Rehoming my dog

[ra30]

Hi. This is always a sensitive topic. I have two littermate Bitches . I have had them since they were 8 weeks old and they have gone through periods of fighting. In the past year it has gotten worse . I can't walk them as they will fight (blood drawn). In the past month they have had 3 serious fights and tonight it did not stop. After all techniques failed I put my hand in one's mouth trying to prose her off the other dog and was bitten (tetnus, antibiotics ). Blood everywhere. The two dogs can not stay together. I am keeping the temperamental dog that isn't trust worthy. The other dog who is so sweet loves people , children , I am rehoming. I have a friend who was looking for a dog and is trustworthy and we have arranged for me to bring my dog to her on Saturday for a visit. The problem is my 7 year old loves this dog she is his girl every morning she grabs her blanket and 'talks to him' she loves him and he loves her (he loves the other dog too but not this bonded level). Has anyone had to re-home their child's beloved dog how did you make it better ? This is the worst situation . I can not rehome the other dog instead as she is clingy, unpredictable to strangers and overweight. I have cried , my son has cried. I just need to know what to say to make it better

We have agreed to trial tomorrow and she will return her, I have said if she wants to go ahead I will take my dog to the vet and get them to check her over so the new owner has piece of mind she has no health conditions. If it doesn't work tomorrow then there may be a couple other options. We are Facebook friends anyways so I know I will see lots of photos. I do sadly agree that regular visits may be confusing and sad for all parties. If they do have her she becomes their girl but with that I know they would give her a forever home. My son and me have talked lots (gone down the bog baby route). He says he loves both the girls the same and will be sad whichever goes. This is truly painful. I am hoping tomorrow goes we but it all seems to easy.

Best wishes , it sounds like your son is behaving in a very mature fashion , I hope tomorrow goes well .

You’re doing the right thing, as hard as it is. Just sending you a big hug

Tomorrow my dog goes to her new home . The family she has visited 3 times. She went to the very for a check up and the vet said what a lovely happy girl she was and how she will adjust very quickly (I hope so). If it doesn't work the family will bring her back, I trust this family and know they will stick to their word. I will update in a few weeks. Just incase anyone else ever has to go through this situation.

Good luck for tomorrow. I'm sure it will be okay and she will thrive in her new home

It's been a full week. Things are going well. We at the moment get daily updates which is lovely. It's been hard. Advice and lessons learned;

1. Don't take children to choose a puppy, they will be pleased with whatever dog you bring home (we ended up with two because the house was divided on which to bring home).
2. If you ever get in this terrible situation and have to re-home a pet be honest with your children.
3. Bog Baby story helped the discussions on love and what it can sometimes mean.
4. I was lucky and rehomed to someone I knew (well enough to know her attitude to pet ownership and character). I personally would never go down the personal ad re-homing route and if my two options had not been fruitful I was going to contact a breed specific rescue. Before rehoming I took my dog to the vet for a check up and boosters. I did not ask from the new owners (though they are so nice I'm sure they would have paid)
5. I was so lucky my son could visit the home twice when we took our dog to visit, so he didn't have to imagine where she was he knew the family and the house. I do believe it helped. The updates every day help to. I show them to my son and he is happy.
6. I had to pull myself together because actually over the week I was crying the most, and my son actually said "stop crying mum we did the right thing".

Hope this helps if someone ever finds themselves in this awful situation. Thanks alot of comments on this thread really helped me pull through.

A positive update OP & I hope you're feeling a bit happier about the situation and that you've dealt with it well.
How is your dog coping, the one who is with you?

She is doing really well, she has stopped constantly scratching her ears (which would cause cuts and infections), she is even more clingy but I'm sure she will calm down, she is following me even more (but she managed in the house without us the other day). It was nice because my son was lying on the floor watching TV and she walked over and lay down resting her head on his tummy. This fighting was very extreme so obviously it was having an huge impact on the humans and the dogs, and the whole atmosphere of the house. So while our hearts miss her this was the best option for all involved.

You have been so brave and done something so hard because it is best for the dogs and your family. Anything you did wrong was done with the best of intentions and it's clear how hard this has been for you and how much you have struggled. I know this is a tough time but I am in awe of you and how you have handled this: be proud and remind yourself you have raised lovely dogs and lovely children and done everything you can to give them good lives.