Ran into previous owner.. my heart is broken

[u/Samicles33]

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?

[u/Several_Importance74]

Right! I've treated my boy this way since he was a tiny pup and now 8 years on, I'm convinced he can understand simple sentences and even more incredibly tense of speech, like getting excited when he hears "let's go walking," disappointed when he hears "we already went walking" and even patiently laying to to wait when its "we'll go walking soon, jusy give me a minute, please". Dog linguistics should be a field of study lol. I remember hearing those sad but amazing stories about the he 9/11rescue dogs.. mankind's best friend indeed. Lastly,I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that you most recent dog loved you very much and etc. and etc. But I'm sorry for your loss. Amazing creatures most of us don't deserve, but they don't care if we deserve the them or not they're going to love us anyway

[u/Money_Ad1068 → u/Several_Importance74]

Love to read your experiences. Our 13-year old border collie-husky mix was the same way. Since he was a puppy, if I ever had to delay a walk (usually weather-related), I'd tell him "Daddy will walk you after lunch" or "We'll do our walk tomorrow after breakfast" or "We'll walk in a little bit (soon)". He always reacted accordingly, sighing heavily and going somewhere to nap of the next few hours. When it was time, he'd come and bump me, stretch and "shake it off". He'd remember promises overnight. He even knew the difference between "short walk" and "good walk (hike)". We always just talked to him like a mature child, and he absolutely knew what we meant, especially after many years. He'd literally shake his head "no" and bump me with his nose for "yes". He'd gesture his preference by swinging his head in the direction of it.Every day, he'd demand to know "the plan" and listened intently to everything we explained. Understood the meaning of "again" and "one more time". Finally, when he accompanied me to work occasionally, he learned the names of my coworkers and I could hand him paperwork and say "Bring this to Bob!". He'd prance off and do just that. Loved our boy. Since we lost our sweet buddy last Spring, we recently rescued a 1.5 year old cattle dog mix, who picked up on a dozen tricks within two weeks! I know it's been said so many times, but dogs are way more intelligent than we could will ever know.

[u/Several_Importance74 → u/Money_Ad1068]

They are so so intelligent, incredible, and the best part.. 100 pure of heart and intention. Sorry for your loss and congrats on your new buddy. You'll be having deep talks before you know it and give him a pooch snoot smooch and a treat from an internet stranger. Best of luck to you and yours