Does it make you a shitty person if you fall in love with a dog at one of those petsmart mega adoption events and bring her home to be a companion to your dog but they aren’t as compatible as they initially seemed and you have to bring them back?

No.

Adopting a dog is a 10+ year commitment. Most adoption events are to persuade people into acting on impulse. If the dog doesn’t mesh well with the environment you take it home to, then it isn’t going to have a happy life.

Recently, a family member had 1 of their 2 American Bulldogs pass away. The remaining bulldog, a quiet, reserved, submissive female, was all of a sudden bouncing around the house, eating better, and playing non stop with guests. Just because you want your dog to have a companion, doesn’t mean the one you bring home will automatically be their best friend.

Adopting a second dog should only be done after introducing the two in multiple locations. A neutral ground is always the first choice, but a dog can react a lot differently once their home is intruded upon. The safest choice when selecting a companion is either a puppy, because they are not a threat, or the same/similar breed. However, while dogs are individuals, some breeds prefer to be the only dog.