, and I settled down while this beautiful boy (whos name was dallas) rolled over on his back and snuggled his head into me and lay perfectly still in my lap for about an hour. Turns out this boy was an international champion and now working on his obedience titles. He's Pennhipp'd, CERF'd clear, heart and thyroid tested, home and ring proven...... and she's just bred him. And she has an opening on the waiting list for a pet male.
I have been thinking for some time that it would be good for whiskey to have another full time dog here. I feel bad every time he gets used to a foster yanking that dog away and replacing it with another. I have been thinking this for about a year now, and wondering if one of the rescues will cry out to me to stay, or I had been considering bringing home one of the show afghan pups out of my mom and I's champion girl we are breeding later this year. But then I think when am I going to have time for all that grooming?? and what am I going to do when whiskey gnaws off his fur and I can't bring him in the ring for two years?
And I love goldens. I L-O-V-E goldens. I get nervous with rescue goldens occasionally because of health issues- Whiskey is 2.5 years old but has bi-lateral hip dysplasia so bad he has already had to have 2 surgeries.
So, I took her card, and I was terribly mad at myself for driving home and thinking the whole way on names, and plans, and getting myself all pumped up.
So what do you guys think...? I guess my big concern is purchasing a puppy. The price is not bad at all for a pet boy, roughly $1000... of course $1000 could save 10 more puppies from animal control...and it also means one less space for a rescue dog... OIE ok I'm torn. Someone talk some sense into me!!!