No, not yet. I seem to be taking the long approach to this. I've spoken to a couple of breeders with one of the local kennel clubs. The line of questions one of them in particular asked me has me looking even more introspectively. I am not surprised and even expect to be grilled by any good, conscientious breeder, so it was all good.
The one breeder (of Westies in this case) was concerned about my living in an apartment, my unfortunate necessity of keeping a dog penned up for several hours during the day, and not having a fenced yard for allowing a Westie or other such breed the freedom to vent their considerable energy. It has me thinking that I really need to consider finding either another apartment or a house to rent that offers a fenced area to let a dog go off-lead. And though I know this would be a long range goal of mine anyway, I am now thinking that perhaps I should get that part of my life settled sooner rather than later if I want to adopt a new four-legged family member.
Either way, I have decided to take my time and be patient.
The positive thing is that the one breeder with the most questions and concerns was pleased to hear of my care and concern in making this move to adopt a new dog, and she was encouraged enough to still want to meet me and my sons this summer some time prior to her next litter (she has very limited breedings and chooses carefully from potential homes for placement of her pups.) I am pleased she would still keep us in mind, even given my less than ideal living arrangements at present.
I seem to be settling on a West Highland White more than any other breed. But my S8 has suddenly gotten fixated on Corgis -- he saw one and was smitten. But I think any puppy of any breed would steal his heart, so he may not be so set on one breed or another as much as he thinks.
My boss at work has also given me a referral for the breeder of her two Westies. I'm gathering all this info and making inquiries, and biding my time till I find the best-fit puppy at the most opportune moment.
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S8 had his bridging ceremony today for cub scouts -- he graduated from a Wolf cub to a Bear cub. He does seem to be thrilled about that.
S4 got all emotional and temperamental however. He has already been trying his best to be difficult all day long, and then he started making a huge fuss at his brother's ceremony this afternoon. Made a big scene. He said he was upset with his brother for becoming a bear because he doesn't like bears, he likes wolves so much more. Uuugh -- crazy kid. I determined he was really trying to garner attention from the crowd, and he certainly got it.
