A Very Personal Post And Plea
Thursday, January 4, 2007 by PoSmedley | Discussion: Community
In case you haven't heard, I have a daughter on the way. Joy!
Now the bad news. I have a dog. His name is Bonzai. he is part Golden Retriever and part Chow. The dog has to go. You see, he's big. A whopping 85 pounds, and he is 'fearful'. Don't confuse this with aggressive. He is just very fearful. I raised him from 6 seeks and don't know why he has turned out this way.
He has never bitten or attacked anyone, but you can imagine a persons reaction when a strange dog of his size growls at them when they approach to pet him. he also gets very nervous when my wife and I play (Horseplay) with our stepson. He'll bark and growl like he doesn't know which one of us to protect from being hurt. He likes to jump up and put his paws on you to make you stop. You can imagine my wifes fear of him doing it to a toddler if the child squeals to loud. Get the picture?
We tried dog training. This is one thing we can't break him of. I won't tie him up outside. I have never believed in that and have never had an outside dog, which is all the rage down here in Podunk, USA. So, for 8 months we have tried to find him a home. We have yet to find anyone with the patience to let him adjust and get over his fearfulness, which he will surely have with a new owner. We are down to crunch time. I have 18 days to find him a home, basically.
We have tried all the PET INC., and other animal rescues. Most have closed up in the past few years here. We tried the paper, friends, even a group site on Yahoo. I wasn't overly concerned, because...I hate to say, I thought if I had to, I could take him to the SPCA or Humane Society as a last resort. I have gotten 3 dogs there myself over the course of my life. That is until my wife found out this week that they put down dogs that are 'surrendered' by owners. I guess they figure if the original owner doesn't want it, no one will. They put them down the day you drop them off.
I live in Columbia, SC. My friends, fellow skinners, and any one who reads this, if you know of someone near me (I will drive..to Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee...almost anywhere I have to) that would like to take my dog, email me please.
Now the bad news. I have a dog. His name is Bonzai. he is part Golden Retriever and part Chow. The dog has to go. You see, he's big. A whopping 85 pounds, and he is 'fearful'. Don't confuse this with aggressive. He is just very fearful. I raised him from 6 seeks and don't know why he has turned out this way.
He has never bitten or attacked anyone, but you can imagine a persons reaction when a strange dog of his size growls at them when they approach to pet him. he also gets very nervous when my wife and I play (Horseplay) with our stepson. He'll bark and growl like he doesn't know which one of us to protect from being hurt. He likes to jump up and put his paws on you to make you stop. You can imagine my wifes fear of him doing it to a toddler if the child squeals to loud. Get the picture?
We tried dog training. This is one thing we can't break him of. I won't tie him up outside. I have never believed in that and have never had an outside dog, which is all the rage down here in Podunk, USA. So, for 8 months we have tried to find him a home. We have yet to find anyone with the patience to let him adjust and get over his fearfulness, which he will surely have with a new owner. We are down to crunch time. I have 18 days to find him a home, basically.
We have tried all the PET INC., and other animal rescues. Most have closed up in the past few years here. We tried the paper, friends, even a group site on Yahoo. I wasn't overly concerned, because...I hate to say, I thought if I had to, I could take him to the SPCA or Humane Society as a last resort. I have gotten 3 dogs there myself over the course of my life. That is until my wife found out this week that they put down dogs that are 'surrendered' by owners. I guess they figure if the original owner doesn't want it, no one will. They put them down the day you drop them off.
I live in Columbia, SC. My friends, fellow skinners, and any one who reads this, if you know of someone near me (I will drive..to Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee...almost anywhere I have to) that would like to take my dog, email me please.
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PoSmedley
Reply #26 Monday, January 8, 2007 10:17 PM
Reply #26 Monday, January 8, 2007 10:17 PM
It's okay. I have time. I appreciate everyone who takes the time to bump it. I can't always get to a PC during the day, cause I am on the road a lot.
teddybearcholla
Reply #27 Monday, January 8, 2007 11:02 PM
Back in 2002 or late 2001, my daughter and son in law picked out a cute little furrball from a litter of puppies. He was a purebred something, one of those that look like mops...you know, the kind that has the long hair, needs grooming...often. They'd been married since 1996, my daughter and son in law, not the puppy, and could not have children. This would be their *child*. His name was Petie, WWW Link ...cute isn't he. He went everywhere with them and was basically a good dog. But he had allergies, which at times could literally make him crazy, even with medication from the vet. But he was a good dog.
