You know what....
 

I really do just think Rusty is lonely........your family looks like a fun family......I bet there is never a dull moment at your house......Your sweet "young teen" is probably a lot of fun to be around....they never slow down long enough to be boring...that is for sure...

And he feels like he just fits in.......and you let him......which is great:thumbup:

Looks like you had a fun time!:D

One more picture.......
 

Here is a picture I took tonight from upstairs (looking down at the 3 of them asleep). When I go to bed, Rusty will follow me in there and lay on my side of the bedroom floor on a blanket.
Attachment 75482

You are such a wonderful person, and I do hope that Rusty gets to live with you and your happy family. Prayers are with you..;)

Just sending another update......

I guess it has been about a week that Rusty has been at our house. His owners haven't come to get him or call or anything. I guess they either know that he is getting taken care of or just doesn't care anymore.

We have now been feeding him everyday and letting him sleep inside every night with our dogs.

He even go Halloween goodies, just like our other dogs.

I think he is home......If the neighbors do ever decide to come over for him, I guess I will just ask if we can just keep him, since we have been taking care of him all this time and he is happy.

In a way, I just feel guilty for some reason....and my DH said that we have done nothing wrong......we didn't feed him or let him come in for the longest time, so he said it wasn't like we forced him to stay here. I just don't want people and our neighbors thinking that we seen a pretty dog and decided to keep it for ourselves.....we really didn't need or necessarily want another big outside dog.....it just sort of happened to end up that way. I guess, I just feel that I wouldn't want that to ever happen to one of our dogs (although, it should never happen because they love their home and don't wonder off).

I just need to think that Rusty is in a better place and he is happy! There should be no need to feel guilty about it, right?!

Definitaly NOT! your doing the right thing. Your neighbors probably don't have the time or patience to care for him and they feel bad asking you to take him.
If it was me i'd be doing exactly what you are ;)

Thanks!!! You're the BEST!!!:luvu:

My DH says that I worry too much! - course, that is how Rusty is now considered ours, I guess! :rolleyes:

Normally, if I feel guilty, I have done something wrong....but in a way, I really don't see if I have done anything wrong w/ this situation.....besides taking in Rusty, when I could have just let him stay outside and not eat.

You know, I have asked the neighbors if they wanted Rusty anymore because we knew people that would love to have him and that we would love to have him too, but he always said that he wanted him....just didn't know what to do with him anymore! :confused:

Thanks again for all the kind words and thoughts and prayers!

So basically..they want him without the work he comes with? thats not right. I hope everything works out for you and Rusty:hands:

I am not surprised...
 

Rusty is where he should be and needs to be. Like I said....he will decide....and he did!

I would recommend that you document everything that you buy for him, pictures, etc. Just in case this "squirrelly" guy comes back after 6 months....or after winter, when he can stay outside all day.....:(

They don't care anymore, or if ever......but, heck if I would feel any guilt!!

A big pat on the back for you.................AGAIN!!!

Rusty just needed a forever home with someone who cares. There is a special place in heaven for people like you. Have fun and just love all your dogs!!!

Nope you shopuldn't feel quilty your neighbor should.

Rusty looks like he is so glad to be living with you. Thanks for taking care of him for all of us. :)

you and your family have wonderfully big hearts... thanks for being you

What a great picture. They look so comfy. You have most definitely done the right thing.

IMO, you have absolutely nothing to feel guilty about. You are a very special person for taking Rusty in. He is lucky to have you.

Awwwwwww
 

Thanks you all!!! :luvu:

I don't mean to keep adding to this thread, so I hope you all don't mind the updates. And, we are no where near special people....we are just doing what any of you would have done too in our situation! Well, and I am a HUGE animal lover too! --no matter what they are or what their background is!
:dog:

I like the updates on this thread!! This is a good story!

Attachment 76628 - Rusty making himself at home

(sorry for the blurry picture.....we were all upstairs working in my daughters room and seen him up there - none of the dogs (except Mojo) are allowed on the loveseat - but the look he gave us.............we just had to take a picture of him)

He has most definitely made himself at home. Looks like a great addition to the family.

What a wonderful story! I just read this whole thread, and have such admiration for you and your family. I understand why you feel guilty, not that you've done anything wrong. I just understand - I like everything above board and spelled out with everybody agreeing, but this is not an easy couple to deal with. In the meantime, Rusty has you guys and a wonderful home. Perhaps at some point, you can send the gf a baby gift or something. She probably feels guilty too. The hubby sounds like someone I would keep away from, but she may at some point be approachable. Maybe after another litle while, you can apprach her and give her a big thank you for letting you take care of Rusty, and how grateful you are. Maybe she'll accept that. I just think they're overwhelmed and feel guilty about abandoning their dog.
I wouldn't let them take him next time. You could say he has an upset stomach and that the babies might catch it, or something.

