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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Will you have your dog always?

50 replies

whatever117 · 06/11/2011 00:39

By which I mean - Dogsy was bought for my DS2 by ex-DH last xmas. DS2 got bored about last Feb - I expected this and was prepared for Dogsy to become mine before I agreed that ex-DH could buy him for DS2.

At first I went throught the motions, fed him, walked him, cuddled him, slept with him. But I felt a bit, not irritated, just seperate. Then I grew to adore him. It took a long time, I would not say I was a "dog" person.

But now I love Dogsy, I totally love him. He cheers me up, he looked after me when I was sick, he licks my feet dry after a bath, he keeps me company when I am on the loo. I just think he is amazing.

I hold up his brush and he leaps up for a groom, he loves it. He thinks he is well fancy and only eats Cesar.

He is still a pup/dog - I cant imagine him as an old man.

Also - what about people who rehome, I couldnt rest not knowing where Dogsy was and who with.

I didnt know that I would like him this much.

OP posts:

Original poster

whatever117 · 06/11/2011 03:39

Bo is meant to be JRT x BT - I can see the JRT in his delicate jaw if I smooth all his hair back.

I have heard that JR's can be right buggers so I think it is the BT that influences his lovely nature.

I saw a 5 month old Welsh T the other day and it was gorgeous with a wonderful nature too.

BoBo has been so fun that I might be a Terrier person - dunno.

Thinking of going to Battersea and just letting them look at us as a family along with BoBo and seeing what they recommend.

OP posts:

misdee · 06/11/2011 07:55

when tom went, i didnt want ralph i regretted my decision to get the dogs and deep down blamed ralph for tom not fitting in (i adored tom, he was a crazy dog but my crazy dog). i had never felt much fr ralph as he was more aloof and stand offish with people.

but recently, with dh working late, the kids in bed by 7, its just been me and ralphie. i have taken care of his every need, from packaging up raw meat parcels for the freezer, walkig him come rain or shine, training, and he has repaid me with such love. we spent last night both curled up on the sofa watching x factor. he checked on babyboy when he started crying and came to get me, and just gave me the soppiest puppy dog look. dh laughs amd says ralph is def my dog. he doesnt care when dh comes home from work, just looks up, and goes back to sleep with his head on my lap.

i just adore him.

JaxTellerIsMyFriend · 06/11/2011 10:02

both my GSDs are here with our family for life! There is no other option. They are my 2 hairy babies and we chose to bring them into our family.

Through hell and high water, muddy paws on cream carpets, dog hair all over the house, rain, hail and sleet they are here to stay. They adore us and we adore them. Besides they keep the riff raff from the door!

Anyway, who else would have Loofa? He is special, has cost us a bomb in vet fees and is only 2.5yrs old. He is MY boy.

ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 06/11/2011 12:06

I certainly hope so. I can't imagine handing him over to anyone else. I think I'd spend the rest of my life worrying about him and wondering if he'd been treated well. If I was ever absolutely forced in to rehoming for some reason (struggling to think of a reason, mind) then I'd do my damndest to get my parents to take him. They're semi-retired, have a humungous house and garden and adore dogs. Even then, I think it would break my heart. He is family now, stinky arse and all.

Elibean · 06/11/2011 15:22

What a lovely OP

Yes, my dog is 'my' dog (I never really feel like an owner, iykwim) the way the girls are 'my' girls. Family. Is there any other way to be with a dog? If one is normal?

kid · 06/11/2011 15:48

When I got my puppy 2 years ago, I assumed he would still be with us when DC left home (probably another 10 years or so) but it was not to be. He died at 7 months old and that totally broke my heart.

I didn't want another dog, I wanted that dog but as time went on, I did get another dog. I do love him dearly, but, he is still not the dog that died who I still miss massively.

I can't let myself believe he will be here with us forever as I was shown that they can be taken just like that. So, I enjoy every day with him and cherish our time together. I don't take him for granted, I take great care of him and I know he loves me the best

I don't know how people can rehome their dogs. I can imagine its a very hard decision to make. I don't know if I could make that decision.
Our old dog (14 year old yorkie) had to be put to sleep and that was an awful experience too but obviously the right thing to do for him. He had multiple organ failure and there was nothing that could be done for him.

Slubberdegullion · 06/11/2011 17:12

I'm with you Chickens. I can hardly conceive of any situation where I would allow Elsie to be rehomed. However life does sometimes throw curve balls, and for that reason I'm happy to know that she would go to my parents (her second home anyway), and if that should fail, her breeder would have have back at any point in her life.

KatharineClifton · 06/11/2011 17:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KatharineClifton · 06/11/2011 17:28

In fact, I'll go further. This thread is completely up it;s own arse.

I'll have my Amelia for life as long as other factors which are pretty much out of my control stay as they are now. If I was unable to give her the life she deserves then I'd rehome her. That would put the dog first, not me.

Elibean · 06/11/2011 17:37

I think its the intention that most people are probably thinking of? As in, committment?

Obviously, there could be situations in which I'd have to give up my children, my dh, my life, my dog....but I certainly don't intend to give up any of the above. I am committed to them all for the long run. Yes, that might mean parting from them if the 'long run' included circumstances that meant separation was infinitely preferable to non-separation.

