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Originally Posted by kjc  Guess I'm just a bit sensitive to this type of comparision.... seeing so much of it (people deciding to leave their animals) lately with so many people losing their homes to all the traumatic weather events. Seeing the folks who did get their pets out of danger during Katrina, only to be turned away from rescue vehicles. Or people turning horses and other animals loose to fend for themselves bc they were unable to get them out of harm's way. Or the Hospital staff that left patients that could not be moved.... I realize these are different situations... but the decision is the same.
Personally, I would rehome children and pets if I could no longer provide for them. As caregiver to a step daughter who has quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy w/MR, I will eventually be making this decision for her also, as I am getting old. When that day comes, that I can no longer physically provide for her, see that her needs are met, that she is fed and diapered, bathed and such, she will go to an Assisted Living Facility.
What is your question? If one had to make a choice between rehoming a child or a pet, who would get rehomed first? That's hard to think about. I may still be able to care for my dogs when I can no longer care for my child. (Now I'm in tears.) Very hard decision, either way.
Plus one has to take into account the social stigma attached to those decisions.
And none of this has to do with the decision the OP has to make. I want to say I think she has put a lot of thought into this, but I don't know her. She is young, she made the decision to get dogs when her life was one way, now it seems an opportunity has come along that will be life-changing for her. Should she pass this up? Only she can answer these questions.
Dogs are fairly resiliant, so are kids, and they can and do adapt to new situations. Rather than be left in situations where they are really not wanted or where they are at risk, I think it's best they go to a new home.
The important thing here too, is that the OP will learn from this and not make a commitment to have any pets or children until she is settled, and can provide for them. And if it takes these pups going to a stable home for her to learn this, then so be it.
At least she isn't of the mindset that no one will be able to care for them the way she does, and have them PTS. (Which I have witnessed while working as a tech) A woman came in with her Sheltie, she had to move from her house into an apartment where no pets were allowed. I begged her to let me take her dog, there was no reason for him to have to die. But she said no. |
I think we all see things through the eyes of what we have been through. I understand what you are saying about when someone is unable to care medically for a loved one anymore. I'm sure your vet background helps you care for her more than others could, but you worry there will come a time when you can no longer provide the kind of care she needs. God bless you for caring for her the way you do.
Unfortunately, others of us have seen ppl and dogs who are discarded w/o having the kind of medical issues you are dealing w or the economical/disaster issues the poor ppl in MO have faced. Some ppl are just incapable of the acts of selflessness you demonstrate on a daily basis for your loved one. I'm sure this is the furtherest thing from your mind, not being selfless towards those you love. I have seen sick children in hospitals alone bc parents/guardians are too selfish to give up their fun to be w a sick child, let alone take on the kind of care you provide.
I understand your sensitivity, though, and again, God bless you and I will pray he will give you the strength to bear this situation.