My heart breaks...

[Marcy, Apollo & Phoebe]

My heart breaks when I see posts from owners looking to rehome their dogs. I don't get a chance to log-on to Doodle Kisses often. And almost every single time I log-on, I see a post from someone looking to rehome their dog.

I really don't understand, so I usually refrain from commenting. We live busy lives--I'm a lawyer and my husband is a software developer. We have kids--young ones. Our puppy is wild--just stopped nipping the kids, but still jumps all over them! We live in a smallish house--a 1940s bungalow. We have allergies and asthma. I have a chronic illness. Never in a million years could I imagine giving up my Apollo. In fact, he gives us so much love that we're considering another one (umm, not right now). The only circumstances I really understand are if someone is too ill to take care of their pet or if  some financial circumstances prevent proper care of the pet. I try not to judge, so I don't comment.

I am just feeling so heartbroken that I had to rant. My rant is over now...

[Pat and Traveler]

It is heartbreaking, Marcy.  The antidote, for me, is stories from or about owners who have done wonderful things for their dogs.  Karen and JD certainly come to mind.  Recently, the internet sensation--dog in the lake, and the people who rescued the dog on the mountain.  I have a friend whose Chesapeake Bay Retriever got old and arthritic.  The dog had always slept with them but became unable to jump up on the bed.  They pulled their mattress onto the floor and spent several months there so the dog could still sleep with them.  Just this morning I was talking to a man whose former dog was ill and oftent incontinent, and he constructed a shelter in his yard where he slept with the dog.  When the weather got cold, he too slept on the floor inside so when the dog stirred in the night she would wake him and he could take her out or comfort her.

[Kathy Janes]

I understand exactly how you feel.  Sometimes there may be a valid reason, but it would be only the very most desperate circumstances and even then I don't think I could do it.  But not everyone knows how to raise a dog, and that is what is sad.  There is so much knowledge and sharing here on DK that Doodle owners have no reason not to know better, but not everyone is connected here sadly.  Education would be the best cure.  If you school your kids, then school your dog! How hard is that?  And if you school your dog, you bond with your dog, he is better behaved and meets your expectations. But then I guess some people don't really even make a commitment when they have kids.  That too is heartbreaking. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

There are valid reasons to re-home a pet, but all too often, not enough effort has been put into integrating that pet into your home and providing solid training.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Family member have suggest that we rehome Darwin in order to get through school easier. I have NOT considered it, but I have imagined what it would be like to give him to someone else. It breaks my heart, it hurts to even think about it. He is part of our family, and you don't turn your back on family when things get hard. I do understand that there are situations that it can't be helped, and that is awful.  However most posts I see here are not even close to that. They usually involve people who give up on their dogs without even trying. People who are unwilling to improve the behaviors that they themselves created by neglecting the dog's training and attention needs in the first place.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I cannot imagine getting rid of Monty for no reason. Sometimes I fear: what if one of us loses a job? What if we lose this house? What if? And I just can't come up with a situation I would EVER give up Monty. Now, Auggie, that's a different story.... Just kidding. While I was (and often still am) on the verge of totally losing my marbles with the new puppy in the house, I will do everything to make this work. They deserve it. You are all they have. You are all they cherish and love unconditionally. How can you just dispose of a living creature that loves you for no apparent reasons? And if the dog is not manageable, 99% it's the fault of the owner to start with. It makes me sad. These people don't take into consideration the feelings of the dog at all. I have a hard time telling Monty that I have to go to work and that I would be back soon. The look on his face just breaks my heart. He looks out of the window as I drive off and I swear I was about to just turn around, go back home and call in sick. I just can't stand that look.  Okay, I'm one of the people who call in sick if their dog is sick. I've done it a couple of times when Monty had a diarrhea. Why not? I've got plenty of sick days, and what's more important, one of my dearest family members needed to be taken care of. Anyway, it's hard not to judge in situations like we've witnessed last week, but come on people. You don't get rid of your kids if they become an inconvenience to you.

[Marcy, Apollo & Phoebe]

I am in good company w/ my new friends on Doodle Kisses. All I can do right now is pray for these babies...

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

It's sad but true. Heartless in most cases. Like you said, if it's best for the pet then sure, but most people just think about themselves. :(

[Charlotte and Bo]

As all of you already know, the shelters and rescue groups are overflowing with unwanted animals.  People's views and attitudes change very slowly in our world.  We can't even make sure the children in our own rich country are not hungry, so I fear trying to get people who do not consider their animals as part of their family to care very much about changing the way things are.  They are outraged at overt abuse but can't spend the money to get their dog spayed or neutered or understand ( or care ) that turning their dog or cat into a shelter is often a death sentence. 

 If I'm not careful I'll go off on my own rant here.  When these situations come up, the people on this site do their best to educate and help.  You do give me some hope :-)

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Marcy, I understand what you mean...it is heartbreaking. Hoping the reason they come here is because we truly love our doodles and these people think we can help. They all deserve forever homes like ours do.

[Rachel and Ollie]

I agree. The only way Ollie is leaving my side is if I die...even then I have plans for him to go live with my mom. It is heartbreaking.