Do I REALLY have to give him back?
 

Hi all -
Was hoping to get a few thoughts on my little dilemma. Here goes:
I found a breeder with 2 morkies. I bought the girl (Ceiba) and talked my MIL into getting the boy (Ace). We had our pups exactly one month (early March) when she called me and asked me to doggysit Ace for awhile - her father was terminally ill and she had to go away for a few weeks. Well, her father ended up passing away, she had to stay to take care of the estate and other things, etc etc. Here we are 3+ months later and now she is coming back to town. She called last week and asked when she could pick up her puppy and my DH told her that was a sore subject and that they'd talk later.
My dilemma is this: In the past 3+ months, Ace has become a part of our family. He and his sister were only apart that 1 month and not since. When they are separated (i.e Vet appts) they are miserable w/o each other - moping around the house, lying by the door and crying. I honestly don't want to give him back!!
The breeder has another litter due next month (same parents as Ceiba & Ace) and I have the option to purchase one. I would totally offer to buy her another puppy to 'replace' Ace, but not sure she'd go for it.
In my mind, I know it is only right to give him back, but my poor little heart can't take it! I have FINALLY just gotten the 2 of them potty trained, they behave well and just love each other.
What do I say? What can I do? Help?! :cry2:

Hopefully she won't mind you purchasing her a new one because she didn't really bond with Ace like you did - But unfortunately if that's not the case you really don't have a leg to stand on - Good luck!!!!

I hear you on the attachment. Speak to hear and lay it out. I mean she hasn't really had time to bond with him so I doubt that it will hurt her to leave him with you and have you just purchase another puppy for her.

Good luck...it's gonna be a dicey situation.

I agree. Good luck to you!

I would offer to get her another puppy and see what she says. Good luck I hope you get to keep him. It was very nice of you to care for him as long as you did

This is sad, but what is right for the pups?
 

Yeah, I get that feeling too. :(
This just breaks my heart - literally. I was sobbing like a baby last nite at the THOUGHT of having to give him back. I can't imagine not having the 2 of them wagging their little tails with excitement when I get home. Or not having him jump on the bed and lick me awake in the a.m. (she hasn't mastered bed jumping yet!). Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! How did the love for this little animal get so deep so fast?!

Here's a pic of the 2 of them:
Attachment 126876

I think you should lay it out for her just like you did with us. It's not only that you fell in love, but they are sooo attached to each other. I hope she agrees this would be best all around for everyone and lets you buy her a new pup. Best of luck to all of you :)

What a wonderful friend you are to have taken care of her dog during this difficult time in her life. I'm sure she has really gone through a lot herself, and maybe now she could really use the love of her dog to comfort her. I think the right thing to do is to give her back her dog. You could make the offer to buy her a new one, but if she declines, you really need to give her back the dog. I understand where you're coming from, and it was really a lot to have placed on you, but I think we'd all like to know that we were lucky as she was to have someone as wonderful as you to step up and help out with her puppy at this time.

...also they are absolutely ADORABLE!! Perhaps you should tell her all this at HER house or on the phone, before she sees him again :D

Sit down with your MIL and be open and honest. Hopefully she will be understanding..... My heart goes out to you. :ghug:

Farah, how is your relationship and your husband's relationship with your MIL? She is family after all... Maybe you can explain and ask if you can give her a new puppy. She obviously feels comfortable with you if she was able to leave the puppy with you for so long. I hope you have a good relationship with her because unless she bonded well with Ace in the first month (I know I bonded with my puppy rather quickly) if you have a good relationship seeing your heartache and how much Ace loves Ceiba she might go for the arrangement. Good luck, just be honest about your feeling with her, that is all you can do.

Oh goodness...I hope you get him. Mine are attached and if one goes out the other cries so I know why you don't want to separate them. Hopefully your MIL will agree to another puppy. Good luck and keep us posted.

I agree with what everyone has said. And most importantly (and TRUTHFULLY) tell her that you believe it is in both pups' best interest (and of course your own ;)) to keep him and buy her a new one. Honestly, if she only had him for a month, and you've had him for 3, I think it's harsh of her to not let him stay with you, but if she says she wants him back, I'm not sure there's a lot you can do. Good luck, and be sure to keep us posted! Just be friendly and talk it out:thumbup:

Aww this is really tough. Well I guess the outcome of all of this is based on 2 things:
1. Your relationship with her
2. Whether she bonded with him that month he was with her before she had to leave
I think it's probably 50/50 right now for you. Did your hubby elaborate why it was a sore subject or anything in that manner?Did she respond to that in any way? I agree with everyone else, make you case to her in person, offer her a new pup, if she doesn't agree, I'm afraid there's not much you can do. Unfortunately these are the things that happen when doggiesitting. People and other pets of the house get attached and it's hard to give them back. The right thing to do is give him back, assuming she doesn't agree to your offer.