Minnie's gone

Our Basset got picked up this morning. She went to a nice home with another dog to play with and no cats. We will miss her terribly. But with my husband leaving next week it just was better for all of us, including Minnie.

I'm sorry. I was in a similar situation twice before, once with a lost dog we found and another with an abused pit bull that wondered into our area.

thank you. the house is a lot quieter without her. her and the puppy were always playing, and they played rough and loud, plus she was always barking at the cats, which in turn growled and hissed at her. now it's a lot more peaceful, and I think the cats are a lot happier without her here. it was definitely a tough decision.

I am so sorry, though I am sure you did the right thing. Gentle hugs.

I am so sorry. It is touch to loose a pet. But at least you know she has a good home and will be happy! That doesn't make it easy on you though

I'm sorry Minnie has gone- it does leave an empty feeling. I hope she will be very happy in her new home with her new friends. I'm sorry you are feeling so bad right now

I'm so sorry for your pain in having to re-home your pet. I'm glad that there was a good outcome for her, and I'm sure that it will feel better for you as well.

How did you go about finding a new home for your dog? I've been on the fence about my dog. It feels horrible even to consider re-homing. Still, I've made a few inquiries with a local shelter, and 2 shepherd rescue orgs. None have been willing/able to help. I think of creating flyers to post at vets, groomers, etc. and doing very careful screening, if I'm even able to find potential adopters. The pain of giving up my baby stops me. But my baby is 80 lbs., showing fear aggression to certain dogs, fear barking at certain visitors, is unpredictable in his fear responses, and needing a physically stronger and more emotionally stable person than I am. I'd be grateful for any thoughts that anyone might have on this difficult issue. I have acute abandonment issues that stall out this decision-making process. I don't have the stamina to do intense training.

I'm sorry, Whenwillitend, for my rather self-centered post. I truly feel for your situation, the emotions it stirs. I'm also having trouble thinking clearly about what needs to be done for my dog, whose size, strength and fearfulness is a potential safety issue.

if she is showing sign of fear aggression and you are on the fence about rehoming her you might consider finding a good trainer & working with her that way. what she lacks is confidence & that is why she is lashing out. if you can calm her & boost her confidence then she might be calmer & you more able to deal with her.

as a dog with a history of aggression issues rescues & shelter will be hesitant to accept the dog...but did you contact a breed specifric rescue? not an all breed one..a breed specific one will be able to better provide you with a trainer to help you work with her.

you can also try some of the calming meds & richards pet calm which is an organic solution ..it actually works very well...also if you are calm then she will be calm as well.

you have given her a stable home & time something which other dogs do not get a chance at...for the wrong reasons..which is a terrible shame.

I'm sorry. It's hard to give up an animal, but sometimes it's best.

I have a young cat I adore who I may have to find a new home for. He's too outgoing and confident. I have coyotes around my house, and friendly cats never survive long. Only the shyest cats I have make it to old age. So even though this cat is wonderful and it will be really hard to give him up, I may have to.

Thank you all!

Lavieenrose, don't worry about it, you didn't sound self centered or anything like that. We put an ad on Craigslist, and we got a lot of responses for Minnie. We then chose someone we felt was a good fit for her and that we were comfortable with.

I feel for everyone else who's facing the same decision. It's a very hard one to make.

Stumpy: I've had several trainer consults. On SSDI, I can't afford more trainers. Alone without help, I don't have the energy to keep up training due to depression and anxiety. A local shelter said he wouldn't be accepted since he sometimes backs away from people, barking. I try to be soothing and reassuring as I can, but it's hard to manage my own stress, and my dog is another stressor. I'm trying a pheromone collar and anti-stress supplements for my dog. He is difficult to train, very willful, not accepting me as alpha. He might respect male authority more (I hate to say).

(((((((Whenwillitend,))))))))
I'm so sorry you had to go through finding a new home for Minnie. It is not easy to let them go. I know from your previous post how much you tried to help her in the process and are helping her now with finding a new match. Kudos to you for being so good to her and being so strong. My heart goes out to you though with the hopes and loss. I hope in the meantime you can take comfort in knowing how lucky she was to find you and for your care, despite the difficulties to say the least. Hang in there meanwhile. Hugs.

it's a matter of fear..not respect...& a lack of confidence on his part mostly. i totally get the income part as i am on disability myself...that said contact a breed rescue ...ask them for help with training..any good rescue will have access to a trainer or at least be able to help with training & behavioral tips. you might even be able to work out a barter system where you could swap training time for assisting with transports, kennel work. etc...

dogs are good..if you "listen" to them they will let you know exactly what is wrong or bothering them or what they fear..it just takes the time &centering to do so.

what did the other consults say? what has worked/not worked?
with a fear based aggression training it heavy handed will usually only compound the fear...yea you need to be firm but also provide a safe, calm, confidence building environment.

believe me no one...not a shelter, rescue wants to see a beloved pet turned in. or put down. not if there is a chance to work with a family ...most dogs are not inherantly bad...most times there is a behavior that can be corrected & worked with once it is understood. dogs come into rescue for the worst of reasons...95% of which are not their fault...& they are the fortunate ones..many still face death in shelters or out back or are just released to fend on their own.

it is a difficult road..been down it...as a rescuer unfortunately many times. i wish you luck.

stumpy