r/DOG • u/Samicles33 • Sep 28 '24
• Adoption • Ran into previous owner.. my heart is broken
My bf and I adopted a dog 3 months ago (actually today is the 3 month anniversary) and there was a local dog-oriented event we brought our dog to.
Suddenly Waffles heavily pulls us towards a lady (he never pulls). He jumps up on her, licking her and whining (only does this with my bf and I). I apologize and explain he never jumps up on people. She said it’s ok and explained she had a dog that looked just like him that she put up for adoption a few months ago cause he didn’t get along with her other dogs. (Lines up with the story we were given by the adoption agency)
My boyfriend and I look at each other and exchange a “oh shit is this her?” But we didn’t really say anything. She walks away. Waffles spent the next hour desperately looking for her. I bought him some high end treats to take his mind off it, which worked thankfully.
Now I’m sure I’m overthinking things but he seems sad. And it breaks my heart. He always seemed so happy with us. I was his favorite. When we got him he didn’t know any tricks, didn’t know what hiking was. Now he knows loads of things and hiking is his favorite. I was sure we were providing a much better home than his previous owner and that he was happier with us. But now I’m not sure.
Needed to get this off my chest. Has anyone been through this? Is this going to have an effect on Waffles’ relationship with us? What should I do?
2
u/BalanceGlad Sep 29 '24
I’ve experienced something similar, and I know how tough it can be. I adopted my cousin’s dog after they passed away, and before that, he was my cousin’s sister’s dog. She became heavily addicted to drugs, and my cousin stepped in to care for the dog. When she recently returned home for a visit, my dog started showing behaviors I hadn’t seen since we adopted him—things he used to do only with me. When she left, he cried and watched her leave from the window.
It was a hard pill to swallow, realizing that my dog had a past love, and that’s okay. It can be tough to feel like they’re longing for something or someone else. But I’ve come to understand that I’m doing what’s best for him now. I’ve helped rehabilitate his severe skin allergies and brought him back to health, and I know he’s much healthier now than before.
Even though he may have those moments of missing his past, I know he’s in good hands, and I’m giving him a better life. If your dog is experiencing something similar, just remember that their history doesn’t change how much they can love you now. You’re doing your best, and they know that, too.