Dh says no to a dog :( will volunteering at local rescue centre break my heart?

[Catsdontcare]

Am dog broody and dh is adamant about not wanting one and tbh I do see his reasons as fairly valid. Thinking of volunteering at a rescue centre that is local but have never done anything like that before. Any advice will I leave in tears every time I go?

[D0oinMeCleanin]

You won't leave in tears. You might leave with a new friend or three. Me and Dad started working with a rescue last year some time. We only had three dogs between us back then and one was only staying a wee while.....

You'll be fine, honest. It can be upsetting at times but is very rewarding.

Your and Dh's 'valid' reasons for not owning a dog of your own might seem less valid, though.

[ellargh]

What are the reasons if you don't mind me asking?

[TantrumsAndBalloons]

Well, you might not leave in tears....if you are anything like me though, you might end up with a dog or 2.
We only kept the puppy because I was there when someone dumped him on the doorstep with a horrible note about how he howls and barks and wees everywhere and should be PTS.

I bought him home,just as a short term foster.



That was 4 months ago....

[LadyTurmoil]

My DH also doesn't want a dog but I have decided that I'm going to persuade him at least that we'll start fostering ...and hopefully keep 1 or 2!

[Catsdontcare]

I th

[LadyTurmoil]

Why is it that so many husbands don't want dogs and women do? Are we broody? What's going on...

[Catsdontcare]

I think is worried about the cats and the mess mostly. Also ds is very very wary of dogs but I would like him to get used to them. I also think he just doesn't want the commitment of a dog which I guess is fair enough. Although he admits if he went to a rescue he would come home with seven mutts!

[D0oinMeCleanin]

My DH is more house proud than me and seems to think I should spend my spare time cleaning up after him and cooking for him and not training dogs

As he well knows if I have to chose between him and my dogs my dogs will win hands down everytime. They cause me less work

[Catsdontcare]

I think it's a desire to nurture something that doesn't require nappies or night feeds!

[Tryingtothinkofnewsnazzyname]

To quote a conversation between 2 old work colleagues of mine many years ago (cats not dogs but the point remains...)

Colleague 1: My husband says if I get a cat, he's leaving.
Colleague 2: Why don't you get two to make sure?

Not that helpful I know...

[ChickensHaveNoEyebrows]

DH didn't want a dog either. He talked about the cost, the hair, the mess, the responsibility, the tie, the fact that he has mild allergies....We have a 15 month old spaniel now who is being a bit of a sod. His chief defender? No prizes...

[LadyTurmoil]

That gives me hope, Chicken

[sooperdooper]

You could volunteer as a dog walker instead? I used to for a chairty called Cinnamon Trust - they support elderly and disabled people who want to keep their doggie pals but can't give them enough exercise :)

www.cinnamon.org.uk/cinnamon-trust/

[ellargh]

DP didn't want a dog either. He said he would just be dealing with poo, wee, hair, the extra cost, the extra responsibility etc.

Our Labrador is 8 months old. While she does get on his nerves sometimes and we still have some accidents in the house there are times he'll sit with her and do nothing but play with her, cook extra meat to give to her, go out of his way to get her raw bones etc.

[Scuttlebutter]

OP, thank you for considering volunteering as a rescue helper.

Firstly, I'm so glad someone has already mentioned the wonderful, brilliant Cinnamon Trust - not only are you helping a dog but you are helping an elderly or poorly owner. This really is a fab charity. Once you are "on the books" you will be paired with a dog (or dogs!) that you can walk regularly. You also get to know the owner. Well worth a look.

Also, there are so many ways that you can help your local rescue that don't necessarily involve the bits that are heart breaking. Most charities need help with things like :- store collections, meet and greets (you'll probably be given a foster dog to take along to meet some potential owners), helping out at events - things like running a stall, or ring stewarding at a charity event. How about doggy baking? Crafting to make fund raising items? Website skills? These are vital, and most rescue websites are embarrassingly bad considering they are the first "shop window" for potential new adopters.

If you can drive, most rescues do a lot of shuttling as dogs need to be moved from pounds into foster or kennel space, and then on to new homes. Transport volunteers are always needed and you get your mileage back.

Many rescues these days have forums where volunteers can be paired up with what needs doing - also many have FB pages where they will also post for help. Once you start helping, you'll be amazed at the ways you can be of help.

Rescue volunteering is incredibly worthwhile, interesting and fun. You'll meet some gorgeous dogs (well, they all are!), some equally lovely people and a few nutters, and you will be amazed that you ever had any spare time after a while. Just to give a flavour - here are just some of the varied things i've done this year

Assisted new adopter with behavioural support
Done an application to the Charity Commission for charitable status
Helped create a website (which then got hacked by Syrian bandits
Wrote a leaflet
Helped to organise a charitable dog show
Picked up rosettes
Organised judges
Sourced printed programmes, designed and printed posters
Got thank you bottles for judges
Judged at a charity dog show
Fostered dogs
Planned some events for next year
Helping to organise some new ways of giving (by text) for small local charity
Made Christmas cards for charity shop
Transport volunteer
Wrote and researched submissions on puppy farming to Welsh Govt
List could go on but I hope this gives a flavour of the sheer variety!

Go for it!!

[Catsdontcare]

Thanks for your post scuttlebutter it's been really helpful and has made me think it could be quite an exciting thing to undertake.

I will certainly be making some phone calls this week

[EasyToEatTiger]

I think you'll have a fantastic time. We were a bit worried initially when we first went to look at potential dogs to rehome that we would want to bring home everyone. The staff put paid to that very quickly, so don't worry. You will learn an awful lot about looking after a pet dog, training, and all the other things people and dogs get up to, and you may well become very pragmatic about dog ownership. If you can get into it, it really will be an eye opener and a fabulous opportunity. If one day you do get a dog of your own, you will be well prepared, and have a tremendous back-up.

[RedwingWinter]

I think you will really enjoy it and it's a great thing to consider. Like Scuttle says in her brilliant post, there are many different ways to get involved, some involving direct contact with animals and some without. I love volunteering with my local rescue and have got much more out of it than I imagined at the start.

It can be depressing at times, especially the scale of the problems - it is unbelievable how many stray and mistreated dogs and cats are out there. But at the same time, it is encouraging to know how many good-hearted people are trying to help. I've met some lovely people through it - plus, of course, lots of wonderful creatures.

[ZippeeeeayeA]

These guys are always glad of some support...

www.puppylovecampaigns.org/

www.facebook.com/pages/Puppy-Love-Campaigns/202945053081069

Working in rescue will be emotionally challenging at time, that comes with the nature of the job but it can also be very rewarding. If you can volunteer somewhere then go for it.