Found a New Home for the Family Pet

I did this very thing when my kids were younger than the questioners. I decided to find the new home but promised to research and get the right dog. We did wait a little while but we did follow through and get the right dog (one they could also have in the house) and it worked out beautifully. Allowing a dog in the house is important. They can love on him and pet him while watching tv and take him outside to play when ready. Allowing a pet in the house goes a long way to building a strong relationship with the family.

I'm going to voice what will probably be an unpopular opinion. I'll start by saying that I have always had rescue animals. Every last one has come with issues that I needed to address. None of them has fallen into the routine of my household without some give and take on both sides.

You made a commitment to that puppy 3 months ago that you and your family would love, provider, and protect her. Your family has not lived up to your promise and from what you've said you haven't made an effort to change your family's lifestyle to accommodate the dog. Shame on you all.

Your boys are 11 and 13; plenty old enough to think of the needs of someone else. It's about time that they found out that the world doesn't revolve around them. That there are times you have to do things you don't want to do because it'll benefit another creature.

Sit down with them and set a schedule of who does what on which days to meet your dog's needs. Walks can be family time. We use walks as a time to relax and chat about the day; to enjoy each other's company. It's not a chore. Of course when it's 10 below zero or raining I don't want to be out walking the dog either however I made a promise to my dog and I need to put his needs ahead of mine at times.

Before you pawn off your dog on someone else under the guise that she'll be happier maybe you all should actually make an effort to be a dog owner.

If you're not totally ready to give up, I would enroll the dog in training classes. They usually last 6 weeks, once a week for an hour, and cost $30-$40. Both boys can go, and take turns working with the dog while you just watch. It will teach the dog to mind, and teach the kids how to work with the dog on "homework" to do before the next class. They will feel they have something worthwhile to do, and will learn alot. Plus, it's FUN!! Your dog will be better behaved, and the boys will be proud of the training they've done (and more likely to accept responsibility for the dog). if not, someone else will get a good dog, and you'll not make the same mistake the next time they want a pet.

If the boys aren't taking care of the dog, and you don't have the time to do so, then re-homing her is the best thing for the dog, and you need to stick to your guns. You have nothing to feel guilty about - they should have upheld their end of the deal by taking proper care of the dog. They're both plenty old enough to understand that a puppy needs to be walked and needs more than a few minutes of attention each day.

The boys may be sad for a few days but think about how sad the puppy is that doesn't get the attention is needs and deserves. We had the same situation with ferrets, my son feed them and played with them for 15 minutes a day and I did everything else and working 2 jobs they did not get the attention they deserved. I found them a new home and after all of the crying and guilt trips he tried he only missed them 2 day and has not mentioned them since.

It may be a little beyond the 2 yr old's head (but he'll get over it fairly quickly) - but you can take this opportunity to teach the 11 and 13 yr olds something. You can show them that sometimes the decisions you make just don't work out, no matter how much you want them to. They have a chance to do the right thing - even though it hurts them, it's what's best for the puppy, and, sometimes, you have to think about what's best for someone else. And, when they're feeling sad, remind them not about the reasons you couldn't keep the puppy, but of the reasons it was good for the puppy to go to another home. Let her happiness be a source of satisfaction for them. Diane D. has a point - but I don't think it's entirely applicable in this case. You didn't just take the puppy to the pound, you found someone who wants the puppy, a place where she'll have companionship. As for teaching your kids that an animal can be discarded, as long as you aren't making your way through a list of critters and giving them away as they get bored, I don't think you're in danger of that. They won't be sad long - just don't coddle them and try to "replace" the puppy and they'll learn to cope with their feelings.

Absolutely you are! Explain to them that they didn't handle the responsibility they way that you thought they would. Animals need love and attention too. Since they aren't willing to give the dog the attention it needs, it will be better in another home. If you decide to adopt another dog, I would encourage you to do the research on the breed first.

You made the best decision for the pet. It's not fair for the dog to be alone and they get lonely. Buy the boys a fish for their room or a common area of the house. We have a small bowl (nothing that requires a "tank" of any sort). It's easy to wash out about every other week and takes about 10 minutes to do that. Our beta has lived for about 4 years now and is fun to watch because it puffs up/fans out and gets very excited when you are around. We have two dogs and I think they would be GONE if I could find a home(s). Dogs are a huge responsibility and your boys are at very busy ages. Maybe this will encourage them to do better with pet care in the future.

yes, if your boys are not willing to do for the dog then yes you are doing the right thing. Dogs are people too. They need to be loved and played and exercised and happy.

For feeling guilty don't take as a life lesson if you do what it takes you can keep the dog if not give the dog to the new family. Both will be better in the end.

God Bless,
T.

Yes. You are teaching your children that you have a responsibility to another life and if they aren't ready for it that they need to find someone who is. Your dog can't choose the life you give her - but you can and if she deserves a better life than you can give her, you have the responsibility to find that other family. And you owe her the best life that she can have. Your boys will get over it. It will be hard, and you can help support your boys, but they need to learn that the joys of a pet also come with the responsibility to do what's right for them, even when it's hard for you.

It's hard to say if you did the right thing for sure or not.Did you make the decision out of impulse?Or did you really think this trhough and give it time to see if things would get better?Was the pet annoying you or really just not right for you family?You could maybe get an older dog or a lower maitenace breed.But your kids will still miss the other one for a while.I had to get rid of a dog we had for like 5 years bc we found out my sons health problems were being caused by his allergies.It hurt all of us,but it had to be done!My kids still talk about losing our "Corky" but I try to tell them to remember him and that he's with another family instead of being sad about it.It does feel bad even if it's the right desicion but I think you should know deep down if it is or not.
Hope everything works out & God Bless!

Pay no attention to Diane D.'s response. Yes, you made a commitment but you admit, you made it without the right information. Is that your fault - absolutely! But, that being said, you have found a good home and know the puppy be treated and taken care of well. It would be selfish to keep the puppy knowing you don't have time for it. Doing some things out of guilt is a selfish act. Take this as a lesson learned, for you and your kids. Now you know what to do next time before you welcome a pet into your home.

You're not really hurting your boys. You said they don't seem interested in her anyway, right? You're teaching them, though, that an animal is just a thing that can be discarded when you're bored with it. At least you found a home for her. But to me it sounds like you're the one who really doesn't want her anymore because she's too much trouble. You should feel bad for the dog, not your kids.