Discussions

Too many people get pets without thinking through long term. The pets then get, neglected, abandoned or turned in to a pet shelter. Not responsible.  
 
Things can change in a person's life that they can't forsee and keeping a pet does not become viable, for whatever reason. So, they make a decision to get the pet rehomed. Responsible.  
 
I've been in the same situation. One pet was rehomed and had a great life.  
 
From what the OP said, this was a hard decision that was made. It was made in the best interest of the pet. Good for you!  
 
Some people really do need to mind their own business!

having been in a situation where I was forced to rehome a dog, I know how this can look to those on the outside.  
 
Simply rehoming due to loss of interest in the care and responsibility of ANY type of animal is reprehensible.  
 
When I see people wanting to rehome their dog and on top of that asking a decent fee on top of that, I think that either they want to dissuade the wrong type of people or they actually think they could make some money of their mistake.  
 
Having to rehome due to unforeseen personal circumstances is really hard to do but at the end of the day it is most important the pet goes to someone who is going to provide proper care to the animal and give it a loving home.

'Too many people get pets without thinking through long term'. Yes, this is exactly what happened in this case. People need to do their research on dog breeds. A livestock guardian dog is not going to live a happy life in a small house with a small yard. A tiny chihuahua is not going to live a happy life as an outdoor farm dog. So why buy a dog that is not suited to your lifestyle or where you live? Why buy a dog at all, when thousands of perfectly healthy dogs are killed every year? If a dog is adopted from a rescue, it is returned to the rescue if the adopter can't keep it (for whatever reason).  
Should people randomly message people from a classified ad? Probably not (and to note, I was not the person who messaged). But this entire situation could (and should) have been avoided in the first place. And who suffers? The poor dog who has no idea what he did wrong and why the only home he has ever known will now be gone.

While I don't agree with the shaming (no one deserves that IMO), I can understand the frustration from animal lovers on the frequency of rehoming pets.  
 
Our dog is a rehomed pet. A family member, who already had a dog, got him as a pup with good intentions, but I distinctly remember her telling me that her MIL had cautioned her about getting a second dog in case circumstances changed. She obviously ignored the advice. Lo and behold, circumstances changed pretty much exactly as predicted and suddenly this dog had to be rehomed. We took him, and he's been a great pet for us and we love him to pieces. She struggled with the decision, and I think the fact that it was us that took him made it easier, but still...  
 
So there is the two aspects - no one gets a pet expecting to have to rehome them, but I would suspect oftentimes if the original circumstances were carefully examined it might have been wiser to not get a pet, or that particular pet, or that particular pet at that particular time.  
 
Rehoming should be rare, and yet on ebrandon there's probably what? dozens if not a hundred rehoming requests. I would rather see rehoming than euthanasia, but I'd also like to see more forethought in getting pets to reduce the amount of animals looking for new home, generally speaking.  
 
/soapbox

They went through him spewing worms from both ends for days having sleepless nights. They got him his vaccines, brought him into bed and loved him daily. They also have a very large yard. But both work and couldn’t keep him outside all day. They have seen him getting timid and unhappy if they weren’t home with him they want the best for him BECAUSE they love him. If you read the ad you would know he isn’t a give away , as they are also hoping to have visits and are going to be extremely picky as to who he goes with. This is a very personal decision. He is family....to me as well. If I didn’t have 3 I would gladly take him! There is no room for judgement. The decision to do this was for HIM. Otherwise they would keep him. Be kind.

Your pup is lucky to have found you. We have 3 kids and seven dogs between us. They are family. We are all so sad to see him leave our family. This is a loving decision. We want him happy. He won’t go to anyone but the person he is meant for.... not a “give away”.

By the very definition of what they are doing, the dog is a 'give away'. It doesn't matter how much they love him or how well they treated him or how sad everyone is. They are giving him away. They did not adopt from a rescue, and therefore can not return him to that rescue. They got him from either a backyard breeder, a puppy mill, or someone who was not responsible enough to have their dog fixed. They did not do enough research into the type of breed and their needs and what makes them happy. People who are involved with dog rescues see this over and over and over. They are sick of it, and want to see it stop. You posted this thread, do not expect everyone to agree with what they are doing.

