New adopted dog decision

Hey all, I know there are a lot of posts like this, but I’m really struggling with a decision and could genuinely use some outside perspective.

I recently adopted a dog, and she’s honestly incredible. Gentle, patient, and just an all-around beautiful dog. I’ve grown really fond of her already, which is what makes this so hard.

Since adopting her though, I’ve started to realise I might not actually be in the right place in life to give her what she needs. I went into it thinking I was ready, and I have been trying to make it work, but it’s been a lot more overwhelming than I expected. I’ve been losing sleep, feeling constantly on edge, and finding it hard to properly relax, even when I’m at home.

I work in aviation maintenance, so being mentally clear, well-rested, and focused is really important. If I’m tired or distracted, things can get rushed, missed, or overlooked and in this kind of work, small mistakes can have serious consequences. Recently I’ve noticed the stress starting to follow me into work, and it’s becoming a real concern. My boss has even pointed it out.

Because of the nature of my job, as well as my age and personality, I feel like if this doesn’t improve very soon, I won’t be able to keep her. I can’t afford to be fatigued or mentally off at work, and right now having a dog has been a major source of stress.

On top of that, my schedule isn’t ideal. I work 5–6 days a week for about 8 hours, and I’m about to start trade school again, which could mean being out of the house for up to 12 hours some days. The more I think about it, the more it doesn’t feel right leaving her alone that much. I feel like she deserves more whether that’s more space, another dog, or just someone around more often. Unfortunately, I can’t really provide that right now, especially living in a suburban place with a smaller backyard.

I’m 19, and I’ll be honest. I think I underestimated how ready I was for this. It’s not that I don’t want a dog or don’t care. If anything, this has made me realise how much time, consistency, and stability they actually need. I also think the responsibility has brought back some stress-related issues I need to properly work through.

I want to be clear this isn’t about being lazy or just giving up. I have been trying, and I do love her. That’s why I’m even considering this, because I don’t know if it’s fair on her to stay in a situation where I’m struggling and she’s spending so much time alone.

Right now I’m leaning toward returning her to the foster agency so she can find a home that better suits her, but I feel incredibly guilty even thinking about it.

Am I making the right call here?