Do you ever feel guilty?

[yorkietalkjilly]

I rescued quite a few dogs in the past - some very near death, and one day, no doubt, you will, too, from the sound of it. But once I got older, I began to want a Yorkshire Terrier so much, as that was a breed with just the size and temperament I had always longed for in my best friend. When the time came to begin looking for a Yorkie, I'll admit to feeling guilty for not getting another rescue. I still do at times but to finally have the one dog of your dreams that just fits you and your lifestyle in every way is such a special blessing. My Scotty was my first Yorkie and oh, he "fit the bill" in every single way. After Scotty's death came Jilly and now Tibbe. After I had healed more after losing little Jilly, I spent almost a year looking in our Animal Control shelter here in Mesquite and shelters in Dallas and DeSoto, and of the two Yorkies that were available the of all the times I looked, I was second or third on the list and lost them. The days following each of those losses were pretty bad as I had let my hopes get far too high each time as I waited for the day the dog would be released to the first signer to show up, which was a rescue service in both instances. Out of desperation, I finally called the breeder I got Jilly from and found out about a group of Yorkie's she had been asked to place in homes by another breeder who was having serious problems. One of the dogs was 9 mos. old Tibbe. Jilly's breeder said those dogs had been in pretty terrible conditions and consistently lived in crates which she had heard weren't heated or cooled. When I saw Tibbe racing wildly around in circles in the playpen at the breeders house, I lifted him up, looked in his little face and knew we were meant for each other. After almost 5 years without a Yorkie, it was soooo good to have another Yorkie in my home!!! Everything felt right in the world again. I am just a "Yorkie person" - can't really explain why I love this little breed so much. As I cannot manage a 2nd dog right now, I can still support shelters financially and back legislation that helps dogs, etc. And should the circumstances arise in the future where I can have a 2nd dog, I will start with my local shelters for another small dog but I think I will always have a Yorkie. My home is just not the same without a Yorkie!

[hotdiggetydog]

Originally Posted by ErinsWhitney

I don't think you have any reason to feel guilty. I know how you feel though. I grew up with shelter dogs, and I hate knowing that I'm paying so much for my Whitney and there are so many shelter dogs in need. One day, when my kids are older, I do plan to get back into adopting abandoned/needy dogs.

As a mom of small human children, I'm of the opinion that a shelter dog is not necessarily a good idea for my home. There is no telling what kind of background and baggage those poor babies come with, and I wouldn't want to risk taking on a dog that turns out to be aggresive, especially when someone else would be a better fit for them. There are plenty of people out there who would be a better fit for them than we would, and they deserve whats best...a big heart isn't always enough.

You saved for kitty, and you are doing what is in your power to help those shelter pups, which for now is donating money. Taking one in is not always the best way to help them. You are a very generous person who is still doing more for them than most others do, and you should feel good about that. Your new little bit needs a home just as well.

So true!!! And I have 3 daughters; the worst thing in the world would be for them to fall in love with an animal and then have some kind of "issue" come up (aggression) that would make things nearly impossible for a happy outcome.

So you are all right- I shouldn't feel guilty. Concerned with the horribly large numbers of unwanted animals, yes. Proactive and contributive, yes. Guilty, NO! I'll just focus on loving the 2 critters I already have even more, and preparing our home for the new addition...

Thank you all for your kind words of reassurance!

[mauirobin]

Originally Posted by concretegurl

Bite aggression? Fear aggression or general aggression: territorial, food, toys, protecting family etc?

They would have a behaviorist there who would be willing to work with you on this since you got her from the SPCA...had to use a soft muzzle on Scoobers for fear aggression towards other dogs and really work with him when he got nippy with the kids...hang in there...the love they give back comes 10 fold...but getting there can be really hard. Working with them on their individual type or issue and understanding it can be key...especially with rescues working with a behaviorist more than a training is key.

She protects me. I stopped her from biting the other dogs trying to get into my lap, but the bite on my friend happened rather quickly. Now I know to put her away or put a muzzle on her if people come, till she learns better.

I can't take her back...if you could only see the look on her face when I pull in the driveway, or the sad one when I'm leaving...(The yorkies are too small to look out the window)

I can say though, that Yorkies must be hooked into our endorphins somehow. You must have one to be truly happy! It's very difficult to find one in a shelter around here, both of mine came from breeders, not shelters, & I don't feel guilty at all.

[ArmaniMan]

Yes sometimes I feel guilty- but I went to our local humane society- we have rescued three cats, two from them- they never have small dogs, around here it is mostly pit bulls honestly and that just wouldn't work with my lifestyle (renting, traveling, etc). I did look into various rescue organizations and was turned down by all of them (I was too young, in school still at that time, renting, the list went on). I do donate items when I can to the local humane society- I am very thankful for the two wonderful cats we got from them- one passed away at 18, the other just turned 19 and is still healthy as a horse.

The one thing I really feel guilty about is where my dogs came from- I wish I had done more research and got them from a better breeder- I knew some and thought I was doing what was best, but looking back it wasn't.