My friend won't give my dog back

[adjusterjack]

Dogs have no sense of time tho

I googled Do Dogs Have a Sense of Time and found significant anecdotal evidence that they do.

Yes we are lol. A used 2011 model that my daughter picked out when she was in Pre-K and my son was born with our dog always around.

Some practical issues you might have to face:

1 - You'll have to sue in NY where the Defendant and the dog are located.

2 - If you sue in NY small claims court you can only sue for money, not the return of property (I looked it up). The property value of a dog is likely a lot less than the $600 you already offered.

3 - If you sue in a higher court, it will be more complicated and expensive because you are likely to need a lawyer or risk getting it wrong.

4 - Either way, you will have to travel to NY, maybe more than once, to attend court and you don't get paid for your travel costs or time off from work.

5 - If you sued for the return of your property you would have to prove ownership. Having left the dog behind for 19 months there would be strong presumption that you relinquished ownership.

My advice: Accept the fact that your old dog has been rehomed. If you are now in a financial position where you can own a dog, take your children to the local dog pound and rescue a puppy. They will fall in love with one, guaranteed.