Fast forward to late 2003, my kids decide to adopt. Tons of paperwork, screenings, meetings, and waiting for a match , and more waiting....they finally received word about a baby girl that needed parents. More waiting, pictures were sent...still waiting. Then in Feb. 2005 my daughter took ill and was in the hospital for awhile, in a medical coma...some of you may remember...I posted it here.... stress was partly to blame. In March they received word, they would be able to pick up their baby girl, in April. Plans were made, I would stay and take care of Petie and their other critters, while they were in China getting acquainted with baby Mei. After spending the required three weeks there, they came home. They, we were all so happy and Petie didn't seem to mind. Mei grew fast, and pretty soon she was crawling, then walking and she loved Petie. She could pull his hair, take his toys, nap on his bed.
Then sometime in the winter of 2006, Petie bit my son in law, not bad enough to go to the doctor, but still a bite. Then sometime later, he nipped Mei for the first time. Mei was fine, it didn't bother her at all, but it bothered my kids. They weren't certain if Petie could be trusted...you see his allergies were getting worse and even with medication something like Prozac, he would still become a bit crazy.
They did not consider giving him away, because of his *problem*. So they made a decision, they had him put down. Yes, it was hard, but they had to think of Mei first, her safety and well being.
Sorry for the length, but I thought now would be a good time to share this.
Best of luck to you Po, I hope you find a taker for Bonzai.
Reply #27 Monday, January 8, 2007 11:02 PM
| Lot's of bumps . . no takers |
Back in 2002 or late 2001, my daughter and son in law picked out a cute little furrball from a litter of puppies. He was a purebred something, one of those that look like mops...you know, the kind that has the long hair, needs grooming...often. They'd been married since 1996, my daughter and son in law, not the puppy, and could not have children. This would be their *child*. His name was Petie, WWW Link ...cute isn't he. He went everywhere with them and was basically a good dog. But he had allergies, which at times could literally make him crazy, even with medication from the vet. But he was a good dog.
Fast forward to late 2003, my kids decide to adopt. Tons of paperwork, screenings, meetings, and waiting for a match , and more waiting....they finally received word about a baby girl that needed parents. More waiting, pictures were sent...still waiting. Then in Feb. 2005 my daughter took ill and was in the hospital for awhile, in a medical coma...some of you may remember...I posted it here.... stress was partly to blame. In March they received word, they would be able to pick up their baby girl, in April. Plans were made, I would stay and take care of Petie and their other critters, while they were in China getting acquainted with baby Mei. After spending the required three weeks there, they came home. They, we were all so happy and Petie didn't seem to mind. Mei grew fast, and pretty soon she was crawling, then walking and she loved Petie. She could pull his hair, take his toys, nap on his bed.
Then sometime in the winter of 2006, Petie bit my son in law, not bad enough to go to the doctor, but still a bite. Then sometime later, he nipped Mei for the first time. Mei was fine, it didn't bother her at all, but it bothered my kids. They weren't certain if Petie could be trusted...you see his allergies were getting worse and even with medication something like Prozac, he would still become a bit crazy.
They did not consider giving him away, because of his *problem*. So they made a decision, they had him put down. Yes, it was hard, but they had to think of Mei first, her safety and well being.
Sorry for the length, but I thought now would be a good time to share this.
Best of luck to you Po, I hope you find a taker for Bonzai.
Keikonium
Reply #28 Tuesday, January 9, 2007 12:25 AM
Reply #28 Tuesday, January 9, 2007 12:25 AM
A free (?) dog, and no takers 
! Its to bad you didn't live closer to southern Ontario (thats Canada btw 
) else you'd beable to find a taker in a heartbeat.
Best of luck to you Po' and I hope you find a great home for Bonzai
!
Any relatives willing to take him? I'm sure he'd probably be used to at least some of them... and who knows, maybe Bonzai would be good with your new baby girl (congrats btw!) and you could keep him
.
But like I said, best of luck trying to find a taker!
! Its to bad you didn't live closer to southern Ontario (thats Canada btw 
) else you'd beable to find a taker in a heartbeat.Best of luck to you Po' and I hope you find a great home for Bonzai
!Any relatives willing to take him? I'm sure he'd probably be used to at least some of them... and who knows, maybe Bonzai would be good with your new baby girl (congrats btw!) and you could keep him
.But like I said, best of luck trying to find a taker
!
seldomseen
Reply #29 Tuesday, January 9, 2007 12:52 AM
Reply #29 Tuesday, January 9, 2007 12:52 AM
Every time I look at that photo, I think how great he looks and am so tempted, but I just can't do it. Full house, and a tiny 20 X 30 one at that, two bedrooms and two kids, me and two Labs... 
Watching your icon...
Watching your icon...
PoSmedley
Reply #30 Tuesday, January 9, 2007 8:33 AM
One just put a dog down and they don't want another one. Another has their's penned up outside and never spend time with it. That one is a very aggressive Chow, you can't even get near. I don't know what it is down here, but people like to tie the big dogs up or pen them outsied and almost never bring them in the house. Why do you get a dog if you're going to keep it at arms reach or more and not enjoy it's company?
