A lot of people just don't understand how much
WORK and
MONEY and
TIME you have to invest to keep an animal humanely and keep it healthy. (Emotionally & Physically) I'm not saying you have to be unemployed and a millionaire to keep a pet. But you do HAVE to set aside the time to do the work(feeding, bathing, exercise, training, bonding) and spend money for good
quality supplies (Food, grooming equipment, toys, collars, leashes) and medical care. (preventative care and veterinary treatment when needed). If you can't dedicate any and all of this for the care of a pet, you shouldn't have one. JMO. Unfortunetly, in the real world, a lot of people don't give a rip about any of the above. They don't take the time to research their pup much less research the requirments and nessessities of caring fo one properly. Some of them are willing to learn, and they can be taught by those of us who go through the effort of providing the above. I've had friends visit who see my commitment to my dogs and it rubs off on them. They start to see that there is more to owning a pet than going out in the back yard where the dog is kept or chained and putting a cup of food in the bowl everyday, or when they remember. And that most behavior problems can be solved with training and consistantcy and time and COMMITMENT. This applies to all breeds. Not just Rotts.
ILVROTTIS, give her hell. Don't let her make excuses for dumping her pets. I think you did the right thing by letting her know you were upset. People need to know THIS IS WRONG.
I agree that there are good reasons for giving up a pet, chewing up a couch is NOT one of them.