Here is my response to all of the people getting rid of their dogs for all the wrong reasons:
Judging by the majority of ads I painfully read on Craigslist each and every day from people with one excuse or another as to why they need to give up their dog, it does seem that there is not much time put into the decision to get an animal in the first place. A dog, cat, lizard, ferret, or a mouse is a living, breathing, and most of all, FEELING creature, and should not be subjected to abandonment because of a careless owner’s own selfishness.
To all of you that are moving – if you tried hard enough (and actually cared), you could find a place that will accept your dog. I am a renter and I have two large dogs – one of which is a ‘dangerous, baby eating’ Pit Bull. You want to know what I did? I got off my lazy ass and went to my current home with my dogs, so the landlord could see in person how wonderful and friendly they are. And what do you know, as a result of my non-traditional problem solving skills – he actually agreed to rent to me, imagine that!
This next one is for all the ‘having a baby and need to rehome my dog’ stories. How can you possibly justify it being ok to get rid of your furry child just because a human one is one the way? As far as I am concerned, you are all just incredibly lazy and ignorant. There are a ton of great resources on the web, as well as books, that can provide assistance in ensuring a proper introduction between your new baby and your four-legged baby. This would, however, require some reading, which seems to scare some of you.
Another one of my favourites are the people that have suddenly become allergic to their dog. Well, as much as I think its a load of bs that you all of a sudden became allergic to your dog, I understand that there is a rare chance this can actually happen. So if you are one of the 1/1,000,000 people that has suddenly developed a dog allergy I have a few suggestions. First, clean up your filthy house and install some air purifiers; it is not your pet’s skin you are allergic to, but the dander from their skin which lays around the house. Second, actually take the time to wash your dog, and wipe them down daily to decrease allergens. Third, take some allergy meds to help with your symptoms. Worried about your kids and allergies? Dog ownership has been shown to protect against the development of allergies in young children.
I also have a solution for all of you that are giving up your dog because your yard is too small, and you think they need more room. Now, this might sound outlandish, but they have these places called dog parks where dogs go to run around. The dogs can get out all of their energy at these places, and when they get home, they do not care so much that they are confined to a 5 x 5 patio to do their usual business. There are also these things called sidewalks all throughout San Diego. Sometimes people use them to walk to and from work or school, but I have also seen people using them to walk their dogs.
If the majority of the people posting on Craigslist actually cared about their dogs, they would stop and try to think of some alternative solutions to whatever situation is causing them to think they need to relinquish their dog; it’s time to stop making excuses.
Flag me, flame me, email me, whatever makes you happy:) At the end of the day all I care about are the animals, and it’s really not fair what some of you full-of-s*** miscreants are putting them through because of your own selfish needs. Do you really think your dog would be better off going through the trauma of going to a new home, or do you think he would rather be by your side as you go through whatever rough patch is prompting you to decide to give him up? Think about it…
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looking to add a dog to our family. currently have a 2yr Jack Russell female (spayed) and a 9 yr cat. they are buddies. Live on 2 acres fenced in fallbrook. Am considering a lab, golden, standard poodle or ??? No children at home.
I understand that you see it as selfish to rehome a dog. But unfortunately, I had to today and I am heartbroken. I lost my job do to budget cuts a couple months ago and am just struggling to find an afforable apartment. I looked at probobaly fifteen apartments and none took dogs. I gave my dog to a wonderful older woman, who owned dogs all her life and just put her dog down he was 16 years. I understand your point of view, but when I got my dog six years ago I never thought I Would be laid off. I got a BS and MSP and held out on a home before I bought a dog. My house is now in forclosure and I am renting a crappy basement apartment. So before you refer to everyone who rehomes there dog, lazy and ignorrant, please consider the impact you have on the emotions of people in desperated situations. I loved my dog with all my heart. I rehomed him just today and have been crying my eyes out for twelves hours straight. I am a good person, who do the best I knew for my dog in my situation. The woman proved refrences from a vet, etc.. I asked a small rehoming fee, which I plan to send back when I get the pictures/call she promised in a week. I NEVER made money on my dog.
your a jerk, there are people out there who have to do this everyday, and their are feelings involved, and months spent trying to figure out how to juggle their situation with their pet included. Just becuase you are perfect and apparently havent and wont do this doesnt make you the expert. Your just a lonely person who has all the time in the world to spend with their pet, and no real life. Babies and family are of course first priority, and when you get a pet, who lives 10 plus years you cannot predict all the circumstances that will play out over that time period. Go on feeling good about yourself for your awesome blog, while most people feel terrible about having to re home their pet.
