Should Kobi get a brother???
 

So I've been thinking lately that Kobi would really love to have a playmate, and heck, I'd like to have another yorkie running around. I love him to bits, and spoil him to death so why not?? However, I was thinking about getting another one maybe around when Kobi is one (Dec.) because summer is always crazy, etc....

Well, silly me looked at the classifieds today of the paper, and there's a 1 1/2 y/o yorkie for sale for $500. I kinda thought that was too much to rehome a yorkie, but maybe I'm totally wrong. So I e-mailed the owner and he sent me back a very nice e-mail, and then I called him and he seemed like a very nice person. He is getting transfered in the military overseas, and that is why they can't keep the dog. He said the dog has been an outside dog (???) mostly so isn't great with potty training, etc, and he doesn't know how he'll do even with other dogs.

So, needless to say, I want this little bugger, but I'm just not sure.... Like I said, summer is VERY busy for me. (I'll be flying home 3 times this summer w/Kobi), and I just don't know if it's right. But he sent a pic, and he is a little cutie. So I'm attaching the pic and I guess I'm just looking for any advice and what questions I should ask of this family, etc, etc, etc. Never done this before (obviously) and I want to do it right the first time. Thank you in advance so, so, so much for any and ALL advice. Please tell me if you think it's a bad idea or anything...I only want the truth. Thanks, y'all!!!
Teri

Oh, you have to get that baby. Mostly an outside dog? Are you kidding me? He's adorable. 2 are always better than 1. Maybe you could find a good pet sitter when you and Kobi travel. I had Otis for 1 year as an only dog and one night I looked at him laying on the couch and thought....."he's so bored". I work long hours so I got him a brother, Oliver, my shihpoo. Oliver drives Otis absolutely nuts, in fact, they're having the doggy WWF right now in my front room. But they are bonded and look for each other if one of them is not in the room. They don't snuggle very often, but they definately keep each other company and play alot. Good Luck, I really think you should do it. Are you close to Indy, I'll pet sit for you when you go if you don't want to take them both. OOps nope i see your in S. Carolina!

So does this mean that the dog was housed outside most of the time? Poor baby! 2 yorkies are always better than one but I don't know about this one. I would hesitate to get a dog that was 'mostly an outside dog'

I would ask why he was kept outside all the time and where. He sure is a cutie!

Oh yea, they have to get along.
 

Oh yeah, he'd definately have to meet Kobi first to see of it's possible. When I went to get Oliver, my friend was pushing me to get him and I finally said, OK, but if Otis hates him, you just bought yourself a dog. They were fine.

He's so cute! I would ask if he has had in any contact with other dogs in the time he had him. Hopefully he's socialized so he'll have an easier transition if you do adopt him.

Thank you for all of your advice everyone. I really want to do it, but I just don't know if it's the right time... He said that he isn't well socialized, but that's why I felt bad, and I thought that he needs to start getting socialized, but I don't really wanna put Kobi at risk either. Also, he seemed to talk like he's had "many" other calls about the dog, and it was the very first day he put him in the paper. I just really hope he finds a good home because it seems like they didn't care too much for him at his one now... I'm sad about the whole thing, but I'll hope for the best.

Oh, and by the way, there are puppies in the paper here for $500, and that's the same price he's trying to sell this dog for so I'm kinda wondering how he can have that "many" calls on him because IMO most people would rather have a puppy than a dog that already has "issues" but maybe I'm wrong???

Oh, and I wanted to tell you that I don't live in Indy, but my best friend does and she has a german shepherd so I'm sure any time you wanted to baby-sit, she'd let you ;) ;) JUST KIDDING! But she really does live there:)

This is sad, bc it seems like his current owners don't care too much - nor do they care for his safety...an outside dog??? In that pic he doesn't look 1.5 pounds, do you think?

I would ask:

**How did you house him outside? (as if you're just wondering, like you may want an outside option - but really, this is just so you can get more background info on the fella)

**What does HE mean by not "socialized" - it may not mean what it means to you/us.

**Be very open-ended - "tell me about his training" - if there's just a big "uuuhhh" after that, you have some bargaining room there.

**What does he eat? Where does he sleep? Does he go for walks?

**Do you have his vet/medical history?

I think questions like this might help fill out the picture of this little fella. He should take less for him. I would be straight up and say something like "well, I just don't know what to do. Puppies go for the same price you're asking - and your guy is going to take more work since he'll be switching homes and isn't yet trained or socialilzed. Tell you what, I'd like to offer $300 (?) - why don't you think about it and let me know in a day?"

I hope you take him, it is obvious you would give him SUCH a good home - your big heart comes across as you write of him. But if the timing isn't right, I'm sure he'll find a good place - and you'll be a future mom to another pup!

Keep us posted!!! :)

Thank you! You had such great advice, and I really want to do it, but I just don't know. I could always go and visit (but then I'd probably be attached)... And by the way, he's not 1 1/2 lbs. I meant 1 1/2 years old. He said he was probably 5 lbs (doesn't really know) but i think he looks closer to 8ish. Anyway, I will keep you updated what I decide....

LOL. How on earth did I read that as 1.5 pounds!!! I'm losin' it over here....:p