Anonymous
Post 08/30/2021 16:23     Subject: Babysitting dog all summer and don’t want to give it back.
Anonymous wrote:If all of these responses are serious, Op and every single responder sounds like a psycho. No, you cannot keep a dog you are dogsitting and it's weird to ask. I had someone watch my cat for five days this summer and would've been so offended if I came home and she asked "Are you interested in rehoming Fluffy?" Seriously, op, if you ask the owner this, I hope they never ask you to sit again. So rude and presumptuous.


It's an in-law and OP said they don't even miss the dog. I absolutely would say, hey George, the kids absolutely are in love with Poopsie and are heartbroken to see him go, is there any chance you are interested in leaving him with us for good? No? Okay, we are still on for you to pick him up Sunday then.
Anonymous
Post 08/30/2021 16:14     Subject: Babysitting dog all summer and don’t want to give it back.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If all of these responses are serious, Op and every single responder sounds like a psycho. No, you cannot keep a dog you are dogsitting and it's weird to ask. I had someone watch my cat for five days this summer and would've been so offended if I came home and she asked "Are you interested in rehoming Fluffy?" Seriously, op, if you ask the owner this, I hope they never ask you to sit again. So rude and presumptuous.


They had the dog all summer, which is substantially more than five days. It's a very different situation than yours.


AND it's a family member. It's not some random stranger you pay $15 a day to or whatever. It's someone with whom you'd have an ongoing relationship with so they could see the dog. I say (and said upthread) no harm bringing its up, once, as a way to help the family member out.
Anonymous
Post 08/30/2021 15:53     Subject: Babysitting dog all summer and don’t want to give it back.
Anonymous wrote:If all of these responses are serious, Op and every single responder sounds like a psycho. No, you cannot keep a dog you are dogsitting and it's weird to ask. I had someone watch my cat for five days this summer and would've been so offended if I came home and she asked "Are you interested in rehoming Fluffy?" Seriously, op, if you ask the owner this, I hope they never ask you to sit again. So rude and presumptuous.


They had the dog all summer, which is substantially more than five days. It's a very different situation than yours.
Anonymous
Post 08/30/2021 14:52     Subject: Babysitting dog all summer and don’t want to give it back.
Anonymous wrote:Just ask “Any chance you want to leave him with us? We would love to keep him” Keep it light.


You people are nuts. NO, OP…..YOU CANNOT KEEP THE DOG.
Anonymous
Post 08/30/2021 14:49     Subject: Babysitting dog all summer and don’t want to give it back.
If all of these responses are serious, Op and every single responder sounds like a psycho. No, you cannot keep a dog you are dogsitting and it's weird to ask. I had someone watch my cat for five days this summer and would've been so offended if I came home and she asked "Are you interested in rehoming Fluffy?" Seriously, op, if you ask the owner this, I hope they never ask you to sit again. So rude and presumptuous.
Anonymous
Post 08/30/2021 00:56     Subject: Babysitting dog all summer and don’t want to give it back.
Still cute in advanced age? Do certain breeds age much better than others is do some dogs just get lucky?

I'm guessing OP is talking about a French Bulldog or English Bulldog. Those two breeds seem to draw a crowd. Maybe St Charles Spaniel or Jack Russell.
Anonymous
Post 08/30/2021 00:47     Subject: Babysitting dog all summer and don’t want to give it back.
Anonymous wrote:A simple question like "How much for the dog?" should suffice.


Would an old dog, even a cute one that's aged well (as OP described), actually cost money? I thought most people fear end-of-life ailments and vet bills.
Anonymous
Post 08/29/2021 23:19     Subject: Babysitting dog all summer and don’t want to give it back.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:“We really love Beauregard! If you ever are looking for a new home for him, please consider us.”

That’s it. Say that clearly, once.


This. It is perfect.


+1. It’s a longer story, but we had a relative say this to us, and we just laughed at the time, but, later, our circumstances changed, and we took them up on it. They lived on a beautiful horse farm, and that dog was in heaven.
Anonymous
Post 08/29/2021 13:14     Subject: Re:Babysitting dog all summer and don’t want to give it back.
Anonymous wrote:Go get your own dog. Your family seems ready for the commitment and love. Go to some shelters. There are so many dogs waiting to be loved by you. Your fam seems very responsible and everyone is pro dog. Take it as a sign and go find your forever Fido.
+100
Anonymous
Post 08/29/2021 11:21     Subject: Re:Babysitting dog all summer and don’t want to give it back.
Go get your own dog. Your family seems ready for the commitment and love. Go to some shelters. There are so many dogs waiting to be loved by you. Your fam seems very responsible and everyone is pro dog. Take it as a sign and go find your forever Fido.
Anonymous
Post 08/29/2021 11:15     Subject: Babysitting dog all summer and don’t want to give it back.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:“We really love Beauregard! If you ever are looking for a new home for him, please consider us.”

That’s it. Say that clearly, once.


This. It is perfect.


Yup


+1

This is what you should say. Asking if you can keep someone else's dog is weird and possibly off-putting; just let them know that you would be willing to be a home for the dog if they ever happen to need one.
Anonymous
Post 08/29/2021 11:12     Subject: Babysitting dog all summer and don’t want to give it back.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:“We really love Beauregard! If you ever are looking for a new home for him, please consider us.”

That’s it. Say that clearly, once.


This. It is perfect.


Yup
Anonymous
Post 08/29/2021 11:10     Subject: Re:Babysitting dog all summer and don’t want to give it back.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would tell your relative this in a jokey, low key way. Who knows - maybe they would love to rehome the dog especially to a loving family!


I wouldn’t even joke, I would straight out say if they are interested, your family fell in love and would love to take him in.
+1


+1 This is some kind of pathology on this board that women have where they can’t be direct. “We really fell in love with Bozo this summer, if you would like us to be his permanent home we would love that.”


+1 but you may scare the owner off - you should mitigate it with how you'd be happy to take him a couple days during the week and whenever they go away - so you don't just sound grasping.


Yup. If you had been dog sitting my dog and straight out said you wanted to keep him, I’d be freaked out and you’d probably never see him again.


Anyone who just expects someone to dog sit for MONTHS and not become attached to the dog is a fool.


Anyone who thinks they can just keep someone else’s dog because they want to is out of touch with reality.


That's not the situation - the owner left their dog for an extended period of time for whatever reason. They shouldn't have a pet if this is the norm for them; if they were a loving pet owner they would see that their pet is happy and beloved and do what's best for him.


Not your dog. Not your call.
Anonymous
Post 08/29/2021 10:10     Subject: Babysitting dog all summer and don’t want to give it back.
OP, just ask outright if they would be interested in parting with the dog. If they say no, you go out and get your own. Don't waste your time longing for someone else's dog.
Anonymous
Post 08/29/2021 09:55     Subject: Re:Babysitting dog all summer and don’t want to give it back.
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would tell your relative this in a jokey, low key way. Who knows - maybe they would love to rehome the dog especially to a loving family!


I wouldn’t even joke, I would straight out say if they are interested, your family fell in love and would love to take him in.
+1


+1 This is some kind of pathology on this board that women have where they can’t be direct. “We really fell in love with Bozo this summer, if you would like us to be his permanent home we would love that.”


+1 but you may scare the owner off - you should mitigate it with how you'd be happy to take him a couple days during the week and whenever they go away - so you don't just sound grasping.


Yup. If you had been dog sitting my dog and straight out said you wanted to keep him, I’d be freaked out and you’d probably never see him again.


Yes!

Op, just be content to dog sit.