What are you talking about with dog rescue? They did that and gave him a loving home. Our definition of dog rescue is obviously different. They holding the puppy while he spewed worms frankly is probably more than I could have done. My rescue dog I paid $50 for. He was one year old, matted, didn’t have a name and couldn’t do stairs. By the way, how many dogs have you rescued? Your hardcore  
stance helps no one. Hate to know your view on adoption. Maybe it’s time you remain silent. I can guarantee I will reply to every comment you nake no matter how ignorant. You are the one that looks bad. Stop.

No not everyone will agree but do you know these people? Do you know the situation? Do you know where they got the dog? How long they have had it? Probably not. So you wouldn't try to rehome a dog, good for you! Sometimes situations change and unless you know exactly the situation here, you can have an opinion but don't need to be a dick about it. They are trying to do what's best for an animal cause they can not give that animal the best.

often reply with their opinion instead of knowledge of the situation.

Thank you. Every situation is different and I stand behind anyone defending any animal. But this one is loved and cared for. I guess I am surprised over not everyone will agree. If you are doing the best for your pet, what is there to defend? Being a secondary in my home to my pets...as in my daughters...it gets very personal. Thank you for your words.

A dog rescue is an organization that takes in dogs, fosters them in foster homes, fully vets them, has an application and adoption process with the goal of matching dogs with the best home for them. At any time in the future, if the dog can not stay in the adoptive home, it is returned to the rescue organization and they go through the process again.  
I read the ad, it's pretty clear. If I am not understanding something, please correct me. Person got a dog that she loves very much. Dog was not from a rescue organization (who would take the dog back), and is not a registered pure bred dog, therefore was from one of the scenarios I described (backyard breeder, puppy mill, or irresponsible owner). Great Pyranese dogs are livestock guardian dogs, any amount of research into the breed will tell you that they are not suited to living in a house in a city. Now owner wants to give away the dog to someone who has a more suitable situation for the dog to live in. Owner's mom is upset because owner got a message from someone, shaming them for re-homing the dog. The OP in this thread was upset becuase someone didn't agree with her daughter.  
People who do animal rescue have heard every single excuse that exists for people giving up their pets, and are sick of it. They should not bully other people, but the entire situation could have been avoided.  
Example: I am interested in adopting a dog. I see one I am interested in on a reputable rescue's website. I fill in an adoption application, provide references, and the rescue does a phone interview and a home visit. The organization determines that my home situation is not suitable for the particular dog that I have applied for (various reasons, maybe I don't have a fenced yard, or I have cats and the dog isn't cat friendly etc). Or the organization determines that the dog is a good fit for me. Two years later, I love the dog very much, but am moving from the farm to the city. I take the dog with me, but he does not do well, he is sad and depressed. I contact the rescue organization and expain the situation, and the dog is returned to them. They then look for a more suitable home for the dog. I am ver ysad, but I have done the best thing for the dog.

Once again your reply is ignorant. You do not know what you are are spouting off in this situation. The dog will be returned to their home if it doesn’t work out. That’s a conversation that would happen between them. You are trying so hard to be right while you are so wrong. Should not speak out on on what you don’t know. The information you gave, not new. It doesn’t make you informative, just again, ignorant to this situation. Why won’t you remain silent? Don’t understand what you are trying to defend. I think you are just bored.

You are either not reading my post, or are not wanting to understand it. You want to continue thinking that they are doing the right thing, which is your prerogative. If they had adopted the dog from a rescue organization, they would not be looking to give it away to a new home. I'm not sure what your intention was, for starting this thread. To shame the person who is shaming your daughter?

Everyone has a right to their opinion.  
 
The person posting about an animal rescue is right on!! Back yard breeders are out there!!  
If your daughter had researched about the breed she would have known it wasn't a good match for her house!  
Yes she loves the dog. But a dog more suited to her household would make sense. An animal rescue would make sure of this.  
Interesting that you're not mentioning where she got the dog from!!

I could be totally off here but I’ve always wondered if these die hard animal lovers are as passionate as adopting children as they are animals... every situation is different, I don’t get why there needs to be shaming if you decide not to adopt/rescue an animal?

