[Ashley V]

She sounds a lot like Smokey when we brought him home. He was a sold from a puppy mill at 8 weeks to a lady who had MS and was wheel chair bound. I don't think she really took care of him at all and left him in a crate (I'll tell you why in a minute I think he was left in a crate) because she couldn't take care of a 8 week old puppy. I think she did the best she could, but it wasn't what he needed. She gave him up to the groomer we have now to find him a good home. My groomer kept him for 2 months try to train him and get him to a place where he could be happy in a new home, then gave him to one of her customers and told her customer that he wasn't potty trained. The woman brought him back 3 days later saying she couldn't handle it because he wasn't potty trained. Two days later he was mine. He was only 6 months old.

I remember telling our groomer "How hard could it be...?" Little did I know, but I'm so glad I did. I wouldn't trade him for the WORLD.

The reason I think Smokey was left in a crate was because any time you put him in a crate or baby gated him in a bathroom, he would immediately get explosive diarrhea and pace back and forth in front of the door whining. Not normal puppy whining... like freaking out scared whining. Our bathroom door was exactly in front of our bed, so even if we put him in there to go to bed he would still do this. Smokey is a very big boy in length and in height. Probably about 2-2.5 times the size of an average yorkie. He hasn't grown any in length and in height since we got him, but he was only 7 lbs when we brought him home. After about two weeks of this behavior, I figured out he can't be alone. I started putting Chip with him and the diarrhea stopped completely and he gained 8 lbs in about a month. He can't be alone. Period. We cannot separate the dogs unless one person goes with one and another with the other one.

Because of him being so sick with anxiety for so long, he could never be potty trained correctly. I've yet to find a method that really, really works. He was getting pretty good before we moved when we had a backyard, now we're back to square one in the new apartment.

He also has a love for other dogs. I can hardly walk through petsmart with him because anytime he sees another dog he goes ballistic and sounds like he wants to kill the other dog, but all he really wants to do is go sniff and play. I've kind of remedied this with using a gentle leader. It seems to calm him. If I don't have a gentle leader, I'll put him in the cart and tie his leash around one of the holes real tight so he can't jump out. He doesn't go ballistic when he's in there.

One other issue I had with him - of all the animals I've had in my lifetime, which is a lot, I've always held their little faces in my hands and kissed their heads. I did this on Smokey for the first time and got a strange reaction. He pulled away all wide eyed in fear, tail tucked, sprinted for under the bed and would not come out for half an hour. I did everything to coax him. I talked gently, I tried giving him treats, I tried pulling him out, I tried just walking away. Nothing would coax him. I just sat there with him for a long time until he finally, cautiously came out. I picked him up and went in the bathroom, closed the door and cradled him for a long time until he stopped shaking. I just talked really soft and petted him gently until he calmed down. After that I just worked with him on it and would give him lots of praise and treats. He eventually got away from being so scared and now when I kiss his head he'll usually pull back playfully, but his little butt in the air and growl and try to play bite me.

Other than the potty training issue, I've been able to work through all his issues and a lot more. He's so happy and every bit of a dog that I'd ever want. He's a cuddler, he's a kisser, he's smart, and just so lovable but it took A LOT of work to get him to where he is and a lot of creative thinking. I'm sure you and Tobey can work together to get Sophie to where she needs to be, but it takes a lot of time, TLC, and patience. I think the question really depends on you. Do you have enough time to work through some special needs? Do you have the patience for it? And you are right - if she takes Sophie to the shelter she might not find the best home, but that's the chance anyone takes when dropping an animal off at the shelter BUT she could also find the best home too. My advice, I think you could do it because you obviously love Tobey and know how to give him the best home, the question is do you have the time, energy or patience? It's taken me two years to get Smokey to where he is today and I'm still working through a few kinks with him. If you think you can handle it, then by all means, bring her home. If you think you can't, then don't feel guilty about what could happen because if you can't take care of her in the way that she needs, then she won't be happy. It's too bad that her current owner won't just keep her. Moving to a different home could be so traumatic for her after being through what she's already been through and set her back again, but maybe if the lady never bonded to her, moving to a home with someone who will bond with her, and another dog to love on, she'll flourish. Who knows?

Sorry this is so long. I hope sharing mine and Smokey's story helped some. It really is a big decision. I jumped into a quick answer because I felt guilty and he was so so cute and sometimes I wish I would have taken a step back to really think about it. I love Smokey and wouldn't trade him for anything, but it has been a lot of work.