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Original poster

Am I bad to think of rehousing our 2 dogs???

23 replies

divedaisy · 16/02/2009 23:44

am I bad to think of rehousing our 2 dogs??? The oldest is about 10 and the other about 8. They never get walkies - though we have a massive back garden where they get plenty of exercise. They really don't get the attention they deserve. DH never sees the shit to lift it, although manages not to step in it. My back garden is one big dog toilet, and I spent 30 minutes today lifting some of it - and there's loads still to lift. When my ds goes outside to play - I have to tell him to mind the poos - that's not a back garden safe for a child to play in . But DH doesn't help me to do this nasty job. When this one comes along I'll have less time to deal with them. Also, we're considering cancelling the pet insurance cos the premiums are getting rediculous. But I reckon if the bills were high ( eg couple of hundred pounds) DH would go mad - he even thinks the annual vacinations are costly! He doesn't think anyone would take them and because of the oldest ones age, would be hard to rehome... but even though I don't want them to go, I believe they may have a better life somewhere else. My friend ownes a Kennels and she may be able to look out for someone suitable to take both... I feel so torn between my DH's views and the concerns for the pooches. What would you do???

OP posts:

techpep · 16/02/2009 23:54

Are they large breeds?

mumonthenet · 17/02/2009 00:34

If you have a massive garden can you fence part off and make that the dogs' bit? Train em always to use the toilet in one part. Dogs usually don't like to "live" near what is their toilet so the space would have to be big enough.

Then they could come into your garden when you're all outside and play and a run.

(In any case - it's a good idea to have a place to put your dogs when your dc's are playing outside or when you have kids' parties etc then you don't have to worry about accidents)

daisy99divine · 17/02/2009 00:54

would it be possible to walk them a bit at least morning and evening to alleviate all the poo in the garden?

Geepers · 17/02/2009 01:53

daisy if the OP can't find 2 minutes a day to pick up dog poo from the garden, the chances are a quick walk is out of the question too. And she'd still have to pick it up.

ChampagneDahling · 17/02/2009 10:50

Don't quite understand what DH views are? He doesn't want/can't afford to pay for them but doesn't think anyone else will take them? Or he loves them and wants them to stay? Sounds like you are in a difficult position.

Perhaps your kennel friend could put out feelers for a new home? In current climate probably fewer people taking on "older" dogs but it depends on the dogs, size, behaviour etc.

Could you find cheaper pet insurance? you don't have to stay with same company. Vets fees start getting expensive the older the dog is.

If dogs are fed reasonably good dried food there shouldn't be massive amounts of poo to pick up.

I find that dog makes me go out for walk and I feel better for it, but it can be a pain to fit it in.

Minxie1977 · 17/02/2009 13:04

This will sound harsh but IMHO it is abusive not to exercise dogs every day. My two are out every day, rain, snow, whatever the weather and we have a nice size garden for them too. Also if you walk them they'd probably poo on walks instead of the garden. Can you not give DH a kick in the bum re responsibility?

cheesesarnie · 17/02/2009 13:07

why dont they get walked?surely when you got them you knew youd have to walk them-thats what responsible dog owners do!!!!

if you cant look after them and care for them as they desreve to be cared for then ofcourse rehome them but please dont get another dog.

bananapaddlepop · 17/02/2009 14:24

Not walking those dogs is cruel.
Not picking up their poo is plain disgusting, either one of you do it until you've picked up the lot and then do it daily and it won't be such a big chore.
Pay a dog walker or get them re-homed where they can get exercised.
I don't understand why you would get dogs if you weren't prepared for walks, poo etc.

LooptheLoop · 17/02/2009 14:33

Sorry but whose dogs are they? Neither you or your DH sound like they want them in the first place.

ToiletRollCover · 17/02/2009 14:34

OP you shouldn't be picking up dog poo whilst pregnant really so your DH needs a kick up the bum for that alone. If you really are concerned maybe you shouldsit DH down and talk to him about it. It might give him incentive to start helping out!!!!!! This situation is not fair on you, your children or your dogs.

cheesesarnie · 17/02/2009 14:45

i thought it was only cats poo that could be dangerous to pregnant women?

ABetaDad · 17/02/2009 14:48

Before I start - I want to emphasise I am not criticising anyone here and also emphasise that the OP is making a very sensible and toughtful decision here.

A few days ago there was a thread from someone who was considering getting a dog but lived in a flat. I advised against the idea unless she was prepared to put the dog completely before herself - much as one would with a child. I also thought she was acting carefully and considerately - sorry I cannot find the thread now but it was good one and very relevant here.

As a child I had hundreds of dogs in my life as my parents bred and worked with them but I strongly feel that for many people a dog is something that they tire of after a while. Most dogs live poor quality lives as the OP has very sensibly realised.

I cannot really advise the OP to 'just get rid of her dogs' but I do think that if she can find a good home then that would be a most sensible move. If she cannot then, if possible try to work out a way that the dogs can be included in the lives of the family more and that wil enhance the quality fo the dogs' lives and the family's enjoyment of them.

Finally, I strongly recommend anyone who is contemplating getting a dog not to get one if they have a busy life. It is inevitable the dog wil slip down the list of priorities and the costs can be high as they get to old age. It is for this reason that I have never owned my own dog since moving away form my parents house because I know I could not devote the time necessary to look after them as I would wish.

ToiletRollCover · 17/02/2009 15:07

Think you're right cheesesarnie. I thnk I might have got confused about it. Remember hearing about dog poo and blindness.

beanieb · 17/02/2009 15:09

very bad. you should be giving them the attention they deserve. you know where the problem lies. I can't abide people who get rid of animals just because they can't be arsed.

