Hi moms...I know this isn't a typical question, but I'm in a real bind and I know that I get good advice on here when needed, so here goes:
I am a couple weeks away from delivering my first child, but I need to find a new home for our dog. My reasons are because he is very excitable and I am afraid of how he'll react to a crying baby or having her in a swing or bouncy seat (he jumped at the couch last night and was able to move it with me on it...I weigh 200 lb right now being pregnant)...and because when I go back to work I'll be gone about 12 hours so it won't be fair to him that we're not home and when we are we won't be able to give him undivided attention...below is what I've sent out to friends and a few other places, but I can't seem to find him a home...
I have a great full bred JRT – six years old – whom I adore, but I’m pregnant for the first time – and due in less than 3 weeks! I’ll end up going back to work after maternity leave and “Romeo” loves & requires attention, needs a lot of exercise (like most terriers) and I just don’t feel I can take care of him and a new baby (with being gone for very close to 12 hours a day with dropping a baby off at childcare and picking her up, it won’t be fair to him that when I finally get home, I won’t be able to give him undivided attention).
I also feel Romeo is best (he has been loved unconditionally so he thinks he IS my “child”) in a home without young children (he used to be ok with young children, but he hasn’t been around them in at least three years, so I do not know how he will act – he does jump and get easily excited – he may do ok with children over the age of 5 or 6 {where they would know not to chase a dog or go after its tail/eyes}) and perhaps in a home without other animals – unless a new owner understands JRTs and is willing to spend the time and effort it could take to integrate a 6 year old animal with another dog (preferably a home without a cat, as he has become more aggressive towards our current cat lately).
He is very loveable – most nights all he wants to do is curl up with you on the couch and snuggle, but he still has A LOT of energy, so he still loves to play. He has a funny personality and lots of quirks that will crack you up as well (for example: we’ve never taught him this, but he points sometimes…he’ll pick up the scent of a small animal outside and he’ll point to where it is).
He’s an extremely healthy animal, has of all his shots, is neutered, & microchipped. He comes with his medical records and EVERYTHING we have for him (including food, food dish, food container, toys, treats, nail clippers {although it’s better if he has his nails trimmed professionally}, bath shampoo, leashes, collars {including his e-collar – NOT a bark collar}, bedding/towels, bed, wire crate, collapsible smaller travel crate, seal belt harness, and anything else I am missing in this list).
He is house trained & leash trained. He would do best in a home with a fenced in yard, as he has been known to run after anything that catches his eye, but if you feel you can give him enough exercise without a yard, I’d be willing to concede (he would have to be on a leash). He doesn’t know how to jump fences (that I know of) as he stays away from our baby gate blocking the upstairs
EDIT: Yes, I have already contacted SEVERAL JRT rescues, non have contacted me back (the one in IL either doesn't exist anymore or just wont even return calls or e-mails, same with surrounding states), I have tried petfinder.com and got people who wanted me to ship him out of state (across the country and it seemed fishy once I asked them more questions they stopped responding)...Please don't judge me - you don't know all of the reasons I am making this decision...it is hard enough on me as it is - I cry at this decision - I am sorry that I do not have the money to care for a child and put a dog in daycare like others do, I don't have family or friends who can help me out (I've already asked for help several times in the past 6 months). It's not like I'm just going to open my door and let him out...but I am asking for help, not judgements...unless you can help me, please don't respond - I've NEVER been judgemental to anyone else's post's, I would expect the same.
you really never know how they will react to a new baby until they are exposed to them. Baby will smell like you so you will likely not have trouble I'd wait and see how he reacts.
If you are that worried about him being at home alone you can always get a friend or relative to drop in and visit with him.
