There are times when the owners have no choice but to send their dogs to animal shelter, one example is our military people, who had their dogs before 911 and them were sent overseas for a long time, If they have no family or friends to take them then their is only one choice, My son is one example of this, I have his Lab, and 3 others now, but one person can only take so many dogs and most military guys have the larger dogs, that are harder to place. It broke my heart when I had to say no more,

We recently had to rehome one of our yorkies as she just could not get along with the other dogs. We never once considered placing her in a shelter, although I have no doubt she would have found a home, she's very cute and small. We gave her to some of our friends, they have no other dogs so it is a perfect home for her, ours wasn't. Sometimes we have to do what is best for our dogs, but dumping them off at a shelter is not the same as rehoming them! I think the title should have read a bit different, JMO.

A little over a year ago, I adopted a pound puppy for Chuy. We got Dixie when she was 5 weeks old, and she was a mess. Her mom had been killed when she and her two brothers were 3 weeks old, and the mom's owners took the pups to the SPCA because she couldn't take care of them. We fostered Dixie for two weeks, then finalized the adoption. Chuy didn't seem really excited, but I figured they'd grow on one another.

We were told Dixie was half Yorkie, half mutt, and that she'd never get very heavy. That was good, cause at the time, Chuy was about 3 pounds. Well, Dixie started growing, and growing, and growing. As a rescue, we were bound by contract to have her spayed, which wasn't a problem, as we didn't want pups from her. She was just our baby, like Chuy. Well, that spay caused Dixie to put on about 10 pounds, and fast. She topped the scales at close to 25 pounds, and she was solid.

After her spay, something changed. Dixie got really aggressive, and she and Chuy started to fight, and over the smallest things too. We thought it would pass, but it didn't. One night, about a month ago, she attacked Chuy and hurt him. She put 3 holes in his ear, and one nasty tear. When we got to them, she had Chuy's head in her mouth, and she was shaking him. I was scared to death. I realized I couldn't wait and see if it was a spell that would pass. I knew the next time, she might kill him.

I called the SPCA and they told me to bring her back. The lady on the phone sounded very understanding, and told me not to worry. I knew they were a no kill shelter, so I didn't have to worry about her being put down. I cried for 3 days before I was able to take her down there. Seeing her shake and cry broke my heart. Poor baby had no idea why mommy was leaving her. I cried so hard. I called everyday to check on her, and I cried every time I did. I didn't want to relinquish her, but she couldn't stay here with Chuy. I know that sounds selfish, but she was just too big for him, and they were very jealous of one another. The next fight may have been the last one.

I got a call a week after I took her to the SPCA, and they told me she had been adopted into a home where she was the only baby. The next week, the woman told me that Dixie had adjusted well to her new home, and she was very spoiled. I still wonder if I made the right decision, whether there was something else I could have done.

I guess the moral of my rambling is this: Not every pet is relinquished "just because". Sometimes there are no alternatives. Vet intervention did nothing. I have a 14 month old skin baby. What if Dixie had gotten aggressive with him? That was not a chance I was willing to take. Yeah, the story was sad, but not every story marches along just like that.

Sorry for the long post. I guess I needed to get Dixie off my chest.


Edit: It is against the law to rehome a pet you get from a shelter. You are bound by contract to return them if you can't keep them. Just in case someone wonders why we didn't place her in a new home.

oh...man...I should not have read this. :( and I'm in school haha.

That'll teach you for goofing off in school ;)

But I'm sorry you read this too :hug:

I'm sorry. You did not abandoned your pets...you found them wonderful new homes.

Personally I would much prefer someone rehome their pets...than regulate them to outside only... without any human contact other than someone dumping food in a bowl.

PS M, how much you pay me not to tell mom...what YOU were doing today in school?

:bighug:

I'm in study hall haha. Not missing anything. :p

this hits me so hard everytime I read it. :cry: sniff sniff

Sure you are....

Back in the rock ages...we passed notes during study hall.

This is SO true Megan! You are wonderful and your pets will be well taken care of. You have been amazing to them!

You know Megan this is a sad story, but your babies have a happy story. Your love for your animals shows through because you found them loving homes. You know they will be spoiled and loved.

But I do understand that sometimes dogs just don't work out in their new homes. I have a friend who just adopted a large dog and it killed one of her small dogs by picking it up in it's mouth and shaking it. So far she has kept the dog apart from the other small ones, but I question her decision to keep the large dog.

I don't really understand why a shelter insists that a dog be returned to them if you can find them a good home. Look at the Ellen Degeneres story. Why couldn't that shelter have just reviewed the new home instead of taking the dog back, since Ellen found it a good home. I just don't understand. Maybe someone in the know can explain it.

LOL!!! She takes Paypal:D

Megan, it's the way this thread was titled, it has nothing to do with the story!!!! (kind of ticked off that it was even done, but it was, sooooo I guess I'll just be:( )

When I was in school Study Hall was for you to Study,
but then again we didn't have internet way back then:p :p :p :p

Have a great day Megan!!!!:2hearts2:

Wait a minute:mad: this thread was not meant for anyone in particular, it just something I came along while I was looking at a website called craiglist looking at puppies and thought it was sad and I thought I would share. I think is rude for you to assume that this was meant for someone, I would not hurt anyones feelings like this, you dont know me personally so you dont know what kind of person I am and believe me I am not someone to judge anyone. This letter or poem I feel is about irresponsible pet owners that think pets are toys and after they had their fun they go dump them :mad: This is why I avoid posting sometimes:mad:

Thank YOU for giving me a chance:p and I honestly didn't know of someone having to give up their babies:( If people actually took the time to read and comprehend the meaning of this letter they wouldn\'t be so defensive about it and would know that this letter/poem is about abandoning and not rehoming VERY DIFFERENT THINGS.