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The doghouse

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

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

My beloved labrador is almost totally blind:-(

144 replies

dottytablecloth · 21/02/2015 20:04

He's 11 and the vet says there is nothing we can do to help his sight.

His sight has deteriorated over the last few years but he's almost totally blind now.

The problem is we feel his quality of life is poor as he can't see where he's going and crashes into things which results in him helping painfully.

It's not possible for him to live indoors as we have two small children and there isn't the space. We always made sure he got two long walks everyday but he can't really walk very well now as he stumbles over the kerb and trips along.

Am I being selfish keeping him like this? My beautiful, strong, agile boy has gone and I'm heartbroken.

Sad

I can't think about it too much as when we got him he bounded around so full of life and vitality and now we can't even let him off the lead as he walks in front of people, cyclists etc and is basically a danger. It makes me really sad and I don't know what to do.

OP posts:
Gymbob · 23/02/2015 09:32

who got the op's location last night? can you pm me, I don't expect the op will engage with me, I was unpleasant last night on here and I apologize.

surely between us all we must cover the length and breadth of the country. between us we could maybe make some phone calls or pop off an email and try to get some movement?

what do you think guys? need a location first though. please don't post a location on this thread. if we're going to do something let's be adult about it, yes?Thanks

CuddlesAndShit · 23/02/2015 09:53

I read this last night and didn't want to post in anger. So I'm not going to tell you anything that the other posters have already emphasised so well.

But PLEASE tell us that you are taking on board what everyone is trying to get through to you. You have made some massive mistakes and you are not suited to dog ownership, I think you realise that.

But you made that commitment when you brought your dog into your life and the least you can do now is the right thing by him. That means you bring him into the warmth and treat him with comfort when he needs it most, despite the inconvenience it may cause you.

I live in a tiny place with no garden and have raised my 2 children alongside my dog, all cramped together. When my babies came along it was hard at times, but my dog has never stopped being part of our family. She is older now and needs company even more than she did before. It breaks my heart thinking about your dog being discarded outside in the cold, alone and vulnerable.

I understand that you have probably been hearing things that you don't want to hear. But this is your chance to put things right and do the right thing for your poor dog (not for yourself). Look into rehoming (through the proper channels, not gumtree or fb).

And ffs, don't get another puppy after this one although we all know you will

CuddlesAndShit · 23/02/2015 09:56

X-posted with Gymbob

Great idea. OP, you have potentially got a lot of help here, please take it.

Jux · 23/02/2015 10:01

I've slept on it too, and apologise for my intemporate post last night.

OP, you can see that you have provoked strong feelings on this thread, but also genuine offers of help. It is OK to post your general whereabouts here - I frequently post "I am in Devon" - in the certain knowledge that there are rather a lot of people in Devon and the likelylihood of being recognised is minimal.

Please just put your general area - South west, Scotland, Islands etc - and then the people who are closest to you can tell you where they are and you can pm the closest.

People do actually want to help.

Gymbob · 23/02/2015 10:01

cuddles, please we have been there and done that. I did post a polite request if you don't mind. if you think you can help please pm me. we all want to help the dog. thanks x

Gymbob · 23/02/2015 10:02

sorry cuddles just seen your second post Thanks

Gymbob · 23/02/2015 10:06

too much anger on the post, I wouldn't post my location, even a rough one. if you'd like to help please pm me, I will do some leg work with this but would like some help. only adults need apply Grin

CuddlesAndShit · 23/02/2015 10:09

No worries Gymbob, I tried to keep it helpful but I think emotion got me! Apologies if I came across too harshly x

Got to pop out today but I would be happy to help in any way I can, even if it means doing endless Google searches Grin

Gymbob · 23/02/2015 10:12

I know cuddles, my previous posts are a bit strong too x

Original poster
dottytablecloth · 23/02/2015 10:33

I'm going to post here for the last time as you will appreciate it's not easy amongst the anger.

I totally understand people are upset and I never thought I would be 'one of those' dog owners. Life can take unexpected turns but I understand people who are rightly saying I have a commitment to the dog.

tipsytrifle it was actually your post that said that's it's ok to have to rehome a dog that struck a cord with me. I actually didn't know that people can apply to have their dog rehomed and I didn't want to abandon him at a an animal shelter, which is what I thought would happen.

I'm going to look into rehoming. To the people who are angry I won't post my location, sorry I'm still not going to but I'm not in mainland UK.

I'm going to get the situation sorted and stop burying my head in the sand as believe it or not I'm not a cruel, heartless, fucking bitch and whatever else I've been accused of.

OP posts:
MuttersDarkly · 23/02/2015 10:37

but also genuine offers of help.

How can the OP tell ?

