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The doghouse

Have been offered a runt but dh may object

11 replies

Igottwo · 20/04/2016 15:44

We had three dogs at Christmas, two very elderly small dogs and one rescue collie who is middle aged. The two small dogs died at Christmas and we were devastated as both were my babies. We still have the rescue collie who is loving being the only dog now.
The problem is that a lady at work has told me of her friend who breeds poodles and has a runt that she cannot sell and may have pts. The pup is only 3 weeks old and the breeder sounds a lovely person as she is going to wait until the pup is 12 weeks old before asking the vet's advice. There is no way to tell as yet whether there will be any health issues but the pup is exceptionally small, about half the size of brothers & sisters in the litter. The breeder would be happy to give the pup to someone as a pet as long as there was no come back re health issues later due to being a runt.
My dh has made me promise not to take on any more dogs as we are due to retire in a few years time and he wants to be pet free. I maintain the dogs have kept us very fit over the years and are like babies to me, especially now my own darling bc's have kids of their own.
I know dh would cave in if I begged. But should I trample over his dreams of a dog free retirement. He dreams of no more finding kennels or sitters for holidays. A lovely garden (finally!) No more need to only eat out at dog friendly pubs.

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RudeElf · 20/04/2016 15:51

I think it would be really unfair to do this to him. He has done the dog thing, he doesnt want to anymore. Particularly if this one could be coming with a load of medical issues!

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pigsDOfly · 20/04/2016 15:59

Didn't get my dog until I retired so I went the opposite way, I'm on my own and those things are no longer important to me but I can understand what he means about being free to just take off on a whim and not have to plan ahead for everything. I suppose it rather depends what you both want from your retirement. If I had a partner I'd think I'd want to be free to get up and go out without having to plan ahead.

Re the runt, very kind of her I suppose but I'd be very wary of taking on the runt of a litter you could be storing up a lot of health problems and large vet bills for the future. Very much would depend what the vet says and I'd be getting the puppy checked out by my own vet rather than accepting what the breeder says.

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Igottwo · 20/04/2016 16:23

Thanks. My work friend is a bit of a "fixer" so this probably ticks a box for her by telling me about the pup. You guessed that I was the dog lover out of the two of us!!
Dh has left the pets to me. He comes on walks but it is really down to me to organise the food, grooming, dog sitters, training classes, vet care, and walks.

I know it is time to hang up the dog lead after our collie goes. It will free us up to go out more and to lots of places that don't allow pets.

It would be easier if dogs were not such wonderful company, funny and just so full of love if you get the right one.

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RudeElf · 20/04/2016 16:29

They are the best thing ever. I am dreading when my boy goes because i dont want another dog (the responsibilty is massive IMO and they are like having a human toddler forever) but he is just the most perfect dog. I know i could never find another dog like him so that makes me feel better about deciding not to have anymore after him. I have never been without a dog but i feel after him i am done.

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starjumper · 20/04/2016 22:15

But where are these places that don't allow dogs that are actually worth being dog-free for? Grin

Whenever mine are being looked after and we think 'oh good -freedom' do we go to a luxurious restaurant or theatre? Nope. I mean, we can enjoy ourselves without them but our lifestyle is much richer for having dogs.

Personally I know I'll never want another puppy, but oh rescue dogs.... I'd never stop wanting one in my life. Luckily dh agrees and we share the work

I realise this answers a question you weren't even asking, but now I've typed it I'm going to post it!

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Jeremysfavouriteaunt · 20/04/2016 22:19

star I agree. I judge a place on how dog friendly they are.
Too much wine tonight but I am puzzled at the posters who claim to love dogs yet come on to specifically post against rescue dogs. Why would you do that?

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rapunzel510 · 21/04/2016 11:51

I know it's not the same thing, but my dcat was the runt of the litter and we've had her since she was a kitten. being the runt doesn't always mean endless health problems and poorer quality of life etc that people think it does. dcat is now approaching 15 and it as fit as ever, and is more than fit for our (large) spaniel brute and any of his doggy buddies. any of the problems she's had have technically been self-inflicted. wait and see what dh says and also what the vet says as every dog is different. but it is very important to take dh's wants etc into account as there's no point in taking in a dog that one member of the family doesn't necessarily want...

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SistersOfPercy · 23/04/2016 00:12

I had a runt, a Westie. We'd gone to look at another breed, discovered a puppy farm and tried to walk away but there in another pen at the back on his own was a tiny, scruffy westie.
We got halfway home before I persuaded dh go back. Blush

Anyway, he was riddled with worms, had a bad stomach for two weeks and his ears never came up. Other than that he was perfect in every way. He was dd's constant companion and never had a days illness in his life until he died aged 14.

I realise I was exceptionally stupid to buy from that farm, but I could never have left the little guy. Our next dog breeder was very well researched but I'd still take the runt if I'm honest because I'm just a sucker for a sad face.

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noddingoff · 25/04/2016 18:56

Make sure it gets a bile acid stimulation test to rule out liver shunt (if it has this condition best euthanased or referral surgery costing thousands) and a really good heart check to rule out things like persistent ductus arteriosis (ditto).

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30DayDead · 25/04/2016 20:53

When our old dog died my DH was adamant that we wouldn't be getting another dog for some time. He wanted to be free to do spontaneous things (which we never do...!) etc. but I went into a complete slump without a dog and it really caused problems between us. I was so furious with him and his veto on a dog. I'm not sorry to say I completely ignored him and hunted around online until I found a dog I knew he would weaken at and he did. If he'd stuck to his guns in refusing another dog I genuinely don't know what I would have done but it would have been a major sore point between us.

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Lonecatwithkitten · 26/04/2016 07:42

Nodding has beat me to it I would be concerned about a shunt or pda in this puppy. Both are fixable, but to the tune of thousands of pounds.

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