No wonder your back garden is a dog toilet. Cancelling the insurance too! Terrible.

Original poster

divedaisy · 17/02/2009 15:45

A appreciate all your comments. Even the harsh ones! I am six months pregnant and in agony! So I find picking the poo up agonising. Also, it is left up to me to do it... It's the situation where I have spoken to DH about this in the past and he will 'help out' for a VERY short while, and then it's down to me again (he works wacky shifts and very long hours, so he sees it as my chore cos I'm there more). When we moved into our home years ago, out in the country, HE wanted a dog. At first she was walked daily by him, poos picked up, groomed, fed and watered etc. We got a purpose dog run built for her and she was looked after. It was so good we bred her and kept one of her pups.
Then she developed medical problems which after 1.5 years resulted in her having to be put down. This left her pup (of less than 2 years) pinning for her. So we went to the local pet rescue sanctuary and got the second bitch as a 11 wk pup. The breeds we have are small-medium size - Kerry Blue and a mix of Lab/Collie/??? Again they were walked etc. However, it is difficult to predict how your life can change.
I am now medically retired and have problems with my neck and arms. I do not have the strength to walk 2 dogs - and again if I were to do it, it would be left for me to do.
The dogs do not have a bad life, it's just I believe they COULD have a better one with people who can give them more of what we can't/don't.
DH doesn't think the eldest one would be rehomed and doesn't want to see him being put down because of his age (rest assured, I wouldn't allow that to happen either). Further because I am retired our income has dropped significantly and yes I am afraid finances do have to come into it. If there were a large vet bill to pay I worry about if we could afford it and what would happen if we couldn't - how much money do you equate with your pet??? It's not a pleasant thought to have money POSSIBLY determine the outcome, so it is something I have to think about.

By thinking about all of these things I believe I AM acting responsibly - I have their interests before those of my DH.

beanieb - I am not 'getting rid.. because I can't be arsed' - that couldnt be further from the truth. I am unable to do it alone, and despite talking to DH this situation is not going to change.

mumonthenet - we do have a large portion of our garden for the dog run - unfortunately the gate blew off some months ago and DH hasn't put it back on again - he's 'too busy' and not that DIY orientated. (And I'm p*ssed off asking/nagging for him to see to it) So when it's dry the dogs are outside, when it's wet and overnight they're in doors.

cheesesarnie - don't worry I won't be getting another dog - not even a goldfish. Also I think I am being responsible by acknowedging the situation rather than ignoring it.

ChampagneDahling - I will approach my friend to ask around.

OP posts:

cheesesarnie · 19/02/2009 12:24

'I am being responsible by acknowedging the situation rather than ignoring it.'

yes i agree

staffylover · 19/02/2009 21:53

For the dogs sake let them go to a home where they will be loved and exercised! Why did you get dogs in the first place if you cannot be be bothered to walk them and clean up after them. If you picked up the poo as I do and got a dog loo to put in the garden then it wouldn`t be such a bother.

Original poster

divedaisy · 21/02/2009 21:19

staffylover - have you read my story???? The dogs are loved and when we got them I was physically able to look after them. I am now medically retired because I have a chronic neck condition and can not walk them as I don't have the ability to do so. You cann't predict how your life can change - and in my case for the worse. My condition is goining to get gradually worse. SOme days I cannot feel my fingers... It has nothing about not being bothered to walk them or clean up after them - I am bothered, that's why I care. If I wasn't bothered I wouldn't care. There are too many pet owners out there who are not bothered and they never consider what I am considering. ANd you don't get them on here admitting to their lack of care...

OP posts:

duckyfuzz · 21/02/2009 21:28

divedaisy your comments make me think I would be more inclined to rehome your husband than your dogs! Recently we let my sister have our black lab, who came from her as a pup in the first place. We both work, have 5 yo twins and although our dog was walked mornign adn night, had a run with kennel in the garden and bed in the house, we felt she would be better off with my sis, who has no DCs, another dog (the mum) and a couple of horses, with land so ideal really. If it is right for the dogs then let them go. How you deal with your apparently rather lazy and uninterested H is another matter entirely

bella29 · 22/02/2009 09:37

Just jumping in here with a bit of cool water to douse those flames...

Divedaisy - you are very brave to come on to MN asking if you should rehome your dogs

In an ideal world we would all be able to look after all our pets until the very end, but sadly circumstances (including health) do change and I, for one, believe it is braver and better to own up and say that you are no longer able to give the dogs the care they need, rather than soldiering on.

Please can we try to give the OP helpful, constructive suggestions rather than just flaming her?

Hassled · 22/02/2009 09:51

To answer the OP - no, you're not bad to think about rehoming and yes, you are being thoughtful and considerate about their welfare. So just sort it out - ring the kennel woman and the rescue homes tomorrow.

Your DH's views are completely irrelevant - he's behaving like a selfish twat. He sees the dogs as your job, so you get to make the decisions about their welfare.

Original poster

divedaisy · 22/02/2009 11:11

thanks for all your comments! I think I know what I need to do...
I think this thread has served its purpose!! Cheers!!!

OP posts:

vjg13 · 22/02/2009 15:31

divedaisy, have you tried contacting the cinnamon trust to see if they can help you out with dog walking.

This charity helps people continue to care for their pets and may be able to help you because of your health problems (although the people I have helped have been elderly). If they had a volunteer who could do the morning walk and clean up the poo then maybe your husband could do evenings and weekends.

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