KC, totally off topic, but I am still downloading some of those 3doglost training tips - really great!

misdee · 06/11/2011 17:38

i did rehome my dog

Elibean · 06/11/2011 17:41

Exactly. And in your circumstances, Misdee, I would probably have done the same thing.

And of course, you didn't intend that in the first place - circumstances prevailed.

GetOrfMo1Land · 06/11/2011 17:43

I think it is lovely to know that good breeders will always take back their dogs if need be - I didn't know that before I read it on MN.

I don't have a dog, but I feel the same about my cats. They are part of the family.

Elibean · 06/11/2011 17:44

I am tempted to rehome the fish, however.

I doubt they'd care much

pissedrightoff · 06/11/2011 17:50

We had some behaviour problems with our GSD after the birth of DD then again whilst pregnant with DS, Most people thought I should re-home her, some even suggested having her PTS.

We worked really hard on re-training her and I now never take her out without her muzzle on or leave her unattended in the garden anymore. She is part of our family and I can't imagine life without her.

Oeufman · 06/11/2011 19:09

Myself and DH often comment if we split it will be the dogs/cats we fight over not the 4 kids.
We have a 9 year old boxer bitch.... She has quite literally reared the 3 youngest and I would trust her with my life. She was originally DH dog, going to work with him every day but when I went on maternity leave for DD2 she stayed home with me - and has being my constant companion ever since. She has a bed in each room of the house and literally moves from bed to bed following me round the home - she goes to sleep beside my bed, but if DH is away she has been known to get into bed for cuddles at night (as in under duvet, head on pillow).
We all love her. All the kids have fallen asleep on her or curled up beside her. Our DC3 used to hold her ear and rub it while she was in the cot sleeping. If she woke you could hear the poor dog getting up, leaning against the cot to offer her ear - and sighing with the responsibility of it all (not to mention how she has produced breast milk as each baby (or in her mind puppy) has come home).

She is getting old now my girl. We had a tumour removed before Xmas, but our girl plods on. She has signed off family walks, but still follows me everywhere - though at a slightly slower pace. Our life and our children's is so much richer for her presence and love.

On the advice of our vet we opened our hearts to another pup about 1.5 years ago. A terrier cross, she too is a welcome addition to the family. She does the family walks (whilst H stays home infront of the AGA) and has in ways kept H young. She is full of mischief (as of course H was many years ago - eating DH glasses, diary, packet of flour, sunday roast and many other things), courage and loyalty - and I know in time, when that awful time comes, she will always be a link to our girl and some comfort.

peggyblackett · 06/11/2011 19:19

Our dogs will always, always be with us. Home for life.

musicposy · 06/11/2011 23:02

Absolutely. The thought of either of our dogs being with anyone else and being anywhere instead of here, their home, fills me with horror and dread.

Our eldest dog is getting on for 10. I'm hoping we have another few years of his company yet! He's quieter and sometimes grumpier than when he was young, and we are careful to avoid him getting stressed as much as possible. My big worry of the moment with him is that DD1 is applying for dance school for next year and I'm not sure how he will take it if she goes away. He belongs to her really, and absolutely adores her. I just hope if it happens he can adapt.

Our younger dog is my complete sidekick, joined at the hip to me! She loves all the other family members, but as long as I am there, nothing else matters, really. I hope I have many long and happy years with her as the thought of being without her is something I can't contemplate.

We went through a point when the two dogs were fighting and the number of people who suggested rehoming one of them was staggering. . I was determined that would never happen, even if we had to keep them separate for ever, and we got it sorted. I'm sure no one intends to rehome initially, but I do think people often give up too easily, in a way you wouldn't dream of with your children.

BarbaraMillicentRoberts · 06/11/2011 23:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

gothicangel · 07/11/2011 07:47

ALWAYS

my furry little black cocker is my baby, and she will never leave us,

we are her 3rd owners(due to no fault of her own) and her last, she def has a forever home with us,

baskingseals · 07/11/2011 08:11

dd asked me what a soulmate was. I explained it to her, and she said 'oh a bit like you and Dad'

'um, no, more like me and Max'

I was only half joking.

diddl · 07/11/2011 17:07

I hope so!

Would have to be pretty terrible circumstances for us to have to part with him.

We got him at the end of Jan.

Recently talking about Christmas-chance of spending it in the sun-no one wants to go because of the dog!

Rowgtfc72 · 10/11/2011 17:51

I've got 2 JRT. I never wanted them, my ex did. I have always walked them and fed them and looked after them, begrudgenly, I am not a dog person. Twelve years on and a dp that isn't a dog person either we still have the old boy and the fat lady and could never get rid of them as they're part of our family !

Original poster

whatever117 · 13/11/2011 19:40

I read some statistics - I can't remember them exactly - something like 80% of dogs will not be with their original owners at age 2. I can't remember the figures.

OP posts:

posterofaghoul · 14/11/2011 01:24

I got Benji (huge border collie) from a rescue where he had been returned 4 times. He was a complete pain in the arse and frankly the rescue just lied about his issues and I'm not surprised people found him unmanageable.

But with s bit if work and sealskins to our lives we have made it work. He has gone from an insecure, bitey, growly horror to a happy couch dwelling fur ball and I would never give him up.

He cannot ever be exposed to harm and cruelty again.

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