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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:
Original poster
Jayne542 · 04/10/2022 17:48

@lessthanathirdofanacre yes I walk him in the morning then my friend around lunchtime and then me after work. The first two only 10 or 15 minutes though...

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Teenyliving · 04/10/2022 17:53

Oh you need to find a lonely oldie to hang out with him during the day - would be perfect!

i agree with those saying that if you can’t find somewhere good for him guaranteed he’s better to stay with you than to risk what could happen

xx

Abra1t · 04/10/2022 17:55

He will probably settle in due course and as he gets into deeper middle age will be happy to doze in a familiar place with a break when the neighbour comes in. Presumably your children come back for part of their university breaks anyway and will be around?

PatsyJStone · 04/10/2022 18:12

Try Silver Fox Dog Rescue

pattihews · 04/10/2022 18:25

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

You say he's energetic and he loves to walk but he's not getting it. Are you taking him for a good half-hour walk off-lead in the morning and 45 minutes in the evening? That should be plenty for an 8-year-old JR/ chihuahua if he gets a short walk at lunchtime. Or is it ten minutes round the block on a lead before work and the same again after work? I've had small terriers myself — JR and a Lakeland and a Border cross and they need an hour a day when they're a bit older.

They also need company. I'd ask around locally to see if anyone is in a position to have the dog during the day as a companion to their own. There have been times when I would have welcomed a second companion dog for one of mine.

pattihews · 04/10/2022 18:26

I see you're only walking him for 10-15 minutes in the morning. You just need to get up half an hour earlier and give him a really good run. Feed him when you get home and that'll be him sleeping for much of the day.

Original poster
Jayne542 · 04/10/2022 18:34

@pattihews he only needs an hour a day? Yes mornings are only 15 mins but around 40 mins when I get home...

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Choconut · 04/10/2022 18:34

Have you tried asking on your local facebook page? With Borrowmydoggy walkers have to pay to find out the details of how to get in touch to walk someone else's dog. I would never go on there because I'm not going to pay to do someone else a favour! But there have certainly been times when I would have done it for free though if I'd seen someone asking somewhere else.

2bazookas · 04/10/2022 18:35

Find the best dog rehoming charity in the area. Your vet will know.

I walk dogs for a local charity and they often rehome fit healthy 8 yr olds from breeds whoe lifespan commonly lasts to the teens. There are plenty of older people, or people with health limitations, who don't want all the hassle of training a pup, or to take on a dog that's likely to outlast the owner.
The well-loved , well-adjusted family dogs are the easiest to rehome. Even pesky upset dogs can have a surprising turnaround when placed with the right person. The new owners often update us on the dogs' happy new life with them, it's always a joy to hear (or see on facebook).

You really are doing the best and most loving thing for your dog.

Worriedaboutethics · 04/10/2022 18:40

@Jayne542

dont give him up

30 mins before work and friend lunch time and 30 mins after work.

good for health.

also at university holidays the kids must walk him each an hour a day.

Freysimo · 04/10/2022 18:46

You've had good advice, but also try Oldies Club, specifically for older dogs.

MidnightMeltdown · 04/10/2022 18:55

It's very difficult to rehome animals at the moment. They are being dumped left, right, and centre. I think it will be hard to rehome a dog that age in the current climate.

If it was my pet I would do everything that I could it keep it. Even if the best you can do is walk before work in the morning, and a long walk after work, it will be better than putting in a shelter.

Original poster
Jayne542 · 04/10/2022 19:01

@MidnightMeltdown yes I thought that actually. I just checked out a page someone here recommended and it broke my heart. So many posts of ' we are so surprised x is still here after all this time.' Poor babies. I don't want to put him in that situation.

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GettingItOutThere · 04/10/2022 19:03

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.

i agree with this - ok so it isnt ideal being out all day at work BUT the alternative may be stuck in a kennel for years without his people.

I would keep him if he is happy and walk the legs off him at a weekend and have your friend popping in. worst things in life!

