Can't stop crying -- getting rid of dog - Page 2

[Angela512]

Failing your dog would mean that you drop it off in the woods in the middle of the night. Taking your dog to a no-kill shelter to give a childless couple the chance to enjoy him for the rest of his days is not failing your dog. You care about your dog. He was your "first" baby. But, he does not take the place of your human baby and if you are afraid that he will bring harm to your child, you have to do what is, ultimately, best for all of you.

They will find him a good home, and he will live a very quiet, peaceful life. He will live the life he needs to live to be healthy.

I had a dog about 10 years ago. He was a boxer/pitbull/akita mix. Beautiful, loving dog. But, I could not leave him alone. Ever. I put him in his kennel before I went to work once and came home to him having lost some of his teeth prying the kennel bars away and squeezing out...and then he tore up all of the cushions on my brand new couch and loveseat. I realized that even though I really loved him, I could not keep him and I gave him to a no-kill shelter. I was told that an Equine Vet (tons of land) had adopted him. I did get in touch with the vet and he let me come and check on him. He didn't even look the same. He had tons of land (10 acres) to run, kids that played with him and loved him. I could see that he was so much happier having that freedom and constant love/attention that I stopped feeling bad about him.

Sending you lots of hugs today. It will be hard for a while, but you already know that you and he deserve something better.

[eclipse]

I'm sorry . I felt the same way when I had to take my cats to the shelter. Ds2 was allergic and having wheezing attacks and I just couldn't manage trying to keep him and the cats apart and keeping the fur and dander as contained as I needed to. I knew it was for the best (for the cats, too), but it didn't make it any easier. It's been four years now, and I can finally think of them findly without getting sad. I imagine them having wonderful lives with loving families.

[crunchy_mommy]

Thanks so much everyone. I dropped him off. I was a bawling mess & could hardly answer the lady's questions but I got to tell her which toys he liked and what tricks he could do & how he liked to be pet etc. It was good to be able to relay all that info so they can help him find a perfect home. They said they can call me when he gets adopted and in the meantime I can call to check up on him. She seemed so confident that they could find him a home so that made me feel better but I still had to run out of there in hysterics. I feel a little better now that it's *done* and I can't do anything more. Poor DS walked in the door when we got home & realized we'd left the dog & started crying for him but I think we'll make it. This is one of the saddest days of my life.

[Caneel]

Well, at least the drop-off is over.

We have two eldery cats and while it isn't the same as your situation, I am looking towards chronic health issues (including rivers of pee ALL.THE.TIME) that are hard to deal with and expensive. Hard choices will need to be made in the future, which is why your story strikes a chord with me. The heart tells me one thing, my rational mind tells another

[2goingon2]

I just opened this post and am so sorry you had to go through that. Like the other posters assured you though, you are doing the right thing for your family. Doesn't make the decision any easier as I can read from the pain and anguish in your posts. What a hard, hard thing to have to go through. I do hope you hear that your little doggie has a new home soon and that the stress of having to constantly worry is gone.

[crunchy_mommy]

Yes, I can already feel so much more peace around here and we've only been home a couple hours & are still depressed. But even the cat is calmer.

Caneel, I'm sorry you are facing a similarly difficult situation. My cat has health problems too and (this sounds horrible) I kind of wished it was the cat we had to rehome because we already have so many other issues with her... (but I'm also glad that's not the case because that would probably be a death sentence for her). I wish you the best in making some hard decisions.

[Katielady]

Originally Posted by Caneel

I feel the post-child pet relationship change is one of those dirty little secrets that people don't like to talk about or admit that yes, their relationship with their pets did change post-child. Sometimes there just isn't enough time/energy to solve animal problems. Some animal problems are too big for the average family to deal with.

This is SO true. I am an animal lover too, always pictured having lots of pets alongside my many children. Several years before having kids, we adopted two adult cats via a neighborhood flier. Turned out the cats had been neglected in kittenhood and not socialized enough. They did OK with us, but were very fearful of the kids. The sweeter of the brothers died when I was pregnant with my second child; I cared for him through a long illness and it was really hard, but manageable, and I felt it was the right thing to do.

The other kitty got a lot crankier after his brother died....my husband thinks cat #1 "kept him in line," but I think it was more that he lost his companion. Anyway, he started attacking my son. Never really hurt him beyond a few little scratches, but the worst part was how fearful my then 2yo became of animals. It got so he would call for one of us to escort him if he had to pass the cat in the hallway. Luckily we found someone via facebook to take him in.

It was amazing how much better things were after we rehomed the cat. I got over the sadness and guilt pretty quickly when I realized how stressful having the cat with us had been for the whole family. Having my son be able to move freely in his own home, and not having to worry about the cat attacking the new baby...it was just so peaceful. And the cat was a LOT happier too. It took him a while to adjust to the new home, but he did, and I hear he's doing great.

People come first. Be kind to yourself as you make this difficult but necessary choice.