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The doghouse

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

Original poster

I have to give my beloved dog up

68 replies

Jayne542 · 04/10/2022 12:40

I'm really stuck and I don't know what to do. I have a lovely 8 year old dog but I'm going to have to re home him. I have no other options. It's a long story but he's our family dog who has ended up in my sole care. We were juggling between us but because of housing issues this is no longer possible. The trouble is I work full time and he's alone all day. I can't afford a dog Walker. I have a friend who drops in daily to give him a quick walk around the block but he needs so much more than that. He needs to be in a busy family home not stuck in on his own all day. I love him to pieces but feel so sorry for him as he's having a miserable life. The thought of giving him up to a stranger breaks my heart but what else can I do? I've been on borrow my doggie but had absolutely no luck in finding a borrower. Are there any solutions to this problem that I haven't thought of?

OP posts:
Waitingfordecember · 04/10/2022 12:46

Oh that’s such a tough situation to be in. I’d think carefully before giving them up though. 8 is pretty old for being rehomed, are they a breed that will find a new home easily? Being in a kennel is unlikely to be nicer than being in their own home, even if left alone for longer than is ideal.

Can the other family members who used to share his care chip in for a dog walker?

Teenyliving · 04/10/2022 12:48

Bring him to work? Work from home?

any of those options?

Original poster
Jayne542 · 04/10/2022 12:51

@Teenyliving neither of those are an option unfortunately

OP posts:
Original poster
Jayne542 · 04/10/2022 12:53

@Waitingfordecember unlikely.. my kids are students and my ex has washed his hands of him. Always worth an ask I suppose but I think I know what his answer will be..

OP posts:
Teenyliving · 04/10/2022 12:56

Oh that’s so hard

um - there would be so many elderly people at home who would just live a doggy to hang out with during the day too.

maybe try contacting the cinnamon trust and see if they know anyone who’s recently lost a dog and who has a backyard who’s like a dog to hang out with?

Try local charities who help with loneliness to see if anyone wants a dog to hang with on week days?

MarmiteCoriander · 04/10/2022 12:56

I'd speak to the Cinnamon Trust. I know they offer respite pet care for people in hospital, but might be worth a chat to see if they could respite till your housing improves, or connect you to someone local who could help walk in the day.

cinnamon.org.uk/

Teenyliving · 04/10/2022 12:56

@MarmiteCoriander snap!

CMOTDibbler · 04/10/2022 12:58

I'd contact a reputable rescue (ideally one for his breed) and talk to them. Some will facilitate a you to new home rehome, some would prefer he comes into them as it can be tricky with very loving owners who have to sadly give their dogs up not being able to let go if they know who the dog has gone to.
If he doesn't have any issues, likes children etc then it is very likely that he'll be found a new home very quickly. As a fosterer for a rescue who has taken in dogs that were relinquished by owners, I can assure you that I love each and every one like my own, and we do everything to find them a loving new family.

Original poster
Jayne542 · 04/10/2022 12:59

@Teenyliving and @MarmiteCoriander ... thanks!! Will get onto it...hadn't heard of them 👍

OP posts:
LadyLolaRuben · 04/10/2022 13:00

Have you tried borrowmydoggy webpage? Its a community where people look after other people's dogs because they can't have one themselves at home full time

suninthefog · 04/10/2022 13:01

Contact Battersea even if you are in a different part of the country to London. They have contacts all over and can maybe help.

Soubriquet · 04/10/2022 13:04

LadyLolaRuben · 04/10/2022 13:00

Have you tried borrowmydoggy webpage? Its a community where people look after other people's dogs because they can't have one themselves at home full time

Literally says in the OP…

Im sorry OP. What breed of dog do you have?

gyarados · 04/10/2022 13:05

was also going to suggest the borrow my dog web site - worth a try to see if someone local can walk him

Tootels · 04/10/2022 13:09

@LadyLolaRuben @gyarados

Great idea 🙄

TheTempest · 04/10/2022 13:15

How about local Facebook pages or posting on your facebook? I have my own dogs that I walk every day, and often take a friends dog out with us, have them at mine for some company etc. I have a few people I have only met through taking their dogs out etc, who have become friends. Good luck OP, I hope you find a solution. I live in Eastbourne and would be happy to help out with your dog if you’re near me 😊

Soubriquet · 04/10/2022 13:30

I just looked at the borrowmydoggie…wish I could afford to use it.

