Oh, my skin is pretty thick (and scarred), It'll take more than some Down North attempt at humor to get me upset.
No, Dad's not needing another dog. There's a reason I've got his out at my son's place. The dogs outlived him, which is why I'm not getting anything but rescues from here on out (have one now). The GSPs were basically pets, but they weren't "In Town" pets. They had the run of 60 acres of Texas Hill Country which isn't even a good warmup for Jack (Jaeger). Fred isn't quite so ambitious. But they are in the closest thing to that right now and were it not for Jack's fresh chicken addiction, he would be allowed more freedom. He's only allowed out under strict supervision.
People think they want dogs so they get a puppy. The puppy becomes a dog and they realize it's like having another person at their house and in their lives, which is a lot of trouble. But, it's just a dog right? The dog always get the short end of the stick.
The couple behind us, who can barely take care of themselves, got a status enhancing Great Dane puppy. You know what happened. He barks incessantly because he wants some interaction and there's nobody to give it to him. There's a hole in the corner of the fence he can look through standing up and he'll let #1 Wife pet him but runs away when I try. Probably has to do with the "Man of the House" over there (just speculation). But, he's way too big for their kids to play with, so now the back yard is his, and his alone. Barking is his only hobby.
Anyway, Good on you for taking in the dog. Good luck.
Alan