We have an older dog that we have loved and has been a valued part of our family, but unfortunately she has become very grumpy with our very active 2 year old. She has never snapped, but growls often at her when she gets close and we no longer feel comfortable keeping her. It breaks our hearts to give her up, but we could not live with ourselves if anything happened to our daughter and our dog is primarily an inside dog so it is very difficult to keep them separated. Know that we have tried everything possible before we came to this and we never thought that she wouldn't live out her entire life with us.
She is a beautiful 50 pound mixed breed that would love an adult only home with a fenced yard (acreage) to run, but a warm bed to sleep in at the foot of your bed at night. She is very loving and loves attention, but is very independent and loves to run and play ball. She is not dog or cat friendly, so needs to be the only pet in the home. She was a pound rescue at 3 weeks old and we have had her since then, she just turned 10. She is still in perfect health and acts like a puppy. We've never had to take her to the vet for anything (other than vaccines and check ups) and is a very healthy dog who is going to enjoy her golden years! She is a great watch dog and has always made me feel safe in my home, so she would be ideal for a woman living alone. She tends to bark at men in the beginning, but warms up fast to people with good energy. We have had male dog sitters and she loves them!
If you think you might be the special person to give her a new home and help us out in this very difficult situation please let me know.
Blessings!
parlyvous
06-09-2010, 09:05 PM
We have an older dog that we have loved and has been a valued part of our family, but unfortunately she has become very grumpy with our very active 2 year old. She has never snapped, but growls often at her when she gets close and we no longer feel comfortable keeping her. It breaks our hearts to give her up, but we could not live with ourselves if anything happened to our daughter and our dog is primarily an inside dog so it is very difficult to keep them separated. Know that we have tried everything possible before we came to this and we never thought that she wouldn't live out her entire life with us.
She is a beautiful 50 pound mixed breed that would love an adult only home with a fenced yard (acreage) to run, but a warm bed to sleep in at the foot of your bed at night. She is very loving and loves attention, but is very independent and loves to run and play ball. She is not dog or cat friendly, so needs to be the only pet in the home. She was a pound rescue at 3 weeks old and we have had her since then, she just turned 10. She is still in perfect health and acts like a puppy. We've never had to take her to the vet for anything (other than vaccines and check ups) and is a very healthy dog who is going to enjoy her golden years! She is a great watch dog and has always made me feel safe in my home, so she would be ideal for a woman living alone. She tends to bark at men in the beginning, but warms up fast to people with good energy. We have had male dog sitters and she loves them!
If you think you might be the special person to give her a new home and help us out in this very difficult situation please let me know.
Blessings!
I'm appalled. You take in a puppy years back, she is part of the family.."a valued part of our family" and you have been made to feel safe with her in your home. You have a child who just now is beginning to get around and is 'active' (you do understand the dynamics of the pack don't you?)
She shows some displeasure and who gets dumped.?.the devoted dog that has been with you for years and expects to be the one and only and to run and play and sleep at your feet. Dumped for a new addition. Was there an introduction process? Did you let her know her place in the family was not threatened? Do you watch the two year old to make sure she is not pulling ears and tail? The human child needs to be taught also.
Have you given a thought to when you are in your advanced years and get grumpy with the young ones under your feet? What if your family decides instead of dealing with the issue with every option available they try and foist you off on strangers?:hmmm:
I see this so OFTEN, it angers me. This is a sentient being that has given you her best years and this is her reward? She is 10 years old, with perhaps 3 maybe 5 years left and you expect her to just blithely accept the loss of all that is familiar and safe and go to strangers?
She is not a toy that has grown a tad shabby and can suddenly be shoved aside for something shiner and more 'fun'. She has a heart, that has been full of you and for you.
What about a trainer coming in and assessing the situation? Give her a chance.
:idea:
hvnagdx
06-10-2010, 02:56 PM
You and several others on WACCO never cease to amaze me. Have you ever wondered why this is no longer a safe place to post anything that appalls you or your kind!
I'm sure when they took this puppy into their home & their hearts they never imagined having to let her go! Here they try to use WACCO, FOR EXACTLY WHAT IT IS FOR AND YOU ATTACK THEM! A full time house dog that is use to sleeping on a bed at the foot of their bed and has lead a healthy life is not an abused dog. LIFE HAPPENS and they are attempting to do what they feel is best for their dog and their child and you question their sincerity, their efforts?!? Would you rather the child be bit and the dog possibly be put to sleep? Not everyone can live up to your standards! Why can't you ever accept that people are just doing what they feel is best for them, THEIR dog and their child. This "something shiner and more 'fun' " is a human being, their child. Perhaps you would rather they adopt out the child?
You are the grumpy one! What should we do with you to make WACCO a safe place to post freely about pets and other issues which upset you?
GEEZ... get a life!
Flame suit on!
