Kirby's future....looks like it will be with me for a little longer!
Well I have finally made a very set decision about Kirby's future. I think it is going to be best to re-home him. He has settled in ok to the new house but now that I have been here for a month all of his old behaviors (and more) have come back. He is now digging holes in the yard and tearing up my vegetable plants and finding anything he can shred. He is doing this all at night so now I am faced with the decision of do I crate him at night as well as ALL day? To me that just seems cruel. I know a lot of this behavior has a lot to do with the fact that I can't get him out as much as he needs. He is being crated for 8+ hours a day and only getting out for about 1/2 hour to 45 min in the morning and about 20 minutes at night. He needs HOURS of exercise and with my work schedule and the weather I just can't provide it. Him and Franklin aren't playing at all, and Franklin has now started to avoid him as much as possible. When I first moved they would play every morning and have a great time, but now Franklin will jump up on my bed and avoid Kirby in the mornings. He's made it pretty clear how he feels about Kirby in the last few weeks. I have been struggling with my decision to re-home him and feeling awful about doing it but yesterday I heard some excellet advice from one of the vets I work for. I was in a behavior consult with him and a client who also had a rescue that was not fitting in the home. He told the client "Pet's are suppossed to relieve stress not create it". That one sentance sealed every thought I had been having about Kirby and made me feel so much better about my decision. It is SO true, we have animals to relieve stress in our lives, to make us happy, to bond with and love. Kirby is such a constant source of stress and frustration for me (and Franklin) and this is the exact opposite of why I got him. I am keeping him now because I feel some kind of obligation to see this thing through, but really maybe my part in his life is done. He came to me a basket case, a horrible dog, no manners, no training, and completely out of control. I couldnt' confine him to a pen, crate, room without him breaking out or hurting himself. Now he is much more reliable in his training, seems a little more well rounded and confident, and is totally relaxed and happy in his crate. I feel at this stage he can be re-homed easily and without guilt. In the beginning I kept him because I was afraid of what would happen to him if I re-homed him, but now I feel like he could make somebody a great pet because he is happy, playful, and affectionate. Most of his bad behaviors now I think are MY fault, and I think in a home that can put more time into exercise and training he would be such an excellent little dog, especially if he had a buddy that was equally exuberant. I guess we will see what happens, but now I am feeling a little better about my decision at least.
UPDATE: Augh! I swear this dog can read!!! EVERY time I make the decision to re-home him its something!! I'm pretty sure he broke his foot today :-( I gave him some pain meds and will take him in tomorrow to see what is going on for sure. Either way he is injured and any chance at re-homing him will have to wait until he is healed. Maybe he is just faking it so I'll keep him longer. In the past he has jumped out of an 8 foot tree, fallen off of embankments, tables, beds, etc, and yet today he manages to possibly break his foot greeting one of my friends....REALLY!?!?!? He is completely non-weight bearing on his right front leg and screamed bloody murder when my friend (who is also a tech) tried to manipulate it to see where it was injured. Its been about 4 hours since the incident and about 3 since I gave him a big dose of Tramadol, and he still won't put weight on it. He of course is too stupid to quit playing though and will try to put weight on it and jump around and run but then immediately pick it up and hobble. Pet benefits where I work now aren't nearly as good as they were where I worked when Franklin broke his foot the first time so I'm hoping for a sprain lol. I don't think I can afford x-rays and splints and bandage changes right now!! Cross your fingers for us!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on
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Try to focus on how much better his life will be in the right situation. You have put in a lot of effort to help him become easier to live with and his next home will be better prepared for his need for a lot of activity. Good luck to you and Kirby! I know for example my son felt terrible when he could no longer keep his dog (moved out of the country) but I can definitely tell you that she has a great life with us and we are much better equipped to handle her needs. You really have given this more effort than most people would have.
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Permalink Reply by Zigward & Kimberly on
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Well, congratulations on finally making a very tough decision:)
It's too bad that he never clicked like you wanted him to, but you are right. Our furry family members should not be stressing us out. (Within reason, of course.. All pets have their problems at some point or another.)
Hopefully you can find Kirby (I remember that you were hesitant to hand him over to a rescue) a well suited home that he will feel home and secure in without too much hassle! Good luck:)
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Permalink Reply by Ludi on
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Like I said in your previous post about Kirby and his future, I think you have known for a while what you will end up doing for him. No one will hold it against you; you tried to the best of your abilities, and at least now, Kirby is way more adoptable! Best of luck to you in your search. I do hope that you get a second dog in the future, to keep Franklin company, but this time one that's actually suited to your household. :-D
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Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on
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augh, well it looks like I may have Kirby longer than anticipated! I'll know more tomorrow after a visit to the vet. I suspect he broke or seriously sprained his foot/leg so clearly I can't re-home him anytime soon. Little stinker!
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Permalink Reply by Tomahawk and Fences on
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Kirby and his shenanigans! I hope he isn't injured too badly, and good luck finding him a home. Anyone would be lucky to have him. :]
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If you want to use this time constructively, maybe you can have potential adopters out to visit him, and watch them interact with him, and vice versa!:) And just keep up the visitations with those you feel he would do best with, and weed them out as you go along? That way he has time to get used to the new would be adopter?:)
Just an idea:D
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Permalink Reply by Natalie, Lance &Tucker on
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Yes, I think Kirby did read your post!!! He figured he had to change your mind somehow, well temporarily, until he can convince you to keep him. Seriously though, awww, you have done soooo much for him and you definitely know that he needs to be rehomed, maybe this will give you the time to find him that home you are looking for him. The saying goes, everything happens for a reason, which in most cases I believe, there are a few situations that really make me wonder if that is really true or not.
Hope Kirby is feeling better soon. I did a double take when I read the title tonight, after reading it this afternoon!! Kirby is so lucky to have found you, to help him through this phase in his life. You should be proud of yourself for putting so much effort towards Kriby, even with all he has put you through.
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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on
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I think the idea of lining up some potential adopters while he is mending is a good idea. I have an adoption form for my rescues or rehomed doggies that you are welcome to use but you would need to change the names etc. I would have to email it to you if you'd be interested.
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Thanks Jane. One of my friends is adoption co-ordinator at a local rescue so she showed me a few forms she has access too. I like that idea too about having people meet him, the only two things that are holding me back are 1) he gets CRAZY excited when he meets people and he isn't allowed to jump or be stupid (jumping is how he did this to begin with) and 2) I'm worried about how insane he is going to be with 4-6+ weeks of no exercise. I also don't want strangers coming to my house to meet him. I do have a friend who has a friend (lol) who lives on a ranch and is looking for a corgi who is really interested in him, another friend who has Franklin's sister has a brother who has been looking for a corgi and really likes Kirby as well. I wanted him to take Kirby since he already knows him and his antics and Frank's sister is exponentially worse behaviorally than Kirby! Lol. When she originally told me he wanted Kirby she said it would be in 3 months (that was probably 3 weeks ago) and I really didn't want to wait that long, well looks like that may end up being perfect timing so I am going to talk to her and see what she thinks. I reallly would like him to go to somebody I know or somebody my friend's can vouch for. Either way I have to figure out how to get him through 6 week so of no activity.....:-(
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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on
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Your prospects sound good and so does the timing.
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Permalink Reply by Ingrid & Ein on
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What rescue did Kirby come from? Is a corgi rescue or an all-breed? We tried to get a rescue from Golden Gate but they were in too short supply. I still believe in rescue but I gotta say I'm very pleased with our adult corgi from a breeder.
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