Bit Of A Predicament

Question:
Hi guys, I know if anyone is going to talk sense it will be you lot and I'm hoping that you will be able to help me with a big decision thats hanging over my head.

I've never been one for parting with my dogs, once they're here then they're here for life.

Lacey is a 4 year old pointer bitch that Gary and I bought from a local lady who had broken her hip and they could no longer exercise her. I keep in touch with the breeder, she gave me a call only this week to see how things were. She has now had her hip replacement op but is not out of the woods yet, although she is much more mobile than she was.

She asked me how things were and we had a long chat, she also asked me if I was still ok with Lacey to which I replied of course, although my head was saying no, you aren't, but I just couldn't bring myself to say anything because my head is in a total spin.

There's absolutely no problem with Lacey, she is a darling, I don't know I've got her most of the time and I love her to bits. The thing is, we bought her for Gary to show and, obviously, with him being gone, she isn't going to get shown. Her breeder was also happy for us to breed from her but I don't feel that I've been in the breed nearly long enough to go down that road and, to be honest, I only breed if I want to keep a pup and I would far rather have another setter than another pointer. Not that I think I'll be in the market for anything else for a long time, I've got a houseful of the little darlings already.

My problem is, with him being gone, I have absolutely no income whatsoever, at least when he did give me the odd bit of rent I could go out and buy their food in bulk. I've been using some savings and my christmas money to pay for their food but it has now got to the point where I have just £5 in my purse and I need to be thinking of them. I know that once I've moved I will be able to get some temping work but thats another month off. My family and friends will all rally round if I need them to as they know that I will pay them back for anything I have when I'm back on my feet.

I'm wondering whether I should contact Lacey's breeder and ask if she will take her back. I don't want any money for her, just to know that she is back where she came from and will continue to be loved as she is here. I wouldn't let her go anywhere else, if she can't take her then she will stay here.

I feel such a failure for even thinking of it but I'm trying to be realistic. I will never show her or breed from her and by keeping her it's one more mouth to feed and the possibility of vets bills.

I wouldn't part with any of the others, this would be bad enough, but as I know she came from a home like this , I don't think she would be distressed in anyway.

Please help me with this decision. If you feel I'm being totally irresponsible please tell me, don't hold back, I need to know all different points of view if I am to make the right choice for Lacey.

p.s. please don't worry about the doggies, my freezer is full of meat for them and I have enough complete for a week or so. I've made arrangements with my family to help me out at the weekend and the vet is happy for me to pay when I can so they will all continue to be well cared for.

Answer:


Hi Scorpio please don't feel you are being irresponsible in any way.

Your circumstances have changed and, you are assessing the situation before a small problem has the chance to become a big one.

You obviousy know and respect Lacey's breeder , I would contact her for a chat and to get her advice. She is absolutely the best person to oversee the rehoming of one of her own dogs should the need arise.

We all know this will not be a decision you take lightly...

Edited to add in view of the circumstances you have written about in a previous thread surrounding your former partner, if you have to hand the bitch back you would be advised to get the details in writing (eg no payment).

Answer:


I'm so sorry you find yourself in this situation. I can offer no help towards finding a solution that works for all unfortunatley.

She asked me how things were and we had a long chat, she also asked me if I was still ok with Lacey to which I replied of course, although my head was saying no, you aren't, but I just couldn't bring myself to say anything because my head is in a total spin. I do wonder if this lady maybe longs to have her dog back again. She may not want to ask in so many words though. Perhaps you could contact her to let her know that if she ever wants to take her back, she is welcome to do so?
Maybe I'm totally off target on this one, but might be worth mentioning to her.

Best of luck with your desision.

Answer:


Hi Scorpio, As I have not been on Here that long I dont know your situation as well as others, I think you should follow minis advice and to be honest I dont think your a failure..... how many homes do the RSPCA attend that have the best intentions but cant cope and things slip? Not that im saying you would allow this to happen, I think your covering all aspects before there is a major problem,,,, hope this helps. good luck its not an easy thing to do. xxx

Answer:


i havent got the answer for you but may be the best solution would be to talk to the breeder and just see what happens from there.

good luck with any decision you make

sue

Answer:


Sorry you feel the need to maybe rehome Lacey,you definately are not a failure and I think we can understand where you are coming from with this.
I agree with the others don't make any final decisions chat to the breeder see what she says and take it from there whatever you decide to do will be the right decision.we all know you love your dogs and are not thinking of this lightly.
Good luck and(( hugs)).xx

Answer:


if you know deep down your going to struggle with her up keep then you need to consider what impact its going to have if some thing does come up with her health, its great the vets will cover it and you pay it back but its also how long it will take you to clear the debt to allow you to get on your feet.
what about joint ownership with the breeder so you have the safety net in place for her untill your on your feet again.
i dont want to sound harsh but you need to consider if you can take care of all of them and how long you expect this could go on for, if its a case of muddling though for a short period then i would say keep going and keep all the dogs but if something happens to any of them your going to have a debt to clear which will delay you getting stable again.
its not easy but as much as your heart tells you what you want to also need to keep it realistic.
talk to the breeder explore all your options and what is feasible and im sure your answer will come.
what ever the final thing turns out to be dont blame yourself.

Answer:


i agree with Evie, I read your post and wondered if the breeder was angling to have her back...do you think she may have been????

Answer:


I really feel for you what a hard decision

All I can add from knowing someone that was in very similar situation, she had to re home her Dogs because of the expense and she has regretted it ever since,
as not long after things improved financially.

I don't know if you are entitled to free Vet Bills from the PDSA that would help and you could also put your Dogs on a Cheap Dog food I know Lots of Dogs that eat super market own and look really good on it

But only you can know what is the right thing for you and your Dog.

Poor you for having to even be thinking about this

Answer:


Hi Scorpio,
please don't feel to bad about this. We all know how much you love all 13 of your dogs (and the babies from your litters) but sometimes things don't run to plan. from the sound of things the breeder could be interested in having Lacey back to live with her. Maybe give her another ring and just mention about how hectic things are at present and that you are moving soon. she may then ask about having Lacey back, at present this could be the best move for you and for Lacey as you said you took Lacey on to show her and possilbily breed from her, as this is no longer the plan maybe she should go back to the breeder where she will have a loving home like your own and she will get the chance to show off in the ring.
i hope things are soon better for you and i'm sure all your babes will be very well looked after how every hard things get for you.
best wishes for the new year and hopefully 2007 will be a good year for us all.
CM