Dad Wants a Dog...
This is not Corgi related but I was hoping to get some input anyhow since it is about dogs.
My Dad has always had dogs. His favorite was an Australian Shepherd who he adored and took everywhere until she died of cancer when she was 6 or 7 years old. His other dog, who was very old, passed away a few months ago while he was in the hospital and I was going to his house to care for her. Now he is without a pet and looking to get a Queensland Heeler. The issue is this; he now lives alone and is currently going through chemotherapy. He's very week and barely able to take care of himself. He is also a bit of a hoarder so his home is cluttered with "stuff" making it a miserable place to live but he refuses to part with most of the things. It’s not a good living situation for him as it is.
He’s been talking about wanting to get a dog because he’s alone at his house and needs the companionship. He’s been excited about it since he started talking about it a few weeks ago which is a nice change of pace because he’s been feeling very down and defeated. I think he’s right from that aspect; a dog would be good company and lift his spirits. Dogs are great and they do help people get through bad things. The part I worry about is how well will the dog be cared for? If he gets a puppy he has to go through all the training, shots, neutering etc. It’s far too much work for him and the puppy would pay the price. He agreed he would take a one or two year old (still worried about how it would be cared for but not as much as a puppy) but he hasn’t found any adults available so he’s looking at puppies.
He’s meeting up with a breeder today who is bringing him an 8 week old female to look at. This is an awful idea. He knows it is but he’s eager to have a dog and he’s being stubborn and a bit selfish. He asked me about how often Finn has to go out when he was little so I told him about all the work of raising Finn and he said “I don’t suppose there’s anyone I could leave it with for a while” hinting that he wants me to raise it and that’s not possible.
I don’t know what to do. I want what will help my Dad but I don’t want an animal to be put in an unfit home. If he goes into the hospital again or rehab, I can’t take his dog and neither can my brothers. If anything happened the dog would have to be rehomed or returned to the breeder if he’d take it. This whole thing is a mess and I’m so torn.
My Dad has always had dogs. His favorite was an Australian Shepherd who he adored and took everywhere until she died of cancer when she was 6 or 7 years old. His other dog, who was very old, passed away a few months ago while he was in the hospital and I was going to his house to care for her. Now he is without a pet and looking to get a Queensland Heeler. The issue is this; he now lives alone and is currently going through chemotherapy. He's very week and barely able to take care of himself. He is also a bit of a hoarder so his home is cluttered with "stuff" making it a miserable place to live but he refuses to part with most of the things. It’s not a good living situation for him as it is.
He’s been talking about wanting to get a dog because he’s alone at his house and needs the companionship. He’s been excited about it since he started talking about it a few weeks ago which is a nice change of pace because he’s been feeling very down and defeated. I think he’s right from that aspect; a dog would be good company and lift his spirits. Dogs are great and they do help people get through bad things. The part I worry about is how well will the dog be cared for? If he gets a puppy he has to go through all the training, shots, neutering etc. It’s far too much work for him and the puppy would pay the price. He agreed he would take a one or two year old (still worried about how it would be cared for but not as much as a puppy) but he hasn’t found any adults available so he’s looking at puppies.
He’s meeting up with a breeder today who is bringing him an 8 week old female to look at. This is an awful idea. He knows it is but he’s eager to have a dog and he’s being stubborn and a bit selfish. He asked me about how often Finn has to go out when he was little so I told him about all the work of raising Finn and he said “I don’t suppose there’s anyone I could leave it with for a while” hinting that he wants me to raise it and that’s not possible.
I don’t know what to do. I want what will help my Dad but I don’t want an animal to be put in an unfit home. If he goes into the hospital again or rehab, I can’t take his dog and neither can my brothers. If anything happened the dog would have to be rehomed or returned to the breeder if he’d take it. This whole thing is a mess and I’m so torn.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Alice on
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I went to see him last night and we talked about Molly. He said he thinks he will have to find her a new home. He said it's hard because they do have a bond but she should be with a family. She is listening to him better now but regardless, he cannot give her what she needs aside from food and water. He cannot walk her and she's destroying his house and yard. I told him I think that would be best for both of them and he should find her a new home while she is still young. I didn't want him to feel as though he failed so I told him it's good that he got her since she was not well cared for with this so called breeder and he's given her a good home and started her off on her training so it's ok now to let someone else take her in and teach her the rest. He did say that he get's very lonely there and likes the company so I asked if he would get another dog. He said if the right dog came along he would, but not another puppy and not such a strong breed. Really, I think a small adult dog would be good for him, but it has to be the right dog. For now, let's just see if he really re-homes Molly. I offered to help but he said he will post an add and see if he can find her a good home. There is a Heeler rescue out here but they charge you quite a bit to turn a dog over to them which I think is absurd since they also charge a lot to adopt a dog from there. Anyway, I hope Molly gets the home she deserves and I'll talk to my dad more about whether or not he really wants another dog. I know he needs the company and with a smaller dog he could even take it with him when he goes out because there'd be no risk of it knocking him over. We'll see. All I know is when I hugged him he had tears in his eyes and until this past year, I had never seen him cry. It's heartbreaking and if some kind of a pet to keep him company will lift his spirits then I support it, so long as it is the right pet. Molly was just not right for him.
