To be considering putting my dog down

[Bestdoggoever]

Please be gentle. I just want to do what is right for him. I rehome my dog from another family a couple of years ago. When I got him he was very nervous and neglected, and would flinch a lot. He is now a confident happy dog, but due to circumstances completely beyond my control, I am moving into accommodation that will not allow him. I am very worried about rehoming him again, because of all he has been through, and because I couldn't be there to protect him if anyone tried to hurt him again. I am considering having him put down. However I am worried that I am being unduly influenced by my own past, in which my mom broke several of my bones and left me malnutritioned. I suppose I know there are fates worse than death, and I want to protect him. He is only four and my boyfriend thinks I am very wrong to be considering putting him down. But so just want what's best for him. Thank you

Some of you are being very harsh. The OP'S brother has just died...he was going to look after the dog as she can't. She probably can't think straight. Give her a break and give calm gentle advice or leave it to someone that can.

I'm very sorry for your loss Op

I wish people would put their animals to sleep more, awful though that sounds. Lots of dogs are just not suited to being rehomed. And I see adverts all the time for horses of 20+ years old, looking for a new home because their owner cannot be arsed looking after them any more and is too tight to have them PTS.

I completely agree with this.

We are a nation misguided animal lovers who humanize our pets too much and confuse what we would like with what animals actually need. PTS is not a cruel option, it is ensuring that the dog doesn't end up in a home where it gets left on it's own for hours everyday and then kept alive by people who 'don't care how much it costs' to keep their aged animal alive and in pain for a few more weeks.

You have a good vet, one who is able to see what could be best for your dog.

Don't be swayed by other people's sentimentality, they've never even met your dog, and good luck with a difficult decision - better a week early than a day too late.

Well said, Kate. Agree 100%.

No room for sentimentality when making what needs to a rational and well though out decision.

I don't know if I'm allowed to post links on here, but get in touch with Kim at South East Dog Rescue. She's an angel and takes on a lot of welfare cases.

If she doesn't have space then get in touch with Animal Lifeline UK: www.animallifelineuk.org/content.php?r=5-Need-to-Rehome-Your-Pet&s I honestly can't recommend them enough. They really know their stuff and will go out of their way to make sure your dog has the best possible forever home with guaranteed lifetime back up. They have a Facebook page - just type in the Facebook web address and add /animallifelineuk at the end and you'll find it.

I have lots more contact details if that's helpful. Just drop me a PM and I'll help as much as I can.

Seriously, at the very least please go check out those two rescues. You'll read nothing but great reviews on them online too.

Don't bother with the rspca though. There is no way you'd want your poor dog to end up with them (though they probably wouldn't take him anyway).X

Animal Lifeline UK (not to be confused with Animal Lifeline!) uses their Facebook page more than anything and they have lots of before and after photos and updates from new homes. I think it'll make you feel better to see them

www.facebook.com/animallifelineuk

Agree with Kate. Our old neighbour was forever getting pets from one of these rehoming places. It sounds really good in that every dog gets a chance etc but really what they do is use guilt trips and prey on people's good nature. Once they'd worked out she was a soft touch they were forever ringing her up about taking on some dog that no one else wanted. Thing is there were good reasons why no one else wanted these dogs - they were either madly unsocialised or at death's door and she is left to cope with that and the resulting huge vet bills that she ended up going to loan sharks to fund, all in the name of keeping animals alive that were no joy or use to her or anyone. I reckon those places see people like her coming and I have a very dim view of them.

Op I am so sorry for your loss and hope you find a solution that is right for you.

Please don't tar all rescues with the same brush. There are some really shitty ones that call themselves rescues and are anything but, but there are also some bloody good ones too who don't do anything like the above!

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