And yes, I have worked animal rescue, in fact I was co-ordinator for a very successful non-profit for over ten years, so I am sensitive to the problems! It breaks my heart! But I've also helped people such as these and see them cry over their situations. Placed in the right home this dog will be loved and love again. That is all that they are looking for!
You didn't offer any help, you just questioned their whole being! Shame on you!
I'm appalled. You take in a puppy years back, she is part of the family.."a valued part of our family" and you have been made to feel safe with her in your home. You have a child who just now is beginning to get around and is 'active' (you do understand the dynamics of the pack don't you?)
She shows some displeasure and who gets dumped.?.the devoted dog that has been with you for years and expects to be the one and only and to run and play and sleep at your feet. Dumped for a new addition. Was there an introduction process? Did you let her know her place in the family was not threatened? Do you watch the two year old to make sure she is not pulling ears and tail? The human child needs to be taught also.
Have you given a thought to when you are in your advanced years and get grumpy with the young ones under your feet? What if your family decides instead of dealing with the issue with every option available they try and foist you off on strangers?:hmmm:
I see this so OFTEN, it angers me. This is a sentient being that has given you her best years and this is her reward? She is 10 years old, with perhaps 3 maybe 5 years left and you expect her to just blithely accept the loss of all that is familiar and safe and go to strangers?
She is not a toy that has grown a tad shabby and can suddenly be shoved aside for something shiner and more 'fun'. She has a heart, that has been full of you and for you.
What about a trainer coming in and assessing the situation? Give her a chance.
:idea:
MamaK
06-10-2010, 03:18 PM
I shouldn't have to defend myself, but I feel like responding because you've (patzy) made me so mad. I guess those of you who are choosing to attack me for our family's decision did not read the part that "we have tried everything." We are loving, experienced dog owners. Of course we did all the things that you suggested along with having a local trainer come out to try to help the situation. Our dog has always been high maintenance and special needs. She is EXTREMELY dog aggressive, which yes, we have gone to countless dog training courses to try to remedy, but to no avail. We chose to adopt a pound mutt rather than buy a dog because we love animals and know how many animals need good homes. Giving her up is not a decision we take lightly.
People who respond like this must have never had children if you don't know what an impossible decision this entails. My daughter is not just beginning to be active, she walked at 11 months and quickly started running and it has been awful with our dog since then, she's now 2 1/2. We have been trying to work on it since the beginning and over the last year and a half it is only getting worse. My daughter treats our dog with nothing but respect, but even walking slowly up to her and petting her back elicits growls. So please don't judge us without finding out the whole situation. I posted this on here as a last resort and I don't need people like you belittling me for my choices. How about you offer some helpful advice or assistance? Do you know of a miracle worker dog trainer (other than Cesar Millan) that can come help us, or do want to foot the huge bill that it will cost (that we can't afford on our teachers salary)? I agree, some people are quick to give up their animals when they don't realize the responsibility of owning a dog, but please don't blindly assume that we are those people. Would you rather we be the people that stick their dog in a run outside and never allow her in the house again. Is that a life? I know it will be hard for her to re-attach, but at least she'll have the chance at a full life with loving people.
Thank you to "hvnagdx" for your reply. I appreciate what you've said! It sounds like you've had experience in situations like ours, so if you have any further advice I would love to hear it! We're open to ideas, but can't keep living this way.
parlyvous
06-10-2010, 03:53 PM
wow, how distorted :hmmm:could my reply get to responders that didn't like my reply. (others saw the issue as I did) HUGE anger.
Firstly don't do the old worn out "teacher's salary" excuse. Even if teachers were horribly paid, 'who' made the choice? Are you, on that small pitiful salary going to even be able to raise a human child what with the huge expenses behind that?
I thought I presented my opinion and suggestions in a rather benign manner. I've obviously touched a very sore spot....it's called guilt because you know I'm correct.
Other species are far too often considered throw away lives. The 'shelters' (ha!) are filled with them. Pop a kid and the critters are kicked out the door.
There are trainers that can work with you on the issue without costing an arm and leg. Have you actually looked into it??? It may be simple suggestions and a time or two with a trainer , you can't know at this stage of the game.
The dog like I've said probably has 3 years left. Three years to wonder and grieve for the lost family she knew. Those 3 years (unless the dog is very fortunate) will be years of increasing vet bills and treatments. The majority of people do not rush to adopt an older animal so many end up euthanized or worst, left in a shelter among the fear and anguish and then the ineviatable..death in a strange place...what if it is a heart stick shelter???
I'm amazed at the anger of the person who has just decided Wacco has collapsed into chaos because a single person stated their opinion. Lighten up!!! This is exactly what Wacco is for also, debate and suggestions. You want it your way or the highway.
I can't take the dog in, as it hasn't been socialized to other animals..those being older cats, dogs of differing ages and horses.
I presented my case and opinion and wow..attack! attack!
I'm sorry pup... I hope a miracle occurs for your sake.