How can she know who is sock puppeting ? Who has name changed ? Who is playing good cop/bad cop and exchanging information via PM with other posters once handed over by the OP ?

Normally we advise women with children in the home not to run the risk of aggressive, angry people coming to their door and causing a distressing, frightening scene.

That advice is good.

Gymbob · 23/02/2015 10:43

dotty Thanks

Gymbob · 23/02/2015 10:49

I am prepared to give dotty my full address and phone number if she wants it.

I'm hoping the mood has now changed on here this morning. we are all dog lovers on this thread, dotty has just got into a bit of a pickle

MNHQ
YetAnotherHelenMumsnet · 23/02/2015 11:53

Hi everyone. Glad to see everyone has calmed down this morning, we had received a great deal of reports about this thread. Do hope you can get your situation resolved in as kind a manner as possible, Dotty.

MuttersDarkly · 23/02/2015 12:12

I am prepared to give dotty my full address and phone number if she wants it.

As a rescue attempt it is FUBAR. It was as soon as the baying mob took over.

You have to know when to fold 'em.

This debacle getting filed as live and learn is the only "possible good outcome" card left on the table.

Gymbob · 23/02/2015 12:34

I had to Google that one darkly Grin

CuddlesAndShit · 23/02/2015 13:25

Bloody hell, thought I'd posted a message and it's vanished!

Flowers dotty

I for one don't think you are any of those things and I really am very sorry that my post was harsher than I actually intended it to be.

Thank you for coming back and updating us, I can imagine that it's been a very difficult decision to make, especially with you having had a baby only a few weeks ago.

I wish you and your lovely dog the very best, and once again I am very sorry if I added to any upset, it wasn't my intention at all.

lemisscared · 23/02/2015 17:40

Dotty, i would like to apologise too - i was upset last night, my offer of help this morning was genuine but it would appear that you are not in my area. I sincerely hope that you find a good outcome for your dog. Like you say, life is unpredictable and I myself almost become "that owner" when i was in a position where i faced no choice but to rehome my dog due to a baby in the house (he was a rescue with aggression issues and the baby was very unexpected!) - long story, but the decision was taken out of my hands by fate (he got bone cancer) and i had to pts.

Sometimes PTS really is the best option, I hope you manage to get some help with this situation, I don't think you are heartless and im sure you are in bits just now and i apologise for adding to that.

Flowers
omletta · 23/02/2015 19:06

I do not wish to apologise.

I still think you are unbeliveably selfish.

I sincerely hope that you have at least brought him in the house now.

Please don't ever get any sort of pet ever again.

ElsieMc · 23/02/2015 19:12

Op, I do hope that you manage to find a solution for your lovely dog and your family. I did not post earlier as I anticipated the reaction you received and knew it would make matters so much worse as you predictably became the target of aggression.

I had to rehome a dog many, many years ago when it bit my daughter scarring her face. He went to a breed rescue for assessment and eventual re-home in a working environment.

I am relieved you have received apologies as matters have calmed down, but not from Monkeyface whose aggressive, abusive posts made matters so very much worse. Who on earth would give out their name and address to someone so angry when they have babies in the house for gods sake.

I know you will not post again but help is also at hand through a breed Rescue Centre who will hopefully come out and assess your dog asap.

monkeyfacegrace · 23/02/2015 19:18

elsie we were in contact via pm where I was polite and courteous, and offered to take on all vets bills.

It was only when OP started being evasive and wouldn't even mention her general area that I lost my cool.

I've been here long enough to recognise a time wasting attention seeker when I see one.

One post. One post with a general area is all it would have taken. We could have done all the leg work and arranged a breed rescue or a foster home via official channels. OP just didn't want helping.

Gymbob · 23/02/2015 21:02

STOP PRESSGrin UPDATE

first of all, please stop your derogatory posts now.

I am ecstatic to be able to tell you that we have found a solution and the dog will be moving across the water to live. He will hopefully be getting ready this week to move, and when he does, he will be living indoors with another dog as his guide. How bloody fantastic is that Grin Grin Grin Grin

I'd like to thank dotty for her co-operation and letting me bother her all day.

will post back with more info when I have it.

Now, only nice congratulatory messages are allowed, ok? Grin

omletta · 23/02/2015 21:16

Congratulations.

webjunkie · 23/02/2015 21:34

Thank you Gymbob. I felt truly sick reading this thread this evening. You are a star and this is a fabulous outcome for this poor dog xxFlowers

lemisscared · 23/02/2015 21:40

i am moved by your kindness gymbob. You have performed a minor miracle today as i honestly thought a home would prove impossible to find.

dotty - have pm'd you. So pleased about the outcome. a new home with a doggie friend a bit of peace - by far the best we could hope for. I think i have a bit of dust in my eye Flowers

gymbob - you are the mutts nuts!

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