Yall, I need a vent..

[TeddyGrahams]

im so mad!! I have done rescue since 2003 (I was 17 when I started), I lived at home with my parents when I started but I fostered and ran many transports as well as coordinated adoptions, home visits, etc. Over the years i've met amazing friends and I /thought/ I set a good example for my younger sister. I moved out many years ago and am now married and live out of state, I still foster and transport and my own dog, Teddy, is very well cared for. WELL my younger sister, who is 19 almost 20yrs old, still lives with our mom and has had a chihuahua for 6 years. The dog had been in good care until my sister got a boyfriend this past year. A few weeks ago I was visiting family and I saw the dog. She looked AWFUL!!! she had a big ulcer in her mouth, she lived OUTSIDE (4lb chihuahua living outside against the elements ugh!), she was not on heartworm or flea prevention and she was infested with fleas. I was horrified, I asked my sister if she fed her and she said "I wait till she finishes whats in the bowl" The bowl was covered in slug slime because obviously at night the slugs would eat her food. The dog was so skinny! Nonetheless when I looked in her mouth I saw the ulcer and realized she probably couldn't even eat crunchy food.

Im so embarassed that this is my sister!! Our mom is never home and expects my sister to be responsible for her dog, after all she is 19 and living at home, jobless, her only job is to go to college. Which she was only taking 9hrs! I talked to my mom and she told me that she has been begging my sister to re-home the dog so she can have a better life, but my sister is selfish and said the dog loves her. Yes, the dog loves her and obviously senses the change since my sister got the boyfriend. While I was visiting the dog was crying all night while outside. I wanted to bring her inside but my sister said no, since her room had fleas (WHICH TEDDY WAS IN THAT ROOM AND HE CAME HOME WITH FLEAS!! I've since treated him and he's flea free now.) Finally my sister called me a week ago and asked me to help her find a better home for her dog. I emailed 250+ people i've met through rescue and within an hour I found a rescue that would take care of her. I refused to rehome her without the proper care so now the dog is in rescue and today the rescue updated me.

The dog has severe heartworms, severe dental disease (only 4 teeth!), emaciated, flea infested/anemic, and she looked like she is 15yrs old and not 6. I just am so angry right now. Why? BECAUSE ALL OF THIS CAN BE PREVENTED!!! Insurance is important for emergencies but I realize not everyone can afford it. Especially since my jobless sister leeches off my mom and gets $100 a week as "allowance" but she spends the money on her boyfriend and world of warcraft. She could have bought the flea/hw prevention individually each month, gone to the free rabies clinic, saved her money and got her a dental every 2yrs....but NO. Now the dog has to go through the HW treatment but the rescue says they feel she might not survive it. The worst part is that I HAVE WARNED HER COUNTLESS TIMES to take care of her dog! I feel that I made a good example but obviously I failed.

If you read through this whole thing, this is just a vent. I've done what I could other than rip my sister a new one. My husband has been very good at restraining me but I don't know what will happen for christmas. I'm just so upset and embarassed. Please let this be a lesson for those who don't think that the basic things like shots,dentals,flea prevention and heartworm prevention are afterthoughts. They are not, dogs NEED them and this should be MANDATORY in order to own a pet. Check your dogs daily. I run my hands across Teddy's body, I check his teeth, I palpate his belly, gently but it's routine to know my animal. Know yours. dogs are not just animals. They give us so much more.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

So sorry this has happened. I would be upset with my sister too. But believe it or not, lots of people do the same thing. Even though they should know better. It is so sad for these pups. At least she is at a rescue now and getting the treatment she needs. That is what is important. And your sister knew she needed a better home. Maybe she will learn from this and remember before getting another animal.

And you are right. My girls are not just dogs, they are part of my family. I love them and pamper them. So I completely understand your vent.

I also agree these things are necessities if you are a pet owner. I just wish more people understood that.

[NewYorksBrandy]

Aww.. I'm sorry to here about your sisters dog.. Sometimes setting an example is hard... I know best that little sisters are hard headed... My sister is... you tell her one thing comes out the other ear... Dogs are more then animals they give us just as much as family does..only thing is they can't tell you if their sick, if their hungery, if they need something..I'm so upset with your sister because rehoming or taking better care of her pup could have been easy to do... I'm waiting home for my Brandy to get better and wish she could be here with me... mean while your sister had her baby and messed up.. you're right your sister is old enough to know right and wrong and boyfriends don't come betweenthe love of your pet and you... Shame on your sister... tell her their are people wishing to have a healthy pup and she messed her chance up...