Keep the updates coming, and bless you both.

Judy

GUESS WHAT???!!!

Okay, so the other day, my daughter and I go to Target to check out the doggy stuff they have (someone posted about the stuff in their dollar aisle). Anway, I had been seriously planning a trip over to see our neighbor...just to be "neighborly" and talk about Rusty.......

Guess who we seen in Target???? Amber, our neighbors girlfriend. Her mother is in from out of state and she had the twins out in the car, while Amber just ran in for diapers. Anyway...she seen us and came over to talk to us.

She was saying how she was just going to talk Eddie into coming over to acutally talk to us "nicely" and bring over all of Rusty's stuff if we wanted it. She said that it wasn't that they didn't want Rusty.....just they don't want us to think they don't care about him by leaving him out roaming. She said that she knew he must be happy at our house because he won't come home.

I told her that we would definitely take Rusty and take care of him......forever or even if they just want to give him time.........YAY!!!

Well, we are hoping he will come over tomorrow, but I don't know if he will or not.....I'm telling you, he is an odd man!!!

SOOOOOOOOOO......keep your fingers crossed for us and Rusty and please prayer that this man will see that Rusty being over here will save him the "stress and worry" and give Rusty a comfy and loving home!!!!

Yay! Yippee!!!! (just hope I'm not getting my hopes up).......

Oh, if they bring over all of his stuff, should I offer to pay them? I have a bag of toys set out for her (I use to sell Discovery Toys), but I didn't know what proper thing would be....or should I not even worry about it???

I have been following this thread. I hope everything turns out good for you. Let us know after the"talk".

OMG How did I miss this GREAT THREAD ?? You are WONDERFUL and Rusty looks like he is at his REAL home with you ...(what a cool thread this is) - I read it from post 1 all the way thru and all I want to do is hug you !

way to go on giving that baby a nice comfy WARM house to sleep in and friends to play with and a family that will love him and put him FIRST.......(what a cool thread this is) you rock girl !

and if they bring over his stuff - say thank you and just offer to keep them updated on him and visit if they want - ...(what a cool thread this is) you've already gone far and beyond the call of duty - he is a BIG dog lol - I know he must eat quite alot....

This really made my night and congratulations !

...(what a cool thread this is) !!!! :D :D :D

Great post no extra typing for me !! :D
your an angel !!
he was meant for you guys !!

Oh....V!!!! You are crazy, and wonderful!!!!! Thanks for that!
Love to you all! :luvu:
AND......you all know I will keep you posted!!!;)

I'm lving this. I can't wait to hear about when Rusty's old dad comes over and says to you guys! I wish you and Rusty the very best. Sounds like Rusty has found himself a new loving and fabulous home!!!!:)

Great. Congratulations to the new parents
 

:) I am so glad to see they are conceding ownership. Rather he ever shows up or not, I would think that your talk with her in Target would be reason enough to just assume that he is now your puppy dog. How fitting that you were in there shopping for dog stuff & she was looking for baby stuff! Just shows that you have more time & resources to take care of him at this time than they do. I'm not even saying they are wrong, of course, our human babies take precedence but it is the right thing for them to let him go to someone that has more time for him right now.

I wouldn't feel obligated to pay them for any of his things but if you offered that would be kind of making it more of a formal transfer of ownership.
Surely, they wouldn't accept any money since you are giving them baby things but even if they did, it would be worth it to say, Yea he's mine. If I did give them anything, I'd make it a check and on the memo line write "Rusty & things" just in case.

I'm sure none of that is necessary & you may never hear any more about it. She'll probably just go home & tell her husband, boyfriend, whatever?? that she saw the neighbor & told her that they were willing for Rusty to stay with you since he didn't seem to want to come home anyway. :thumbup:

YAY you must be so excited :D

Well........we are very excited, but we are trying not to get our hopes up! I mean, she said this, but these people seem alittle crazy......so, once it happens, then we will be VERY happy! And........of course, you all will be the first to find out!!!!

ohh I can't wait to find out if hes coming home for good :D I got my hopes up now lol

What a great story! It sure looks like Rusty is right where he wants to be. He must know that he will receive all the love and attention he wants in order to have made himself so much at home. Bless his heart, and your's too for offering Rusty such a wonderful place to live. :thumbup: