[Lunareclipse]

Adopt a Saint Bernard St. Bernard: MOOSE: Petfinder

He looks just like Luna! He is $50.00 at a shelter 45 minutes from my house. Ryan really is going to kill me! But I can't stand to see him in a shelter. What do I do? What do I do? If I get him, Ryan will be red hot and if I don't my poor little heart will break seeing him in a shelter. What do I do?

This is Luna.

[cigwyllt]

$50?????? Can't believe how little he would cost! The nearest rescue to us asks for a minimum of $ 260!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry - that's no help is it! Only you know how strongly your husband would object. I would never risk it with mine but if I thought there was a chance that he would fall in love with the dog ...............................

[Lunareclipse]

Yes, he is $50.00. That's also what we paid for Luna. But Ryan would wonder where we put another saint. And how much he would eat considering we spend $200 a month feeding the 3 we have.

Ryan tends to think with his wallet.

[cigwyllt]

Which is going to cause the most additional stress in your life - worrying about finding the money to feed him or worrying about the home he is going to?

I'm still stunned that he is so cheap. UK rescues charge a fortune regardless of the dog's breeding or lack of it. It is cheaper to buy a Jack Russell from a breeder than to rescue one.

[Lara's mom]

You're a kind and compassionate person and, I know you'd love to rescue that dog. Ryan is perhaps the more practical one of the two of you. Consider the implications for a moment: 2 adults, 3 St Bernards, 1 toddler; all living in one house. Unless you live in a very BIG house, I can imagine there must already be some jockeying for space. Do you honestly have room for another St. Bernard?

As for Ryan "thinking with his wallet", somebody has to. Remember, it's not only the initial price of the dog; there's the food, medical care, etc. BTW, that 4th dog will knock Ryan right out of that 27 foot above ground pool that you just bought. I'd be willing to bed he's still steaming over that! I doubt he'll do much relaxing!

Now, having gotten all the practical stuff out of the way, if you really want that dog, go get it and give it to Ryan for some holiday or another; late Valentine's gift, Beltane, early Easter gift...Whatever. Somewhere around the world, there is a holiday just about every day. Google the next one and buy a blank card. It's kind of hard to be too cheesed off with a gift from one's beloved wife.

Finally, just to be on the safe side, you might consider packing a bag and being ready to take flight until Ryan cools off. I figure a few months ought to do it...

[Lunareclipse]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

You're a kind and compassionate person and, I know you'd love to rescue that dog. Ryan is perhaps the more practical one of the two of you. Consider the implications for a moment: 2 adults, 3 St Bernards, 1 toddler; all living in one house. Unless you live in a very BIG house, I can imagine there must already be some jockeying for space. Do you honestly have room for another St. Bernard?

As for Ryan "thinking with his wallet", somebody has to. Remember, it's not only the initial price of the dog; there's the food, medical care, etc. BTW, that 4th dog will knock Ryan right out of that 27 foot above ground pool that you just bought. I'd be willing to bed he's still steaming over that! I doubt he'll do much relaxing!

Now, having gotten all the practical stuff out of the way, if you really want that dog, go get it and give it to Ryan for some holiday or another; late Valentine's gift, Beltane, early Easter gift...Whatever. Somewhere around the world, there is a holiday just about every day. Google the next one and buy a blank card. It's kind of hard to be too cheesed off with a gift from one's beloved wife.

Finally, just to be on the safe side, you might consider packing a bag and being ready to take flight until Ryan cools off. I figure a few months ought to do it...

We didn't get the pool. The lady sold it out from under me. Yes, we do have room in the house for another dog, but Ryan said 3 dogs were enough. But that doggie is sooo cute! He looks just like Luna. On the other hand, I can't save every dog. Even though I want to very much. I don't know what to do. I don't want to see the saint in a rescue (sooo close too) but I don't want Ryan to be upset with me either. Sometimes apologizing later is easier than asking first.

[Lara's mom]

Sorry, I read about the pool after I posted this. It may be a blessing in disguise. When you show up with that dog, Ryan will only have one thing to "hit the roof" over instead of two.

[Lunareclipse]

Originally Posted by cigwyllt

Which is going to cause the most additional stress in your life - worrying about finding the money to feed him or worrying about the home he is going to?

I'm still stunned that he is so cheap. UK rescues charge a fortune regardless of the dog's breeding or lack of it. It is cheaper to buy a Jack Russell from a breeder than to rescue one.

He is in a kill shelter, not a rescue. That is why he is so cheap.

[Lara's mom]

I would imagine also that being so big, a lot of people would pass that breed by in favour of a smaller dog...

[Lunareclipse]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

I would imagine also that being so big, a lot of people would pass that breed by in favour of a smaller dog...

I don't see why they would. Most Saint Bernards are great with children. I would trust my child with a saint before I would a chihuahua. The chihuahua I used to have hated little kids.

[Lara's mom]

Well, for many people it is a matter of space. I now live in a one bedroom with 2 little Jacks, 1 Border Collie and 1 aged cat. We are already tripping over one another. Even if I didn't already have my current brood, I just wouldn't have room for such a big dog, as lovely as they are.

[Lunareclipse]

We certainly have the room. We have a 3 story house with acres of yard.

[cigwyllt]

I suppose the cost of keeping a large breed is off putting for many people - it certainly would be a factor for me. And that, together with their short lifespan, would mean I would never consider an extra large breed.

The fact that it is a kill shelter (sounds like a contradiction in terms!) puts a different complexion on it. Would your husband come round or could you do a business plan or something showing where you could economise so that you could take him on without making a hole in your budget.

I want you to have him!

[Lara's mom]

Wait until Ryan falls asleep and then sneak out and get the dog. Once the dog is in your home, it will be VERY hard for him to demand that you rehome it.

Just in case, keep that bag packed!!!

[cigwyllt]

You are such a bad lady!!!!!

[Lara's mom]

I know!!! Sneaky should have been my middle name!!!

[Lunareclipse]

Ryan is being very firm about no more dogs. He told me he would get me another fish for my aquarium if I didn't bring home another dog.
But I so want the doggie! But he said the fish don't eat as much and their vet bills aren't that high, considering they don't go to the vet and they don't need tags and rabies shots and they don't chase the neighbor guy down the street wanting him to pet them. They don't chew up anything or crap in the house. He keeps wondering why I would want another dog. He says Buster is already a handful, and then we have Luna who has epilepsy and Sammie with hip dysplasia. He said he may as well go straight to the vet on payday and hand them his wallet.

[elle]

Will the shelter give you time to think about it ? Or if they find nobody to take the dog would they contact you again! This would give you time to negotiate things at home! Sometimes giving yourself a few days to think things over, you,ll have a better chance to know is the time right for another dog. Nothing worse than fighting with your partner over it, This will only cause stress on you and the new dog. Try to bring ryan around to the idea on ways if possible where you could save money elsewhere (this usually works for me) Good luck, its hard to turn down such a lovely dog when thinking from the heart !

[Lara's mom]

I still say bring the dog home and then worry about the ensuing fireworks!

[Yogi]

Tell him that after you remeasured the pool, you realized that it would have far too much empty space with just him and the 3 you currently have and needed to fill the void.