Canine loving couple rescues 4 month old puppy, but after failing to find the dog’s owner they make difficult choice to rehome with a trusted friend after hearing that: ‘A belgian malinois and new parenthood don't mix’

Author image for Laurent Shinar
Laurent Shinar • Writer and Editor
Jan 6, 2026 3:00 PM EST

If life were ideal then the only way in which dogs would come into the lives of hoomans is via the doggo distribution network. You would simply wait your turn and the network would decide which pupper to place with you and when. And that way we would all have the pawfect pup for us and our lifestyles and would all live happily ever after. But that is simply not the world we live in and sometimes when you rescue a dog you have to make the tough decision to find it a home that can handle the undertaking if you yourself are not fully prepawed for such a thing.

And thankfully that is what this clever couple did after much deliberation and trying to convince themselves that it might be a good idea after all. Because at the end of the day and the rescue the only thing that truly matters is the long term well being of the dog. So the next time you are faced with such a dilemma, remember that it is ok to admit that now is not the best time for you, because if that is the case then it is not the right time for the pupper either.

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  • 01
    "After much thought, we found a wonderful home for her"
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    My husband and I found a 4month puppy on the street a few weeks ago, we got it all fixed up with shots and meds at the vet (poor gal had fleas, ticks, neck wound, worms, and Giardia) but no microchip and not
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    spayed. We have been posting on multiple sites/searching for the owner for 3 weeks now with no luck, she was likely abandoned. I got her DNA tested as I was kind of hoping she wasn't a full malinois, but results
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    came back and she is a 100% Belgian Malinois (posting here because original post was here). I've always been aware of the breed's needs and I know how much time, energy, and discipline these dogs need to thrive and
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  • 05
    to be honest, I don't have that in me currently. I've been working nonstop being a small business owner and we are also trying to conceive. In these past 3 weeks alone, my physical health,
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    Cheezburger Image 10592730112
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    mental sanity, and work has already been affected by having this pupper (my Oura ring scores are in the trash), and I'm reading that after the puppy stage it gets more exhausting. We take dog ownership very
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  • While it might be a downer that this kind rescuer cannot care for this doggo long term, we do need to appreciate the responsibility that this woman has. After all, adopting any doggo is a big undertaking and so you have to consider if you have the time and energy in your life to do such a thing. And if you do not it is better to be reasonable and rational that subject a poor pupper to a life that they do not deserve. 

  • 08
    seriously so this pup has plenty of walks/play sessions/homemade treats/lick and snuffle mats, etc. My husband spends multiple sessions each day training her in different ways, with me reinforcing
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  • 09
    training as well. She got potty trained in 10 days, is doing well with numerous commands and her recall is impressive (or she's just really clingy). We got her evaluated by a professional trainer (whom we may look
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    into hiring if needs must) and we take both dogs into work with us for the 4 days we are in the office. I would say we are just about scraping by making this unexpected pup work (but with no children and the dog
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  • 12
    only being ~4 months old). My mom friends say a belgian malinois and new parenthood don't mix and that I'll regret keeping the dog when those months of parenthood arrive. I agree that the early
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  • 13
    days will not be easy, but also believe that everything is temporary and dogs are trainable (and we'll have at least 9 months to train this pup before a baby arrives). I trained our current dog, a 6yo
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  • Ah the bargaining. We get it, who would not be trying to convince themselves any which way possible that it would be a good idea to adopt such a doggo. After all, a doggo in the hand is worth three on the street. But ultimately being a responsible pawrent is what counts, no matter how much your heart wants the love and attention of a new pupper. But yeah, we get it, we would be trying to talk ourselves into it too.  

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    GSD, myself and it was a rough 1.5 years but she is now my #1 source of joy. I believe we could give this new pupper a great home, a great life, but at the risk of my sanity for a few years. My husband has always
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  • 16
    wanted a malinois and we're both leaning towards keeping this pup as I haven't been able to even think about dropping her off at the shelter without bursting into tears. Our older GSD is calm and can hang
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    around the house all weekend without demanding anything, just existing happily with her introverted self. This malinois puppy could not be more opposite.... and I'm wondering how dumb am I to
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  • 19
    consider keeping this pup while preparing my life for new parenthood? Looking for advice or experience with similar situations (i.e. high-drive pup with first time parenthood + heavy workload). If your
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  • 20
    advice is to rehome, please share reputable rescues that don't cage them (she clearly has crate trauma). A shelter drop-off isn't an option I could handle.
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  • 21
    My husband and I found a 4 month old Belgian Malinois puppy on the street a few weeks ago (no owner found - yes all steps have been taken). She's sweet but super high energy and honestly already a lot to handle.
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    Cheezburger Image 10592730880
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    We're also trying to conceive, and I've heard from so many moms that even with their calm dogs, postpartum hit and they suddenly resented them. I'm scared that with a demanding puppy in the mix, it could be overwhelming.
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    Cheezburger Image 10592731392
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    Update : After much thought, we found a wonderful home for her through a friend of ours that has the time, energy, and resources to ensure she gets the exercise, training, and attention she
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  • 26
    deserves for life. Thank you to those who shared advice, perspectives... it truly helped me think about the future (for both of us) and make a decision that hurts now, but will be best in the long run.
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choice month old dogs Belgian Malinois parenthood puppy dog owner friends find reddit story canine rehome difficult couples failing mix dont dog story trust dog lovers rescue
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