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AIBU?

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Original poster

To say I can't do this?

41 replies

Rochelaise18 · 30/11/2018 18:46

I'm in second year at university. As part of the course, there's the option to do a placement between second year and final year. I've been given the opportunity to do a placement in Spain for between 6 and 9 months.
In an ideal world, I'd jump and grab it. The placement is in the field I want to work in when I graduate and is with someone respected in that field, so would be a great addition to my CV.
BUT, I have a dog. There's no guarantee that I would be able to take dog with me and if I couldn't, I really can't see any way of being able to do this placement.
I'm just feeling torn between knowing how much this placement would help me in the future and guilty that I would be "one of those owners" who gives their dog up because they can't find any other solution.

OP posts:
Original poster
Rochelaise18 · 30/11/2018 20:56

Normally, dog would go stay with their breeders if unable to come on a holiday with me, and it was something discussed when I got her. If not her breeders, she is happy to go for a few days in kennels.Unfortunately, her breeders are no longer in good health and sometimes struggle to cope with the 3 dogs they have. I have asked family and friends, but have been told no. There is the chance that dog could come with me, but there's no guarantee that she would be allowed.
Dog has a passport and has been overseas with me. I have asked for clarification from placement that dog would be allowed to come, as it's a live in placement. They do state on their website that guests can bring their dogs at prior arrangement, but I have a feeling may that it's only applicable to guests. I suppose I'll need to wait until they get back to me with that clarification and then decide whether I go or not.

OP posts:
PurdysChocolate · 30/11/2018 21:00

Take the dog with you. Are you worried about accommodation, or is there something else?

PurdysChocolate · 30/11/2018 21:02

"They do state on their website that guests can bring their dogs at prior arrangement"

I'd take that as a pretty good sign?

Miljah · 30/11/2018 21:10

"I think this is lovely that you are prioritising your dog , not many people do nowadays ."

I think it's great that you are factoring in your dog. But a pet cannot dictate your life choices.

If it does, something is a bit skewed. If your dog prevents you doing what you really want to do. By all means exhaust fostering etc (I'd take a dog for a few months, myself, tho I'd want its expenses paying!).

From my own experience, old that I am, you might be surprised how often 'center-of-the-universe' dog; s/he whose needs must always come first... becomes just 'the dog' when a child arrives.

Priorities.

MakeAHouseAHome · 30/11/2018 21:15

FFS why do people they think it is even acceptable to consider rehoming (i.e. ABANDONING!!) their dogs!? You wouldn't do it to a child!

Hope your placement it wirth abandoning a family member.

MudCity · 30/11/2018 21:20

I would, and have, always put my dogs first. I would miss out on my placement / work opportunity 1000 times over for them.

There are other placements. There are other jobs. I simply would not enjoy my placement if I had needed to leave my dog.

TacoLover · 30/11/2018 21:26

You wouldn't do it to a child!

Ffs why are people so hell bent on insisting that dogs are the same as children🙄

IAmGrootGrootGroot · 30/11/2018 21:31

Why do you all consider dogs to be equal to children? Did you grow these hounds in your uterus and give birth to them?

The dog would happily eat you if you died. Your kid wouldn't.
I hope.

sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea · 30/11/2018 21:36

OP, just in case it hasn't been mentioned before (yes, I have RTFT) what about fostering by someone in Spain? That way you could still visit, be reasonably close by, and not have to give her up entirely? Could that work?

StoneofDestiny · 30/11/2018 21:43

why are people so hell bent on insisting that dogs are the same as children

Totally agree - very perverse thinking.

MakeAHouseAHome · 01/12/2018 13:12

Because dogs are as equally part of the family as children!

AntMoon · 01/12/2018 13:50

Look into getting your pooch fostered. I've fostered for the Dogs Trust and it's amazing the amount of people who are happy to foster.

Where abouts are you in the UK? I normally do shorter fosters (3 months) but would consider a longer one, if insurance, food, expenses etc costs were covered.

Junkmail · 01/12/2018 14:02

The best outcome would be to take the dog with you so I would push for that. Contact the placement as soon as possible so they have notice that you will be bringing your dog. If they’ve already stated they are dog friendly then I don’t see that it would be an issue? I wouldn’t panic about this yet. Do you have to accept the living arrangements as they provide for you of if they turned out not to be suitable for your dog would you be able to make your own arrangements in Spain that could accommodate him/her?

chronicplainjane · 01/12/2018 14:06

Dogs and children are not the same thing 😂

Original poster
Rochelaise18 · 01/12/2018 17:36

I am waiting for the placement to get back to me regarding whether students on placement can bring a dog or if it is guests only. I have looked at rentals in the area, but there are very few available within a reasonable distance that allow dogs. It may come down to whether they have 2 students on placement or just me as the accommodation for students on placement is shared.

OP posts:
TacoLover · 02/12/2018 16:51

Because dogs are as equally part of the family as children!

But they're not, that's the point! Would you save your dog over your child if your house was on fire? Of course not, because children are more important. This argument really is a silly one to make.

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