Just re-homed our lovely flatcoated retriever...and missing him so much already!!!

[timsmama]

Today we took our beautiful liver flatcoated retriever to the Flatcoat Retriever Society, where his new owners will pick him up on Sunday He is the most gorgeous dog, fantastic with our 7-months-old, but just demanded soooo much attention, which we just couldnt give him with the little baby around. We have had him since he was 8 weeks old (he is just over 2 now)and just miss him incredibly already. I know it was the right decision, he will have a fantastic life with a retired couple who live for their long walks and flatcoats, he will have a flatcoat lady living with him - so I'm sure he wont really miss us at all...BUT IT IS SO HARD!!! Sorry, just after some sympathy really

timsmama -hugs to you all- it's horrible isn't it?

FWIW you are being very sensible not struggling on & making more work for yourself. Maybe when you're family is out of baby stage you can have another, it isn't the same without a dog & it's so good for the kids.

Maybe you could get a canine fix by "adopting" someone else's now & then to go for a walk? when mine were small we used to meet up with a couple of old ladies & share their walks. It got us out every morning & my DD's love the dogs. Then occasionally I used to walk the dogs for them. Worked quite well!

Bossybritches, thank you very much!!! I knew it would be hard, but not THIS hard!

I am actually just on my way to a friend's who has got a lab. Not quite the same, but better than nother. Yes, I am certain once "family planning" has been conmpleted we will eventually have another dog, as I just cant imagine life without one.

I've grown up around dogs all my life-it's what I missed most about being single & having my own place. (Flat in London +shift work not suitable for a pooch!)

When we got married & moved to the country we re-homed a gorgeous GSD/Lab cross called Toby. We had him for 10 years & then he suddenly died we were heartbroken (only time I've seen DH sob) & it left a large space in the kitchen where his bed was.We said we'd wait a few months & see about getting another one. We lasted 3 days ( my DD's were bereft)& started looking & rehomed a 4 yr old chocolate lab within the month!! That was 4 years ago. BoCo is TOTALLY different in personality which was good & was joined last year by Millie a goldie who is as brainless as she is beautiful & keeps our old boy on his toes!

Sorry this has turned into an adoring doggy chunter!

Timsmama, sympathy for you. It must have been hard. Take credit for re-homing him so successfully, to such a good home. And look to the future. The day will come eventually when you are able to have a dog around again.

I think you are very brave and have made the right decision. So many people just keep their animals and deny them the right to a decent life that they deserve. You deserve a huge pat on the back. My wife has helped rehome some dogs as she helps out with a particular breed and these dogs do lead happier lives and go to people who genuinely love the new pets and give them a quality of life. I remember one case where she helped rehome a dog that was living in a small town house which moved to a couple who were active in the scouting movement and were forever camping and doing outdoor activities. We kept in touch with them for a while and the dog was in doggy heaven as it did all the outdoor activities with them!
Sad to hear you are missing your dog though, they leave such a huge hole in your heart. Our dog died in July and I still miss him madly and would give anything to have him back. We still have our other dog but without him the house seems empty.
My thoughts are with you and maybe in time you will be able to have another beautiful dog.

Poor you

Was he very demanding?
Luckily our dog was fine when dd came along and no hassle at all. We had a dogwalker in the week to ensure that she got plenty of exercise which we couldn 't always give her

Bossy, how about volunteering to walk dogs? We have local animal shelters that look for such people. Bet you end up taking one in though!!

Oh so sad for you. They are lovely dogs aren't they, my exBF's parents have 5 (but then they live on a farm!) Blimey they need a lot of exercise.

You've definitely done the right thing for him, he will have a lovely time, but I know it's very hard for you. Hopefully when your LOs are a little older you can get another dog - I'm desperate to get a lab next year.

BGD-nooooo keep me away from animal shelters,you are right I'd end up with a houseful of dogs & no husband......now there's an idea......

Little Lapin (& anyone really) if you do get a lab please re-home one rather than buy one. Labs/lab crosses are one of the most abandoned breeds apparently as they are such cute puppies but can be VERY naughty & do need a lot of walks & training. That said they make lovely family dogs.

Dogs are suffering the increase in marital break-ups too. As families split up & go into rented or smaller homes they often can't keep the beloved family pet. So you get a dog that hasn't been neglected/ill-treated & you often know the history. I know that can put some re-homers off if they feel they don't know the dogs background.

Sorry for hijacking TM-

Thank you so much for all your kind and positive words! I cant remember where I read it, but it said something like "man's best friend is a dog; dog's best friend is another dog" - I am sure this is much harder for us than it was for Oscar. Whenever I feel sad now I just remind myself that he will have so much fun on his walks with his new lady friend

Flatcoats are absolutely gorgeous dogs, but they not only need loads of exercise (which he did get with me), but they also need constant human and doggy company . He wasnt really demanding as such, just being a normal young flatcoat, very happy, licky, bouncy and overexcited