Okay, guys. I really need help. The shelter won’t hold him until next Saturday (only until like Monday), so I only have a few days to decide (and I’m hoping if I do decide to go through with the adoption that Odin will get along with him at the meet and greet) if I should adopt this puppy. Here are the reasons why I make the perfect candidate.

1. He is deaf and I’m an ASL interpreting student who has trained my service dog in both vocal and hand signals.

2. I am intimately familiar with the special needs of deaf individuals which I do not believe a lot of people are.

3. Hrs long haired and white (two things I wanted). I’m great at daily grooming. Also, he’s going to be an ESA and I love long fur.

4. I just got a new job that will allow me to pay for his expenses, which may include special training sessions with someone intimate with deaf dog training if I get stuck.

5. I have dreams of training him well enough to pass the CGC because I handler trained Odin for 5 months before getting him his pro training and they’re impressed with how advanced and work motivated he is. I want him to become a therapy dog.

6. I live near one of the residential schools for the deaf in California and think that the kids would feel so great meeting a dog that they can relate to.

7. I do have the time and patience to wait until he’s comfortable with me (while, we, of course, work on daily bonding exercises). Odin didn’t cuddle with me on his own until 2 months in and always for less than 30 mins. He loves me, but he’s not really affectionate. 5 months in and now he sleeps with me on his own.

Cons:

1. I didn’t really want a dog that I have to work for their affection like I did with Odin. I’m so used to dogs falling in love with me that it was like a culture shock, but he’s perfect for me.

2. I’m concerned that he won’t ever be interested in me. An ESA should be great at cuddling and what if he isn’t?

3. He does not like to be picked up which is one of the reasons I even considered a small dog. I’m not saying I’d carry him everywhere, but I’d like to pick him up and get a kiss on the face, you know?

So, what’s your experience, guys? Did your puppy instantly fall in love with you? Am I overreacting? I’m scared it won’t work out. Am I being unfair to the puppy? Should I place more responsibility on myself? Would I even be second guessing this if it were meant to be?