Sorta depressed today

James and I talked a long time last night, about Cano. We love him to death, and want the best for him. And we have been unable to give him that, He has no place to run and play. Our new house has such a small yard, probably not even 50 sq feet! He needs a place to be able to play outdoors. So we have dicided that it isn't right to keep him, just cause we love him, and that the fair thing to do is find him a home where he will have a big yard. I am going to try to find him a home on my own. But I only have a week, because I moving back to Maryland with James. There is also a place called Gaurdian Angel here. They are a no kill. And they do all sorts of things to make sure he will get a great home. And will even call me when he gets placed.

I really wish that this didn't have to happen. Is it wrong for me to do this. I am thinking of what would be best for Cano.

Well you have to ask yourself---are you sure that having a backyard will mean he is loved and cared for more? Are you also sure that the backyard he will get is going to be bigger than yours?

There are never any real answers--if he is loved and provided for, attended to and taken on walks then I don't see why you can't keep him.

With the weather improving you, judith and cano could go for some really nice long walks...it would be good for all of you!!

Just a thought..

We got Jemma from a lady BECAUSE we didn't have a yard. The lady who gave her to us told us she didn't want the next owners to have a yard because a yard is an excuse never to play with your dog. A dog outside alone in a big yard is still alone. Aren't there any parks around your area? We drive 15 minutes every day, sometimes 3 times a day to get to our dog park. When we move in June, we'll be driving a half hour to the dog park but I will still do it. Isn't there anywhere you can go so that you don't have to lose your dog?

Prin, sadly there aren't any parks around fort meade.we would have to drive over an hour to get to one. And the base rules are that he has to stay leashed all times when he is outside. :sad:

I wish I lived closer !!!
I hope everything works out for you and Cano :sad:

I really do wish taht he had a place to run freely. Plus now that we moved, we live on a highway, with no sidewalks! And people speed alot on that road.

I think he would rather be with you than have the biggest back yard in the whole world. :sad: Although this happens to alot of dogs. There are alot of people that have dogs that live in apratments and have no backyard or a park to go to and they make it work. I just feel bad for Cano. I hear this stuff all the time voluntering at the shelter. :sad: I hope you can find him a good home. Have you talked with the shleter yet? Atlest you are finding him a good home and not just dumping him. That is what happens to alot of dogs.

I just have to add that a HUGE number of people who have no yards also have dogs. They walk them on leash, or drive them to a place where they can get some running in. Anyone who is not willing to give their dogs adequate exercise - yard or no yard - should not get a dog because this is part of the responsibility of owning a dog. I have a very large property, but it's not fenced so I take my dog out.

Even if you had a big yard, most dogs won't go out and exercise themselves.

And even dogs with the biggest yards still need to get out for walks to see and smell and hear new things.

That is so true Lucky! Dogs will not go out and exercise themself. We have a big back yard and our boys play alot but we still have to walk them everyday. I know it is a big responsibilty but that is what you agreed on when you get a dog. So many people want a dog and something better comes along like a younger animal, another animal, new baby, something change in their family and the first thing to go is the dog. How sad. Not just talking about you Litlth just talking in general I have seen so many people just get rid of the dog when things change. And the dogs are the ones who suffer here.

Are you still wanting to foster cats Lilthe? Will you have room to do this? How is the cat that you had doing?

My dogs see the yard as a toilet only! They don't play back there unless I am there to entertain them (and it's clean)! I lived in a tiny apartment with a 120 pound shepherd and she didn't care as long as she got her morning jog with me and her run in the evening! Dogs don't care how big a yard is, how small your home etc, they care about thier humans. Doing rescue I see the heartbreak the dogs have when thier owners leave them, it's very hard on the dog. All it will take is a little extra effort on your part.

Our new house has such a small yard, probably not even 50 sq feet! He needs a place to be able to play outdoors. So we have dicided that it isn't right to keep him, just cause we love him, and that the fair thing to do is find him a home where he will have a big yard

Because you love him IS the right reason to keep him. I'm sure Cano is alot happier with you and your small yard than a stranger with 20 000 sq foot yard. Please reconsider, I know what a hard decision this must be for you....but I'm sure you'll work things out

Lilith:

The picture below is of Maggy. She is an almost 6 year old Bernese Mountain Dog that was dumped at an animal control because her family could no longer keep her as they were moving. She has been with me since Saturday. She wakes me up constantly during the night for a pat and some reassurance. She follows me as if she were velcroed to my leg. She pants and paces quite regularly. She is wondering what happened to her and when her family is coming back for her.

I am not sharing this with you to make you feel guilty but to make you perhaps understand what Cano will go through when you walk away from him. Giving up a dog is not easy, I know, I recently had to do it. If there is some way you can keep him with you that is what is best for him. That's not always possible, I know full well. Just think about it and what could be done to make this happen if at all possible. :thumbs up

BMD she is so pretty! Do you have anyone in line to give her forever home. That is so sad. I hate to hear storied like that. Poor little girl please keep us posted on what is going on with her. :sad:

BMD he is so pretty! Do you have anyone in line to give hima forever home. That is so sad. I hate to hear storied like that. Poor little man please keep us posted on what is going on with him. :sad:
Yes, Maggy is definitely beautiful. She is going to the vet's office tomorrow as she has some health issues which I am going to discuss with him. Depending on what he has to say will be a determining factor in her final home.

