Expected to look after puppy after surgery

[notmygovernment]

My son bought a puppy a couple of months ago, he’s a lovely dog but needs a lot of attention as pups do. I’m at home all day as I’m recovering from surgery and I’m expected to look after the pup while he’s at work. And it’s a lot more exhausting for me than he thinks.

He bought the pup home 3 days after my surgery, I was due home the next day but had complications (I nearly died) and didn’t leave hospital until 3 weeks later. I’m exhausted, I’m on pain relief which itself is making me tired and adding puppy sitting to my life is just unbearable.

Thanks for reading my moan! I sound incredibly selfish but I’ve had enough.

Your DS sounds very selfish but it seems like there is t much you can do about that. Practically speaking see if you could get a bit of help- have a look on “Borrow my Doggy.” There may well be local people who would be very happy to help, especially with a cute puppy. You would pay a small insurance fee and they can look after/ walk the dog for you. My DD used to do this regularly for dogs near her. She loved taking them for walks and even looked after them for the weekend when the owners went away.

A friends son bought a puppy on a whim. Thought his parents would love it as they’d had dogs previously. He was away at uni. If it had been me I would have told him to return it, but they decided to keep him. They are late 60s and late 70s and are not interested in a 12 plus year commitment. Worse, when the don came home on holidays he would complain about how his parents were dealing with the dog!
Id tell your son he needs to organise doggie day care for the dog. Even without your recovery it’s not your responsibility. If he refuses say you will sign him over to a dog charity as it’s not fair on the dog or you. And be prepared to do so.

Out of interest OP, what breed of puppy?

I understand your son may have had good intentions as you say he thought a dog would be good company for you alone at home but he’s not really thought this through for various reasons, many already mentioned by others. Given your situation, an adult calm breed of dog eg rescue Greyhound may have been better but even so that would be dependent on your recovery as they still would need walks, toileting etc.

I think action needs to be taken sooner than later as if rehoming is needed it will be less taxing on the puppy and also makes it more marketable the younger it is. Wishing you a speedy recovery 💐

sorry to hear you're not recovered yet, OP.

Tell your son the puppy has to go and if he doesn'T make arrangements for its care you will rehome it.

So whose dog is it?

If it's your son's then he needs to sort care for it when he's not there.

Can your husband take it out before he goes to work so that it is mostly settled until your son gets home?

What are you being expected to do?

It was a really stupid decision you all made to get the dog. I think you all need to have a serious conversation about the care of the dog going forward and if it is feasible to keep it

Still here, still struggling.

I’ve now been diagnosed with PTSD.

I’ve told son to start saving and look for alternatives as I can’t do this anymore.