I am worried they won't take care of her also. Perhaps you can talk them both into it in the best interests of the dog but don't get their back up. You can always say if it doesn't work out for them which in 90% of these cases it won't once the gf finds out how much work there is to it, you will get her back. Keep the door open but if you can get her back make it clear the dog is now forever with you, they won't be getting her back.
Hard to say, you may get your son back home too after living with her for a while if she isn't very reasonable. LOL

Thanks everyone...your replies touched my heart. I have tried everything to get them to leave her with me,even offering to buy them a new dog,but they said no. I will get to see her alot which is good as my son does intend to use me as her "babysitter" since she cant tolerate being alone. They live in an apartment so cant let her bark, which is what she would do if left alone. They will only be living about a mile away. I just think that will be confusing for her also though. I do kind of have hope that they will find out she is too much work and maybe bring her back to me, in which case, I would say this is it, she is mine. They did have her for about 6 months of her life when they were at school and got her the first set of shots and had her spayed so I cant say they have never done anything for her. His gf also has a cat, birds and fish so she is an animal lover. I know my son (who is pretty cold emotionally to many people) adores this dog so its not like they are evil people or will mistreat her. Its just that as you all have said, I am her mom. She loves all the people in our house, but it is me she follows everywhere. Plus her routine will be completely disrupted. I work a regular schedule and dh is home during the day many times as he has a flexible schedule, plus we have two other dogs who she loves, none of that will be the same with them. They stay up late and sleep late and I know they wont take her out when she needs to go. She has never been great with potty training and has to go out every 3 hrs or so or she has accidents. Like they are going to get up after partying Friday night and take her out at 6 am like I do. Oh well, there is not much I can do at this point. When they did this to me the first time and took her back, I cried for weeks(I know its silly), but eventually got used to it, but this time as I said she has been here so long, it will be harder. Thanks again for your kind words.
Laura

When you mentioned the cat and the birds, it caught my attention. If she hasn't been around either a cat or birds, she is in for a rough time. If the birds are noisy, it will probably scare her. I don't know about the cat. That sometimes can be a very bad situation and other times not.

At any rate, you are right about the house training going down the drain. Didn't you have quite a time when you first got her trying to break her?

If they do bring her back to you or even let you keep her, I think I would want to get it in writing. If things dont work out with them, she may claim the dog is hers since they bought it together and go to court. I'm not saying she is that kind of person but you never really know a person in some situations.

I believe pets can get a broken heart.:unlove: If I told you why i think this it would be to tearful. however with alot of TLC most will snap out of it:hug:

I am so sorry for you and it certainly isn't silly to cry or grieve over missing your baby. When I read your post saying they live in an apartment, is it one that allows pets or are they going to have to sneak her in and out? If that's the case, I'd almost bet you will be getting her back. Even if pets are allowed, I still think you have a good chance. At least, that's what I'll hope and pray for. I know if I suddenly had Maddie at a different home, she would be heartbroken. She can't stand to let me out of her site. I just feel so bad for you and your situation and I will pray that she ends up back where she belongs...with you!!!

that is an excellent idea definitely get it in writing. I will be rooting for you Laura that you will get this girl back again this time permanently.

If the gf is such a pet lover..I wonder how she would feel if she was in your shoes?? My heart breaks for you...but with them being young and busy I bet you within a few weeks she will be back with you!! I agree with a previous poster..IF they do want you to take her back GET IT IN WRITING!! Its so hard because he is your son I nkow...but God works in mysterious ways!!

Its ok to cry and grieve..you have lots of shoulders here!!

Dawn

I think a lot depends on the individual dog. If this little dog was loved and well taken care of by you - has not become spoiled and dependent on you - and is a well adjusted, well balanced, happy, affectionate pet ------ if it goes to another home where it is loved and well taken care of, I think it will do very well.

I have seen many devoted dogs that have had to be rehomed do wonderfully well.

And - there is no doubt that it is often much harder on us than it is on our pets.

Good luck! Carol Jean

Have you explained to your son about her needing to go out every 3 hours AND every single morning at 6:00am? Did you say that he is living with you right now? Even if he isn't living with you, maybe you can get him to take care of her while he is living with you (or stay with you for a few days) for a trial run. Make her sleep in bed with him. She will obviously be miserable sleeping in bed with him and he will see this. Make him do EVERYTHING for her...take her out every 3 hours, wake up at 6, ect. ect. I think he and his bf are in for a RUDE awakening. If you can make them realize this BEFORE they actually take her, then maybe they will have some second thoughts.

I agree with this. I think, REGARDLESS of how attached a dog is to a person, there are some who, just on the basis of their personality and temperament, can readily and happily adjust to a whole new situation and environment, as long as it is a happy and healthy one.

And then there are other dogs who become sad and confused, BUT, I would think that in MOST cases, they would eventually adjust. Even human children are able to do this when families break up!

I agree that it's actually MUCH harder on US than it is on animals, when they are rehomed. So I in no way mean to minimize your worries or emotions. Any of us would be feeling the same thing.

It's great that you'll still get to see her, and like others, I just have a feeling you may end up with her again! ;) HERE'S HOPING!!!!!! GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!!

I do believe dogs have very strong feelings and affection for people. Jasmine loves my husband very much as he is home with her all day and because he is not in good health, he sits and plays with her and they sit and cuddle and he takes her for walks, but as he has mentioned, I am her Mommy and noone can take my place not even him. I don't know what she would do if we ever even left her for a few days. We have had her for a year and have never left for more than day. Not one night has she been away from us. We take her everywhere we can.

We have left Duffy a few times with my daughter. She is the one who bought him for my husband for fathers day and she had him for a few days before bringing him to us. He sees them quite often and just loves her and her husband so he is OK with being left although he is really glad to see us when we get home.

I'm just not sure Jas would be Ok if left. She is much to attached to us, but you never know. I really want to go on another 7 day cruise. We haven't been on one since we got her. I've wondered how she would do. I guess I will have to leave her overnight some time and work up from there. I don't want to be gone for 9 days and call home and she is sick from grieving.

Since your son is so close they can bring her back if she grieves to much.
I'm just sorry you have to go through this. Get another dog for yourself if they decide to keep this one. It won't replace her but it will help fill the void her leaving will create.

I do believe dogs have very strong feelings and affection for people. Jasmine loves my husband very much as he is home with her all day and because he is not in good health, he sits and plays with her and they sit and cuddle and he takes her for walks, but as he has mentioned, I am her Mommy and noone can take my place not even him. I don't know what she would do if we ever even left her for a few days. We have had her for a year and have never left for more than day. Not one night has she been away from us. We take her everywhere we can.

We have left Duffy a few times with my daughter. She is the one who bought him for my husband for fathers day and she had him for a few days before bringing him to us. He sees them quite often and just loves her and her husband so he is OK with being left although he is really glad to see us when we get home.

I'm just not sure Jas would be Ok if left. She is much to attached to us, but you never know. I really want to go on another 7 day cruise. We haven't been on one since we got her. I've wondered how she would do. I guess I will have to leave her overnight some time and work up from there. I don't want to be gone for 9 days and call home and she is sick from grieving.

Since your son is so close they can bring her back if she grieves to much.
I'm just sorry you have to go through this. Get another dog for yourself if they decide to keep this one. It won't replace her but it will help fill the void her leaving will create.

OMG YES they get brokenhearted. Before I met my husband - his male cocker passed away - his female walked thru the house moaning and crying for weeks. I never forgot that story - it broke my heart :(

I would prefer to think they don\'t, but i know for a fact they do :(