CarolPa
Executive Chef
DH has gone from "No more dogs!" to "if we hear of a small dog who needs a home, we will take it." So things are looking up. I'm not quite over the loss of my little Pupper, but I'm getting there.
DH has gone from "No more dogs!" to "if we hear of a small dog who needs a home, we will take it." So things are looking up. I'm not quite over the loss of my little Pupper, but I'm getting there.
In the UK The Guide Dogs For The Blind charity use "Puppy walkers " as foster carers for the puppies they breed before they are old enough for guide dog training. If the equivalent organisation in the USA does this that might be a way to go for CarolPAThere are a lot of ways one can have a pet without being responsible for the pet. I am currently "safe keeping" a family pet for a victim of domestic violence. Once the woman gets back on her feet, the pet will go back to the vet clinic and back to the woman and the kids. All I have to do is keep the pet safe, give it cuddles, feed it, etc. I will be house breaking this beast...but that's it. No cost to me, just time, and the organization guarantees that the person responsible for the violence has no trail to me.
I have fostered over 100 dogs since 1998 (placed 90- of them--kept five and had to euthanize 5 for terminal illnesses), drove over 175 dogs 20,000 km one year to rescue groups located outside of the area, coordinated more transport runs than I can count rom MO to OH and other states and provinces. I have arranged care for dogs for people undergoing chemo or other life changing situations. There are many ways to have a pet without making the long-term commitment, especially if you're getting older and are uncertain about how long you can make the commitment. You just have to be able to let the pet go. And the difference you can make in the life of the animal (and the owner in the case of safe housing for a person getting out of a domestic violence situation) is a really great feeling.
Cushing's is becoming more and more common, largely because horses are living longer. 23 is nothing these days whereas 40 or 50 years ago few horses made it that far. When I was a little girl there was a retired pony at the riding school who was healthy at 30 years old. The local vets used to bring students to see her as it was so unusual to see a pony that old.MC, a friend had a horse with Cushing's. She managed the illness for a number of years. The medication was expensive, the horse did just fine. Hopefully the vet will figure out what is going on. Tetley sounds like a very special horse.
I've done that, too. Besides having my own dogs. The problem is that people get attached. We used to call those "failed fosters." You have to be able to give the dog / cat / bird back knowing it will be treasured and you can help another animal. Over 200 animals have crossed my path and gone on to be treasured pets. Some have been therapy dogs, others have been the best companions ever. Some of the most endearing friends I have made through time have been those I've met because of the dogs that needed help. Best people. Worst people--those dumping their animals because of weak excuses. There are reasons to rehome a pet, but having a baby, moving, divorce, animal is old are not good reasons. The worst was a senior dog dumped at the shelter because the children had allergies. When I called to get more information, there were no children. The couple was embarking on RVing. The wife couldn't be bothered. The husband was shocked she had lied to the shelter.In the UK The Guide Dogs For The Blind charity use "Puppy walkers " as foster carers for the puppies they breed before they are old enough for guide dog training. If the equivalent organisation in the USA does this that might be a way to go for CarolPA
A friend of mine used to foster cats until the shelter could find a forever home for them. She fell in love with one of them and became a "failed foster". I didn't think that was such a failure.
+1MC, fingers crossed that no news is good news.
I don't know how someone could walk away from an animal who has been a member of their family....There are reasons to rehome a pet, but having a baby, moving, divorce, animal is old are not good reasons...
You aren't alone. I would too, for a family member. There are actually some homeless people in Montreal who do it. They are homeless because they can't find affordable housing that allows animals.What drives me insane is the folks who give up senior dogs who've been a part of their family for years, for any reason. I would sleep in a box before I would ever give up my dog.
A friend of mine volunteers at a cat sanctuary which specialises in cats which can't be re-homed due to age or infirmity. She goes along for two or three hours a couple of times a week to keep the cats company. She calls it her "cat cuddling job".The first dog I took in was a Newfoundland. She was tied up at a cottage. The owners left her there tied up. A co-worker had a cottage next to that cottage and asked me if I would take her. She was severely underweight, had broken teeth from eating rocks. She also was in whelp. She was tattooed, which meant she was CKC registered. I never want to whelp another litter of puppies. She ended up staying with us for 3 years. She died of stomach cancer. She was challenge. She would not go outside--she would go in the basement to poop and pee. I strung a string of jingle bells over the stairway so I would hear her go when she tried to go down stairs. I couldn't take her in the car with the windows open--if she smelled water, she would jump out of the window. She would also attack small dogs. After $1000 in vet care (she had to have a C-section and there was a stillborn puppy in there), I kept her. But she was my introduction to rescue and "if not me, than who??" You do what you can. You can be a volunteer with guide dogs, walk/socialize animals at the local shelter, help a local rescue group groom dogs/cats. Sew bandanas, dog/cat beds. Walk dogs, take them to training classes. There's are a whole of things you can do without adopting a dog, cat, bird.
My "lads" raised $385 baking cupcakes and pupcakes on National Cupcake Day (Feb 23) for the our local humane society. Could I be any prouder of them! What they did was invite neighbours to a cupcake party. The folks donated $. The boys didn't make 385 cupcakes. Their goal was to raise $100. They exceeded it.