If you are all so informed on this breed of dog you would say less. They are a guardian dog and usually a farm dog. They aren’t brought in to the home for the most part and many don’t have vaccines or grooming. I called one lady that had them for sale and 3 had been run over and only one left. I guarantee the dog they brought home and loved would never have received the care he did. What exactly are you trying to achieve here? Ridiculous! And hmmm...find another hobby other than online shaming.

My intention here is to help people avoid having to do what the OP's daughter is doing. The judgements about buying a pet rather than rescuing one, comes from the fact that there are thousands of pets euthanized every year because there are simply too many. The purpose of animal rescues is to help decrease that number. What's the old saying that if you aren't part of the solution, you are part of the problem?  
I have already stated that the person who messaged the person giving away the dog should not have done that to shame them. However, I also don't think that the OP should have started this thread.

Why should I not have posted? This dog is not going to be forgotten or euthanized. So what am I missing? My post was more about the ignorant shaming of people than about his being rehomed. We know that will be done with due diligence. The comments are hard not to respond to. What about the dogs that weren’t rescued and run over without any regard? My daughter would love me to not respond. I posted because she was so upset at having to do this, then being made feel worse by the email. At any account, I love my daughter and “the dog”. There will be no winners here that go after either of them. You want to help? Find him a loving home  
and quit judging.

No, I will not find him a home.  
I will continue to educate people about dog rescues:  
-research dog breeds before getting one  
-choose a reputable rescue to adopt from  
-always spay and neuter pets  
-do not buy dogs from irresponsible people, backyard breeders, or puppy mills  
-support local reputable resuces: adopt, donate, or help educate

Well I guess you would also be ok if he was one of the puppies that was run over. Your not helping animals. You aren’t helping this one. That’s not an animal advocate.

Nobody has a right to say anything about your personal decisions. There are a lot of things I don’t agree with in this world but to spit out words to intentionally hurt someone especially when they are having a difficult time with the reality that they need re-home their pet says a great deal!  
 
I highly doubt that you are morally superior then others. Good grief!  
 
Shaming stems from someone’s own personal conflict such as low self esteem.  
 
I am sure you will find a loving new home for your dog.

They most definitely will. Thank you.

Every major society that is concerned with pet welfare states, if you have exhausted all your options you should do your best to re home the dog yourself. The real experts believe when the owner re-homes the dog, it is the least stressful way to do it.  
 
Coming on here and attempting to shame people who are following best known practices appears to be done without any interest in animal welfare.  
 
Sadly, this wasn’t about animal welfare. It’s a thread about a lowlife that felt the need to phone and verbally attack a person that is doing something to better an animals life.  
 
Edited by loeog, 2019-02-06 21:55:52

Well put.

Loeog, please provide some references to back up your claim that 'real experts believe when the owner re-homes the dog, it is the least stressful way to do it.'  
It wasn't a phone call, it was an email from someone whose perspective is very different than the one giving away the dog.  
If you post your opinions and decisions on a public forum, there are going to be people who don't agree with you. Just because I don't agree, doesn't mean I am 'shaming' you or that my opinion is any less valid. I stand by my opinion that this entire situation can be prevented.  
 
Edited by curlysister, 2019-02-06 22:08:48

I am a dog lover, a rescuer and a long time supporter and volunteer with 2 rescues. I have never bought from a puppy mill or left a pet without vaccinations or being neutered. Do I think I’m better than anyone? No.  
 
I also found myself in the position of needing to rehome a much loved dog years ago. Family dynamics changed and the dog did not adjust well and the situation was dangerous for the new baby. We tried obedience school, vet prescribed medicine etc.. nothing worked.  
 
This dog went to a wonderful new home where she could again be the centre of attention and I got regular updates and pictures of her happily playing as she should.  
 
Sorry for the long story but what I’m saying is, don’t judge people you know nothing about.

Someone replies to a classified ad, judging the person giving away a dog. Then their mom comes on a public forum and judges the person who judged her daughter. Some of us then come on and judge the classified replier. Some of us judge the person giving away the dog. Some of us judge the mom who was judging the classified replier. Some of us judge the people who are judging the other judgers. Many judgers say we shouldn't judge others. How could all this have been prevented?

It couldn’t, unless humans move to the moon and don’t bring animals. Most people are inherently kind and take in animals in need. Many people also have life upsets that affect their ability to care for those dependant on them. It’s not what they planned for but they do the best they can in the situation.