I haven’t been able to walk my dogs for 3 months due to health problems and it would be nice for someone to walk them. But they want £45 straight off for a years subscription! No option to pay monthly

Facefortheradio · 04/10/2022 13:48

Such a horrible situation to be in.

If the worst comes to the worst I want to tell you that someone in a similar situation had to give up her dog 2 years ago, via a rescue. She has been the best thing to have happen to me and my family. We adore her and she had repaired a huge hole left by our sadly departed old dog. I'm still in touch with her last family and send updates although we didn't for a while because it was too painful for them.

I hope things work out for you.

GeorgiaGirl52 · 04/10/2022 14:03

What breed of dog is it?
It makes a difference.
Eight years old in a large breed is elderly. In a smaller breed it is middle-aged.
How do you know your dog is "miserable" alone while you are at work? Does it tear up furnishings, pee in the house, poop in the house, bark all the time you are gone?
Before you give it away, borrow a camera and film your dog while you are gone.
My 7-year-old Cavie sleeps while we are gone. She wakes up at the sound of the dog across the street barking, barks back, drinks some water and goes back to sleep.
This British idea that "all dogs must have companionship 24/7 and at least 4 one-mile walkies everyday" (or it is being abused) is not universal. Consider your own dog's personality, not public attitudes.

walnutchocolates · 04/10/2022 14:07

I am looking for another dog, what area are you in? I have a 7 and 14 year old dog and want to keep the younger one company when the older one goes. I work from home too

CatSpeakForDummies · 04/10/2022 14:42

Post on local community Facebook pages. Our local one regularly has posts from student saying "please let me walk and cuddle your dog, I miss my dog so much."
Also, over-share with neighbours or other dog owners you know. I would definitely be happy for you to drop DDog in with me when you're at work if it got on well with my dog.

CatSpeakForDummies · 04/10/2022 14:43

By over-share, I mean tell them the situation you're in, even if it feels like too much information,not a type of dog sharing.

SarahSissions · 04/10/2022 15:44

If you do decide to rehome please go to a proper rehoming charity who can take your dog and assess any new owners. Offer you see posts like this on here or Facebook and you’ll see strangers reaching out offering to take your dog. They may be genuine, but very often they are looking for bait dogs or dogs to sell on.

Elsiebear90 · 04/10/2022 15:49

I agree with another poster who ask why you think your dog is miserable? Is he barking all day? Destroying things? Messing in the house? Showing signs of separation anxiety. He’s 8 so it’s not a given that he will get rehomed, he may be stuck in a kennel for the rest of his life or PTS. I would set up a camera and record him for the day, you might be surprised and see he’s perfectly fine.

lessthanathirdofanacre · 04/10/2022 16:32

Does he get a good walk in the morning and again in the evening? If so, he may be perfectly fine on his own during the day with a quick midday walk. It's not an ideal situation, but many dogs would be O.K. with that sort of schedule. I echo PPs about setting up a camera to see how he spends his time.

Original poster
Jayne542 · 04/10/2022 17:47

Hello everyone and thanks so much for all of the replies. I'll try and answer as many as I can:
He's a Jack Russell/Chihuahua cross so a small dog.
I have used a camera in the past but lent it out when I didn't have him and never got it back. Quite often when I checked on him he howled with his chin up a lot.. something he's never done when I've been with him. Must drive the neighbours mad!
I feel like he must be miserable because of the howling and because he's very energetic and loves to walk and he's not really getting that.
Will get in touch with cinnamon as some of you have recommended.. and will post on Facebook and maybe even Battersea?
Thanks so much everyone

OP posts:
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