GettingItOutThere · 04/10/2022 19:04

also - leave him with filled kongs (frozen) radio on, other toys which take his time.

there is a camera with a treat dispenser etc - there are other alternatives!

Suzi888 · 04/10/2022 19:10

Ask around, neighbours? Some would love the company but not the financial implications of actually owning a dog or the tie of having one.

I work from home, already have a dog who is elderly and sleeps almost all day. I’d happily walk a dog/ have the dog a few hours a day. DM and my father in law would both love the company of a dog but think they’re too old to own one. Our neighbour would also love a dog but can’t afford one.

You’d be surprised if you ask around!

The doggy rehoming situation is at crisis point, I would keep the dog if you love him to be honest.

Original poster
Jayne542 · 04/10/2022 19:14

@GettingItOutThere and @Suzi888 thank you both. You make me feel better. I love him to bits, rehoming would be quite literally the very last option. If I could only get hold of someone like you're describing it would be such a help.. for them and me! I thought there would be lots of people like that on borrow my doggy but I've sent out dozens of messages but to no avail. What a waste of money that was!!

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pattihews · 04/10/2022 19:17

Jayne542 · 04/10/2022 18:34

@pattihews he only needs an hour a day? Yes mornings are only 15 mins but around 40 mins when I get home...

I'd give him longer in the morning and feed him on your return. If he's slept all night he'll benefit from a run first thing. Get him to somewhere he can be off lead and perhaps encounter other dogs so he gets some canine company. Run his legs off him with ball-throwing or whatever, give him a decent breakfast and let him sleep the morning away as he digests. How about leaving the radio on? We often have the radio on in the kitchen when I'm cooking so I leave it on when we go out and it's something familiar for him in the background. Leave a Kong or a tough chew on the side so that your friend can leave it after he's had his lunchtime outing.

Sorry if I sound harsh when I tell you to get up early to run him, but my DP used to work away a lot and the only way I could find of keeping my dogs exercised was to be out at 6.15am with a head torch, so I've suffered myself!

Original poster
Jayne542 · 04/10/2022 19:17

I did have loads of things to keep him busy ( lick mats etc) but they have all gone ( long story) and now he is unexpectedly back here with me I guess I will have to buy it all over again. His favourite place is on my bed as he loves looking out the window and watching the world go by so that keeps him occupied for some of the time.

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Crazycatlady83 · 04/10/2022 19:18

Near us there is a little estate with over 55s bungalows / flats etc. Is there something similar? could you try leaflet dropping around asking for a volunteer walker? This might catch people who aren't on Facebook etc?

StarbucksSmarterSister · 04/10/2022 19:19

I haven’t been able to walk my dogs for 3 months due to health problems

soubriquet you are exactly the sort of person Cinnamon Trust helps. I suggest you get in touch.

OP, best of luck finding a solution for your lovely dog.

Suzi888 · 04/10/2022 19:21

I’ve just had a quick look OP. They say they offer a 30 day money back guarantee if you don’t find a match….
BorrowMyDoggy offers a 30 day money back guarantee to all of our lovely members, who have tried to use the service, but it hasn't worked for them. If you haven't given, received, exchanged contact details or met with anyone via our website after messaging to arrange a ‘Welcome Woof’, then we are happy to refund you.

Good luck, hope you can sort something.

Original poster
Jayne542 · 04/10/2022 19:22

@pattihews no it's fine I get it. I can see how I'm doing it the wrong way round. I just have to get up very early already but I can see how it would help him sleep in the mornings and kill some time if I wore him out first thing. He does go from sleeping all night to just a short walk which is solvable if not particularly appealing! I'll just have to go to work with matchsticks in my eyes ..

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Original poster
Jayne542 · 04/10/2022 19:24

@Suzi888 I requested a refund the other day but unfortunately I've been a member for longer than 30 days. I might as well have got £45 and thrown it out the window.

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Original poster
Jayne542 · 04/10/2022 19:24

Ooh @Crazycatlady83 great idea!

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