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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on
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Oh Alice!
I wished I lived closer as I have a corgi that would love this type of attention! I am thinking of rehoming her due to this! I wish I could just "borrow" her to your dad! She wants to be by my side 24/7 and go everywhere I do!
I would also check with this rescue and explain the situation with your dad. This dog is still so young and due to the circumstances...maybe they would "bend" the rules! If so I would encourage your dad that this would be the best as the rescue will find her a GOOD home not just someone looking for a free dog!
I like the cat idea too and you could maybe adopt one from a shelter as at least around here they aren't even taking any they are so full!
Good Luck! Keep us updated!
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I agree that the rescue would be best. Being familiar with the breed they would screen possible homes and make sure she goes to the right family. I'll email them and see what they say.
If he does re-home her himself he will have to charge something in order to weed out the not so great homes and he would have to thoroughly inform prospective buyers of her energy and needs.
I wish you lived closer too; that would be wonderful. Who can look at a smiling Corgi face and not be happy. If Finn were a lot more calm I would take him but I'm afraid he needs more time to grow up. :)
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Yes, Finn needs you right now...my Rainy is 4 years old and loves to play but would prefer to just be a companion to someone!
Another thought is if you could talk to the humane society and see if they have an older calm, loving dog that your dad could foster??? I have a niece who adopts older dogs and the reason she does this is she is taking the ones that most people don't want. Especially with today's economy there are lots of loving older dogs that don't get a chance because people don't want an "old" dog!
It could make room at a shelter and your dad could get a dog for awhile that would much better suit his needs! He would also be "helping"!
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Permalink Reply by Renee on
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I know this isn't going to go over well but............................... My mother is 82 and has always had dogs. When the last 2 passed away she figured she couldn't handle another puppy. Then she fell and broke her pelvic bone. That kept her at home for a while after she came home from the hospital. She got lonely and was talking about a dog again. I think the only reason she didn't get the dog is she couldn't drive yet. Anyway we bought her a siamese. Cats are easier to take care of. She's thrilled that she has company and not all the responsibility.
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I agree that cat's are great, but unfortunately my dad is highly allergic to them. He leaves food out for the stray cat's in his neighborhood and even walking near the blankets he leaves for them to sleep on causes a sneezing fit.
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Permalink Reply by Jessica on
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I know it's a stretch but if your dad doesn't want to give up the dog and he obviously loves and WANTS to care for her at any rate, is there any way that someone from the local breed rescue or a for-hire dog trainer could come in and give him some private lessons with the dog? Just to get her started on basic obedience? It might be expensive but cheaper then a broken heart, or a broken bone if the dog causes him to take a tumble?
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This came to mind before but I don't know what it would cost. I know there is a doggy boot camp here where you leave the dog for 2 weeks for training but it's at least $500, probably more. I can check and see what an in home trainer costs.
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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Oh Alice, how heart-breaking! Your posts made me a bit teary. My Madison is such a lap dog and I'd say she'd be perfect, but then again when we got her spayed and she couldn't walk every day she was ready to pop her buttons, so I guess she's really only a lap dog if she's had good exercise.
For that reason, an older pet might be ideal, or a toy breed like a Shih Tzu. I agree your dad should definitely have a dog, just a more appropriate one. You are a very good daughter for helping him through this process and letting him come to his own conclusions in his own time.
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Thank you Beth. I know it's a depressing topic and I don't mean to put a damper on anyone's day but it really does help to talk to all of you and get the support that I don't always get from the rest of my family. We're all wound a bit tightly and feeling overwhelmed right now and we're more likely to snap at each other than offer useful advice so being able to come here and talk to all of you is much more pleasant and you all give great advice and support.
I know my brother would completely object to him getting another dog once Molly has a new home but I truly feel that he would do better with a dog, but it has to be the right dog. I think a toy breed would be good. I know he likes larger breeds better and I can't blame him, I do too, but he's going to have to compromise if he wants the companionship and once he has it, he'll love it no matter what breed. A little mutt would probably be best. Once Molly has a home I'll keep my eye out for adoption dogs.
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Permalink Reply by Julia on
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Alice, this is such a sad story. I was afraid early on that it would end this way. In a shelter we see animals come in with all sorts of stories. When we counsel potential adopters, this is the kind of story we hate to hear.
We do get in dogs who are older who need homes, but most people don't want them. It can take a long time to find a place for them. It would be a blessing for you to take on a dog like this. They are a known quantity, because of previous owners or the behavior/temperment testing done at the shelter. They are also up to date on shots, neutered and microchipped, so initial vet visits would be minimal. They can also notify you when the type of dog you're looking for shows up. That keeps the dog out of the shelter altogether. If you could find a shelter like this where you live, you should seriously consider it.
The Humane Society often gets bad-mouthed, but it's a tough job. Finding your new best friend there can only make it better.
My first idea, and I wish it could work, was to get a cat. Even easier to find than dogs. Easier to care for. Cuddly, don't need walks. So it's too bad about the allergies. On any given day I'm sure I could find you the perfect cat :)
Julia
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