this depresses me

[Booyhoo]

relative and partner got a lab puppy 2 years ago, did the whole FB survery for naming it posted every development, photos etc. and then a few months later gave it to relative's mum (in ireland so they dont see it) because it was too much to cope with. personally i think that was a fair thing to do as they have a young boy who has an as of yet undiagnosed condition that can become life threatening at any point and can need to be in hospital for months at a time. mum stays in hospital with little boy and dad continues to work full time. this has been their life since little boy was born 4 years ago so why they got the dog in the first place i will never know.

however, they have just posted another fb update looking name suggestions for a new female springer pup that they will be getting in 2 weeks and when one of their friends says she will be getting a springer pup when her own pup is older, relative says she will let her know if she breeds her in future!

i just cant understand what is going through their heads. they cannot commit to a dog. their little boy is only a few months out of a long hospital stay, they know his condition is likely to be lifelong and that he can take a turn for the worse at any time. but to even think of breeding the dog!

it has pissed me off seeing it. just had to vent. i know it's nothing to do with me. not my dog or my family but i feel sorry for the poor thing.

[higgle]

100% agree, total pillocks.

[mistlethrush]

how about "Wow, you're brave, I've heard that they are so much more mouthy than lab puppies - I hope that you're all ready to be used as a teething toy for the next 9 months. They're so energetic too! I wouldn't have the energy"

[ChickensHaveNoEyebrows]

So, they swapped a lab for a springer? Yeah, good luck with that

[Booyhoo]

i have decide against commenting. the relative is quite arrogant and truly believes he is right about everything and expert at everything he attempts. it would serve no purpose to comment. they will go ahead and get this puppy regardless.

[Booyhoo]

yes chickens.

no doubt there will be a reason why this time it will work out and why a lab wasn't the right dog but a springer is.

[ExitPursuedByABear]

That poor puppy, I already feel sad for it.

Springers can be such hard work if you don't put the time in with them, and need shedloads of exercise.

My DH's nephew bought a lab puppy a couple of years ago - but he is in the forces and is often away, and his fiance works full time, so the lab goes in a cage all day. I can't bring myself to speak to them anymore.

Fortunately his father often pops round at lunchtime to take him out, but then apparently he just walks back into his cage when they get back. Poor sod.

[Booyhoo]

in the cage all day!! poor poor thing. why do people do that? who is benefitting out of them having a dog in a cage all day?

[Booyhoo]

agree. that poor dog. it is true. they really are so forgiving. they just want to be cuddled and will forgive anything for a tiny bit of affection.

[ExitPursuedByABear]

I hit my boy twice with my walking stick yesterday (by accident I hasten to add), and he looks at me as if to say "I don't know what I've done but feel free to hit me again, I don't mind."

[ChickensHaveNoEyebrows]

Exit, the amount of times I've stood on Jas because he's a velcro dog...And every single time, he reacts by wagging his tail and licking me.

[Percephone]

It's so irresponsible. We know a family who have done this too. They got a little terrier cross who apparently was quite mouthy so it 'wasn't safe' for the kids. So poor terrier gets sent to the animal shelter. Next thing there are pictures of a glamorous cocker spaniel pup on Facebook . Husband tells me to just get over it but it makes me so mad!

[Booyhoo]

oh yes i have accidentally trod on paws and the only reaction is a waggy tail and a look to say "i love you so much!" it breaks my heart to hear of people abusing that trust.

[StuffezLaBouche]

These make me maddest of all.
www.gumtree.com/p/pets/jack-russle-puppy-10-weeks-old/1006211432
STUPID STUPID people

[Mynewmoniker]

I oftren peruse Gumtree dogs, Stuff... and I see some awful reasons for selling the dog. The worst was "...pulls on his lead" . TAKE IT TO A FREEKIN TRAINING CLUB YOU MUPPET!

[Booyhoo]

i agree beertricks i think there should be ownership and suitability tests for everyone choosing to own a dog and it should cost more than £6 a year (i'm in NI-that's how much a license costs!)

[Booyhoo]

sorry £12.50. it has gone up. it was £5/6 for years.

[Booyhoo]

i would go as far as compulsory neutering for anyone not legally registered as a breeder. i dont think there should be a right to breed dogs as a hobby/money maker. i think if it's something you want to do you undergo inspection, pay the costs involved and register for tax.

[Booyhoo]

and compulsory microchipping.

[BinarySolo]

That jack Russell ad could be a puppy farm scam. 6 weeks old obviously wouldn't be a reputable breeder anyway. I have 2 springers and a 20 month old son. If my son was very ill there's no way I'd have time to give them the walks/attention they need. Good luck training a puppy. Oh and springers shed for England! Much more than a shorter coated breed. They're very slow to mature too.

Labs are born half trained, springers die half trained.

They are fun tho, and I wouldn't be without mine!

[StuffezLaBouche]

It does sound dodgy doesn't it? The owner decides after 4 WEEKS that she hasn't got time for him....? Poor little thing :(

[Booyhoo]

oh and ads like that should be banned!