Oh, Canada. I tried to 'immigrate' to Guelph when I was young and dumb. lol. The Canadian border police came and saw me back to the USA after 2 weeks. lol.
It has crossed my mind.
He needs someone or someone's who will be patient and allow him to adjust. My worry is that he is so attached to me. (He is laying at my feet, as he always does when I am on the PC) The two times I had to go out of town for work, he stopped eating right and became very depressed. If someone took him and got discouraged with him and took him to the pound...well, I figure if it has to come to that and he has to be put down or is going to be put down, it should be by me and with me at his side, not some stranger.
The icon was really supposed to be a countdown for the baby's birth. After I put it up and came to check this thread, I caught the other meaning. I should take it down, but ..I don't know. sigh. I need a drink or three. lol.
Reply #30 Tuesday, January 9, 2007 8:33 AM
| Any relatives willing to take him? |
One just put a dog down and they don't want another one. Another has their's penned up outside and never spend time with it. That one is a very aggressive Chow, you can't even get near. I don't know what it is down here, but people like to tie the big dogs up or pen them outsied and almost never bring them in the house. Why do you get a dog if you're going to keep it at arms reach or more and not enjoy it's company?
| Its to bad you didn't live closer to southern Ontario |
Oh, Canada. I tried to 'immigrate' to Guelph when I was young and dumb. lol. The Canadian border police came and saw me back to the USA after 2 weeks. lol.
| So they made a decision, they had him put down. |
It has crossed my mind.
He needs someone or someone's who will be patient and allow him to adjust. My worry is that he is so attached to me. (He is laying at my feet, as he always does when I am on the PC) The two times I had to go out of town for work, he stopped eating right and became very depressed. If someone took him and got discouraged with him and took him to the pound...well, I figure if it has to come to that and he has to be put down or is going to be put down, it should be by me and with me at his side, not some stranger.
The icon was really supposed to be a countdown for the baby's birth. After I put it up and came to check this thread, I caught the other meaning. I should take it down, but ..I don't know. sigh. I need a drink or three. lol.
_02
Reply #32 Tuesday, January 9, 2007 11:23 AM
Reply #32 Tuesday, January 9, 2007 11:23 AM
Po, I am so sorry. I was really hoping someone would be able to take him. When I was a kid we got a black and white collie. It was a beautiful dog and already 2 years old. However, it ended up a very sad story. Shortly after getting to our house he went and laid down in the hall. We tried everything we could to get him up to play. He would only get up to go out to do his business, then straight back to the hall.
He wouldn't eat his food either. He would drink the smallest amount of water if we brought it to him and put it in our hand. He was slowly starving and dying of a broken heart. We were hoping he would get better. He didn't. He missed his other family so bad we had to give him back after 2 weeks. I don't know what they did with him. I was fairly young and my parents wouldn't tell me. You are still in our prayers.
He wouldn't eat his food either. He would drink the smallest amount of water if we brought it to him and put it in our hand. He was slowly starving and dying of a broken heart. We were hoping he would get better. He didn't. He missed his other family so bad we had to give him back after 2 weeks. I don't know what they did with him. I was fairly young and my parents wouldn't tell me. You are still in our prayers.
PoSmedley
Reply #33 Tuesday, January 9, 2007 12:07 PM
Reply #33 Tuesday, January 9, 2007 12:07 PM
Thanks, clwoods. I'm hopeful. All in all because this site and the people here have been just plain lucky and a blessing for me in the short time I have been a a part of it.
jennybean
Reply #37 Tuesday, January 9, 2007 3:39 PM
Reply #37 Tuesday, January 9, 2007 3:39 PM
Oh, what a gorgeous dog! I am so sorry you have to give up your beloved pet, I know how hard that can be. Besides being in Michigan, my husband and I want to have children eventually too, so I unfortunately cannot adopt a dog either. However, I did find this site that I hope might be of help to you: http://www.pgaa.com/southcarolina.html
When I adopted my cat, I got her from Guardian Angels rescue group, which is a no-kill shelter with very committed volunteers who keep the animals at their home if need be until they are adopted! I hope you can find a group from this listing that will be that dedicated. Good luck, I sincerly feel for you and hope you are able to find a solution that you will not have to feel guilty about.
When I adopted my cat, I got her from Guardian Angels rescue group, which is a no-kill shelter with very committed volunteers who keep the animals at their home if need be until they are adopted! I hope you can find a group from this listing that will be that dedicated. Good luck, I sincerly feel for you and hope you are able to find a solution that you will not have to feel guilty about.
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Reply #21 Sunday, January 7, 2007 11:37 PM