I dont see how you can get rid of you dog because you are having a baby. You could take your dog to a doggie daycare everyday. I am expecting my first non fuzzy baby and I have a dog and 2 cats. I would never get rid of any of then. You promised to take care of him. My dog has seprating anxiety and I take her to doggie daycare every day. When we decided to have a baby, we made sure that we could aford both our non fuzzy babies daycare and continue with our fuzzy baby's daycare. Pregnany is no excuse to get rid of you dog. You can get your dog used to being around babies before the baby comes. You can play a cd of a crying baby or other baby noises for him to listen to now. My puppy has been around babies and does greast because I socialized her from the time she was little.
With all due respect - being a dog lover, I'm feeling sorry for your pup! (Sniff) But please go online right now and google "JRT Rescue." They're all over the country. E-mail the one in your area, and call them as well, so as to get in contact with someone as soon as possible, because your dog is in a serious time bind as far as his well-being is concerned. Many specific-breed groups have foster homes for dogs until they can get them forever homes.
If you can't find a home for him in three weeks, what are you going to do? I hate to think.
It seems like you have put a lot of effort, time, energy and money into Romeo and making him a great dog. It sounds like you are going "back" to work so I guess he has been left alone for long periods of time previously. I bet you could find someone to walk him during the day for a reasonable price if that"s the issue. Maybe even someone to come in for a training refresher course. I don't think you really want to give him away. Hopefully you can think of some other options.
Well, if that is the route you feel you need to go, then I am no one to judge. However, I have a JRT who was 4 at the time my son was born and was an only child as well. He is a psycho, like the rest of them. Mine is rather aggressive at times as well. But I couldn't bear to get rid of him.
When we brought our son home, my JRT was VERY curious and wanted my son. We spent SEVERAL days locking my JRT out of the room while he was going crazy. Once he calmed down, we let him back in and let him sniff around. If he got too curious or crazy again, out he went. JRT's are SOOO smart and he learned REAL quick that he was not going to get that baby.
Now my JRT LOVES my son. (who is 3). In fact, he lets my son do things to him that he wouldn't let ME do.
So i can only suggest that if you don't find your JRT a safe home, that you give it a shot. I still can't stand my JRT at times, but am glad we have him.
I won't be judgmental, but PLEASE PLEASE don't give him to a shelter. you might as well run him over with your car if you do that. Cause you will be killing him. Sorry, but that's the reality- which is why I have had to keep mine. I could never sentence him to death.
have you tried putting him up on petfinder.com? I used them when I had to give away my rabbit (hubby was allergic and it turned out baby was too!) and I found him a nice home with folks who still send me pictures every once in a while.
It seems like you have already made up your mind but I was in teh same exact situation you were with my JRT. She had been my only "child." When we took a parenting class they told us to have my husband take a crib blanket with the babies scent home and put it in the kennel with the dog for the day. We did that, and when we brought the baby home she sniffed her then layed right next to her carrier. They were best friends from that second on. I wish I lived closer so I could take your baby but couldnt afford the shipping:( Hopefully you are able to find him a home, but if not you could always try what we did. Good Luck!
You are doing the right thing. I am not going to agree with anyone here who thinks that leaving a dog alone to its own devices for 12 or more hours a day is acceptable treatment. Animals deserve more attention than that, and to recognize that you will be unable to give him what he needs is mature. Jack Russels ARE very high strung, its their nature, so this isn't just any dog here, this is a dog that needs MORE attention than most. Anybody that feels sorry for this dog needs a MAJOR reality check. You are doing the responsible thing by actively looking for a home, and I am very sure that you will choose the correct one. There are millions of animals out there that are truly worthy of pity, yours is not one of them. Way to go!
i'm appalled at how many folks are standing in judgment. every person has to make the best decisions about situations like this based on their own knowledge of their needs, personalities and family structures. YOU people are not privy to that information. what you would do has no relevance.
and she didn't ask for advice on whether or not she SHOULD find her dog a new home, which is the only situation in which your pejorative comments would have the slightest relevance.
here is a person who loves her dog and obviously has taken good care of him and is working diligently to place him in a good home.
shame on those of you who are beating her up for it.
khairete
S.
I agree with Suz T. Have you tried Craiglist?