I imagine with the cost of a human child(and teacher's salaries) no more pets will be brought into the household, correct???
MamaK
06-10-2010, 04:22 PM
I'm not here to debate what's right and wrong. I'm sorry I responded previously out of anger. I do not have to defend my family's decisions and shouldn't have let patzy's rude response get to me. Patzy, for future reference when you use words such as "She is not a toy that has grown a tad shabby and can suddenly be shoved aside for something shiner and more 'fun'" your post stops being benign and helpful and starts being judgmental.
I do not feel guilty, just very sad about the situation. And if you read my previous post through then you would know that we have consulted with a trainer and they have not been able to help us. Yes, there are possibly better trainers somewhere, but we have not been able to find one. So again, any suggestions would be great. If you watch Cesar Millan, sometimes in red zone cases he has to take the dog to the rehabilitation center to help them. I feel our dog is one of those cases. Our vast efforts have shown some improvement but have not alleviated the situation.
The truth is, we need help. If there is anyone out there that can provide a loving home to our dog and help out our family then please respond. Please don't respond if you are going to judge us or our decision. Thank you in advance for your help and loving thoughts.
paulswetdog
06-11-2010, 09:47 AM
patzy, I think we got your point. You obviously have made up your mind about this situation, despite what MamaK has written. Why you cannot show some compassion to the people involved is beyond me. Now why don't you just shut up?
MamaK, I am sorry you have gone through all this crap, on top of having to make what to me sounds like an impossible decision. I wish you luck.
"Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent." Ludwig Wittgenstein.
podfish
06-11-2010, 11:53 PM
distorted??? your point of view seems clear to me. If you want to rant & rave, that's swell. I have the impulse often myself. But I don't share your view of animals as equals of people, and sadly for you there's a lot more people with my warped point of view on this. Forcing someone who posted a request for help to defend themselves, and responding to that with even more anger, reinforces any opinion I would have that people who get all wrapped up in this kind of animal rights issues have ethics that I find abhorrent. It's a common caricature that PETA supporters value critters over people, and you're doing a lot to boost that impression.
wow, how distorted :hmmm:could my reply get to responders that didn't like my reply. (others saw the issue as I did) HUGE anger.....
podfish
06-12-2010, 09:17 AM
There's no shortage of personal attacks on this or pretty much any BB, that's true. But certainly in this case, you're taking the wrong end of that stick. The 'hammering' was being done by Patzy, which was the source of my objections. You'll also find a lot of vehement discussions going on with very little in the way of personal attack. When people express views in opposition to yours, or even dismissive of yours, it really shouldn't leave many scars. These forums, as you might guess from the choice of the word itself, are places where opposing views are discussed. You might be surprised, but I'm actually very sympathetic to the point of view that animals might indeed have the same rights as humans. Sympathetic, in the sense I can construct an argument in its favor. I tend to like it when people are motivated by unselfish concerns, too, so animal advocates start out with points in their favor, at least with me. But Patzy twice chose to attack a person and their motives directly, and because you share her views on the critters you feel that she's the one being wronged here.
Sorry the thread's been hijacked - I hope MamaK finds a workable solution. And I hope next time people who presumably want to improve the way animals are treated do a better job of eliciting support for their perspective..
I and a few others have responded to posts similar to MamaK's and bear the scars for our temerity. I left Wacco because of being hammered for my views and returned only recently. Once, I asked two serious AR folks to respond and they tried but were also castigated for having 'views' and for holding companion animals in equal regard to humans....
Karen
06-13-2010, 03:24 PM
We had a dog with the same problem. It turned out that our old dog had a very painful back. When he got on tramadol he stopped growling and snapping at the children. Just a thought. :idea:
We have an older dog that we have loved and has been a valued part of our family, but unfortunately she has become very grumpy with our very active 2 year old. She has never snapped, but growls often at her when she gets close and we no longer feel comfortable keeping her. It breaks our hearts to give her up, but we could not live with ourselves if anything happened to our daughter and our dog is primarily an inside dog so it is very difficult to keep them separated. Know that we have tried everything possible before we came to this and we never thought that she wouldn't live out her entire life with us.
She is a beautiful 50 pound mixed breed that would love an adult only home with a fenced yard (acreage) to run, but a warm bed to sleep in at the foot of your bed at night. She is very loving and loves attention, but is very independent and loves to run and play ball. She is not dog or cat friendly, so needs to be the only pet in the home. She was a pound rescue at 3 weeks old and we have had her since then, she just turned 10. She is still in perfect health and acts like a puppy. We've never had to take her to the vet for anything (other than vaccines and check ups) and is a very healthy dog who is going to enjoy her golden years! She is a great watch dog and has always made me feel safe in my home, so she would be ideal for a woman living alone. She tends to bark at men in the beginning, but warms up fast to people with good energy. We have had male dog sitters and she loves them!
If you think you might be the special person to give her a new home and help us out in this very difficult situation please let me know.