Need to Rehome your dog? How could you?
 

Need to Rehome your dog? How could you?:( :( I found this while browsing in the Craiglist pet section......It's so sad, but true:(


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Reply to: see below
Date: 2007-10-15, 3:51PM CDT


HOW COULD YOU?

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask How could you?" -- but then you'd relent and roll me over for a bellyrub.

My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect.

We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.

She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" -- still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement.

I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate.

Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a prisoner of love." As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch -- because your touch was now so infrequent -- and I would've defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway. There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject.

I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf. Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family. I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness.

You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life.

You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked, "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me.

When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room.

A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days.

As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry."

She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself -- a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her.

It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

By Jim Willis, 2001

I've seen this before and it makes me tear up everytime.

My dogs are my whole world and I would never, ever give one up.

I just dont' see how ppl can drop their animals off at the shelter, thinking they will find good homes. Just this week over 30 dogs were killed at my shelter and only 10 found homes. So out of 40 dogs, only 25% survived. Not good odds. And mine is a small town, in large cities I imagine the statistics are just as bad, if not worse.

The owners that take their dogs for ice cream and cuddle in bed with them NEVER take them to the animal shelter when they "rehome" them.

A person who takes their dog to the dog pound when they're done with it wasn't the type of "good owner" described in the story anyway.

Sometimes rehoming is necessary and BETTER for the pet. Also, some dogs do not do well with children when they come around. My chihuahua is one example of not liking kids at all(she likes mine but HAS to put in a crate when friends with kids come over). If you've ever seen a dog bite on a kid, it's not pretty and it doesn't go away and even the sweetest dog can bite.

I wonder if they have those type of letters from cows and pigs and chickens, 'cause you know what we do to them???

Can you tell I'm sick of the pet abuse videos, letters from abused dogs, etc.? The only ones who read/watch those are the ones who already know better.

I don't think rehoming is what this is.. rehoming your dog is just that finding it another HOME, which as sad and hard as it is..does happen. but most people go to great lengths (and miles ;)for Maddie and Rusty) to find wonderful homes for their beloved pets. Which is SO wonderful.

This article however..is not rehoming it's abandoning your responsibility at a shelter.. letting them handle your responsibility. Which kills me.

For some reason.. people in my area come to me to find animals homes.. I guess they know I will..but it amazes me with some work and effort..I have never takes a dog or cat to a shelter.. I can always find them a home. Which makes me wonder..why couldn't they do this? Either I try harder or .. they don't try at all. :(

Actually I volunteer at a shelter, and YES they do. I know plenty of people who cuddle with their dogs and spoil them that take them to the shelter. Or let the dog have puppies and the puppies end up at the shelter.

That is so sad! :( That poem always tears me up!

I posted this the other day under a dogs story

I volunteer at my local shelter and its a pure shame how many dogs and cats are brought in each day. I remember one Saturday we took in over 60 animals and adopted out ONE! Everyone should have their animals spayed and neutered (unless they are used for breeding) and if your animal does have babies, they are your responsibility and should be taken care of or found new homes. Don't get me started on this subject, lol. ;)

........rrosenberry.............exactly.........yo u hit the nail on the head!

I completely agree!

i'm trying not to cry...i'm at work right now and i just wanna go home and cuddle with my bellie boo =(

:thumbup: :good job: I agree RR!

I probably shouldn't say this, but I think the timing of the thread if very rude considering the heartbreaking task that 2 of our members are going through this very minute. Although this doesn't apply to them because it IS because they LOVE their pets that they are making sure they have awesome homes to go to, I'm sure if they read it (which I pray they do not) it will only make a horrible situation even worse.

I also want to say that Bonnie was 2 1/2 yrs old when I got her....she was being retired from breeding....and from the minute I've had her she has adored me with all her heart...you can tell by the look in her eyes, there are YT members that have seen us together and she won't let me out of her site...but as much as I would like to think I am her whole world, that really isn't true. She stayed with a friend one time for a week when we went on vacation...and I worried the whole time that she was missing me, well let me tell you when I walked in that door, I got my feelings hurt because she was sitting in my friends lap and she looked at me like...Do I know you :eek: Now granted it took less than a minute for her to realize who I was, but I said all that to say this....they adapt a lot easier than we would like to believe...as long as someone feeds them, loves them and cares for them, that is where their heart is.

OK...I'm getting off my soap box now, but again I want to say that I think the timing of this thread is VERY RUDE.

I'm sure the poster didn't mean it. I dont' read every single thread in this forum, as I'm sure almost no one does. Perhaps the OP didn't know there were members that were having to rehome their dogs for whatever reason.

I was also worried about those members when I read this thread. I'm hoping and praying they don't have to see this. I'm sure it would just break their hearts even more.

Please do keep in mind, like Rrosenberry said, that there is a difference between rehoming and abandoning. Abandonment is a terrible awful thing and it should never happen!

You took the words out of my mouth...exactly! All I wanna do is go home and cuddle Vinnie, especially cuz it's his first birthday, and even though he frustrates me sometimes with his boundless energy I love him so much it's incredible!!!

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.