[hotdiggetydog]

Originally Posted by ErinsWhitney

I don't think you have any reason to feel guilty. I know how you feel though. I grew up with shelter dogs, and I hate knowing that I'm paying so much for my Whitney and there are so many shelter dogs in need. One day, when my kids are older, I do plan to get back into adopting abandoned/needy dogs.

As a mom of small human children, I'm of the opinion that a shelter dog is not necessarily a good idea for my home. There is no telling what kind of background and baggage those poor babies come with, and I wouldn't want to risk taking on a dog that turns out to be aggresive, especially when someone else would be a better fit for them. There are plenty of people out there who would be a better fit for them than we would, and they deserve whats best...a big heart isn't always enough.

You saved for kitty, and you are doing what is in your power to help those shelter pups, which for now is donating money. Taking one in is not always the best way to help them. You are a very generous person who is still doing more for them than most others do, and you should feel good about that. Your new little bit needs a home just as well.

So true!!! And I have 3 daughters; the worst thing in the world would be for them to fall in love with an animal and then have some kind of "issue" come up (aggression) that would make things nearly impossible for a happy outcome.

So you are all right- I shouldn't feel guilty. Concerned with the horribly large numbers of unwanted animals, yes. Proactive and contributive, yes. Guilty, NO! I'll just focus on loving the 2 critters I already have even more, and preparing our home for the new addition...

Thank you all for your kind words of reassurance!