Giving up a pet dog

[mojobanana]

Has anyone ever given up a healthy dog for adoption?

I ask as I'm thinking about it. It's really hard as I love her to bits, I'm just aware that she might be better off in a family with children. I am a single female who lives alone. She's so playful and exhuberant and I feel like sometimes I can't give her what she needs.

She's 2 now, I've had her since she was 10 weeks old and even thinking about it makes me feel very upset. Just want what's best for her and wondered if anyone had any experience of giving up a dog.

Thanks

[Postdog]

Rather than give her up, try and ad in your newsagents for a family or children to "adopt" the dog for walks etc.

Years ago I had a 10 year old girl who couldn't have a dog take my two out every week. She loved it, so did they.

I didn't actually ask her to that, but she saw me walking them one day and that was how it started.

[cab]

I was on my own with a german sherperd I had had from a puppy.
He was 2 years old.
My circumstances had changed and he needed so much excercise.
At the time they were looking for dogs for the air force and I put him forward and he went off to serve the Queen, I honestly cried for a week.I knew hed have a better life as a working dog. xxxx

[echokilo]

Dont be so hard on yourself Mojo - I am single and so on my own with two dogs - and they are quite happy. As long as your dog gets walks, food, cuddles and a warm bed, she really doesn't need anything else - am I am sure you tell her all your secrets, so you can't let her go ... she might tell on you!! Seriously - don't assume you are not giving her what she needs, just try and make more time, or ensure she has an extra walk on the days you can play for longer and I am sure you will both be fine for years .... or you could get a second dog to keep her company when you are out!!! I did!!!

[gayed]

have you ever heard the term 'a dog is not just for christmas'?

You should take notice about this

[mojobanana]

Gayed,

I think it takes far more courage to speak up when in doubt than stay quiet.

Your comment is not useful and shows a complete lack of compassion. As I originally posted, I've had her for over two years and thought long and hard before getting a dog in the first place. My circumstances have changed since then through no fault of my own and want to make sure my dog is as happy as possible.

She is incredibly healthy and well-looked after. I do not neglect her and love her to bits. In fact, right now she's snuggled up with me on the sofa!

If I do give her up for adoption it will be the hardest thing I will ever do. If I do giver her up for adoption, it's because it's what I believe is best for her.

Postdog, thanks for your suggestion. I'm about to move, so will keep an eye out and maybe pursue this once that's sorted.

Cab, that's a great story! Bet you have fond thoughts of your dog serving the country!

Echokilo...think my parents would kill me if I got another dog! But thanks for the reassurance. I do think she's quite content. I'm sure she'd let me know if she wasn't.

Mojo

[smudge]

mojo - just ignore gayed. He/she's been posting inane comments all over AB today.

Whatever you decide to do about your dog, I wish you well.

[kita1]

Think long and hard before you make the decision to give your dog up.

I remember watching a programme about Battersea Dogs Home and this man came in with an old english sheepdog, he said it was too big for the flat/house and they had about 4 kids and it was just too much to cope with the dog as well.

He left the dog at the home for rehoming.

The following morning when the home opened the doors the guy was waiting outside for the door to open! He said the kids had cried all night and they and the wife were not speaking to him - could he please, please have the dog back! Luckily they allowed him to have it back.

Remember once you rehome your dog you will give up all rights to her - even if the people decide to have her put down the following day you cannot argue.

Even experienced people that work for rehoming charities make the odd mistake and give a dog to the wrong people.

Please think long and hard, I am sure your dog is quite happy with you and given the choice would stay with you.

[echokilo]

Have been thinking about your dog ALL day and agree with Kita .. you would know if your dog is not happy .... keep the dog!! Bless her ..... she would chose you against uncertainty any day .............. give her a big cuddle right now!!!!

[888sally888]

Please try and keep her - you sound kind & caring and i am sure yor dog would want to stay with you.

Love Sally & Pickles (also 2 and snoring on the sofa with me!!) x

[mitykat]

I have also given up a dog we had her from a pup and she was amazing at the time I lived in a very built up area and we were unable to walk her all the time and she was a really bad chewer could't leave her alone for 2 minutes without her destroying anything she went through the settee the arcetrave the rubber on my washing machine the stair carpet amongst other things she was abig dog and our house we moved to was alot sameller so it was'nt fair on her I still think of her every day and I would advise unless she really needs to be living somewhere else don't let haer go she will be settled and would proberly look after you to the ends of the earth given the chance keep her !!! for her sake.

[mojobanana]

Hi all,

thanks for all your support. It seems the overwhelming suggestion is don't! I think I needed reassurance that she isn't unhappy as I feared, that she would rather be with me.

I'm going to follow up on the suggestion of seeing if any local people would like a part-time dog. I think it'd be really good for her as she loves people and is very sociable. I may even found a dog-walking club as I'm about to move to a new area and it'd be a great way of breaking the ice and making new friends for me and her.

I think she is better off with me. I know if I did give her up then I'd constantly be wondering and worrying where she was and if she was being treated well.

[mojobanana]

Oops! Pressed submit accidentally.

She does seem content. She doesn't chew or become destructive when left and is usually ecstatic when I walk through the door. She hates water, but doesn't hold it against me when I bathe her, she comes straight back for a (soggy) cuddle and a biscuit.

She's growing into such a gorgeous dog, I'd be devastated not to see the dog she ends up as...

I think my parents would be distraught if I let her go too.

Right, mind made up. She's not going anywhere!

Thanks again everyone. Really appreciate the time you've taken to post.
Jo

[tigerlily11]

Hi Mojo. There are some great options for you to choose from here. The first is a great idea if you can find some one who would give your dog the walk every day and that way you can keep her and love her.
As pointed out Gayed is a bit of a cretin and best ignored.
You can't help if circumstances change but there are things you can do.
I hope you find whats good for you and your dog.
Good luck.

[leelapops]

Oh mojobanana, your message broke my heart!! You sound so lovely, and I bet your girl adores you.

I know just how you feel-currently I am on my pwn (temporarily) with our Border Collie, and I feel so guilty that he is being left more frequently! :( By happy coincidence, a lovely doggy lady walks him for me and even lets him spend the afternoon at her house with her Springer girl. Also, our next door neighbours are lovely, and more than happy to help out. Take offers of help where you can: maybe try and arrange for someopne to walk your girl or spend some time with her when you are out, and in return walk their dog when you're free. Also the 'rent a dog' idea mentioned is brilliant!!

I think as long as you spend quality time each day with your dog (I speak generally, not directly at you!) then you are doing a great job as a dog owner, and I think you and her have a beautiful relationship :)

When we hadn't long had Jack we took him for a health check and the vet nurse was telling me that a man had brought a Collie in to the vet to be put down. He was 5, a beautifully-behaved dog who was perfectly healthy, he just didn't want a dog any more. Fortunately one of the staff was taking him home and finding him somewhere to live. Now THAT is irresponsible ownership!!

Love your dog and do the best you can for her, and you and her will have a lifetime of happiness. We are so fortunate to share our lives with dogs! :)

Cuddles to your little lady, Lisa and Jack xx

[mojobanana]

Thanks again everyone.

Have definitely decided to keep her. Every day I think for a few minutes about what it would be like to actually have to take her somewhere and then come home and have an empty house and it breaks my heart.

I think I realise she isn't as unhappy as I thought and although she does sulk a bit when I leave the house she knows I'm coming back. She always want to be on the sofa with me and we go for nice walks and things, I try to take her out on the weekend, even if it's just to the pet shop to get her some more food!

Thanks again, me and my girl are staying together!
Jo