To want to rehome my dog

There is a lot of judgement on this thread about rehoming pets, from people who cannot imagine the wheels falling off their own lives.

Ummm is anyone else also thinking this is also not a suitable arrangement for a 14 year old - let alone a dog?

OP says she is too unreliable to let the dog pop out for a quick wee after school - yet she is also left alone from 7am till 7pm - seeing herself to and from school alone, coming home and being alone for another 3.5 hours or so every school day. Even if shes competant, thats quite a lonely existence?

OP i know you've sarcastically joked about leaving your job - but I'd seriously consider it in general, youre neglecting your home responsibility too much IMO. Its hard being a single mum, but being hard doesnt mean its acceptable. You need a job closer to home, or one with an option to WFH.

Oh but don't you know you're not allowed to be mean because even though the dog is being left for 12 hours it's not neglect because she loves him, and so does teenage daughter who loves him so much she can't bear to rehome him but won't do a thing to help.

You can love a pet and still neglect them, sadly, and it's love that often blinds owners to what they are doing. But it is also a selfish form of love to keep a pet you can't properly take care of.

It seems OP has realised this and is rehoming through a trusted vet contact, which must be really hard for her. But it is the right thing. I just feel for the poor dog and hope a good, caring home is found.

People will judge you no matter what decision you make.

I had a cat who used to poo and spray everywhere in the house. I was desperate to keep him so I tried everything for years to fix the issue but people were horrified that I could live in such an environment, I was being cruel to the cat for keeping him and being selfish when he clearly wasn't happy.

After 3 years I had to admit defeat and give him back to the breeder to see if a new different home would help and he could settle and be happy. I got ripped apart for rehoming him because I was having another baby and should get on with clearing it up/put a nappy on him. I was told I should never own another pet in my life, I was a terrible owner yet we have a very happy 15 year old cat who we got before the crazy cat and is still with us 9 years later.

You are doing the right thing in rehoming your dog and yes, it probably should have been done sooner but you were likely hoping to find a way around the situation so that you could keep him. Circumstances can change in the blink of a eye so there really needs to be less judgement over rehoming a pet. Nobody can predict the future and if we all worried about what might happen x years down the line nobody would ever have a pet.

'But your teenager can't be out of the house from 7am - 7pm surely? Can they not let them out into the garden when they get home from school / college?And failing that, can't a member of your family take them if they are dog lovers?'

This. Even if the dc cba to walk it she could at least let it out for a wee? School finishes at 3ish so surely the dog isn't alone from 7 til 7?

Glad you are giving it up though. It has a miserable life poor thing. I hope it is a small breed so the lack of exercise isn't as detrimental as it would be for a medium sized dog.

If they are such dog lovers, why are they not helping out?

How awful to leave the poor dog alone all day every day. Shame on you. Rehome him to someone who can give him the love and attention he deserves. Shameful.

Speak to the family who will judge you. Tell them how unhappy your dog sounds. Let them come up with reasonable solutions or offers of care if they can. Otherwise ignore them. This dog sounds miserable and would be better elsewhere.

I think you are being really brave OP. There are lots of people out there who would be happy to take on a mature small dog. You are doing the ultimate thing to show that you love him by doing what's best for him.

Mine too.

@Ubah I'm glad you have someone you can trust to help you find a suitable, safe home for him. Wishing you all the best, this must be so difficult for you ❤️

Thank you OP, this has really brought tears to my eyes!

I know and I am also hurt by this. I do not question your right to judge. In my judgment,
OP is not an abuser, she didn’t set out to hurt the dog, she is in a situation. She reached out: She is clearly desperate. This is not about you or I being wrong or right in how we feel. I say that gently, your rightful concern is this little dog as is the concern of every PP that has responded.

We all know that this dog needs to be rehomed ASAP.

And I want OP to continue to update us. Please do OP, even if is PM.

Leaving a dog alone to pee in the house for 12 hours and then moaning the dog wants attention at night makes OP an animal abuser, sorry. I'm not saying she wasn't once a good owner, but the life her dog has now is abuse by neglect.

It is so sad when people have to rehome a much loved pet, and I don't ever judge those who need to. But I absolutely do judge those who abuse their animals for months on end to selfishly keep them when they can't meet their needs, rather than realise they need to rehome them before they are in a situation where the animal's needs will be badly neglected, affecting their behaviour and chances of being rehomed. And I'm not sorry for judging. Not one bit.

@Ubah Please contact Molly Moos Westie Rescue in Limerick (they rehome dogs of all sizes and breeds and ages, not just westies. They're currently looking for a home for an 11 year old German shepherd), or Madra Dog Rescue in Galway or Dogs Trust in Dublin. If they can't help themselves they should be able to put you in contact with others who can.

Some rescues put certain dogs in foster homes until a permanent home is found. Please speak to a rescue to find out what can be done to help your dog, he really can't go on like this, it's not fair to him. I'm sorry you have to do this but as your circumstances have changed so much it's the right decision for his sake.

All you hating on OP are not nice people. You accuse OP of being cruel and heartless, your hatred towards OP, is cruel and heartless.

We all love our pets, but OPs circumstances have changed and she is struggling. Do you really think that if she was the cruel and heartless dog abuser you all accuse her of being she would post it on MN. That is some kind of sadism. There I have had my rant!

I have a rescue, it brings tears to my eyes when I think about what he went through. He was in a terrible state when I got him. But he now lives the best life ever. He is sitting at my feet now, he is my Velcro dog.

OP has done the right thing! He will get rehomed. PPs have given details of organisations that rehome older dogs. There are many lovely people out there that foster dogs,
I have learnt from this thread.

Well done OP for standing up for yourself.

@Pumpkinmagic

Put your specs on or perhaps stop being so lazy and read the OPs replies

If this is even real and you leave your dog alone all day long 7-7. I’m not buying the no dog walkers in your area, there must be a doggy day care you can drop off at on your commute? Even if it means taking a detour. If you don’t mind me asking how did you ever get in this situation? What possessed you to get a dog? Or did you not work when you got the dog?

Yes, you should rehome your dog. If your family criticise your decision can any of them help? You could advertise locally for someone to help but it would be a sticking plaster for a massive wound.

Poor dog. Yes, rehome him. He's suffering.

Where did you say you walked him? You just moaned about him wanting company and about him pissing in the house?