Can we make a new rule on DK: No more rehoming discussions on the main forum!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I don't know if anyone has ever suggested this before but I'm just wondering since people aren't allowed to advertise puppies or breeders on the main forum, why are members allowed to come on here to advertise their adult doodles? It's particularly irritating when it's a new member who only joined for this purpose and will be gone as soon as they find someone to give their dog to.

 

I think there should be a group for "owner rehomes" so people looking to dump their dogs can go there to make all their silly excuses and the rest of us don't have to see it and be saddened by it. And people looking to adopt adult doodles can go there and sift through the 'advertisements". All of these posts about rehoming supposedly perfect dogs makes DK a very sad place to come to sometimes. I came here to see pictures of cute doodles to liven up my crazy day at work, and instead I see another completely ridiculous rehoming post that leaves me sad and angry. I'm starting to feel like coming to DK is like gambling with my happiness, one day all is good, the next day, sadness and frustration.

 

I really don't know how other members, particularly those who have been here a long time, have managed to deal with this for so long, but I'm asking nicely could we please find a way to stop all this rehomeing nonsense on the main forum and let's get DK back to being the happy place it was when I first joined. pretty please? :)

[Adina P]

I think there's a difference between the "Debbie Downers" of life who ONLY want to share sad info and the fact that it's a world full of sad things and those things will sometimes be posted. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

True.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I understand what you're saying F, but it is really hard to ignore a discussion where the title alone is so upsetting to the core. In this case, I saw it, then closed the browser without continuing. Then got annoyed and thought, I'm not letting this ruin my day, came back, looked at a few cute doggie photos as planned, but in the end, kept seeing the discussion just sitting there and just couldn't block it out. Then I kept seeing the replies, excuse, excuse, excuse. I just can't seem to disconnect from it - I find this behaviour fundamentally offensive. These people aren't seeking help nor are they asking for it, they are making a sales pitch to ditch a dog. The thing is, this is not that kind of website. At least I didn't think it was.

 

I don't expect DK to be a happy shiny place all the time. Posts about doodles being sick for example are a very appropriate and acceptable thing, they are sad, and we all give our support and encouragement. I'm not asking for DK to be all sunny all the time, but it would be nice if it wasn't treated like a craigslist for unwanted doodles.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I understand Sherri. But where better to go if you want to find a home for a doodle than a site filled with doodle lovers. That is the dilemma. So a quick glance with some good advice and try to leave it. I think that's the best one can do.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I have not read the discussion and since it is closed I most likely won't because honestly I am strung the heck out on re-homes, abused animals and people who are not thinking about their pets best interest. I however agree with F, as hard as it is, as draining as it is... Where better for them to go but here/

We love our dogs so much and even if we save just a few and get them in good homes, it is so worth it.

One of the things that came to mind for me, long before I was a nurse, I was a nursing assistant in hospice. Everyone of course was dying.. It could have been seen as a very sad and draining place to work. For me, I chose to try to remember that these people were going to die anyway.. even if I didn't see it, didn't know about it. Since I was there, I chose to make their last days as best as possible.

I guess as draining as it is, and sometimes I can't help believe their are smart ass people on here who are just pretending to re home or something stupid just to watch us all get upset, I still would rather they come here and possibly get some help.. Not because I care about them but because these stinking dogs who deserve so much more then they are given need us to help them.

[L.M.]

"In the end it doesn't matter if we agree with the person looking to rehome a dog or the reasons for the request. In rare instances we can convince the owner to work things out and keep the dog. Otherwise the dog has the best chance of a good outcome if more people are aware of the situation. I get most upset by all the angry posts these rehomes bring about..."

I really agree with you here...I'm not sure if my comment before suggests that lol, but I really think you hit the nail on the head.  We will never agree with rehoming and such....but it seems like much of the time, these people that post to DK have made their minds up about rehoming.  And yes it truly is awful for the dog, I'm sure (especially for 8 year old Wally) but when I think of the alternative...living in a home with people who don't want him anymore...maybe his best chance is through rehoming, hopefully with the help of DRC.  I can't help but think back to the post from the man who said he left his dog in his car during work....certainly rehoming was that dog's best option.  

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

This is a rare instance where I agree with F! LOL  J/K!

Seriously though, I did read the comments in the other discussion and felt that it was already (1st page) starting to take a turn for the worse as so many have before. The original poster asked for advice as to where she could take the dog not for advice about how to keep the dog. The fact that Wally is "going" appears to be a "done deal" at this point. 

Most of the replies were either advising her in ways to overcome Wally's fence jumping issue or were berating her for not being forthcoming with information.  Few actually addressed her question.

If someone finds these posts unbearable and that they trigger "venting"  then the best course of action would be to just stay out of them. Otherwise, we lose an opportunity to actually help the dog when the person closes the line of communication.

As an exclusively  "Doodle" site, it makes sense to me that it will attract people wanting to rehome doodles. In some cases,like Wally's, the doodles are in crisis- in danger of ending up in a kill shelter and soon. This is a great place to come for help in this situation with  the collective knowledge here on DK.  But it is going to take getting beyond our own "issues" to keep the lines of communication open and help these doodles.

[F, Calla & Luca]

And I agree with you Ricki.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

And I call this a good day! :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

:-) 

[Gail and Bailey]

Ricki,....this is exactly what I tried to say earlier.  You did a better job in stating it than I did!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Thanks Gail. To be honest I hadn't read all the other posts before I commented. You said it well too and I think it is something that bears repeating. :)