[CouversMom]

Wow, it really sounds like your sister neglected that poor dog... I cannot believe that she was living outside! I'm glad that you ripped her a new one. I hope you mention all the different ailments she had when you visit again. That is just not acceptable... If you aren't able to afford and take care of a dog, you shouldn't own one!

[puppyluvinmomma]

I was always told you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink. You have set a very good example. Im glad that poor baby is in a better place and you did everything you could do.

[kjc]

Very sad...

[capt_noonie]

This is SO sad! I think you DO need to rip your sister a new one.

We appreciate what you do for rescue. It is not for everyone. When I was that age (older by a few years even) I will have to admit I did something similar. The way I behaved towards my cat still haunts me to this day. I torture myself with guilt over him now, that I donate much of my time to rescue now. Hopefully your sis will grow up someday and understand what happened and do the same. However much I do, I still don't think it was enough for what my kitty had to go thru.

[betterthanlife]

It is always of concern when an adult treats an animal so poorly. However, I would definitely not beat yourself up over this. This is not about you. You cannot take responsibility for your sisters behavior. Actually, you can thank yourself for getting her to think about giving the dog a chance for a better life. You sound like a very kind person.

[TeddyGrahams]

Thanks for listening guys, i really needed to just get it off my chest. I have been biting my tongue for so long over her changes. The dog didn't deserve to be put on the back burner. And yea, this is a common occurrence but it totally hit a nerve being that it's my sister. I am glad i was able to save the dog, but i feel it's just another bail out for my sister sans consequences. Oi but yea i feel a little better getting it out.

[lovemyyorkie101]

and your sister spent her money on her BF?!?!?!?! I think thats wrong. If he wants something he can buy it himself. Not use your sister to get what he wants. I dont know how he treats her so I cant say anything about that but.. I really dont think your sister should have another dog EVER after what happened her her little chihuahua. Or at least not until she knows how to properly care for a dog. If your blaming yourself for the example you thought you set correctly but went wrong. DONT. Its not your fault she treated the dog terribly.

[1Ieisha]

Little sisters can be a REAL pain (mine is 17). This is so sad!! I feel horrible for that poor baby. I can't believe she spends all her money on her boyfriend! But, however, you have set a GREAT example for her, it was up to her to do the right thing, and she has failed you, herself, and that poor little baby. What a shame this is.
I also want to thank you for all that you do and have been doing with the rescues!!

[Ringo1]

With enough pressure ~ you may be able to get her to rehome the dog if she can't even provide the basics.

On some level, she must know that what she is doing is wrong; especially if she took good care of him before.

[SophieKatesMom]

Wow!!! I am glad your Sisters dog is in a better place, GOOD JOB on finding it a rescue.

Now for the Sister, I think you need to be very honest and direct with you Sister and tell her exactly the results of her no taking responsibility of her dog.

It not easy being direct but you owe it to yourself and any dog your sisters may considered getting.

[gryhndnut]

That poor dog. The dog is lucky that you are so caring and attentive. I can certainly feel your pain. I have nearly the same situation in my family with my youngest sister, BUT she is not 19 so it is even worse.

I think that I have always set a good example where my pets are concerned. They get everything they need and are very spoiled, with no exception, from the cats to the horses! I too have been involved with rescue. My relationship is very strained, to say the least, as a result of how my sister cares for her pets. No matter what I say or do, nothing changes. She just does not have the same priorities that I do. I just wish that she did not have any pets and for that matter, I can look around me and see alot of my neighbors that should never have pets (mostly horses, here in the midwest). It really irks me and makes my heart ache for the animals. Unfortunately, most times there is nothing that you can do about it but set a good example.

Thank you for taking care of your sister's dog.

[Teresa Ford]

Dee I am so sorry. When someone we love does the wrong thing, it really hurt us, and we sometimes feel betrayed, shamed, angry, sad and so very disappointed. I will pray for healing for your heart. We are not responsible for any ones actions ... except our own. And you are a good example for others, you don't just tell people how to treat animals, you show them how, by the way you live. live that way. Hugs