[MadDeDo]

I think there have been some extremely thoughtful and informative responses on this thread, and with the exception of only a few posts everyone has stayed very respectful. That is nice to see here for a change...

To the OP, I agree with what many others have said. You are not the typical "convenience" case which I would not support or condone, in this case it is for HER, not for you. A few posts up someone said they didn't understand why the only options at this point were rehome or debark, but it seems that you truly HAVE exhausted next to all other possibilities in this case. It was already mentioned about tail docking...but really, what is the difference? Done by a licensed professional with a laser and done properly there is no pain involved for her, and it will allow her to stay in her home. I can't see how putting her with a stranger and having her stress over that is in ANY way better than her undergoing a painless procedure that she will never remember or understand that there is any difference in the sounds she makes.

As for the comparisons to dogs and children, there is none. They are a different species entirely and have a completely different brain capacity and understanding. Although we do LOVE them like they are our children, they are still animals and in no way the same. A baby would not be left alone, and a baby cries to tell you something is wrong or needed. You wouldn't leave a baby alone in an apartment, and you wouldn't leave a baby to scream because their cries are to signal something. However, leaving a dog by his/herself is another ballgame entirely. Sure, dogs do bark to signal things and tell you what they want and/or need, but they also bark just to do it. A dog can be left alone for several hours with everything that they need: bed, toys, food/water, potty pads, etc. and they will be perfectly fine when you get back home. Not even in the same CATEGORY as a child.

I think that whatever you decide to do will not be a decision taken lightly. I think you have been nothing but responsible and open, and you clearly have Sophie's best interest at heart.

In my situation, living in a house that is not in a subdivision, if I had mine debarked it would be selfish on my behalf. However, that's apples and oranges, as everyone's living situation is different, and you have to consider what is best and what is affordable, while still being able to keep your sanity and keep your baby. I have a couple Biewer girls that are debarked, I did not do it, but they came to me that way already. It does not impair them in any way. When my others bark they join right in, but it is just "muffled" or softer. They have no clue that they are different, nor do they care. They have no scarring or any indication of any trauma. They just make a little less noise. Otherwise they are normal, healthy, and very happy go lucky dogs.