Perhaps you remember Cookie, our crazy, possessive, aggressive Rat Terrier.  Yes, the same one who would not allow anyone into our home, who would not allow any non-family within 16 miles of us.  The same dog who was furious when any car, trash truck, or bicycle rode down our street.  News:  She has found a new family!

Perhaps you remember Ben, our beautiful, fun, playful Beagle.  He was darling - right up to a surprising bite.  A really bad bite.  News:  Ben has moved on to a child-free home.

Now meet Dozer. We thought the third time was the charm.  We purposely adopted a slightly older dog.  No more puppy chewing or housebreaking for us.  He seemed appreciative of our love.  His foster mom said he wasn't aggressive at all. 

So we made him ours.  He took possession of the house and seemed to like it.  At least he liked our furniture.  He seemed glad to be here for a day or two.  He tolerated "getting dressed."  



But not everything here was up to his standards.  
We didn't agree on food.  We bought it; he buried it. 
We didn't agree on water.  We put it in his clean bowl; he preferred the dirty foot bath. 
We didn't agree on his social skills.  We baby talked him and petted him; he growled and barked at us.



Oh, he had issues. Big, big issues.  Some previous owner really must have hurt him.  When he was rescued, he had an infection from a chain collar.  He seemed to believe he had to live in our basement. He was a destructive force when left in his crate.  He didn't want to be touched.  And then last night, he went a little crazy.  He got under a bed and allowed no one in the room.  No one. 

We wanted to love him forever.  He wanted to be left alone. 

We are still in our trial period with Dozer, but we know we aren't the right family for him. 

Maybe we aren't a dog family after all.  Maybe we just have a special talent for choosing the wrong dogs.  Maybe the dogs are just fine and we are the crazy ones ??