AGREE!! Thank you Rob!
Melissa, I am sorry to hear your story. I am sure what you went through was difficult for you and your pet. I do hope you understand that this post is not meant in any way to make you feel bad for what you ultimately had to do, but instead, the point is to make people think long and hard before they decide to find another home for their pet because of changing life circumstances. I am glad you were able to find a wonderful person to take over caring for your pet, and I am sure they are in excellent hands.
Rob, I am by no means perfect. The point of this post is not to be hard on people who have tried their hardest to rehome their pets, but to bring attention to the fact that people owe it to their pets to exhaust all possible options before deciding to get rid of their pet. You are absolutely right that no one can possibly know where the next 10 years of their life may lead them when choosing to take in an animal, but that fact does not make it ok to toss your companion away because some of your life situations have changed.
I’m glad that this post was able to elicit such a high level emotional response from you that you felt the need to attack me personally. Your reaction indicates to me that what you read made you think, and I hope you will do your due diligence in the future if a situation arises that makes you feel as though you need to rehome your pet.
If the people rehoming the dogs are not willing to rearrange their lives to fit the dogs’ needs, then the dogs are better off somewhere where their needs can be met. Idiot.
F#$@ You! I had my dog 10 years and loved her dearly. I had to make the decision to 1. put her down or 2. give her another home because she nipped at my baby’s face twice. She was a neurotic rescue that I’ve given nothing but love for the past decade. I’m paying out the wazoo to keep her alive while in foster rather than pay $35 to have her put down – when she’s arthritic and might only have one more good year anyways. I think you’re ignorant, judgmental and need to get a life. Yes. Dogs and animals are blessings, but they can permanently damage a child and family if the right precautions are not undertook. Thank you for making me feel even shittier than I already do. Hope it was worth it. Good soap-boxing.
“Dogs and animals are blessings, but they can permanently damage a child and family if the right precautions are not undertook. ”
I agree 100% – everyone needs to make their own decision whether or not it’s “worth it” to them to expend the time and energy required to make things work when a new life situation presents itself. I take no issue with caring, thoughtful individuals that have exhausted all other options and yet are left with no choice other than to rehome their pet. What I do take issue with, however, is the mindset that somehow laziness or an unwillingness to research, learn, read, make changes and reorganize their life is somehow an excuse to throw away a pet like a piece of garbage.
My intention in writing this post was not to judge, merely (in a very exaggerated manner) point out many of the excuses people make as to why they needed to rehome your pet.
I truly am sorry if this post made you feel worse, and I do understand that there are certain extreme situations which warrant the re-homing/euthanization of a pet – but this decision should NEVER be taken lightly.
i agree that most people give up their dogs for selfish reasons but i am one of those people stuck in a situation where i have no other option. I currently have 2 PitBulls, both are as sweet as they come and the best pets i have ever had. The problem is that they no longer get along with eachother. We are currently playing musical dogs in my house keeping them separated but they somehow got out and had another fight, this one leaving the younger in the ER. Both dogs are amazing and it is breaking my heart to do this but i have no other choice. I REFUSE to send either of them to a shelter where they will be labeled as aggressive and put down so i need to find a good home for one of them ….. Please if anyone can help me find a home for my pups where they will be loved and cared for as they are in my house reply!!
Hi Kristen,
I’m so sorry to hear that. Have you tried to reach out to your local rescues? While they may not have the resources to foster/take either of the dogs from you, they may be able to work with you on getting the word out that one/both of your dogs are up for adoption. They might even allow you to “show them off” at adoption events, on their website, in newsletters, etc.
Also, there is a strategy called “crate and rotate” that many foster parents/owners with dogs that do not get along use. Basically it’s just as it sounds – you crate one of the dogs in one part of the house while the other is allowed to roam, then change it up. I’m sure you’re doing something similar to this now, but this article may provide some additional insight on the technique for you – http://saveabull.com/2008/crate-and-rotate/ It is possible to live in a home with two dogs that do not get along, it just takes a little extra work.
I wish you all the best!