Please let us know what the vet says about this little girl. I hope all goes well. Sending good vibes your way Maggy! :D :grouphug: BMD I am so sorry i kept calling Maggy a boy instead of a girl. I fixed in it my post. I am sorry. I am so blonde today. LOL :D

If its whats better for him then its not better for him.
I live in an apartment and have a 55 lb. pit bull. I know he loves us very much and couldn't care less about a large huge yard (although we just made an offer on a house[but one with a small yard ]) . Hes happy all the time (constantly wags his tail) My brother has just recently gotten his mother in laws chocolate lab Jazz after my sister in laws mom died suddenly. Let me tell you the dog is depressed there is no if ands or buts about it. She is just starting to come around.

In my opinion I don't think that you have a good reason at all. Im just being honest. A dog is social and thinks of the family as just that, family. Animals bond with there owners hence why an abused animal is still loyal to the abuser. All he knows is you. Its heartbreaking to see abandoned dogs whether there in a good shelter are not.

Honestly Lillith i don't want to make you feel bad at all. NOt one bit. Its your decision and you know best. Good luck.

You guys do have a lot on your plate right now. But Cano is not the reason for it, I don't think that he should be punished. I am sure that he's more then happy with you, knowing that you're there means a lot to them!

I think that you and James should sit down and rethink rehoming him. Maybe make some sacrifices together. Buddle Judith up and all of you go for a walk at night together. It's time for you all to be together and give you and James the chance to talk.

I think you're adjusting to a new family member still, and maybe its' feeling like a crowded house. I would give it soem more time and give him a chance.

I sadly have to agree with everyone Lilith,you are Canos mom and pop,the people he loves and gives love in return.No big backyard in the world can replace that..
Sure,he might eventually get used to a new owner,but not before sitting there waiting for you to come and take him home.
Whatever stress you and James are under right now,moving,a new baby etc...it is not caused by Cano,he just wants to be loved like before.
What happened with the kitty Feerox,did you give him up???
I was under the impression you were moving to your moms place,to care for her :confused:

Lilith, I also have to agree. I think if Cano could voice his opinion. He'd want to stay with his family even with no yard whatsoever. I'm sure you're overwhelmed, but it will pass. If Cano were another child, you wouldn't even consider parting with him.

I'll make this short. Cano - like every pet - is happiest with his family where ever they happen to be. Placing him in a strane place, no matter how kind the people are, would be extremely stressful for him!

Hi Lileth;

This is just my opinion, but I think as new parents we place alot of pressure on ourselves to take care of everything ALL THE TIME. Let me explain what I mean.

I'll bet you and James are trying to be the best parents, the best partners, the best lovers, the best family members, the best friends to others, the best employees...etc etc ( did I leave anything out?---"OH YEAH!! The dog!! the poor dog!! OH god we have no time for the dog, we are horrible and he needs excercise,,,and and ..and...."

do you see what I'm getting at? Sometimes we pile too much stuff on our plate. You have your hands full with Judith, and I know you mentioned a while ago your mom isn't well. You have talked of living with and way from James which isn't easy with a new baby.

Breathe.

Dogs can "go with the flow" and adjust to different circumstances a lot better than you think. As long as his futur involves you, I'm sure Cano will be fine, and he can roll with it for a little while as you figure it out.

IMO A dogs best interest is in the home he's always known.

Maybe you could get a student or a young person to walk him for you while you are busy?
Just a suggestion, I'll be thinking of you.

Don't forget that once you give that doggy to a shelter, your doggy will be gone forever. I know the lady that gave us Jemma wanted her back a year after she gave her to us. I convinced her she was better here because we knew that she would always have a place in our future. She was so sad that she never gets to see Jemma again (after 5 owners, including being left alone while this one went away for 5 months and then she came back--- we figured it would screw Jemma up too much). Just think about it. It's as if he died for you when you give him away.

I don't have a fenced in yard, so I do lots of leg work and take Tucker to a field, park or school yard when there is no kids around and run him on a long leash. Even at our cottage we have 16 acres but they are not fenced and Tucker has a habit of wondering off on his own so he is either teathered on a running leash or walked on long leash, as two of our neighbours have lost dogs to the road and I don't want this to happen to Tucker (one was his sister from a previous litter). My last dog a bernese X would go for walks himself but never towards the road and he was always in earshot of us and came back when called. But when at home he was also leash walked, although he was not as energetic as Tucker. So personaly I would give it a try before giving up my dog, some dogs don't take to it and pine away for their owners. BMDluver I hope you find a good home for Maggy as they are one dog that are bad for being a one family dog, I know Travis my BMD X was awful when we were not around, I got a call from an emergency vet once when he had bloat to come get him as when he woke up he got himself so upset they thought that he would bloat again. Also at our own vet he pined for 2 days after surgery, he wouldn't eat or go to the bathroom, I finally got the vet to let him come home and he did all three in half and hour of him being home. I don't think he would of survived going to another home, I still miss the big lug.