Some advice please....about keeping dogs

[Nicki-jo]

Hi,
I am looking for a bit of advice, I'm really in an emotional muddle and am quite unsure what to do. (Please excuse any rambling and excessive post!)
A bit of background firstly....
I have four small children and two dogs, one rottweiler and one chihuahua.
My husband works and i dont, we cant afford childcare and there is no family to babysit during the day so i cant work.
We have a strict budget every week for bills and food, we have to scrimp on food for ourselves and have the really really basic food in small quantities due to not being able to afford much more. We spend most of our food money on the dogs food, as our rottie eats such large quantities!
We cant afford to vaccinate them when they are due, they havent been flead or wormed for god knows how long, god help us if one of them gets sick or has an accident!
We struggle to pay all the bills as it is and now my husbands job has been cut down and his pay has lowered by nearly half!!
We knew how expensive dogs were before we had them, we knew how expensive our home would be, so please dont say I should have thought it through before having my dogs. But we didnt know my husband would lose money at work.
We love our dogs dearly, but our children and home must come first.
What im basically asking is should we rehome our dogs to someone who can afford to take care of them properly??
I know it sounds terrible but i feel awful that i cant look after them the way they need to be. I feel such a failure, and it would brake my heart to see them go.
Sometimes i think its for the best , let them go, then i think no we will all miss them too much, keep them and struggle....it just goes round and round all the time.
We need some fresh independent opinions who arent emotionally attatched.
Please can anyone offer any advice? This indecision is starting to make me ill.

[rottcrazed]

You have really answered your own questions:

We love our dogs dearly, but our children and home must come first

That alone is enough.

If we couldn't afford our dogs, I guarantee we would not have them. Our children MUST eat and be clothed before all else. When you are skrimping on food for yourselves and your children to feed the dogs, you NEED to rehome the dogs. They are also suffering in the veterinary care department as well.

What would happen if one of the dogs needed vet care?

Do what is right and at a minimum, find a home for the Rottweiler who eats more and when it comes to things like flea meds, etc... they are priced by weight of the dog. I think the Chi might be a little more manageable monetarily. If you do feel it is best to rehome both, do so, your HUMAN family comes first.

Kristi

[aseemom]

Originally Posted by Nicki-jo

We struggle to pay all the bills as it is and now my husbands job has been cut down and his pay has lowered by nearly half!!
We knew how expensive dogs were before we had them, we knew how expensive our home would be, so please dont say I should have thought it through before having my dogs. But we didnt know my husband would lose money at work.

It sounds to me that you circumstances have changed since you got the dogs. You are doing the best you can. I really hope that no one would say you "should have thought it through." Life changes, it is up to us to adapt the best we can.

There is no shame in having to rehome you dogs under your circumstances. You are not living to excess while your dogs suffer. By rehoming you improve the living conditions of both your children and the dogs.

I am so sorry that your husband's job has been cut. I hope that this is temporary and you family will soon be back on you feet.

[jakesfostermom]

I too believe that your human family and home come first when faced with life changing events that prevent you from properly caring for your animals. Our rescue just had an adoption return for reasons you have lined out - the family adored their adopted rottweiler, he is a wonderful dog, but they couldn't afford to have him vetted, he was eating "rationed" Ol Roy to save money and when he developed an ear infection coupled with flea season jumping on us - they were forced with the terrible decision to return him to the rescue. The family had four young children and they are barely making it.......we are thankful they realized their dog should not suffer at the end of the family food chain....Best of luck to you and your family.

[AngelBunny]

I suggest contacting the breeder of both dogs about taking them back. If you got your dogs from a responsible breeder, the breeders should be the very first people you contact. If the breeders are worth their salt, they will instantly agree to taking the dogs back.

[observer]

Your human family comes first. I would, as was suggested, try rehoming the Rottie first, as it is the more expensive of the two to keep. My own Missy came to me because her prior owner found himself in a situation where he could no longer care for her properly. I know how hard it was for him, but it was right for the dog, and for him, to let her go. And, it turned out great for me, of course.

I hope you can resolve this situation and that things get better soon.

[JemarsSerena]

I can truly relate to your situation. Here is how my wife and I worked it out. As hard as it might be on the marriage at times, is it possible that you and your husband coulds work opposing shifts? I work during the day and my wife works at night. This way, someone is always home to care for the kids and the dogs. We also moved closer to family because we knew we needed help. Things have slowly been improving which is why we got Serena this year. I come from a major dog loving family and do not want to consider my kids growing up without a furry companion. In the end though you are right, "home and human family come first.

[spoiledbabies3]

[quote=jakesfostermom]IOur rescue just had an adoption return for reasons you have lined out - the family adored their adopted rottweiler, he is a wonderful dog, but they couldn't afford to have him vetted, he was eating "rationed" Ol Roy to save money and when he developed an ear infection coupled with flea season jumping on us - they were forced with the terrible decision to return him to the rescue. [quote]

jakesfostermom...Let me know if there is anything I can do to help here as I am local also.

You MUST do what is best for your family and your dog and in this case it sounds like you are doing the responsible thing by rehoming him. Is there a local rescue group that might be able to help you get him rehomed? I'm not sure how things work in England...so please excuse me if that sounds like an irrelevant question.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that things work out for ALL of you.

[newbrunswick]

I agree with the other postings - it is very important to make sure that you and your children come first. I just received a 3 year old and she has made such a great change in my life, I am so glad the other family realized they were not able to provide the type of life Maggie needs. I think it shows that you are a wonderful person to be thinking of the needs of your pets over the wants of the family. Yes, you will miss them (if you rehome both), but remember they will be in a better situation. No one should be going hungry to feed their pets. Good luck!

[chivas]

If this may be a temporary financial hardship, you may want to see what your local FOOD BANK can do for you. My friend works at the Food Bank here and over the years, they had seen how people who come for food ask for food for their pets too and started asking for pet food donations. Even though I dont agree with many of their practices, PETA has been known to help financially strapped owners get over the hump with their pets. Worth looking into perhaps.

[derektjeep]

If you feel that you need to get rid of your Rottweiler, please get rid of Chihuahua too. I would hate to have to pick between my own family member. They either stay or they go. It's not half-half.

[Roscoe's dad]

Can you find someone to take them on a temp. basis? If you can maybe help with what little you can towards their expences while they are in the care of others.
I do hope the worm turns and things get better for all of you.

[TR Young]

Like everyone else has stated, your human family comes first. I don't know where you are located in England, but I have friends in Northampton. They belong to a church called 'Christian Celebration', and I know that the church would be more than happy to help out with some of your basic food needs. If you are anywhere near there, I could contact them and possibly arrange something...

[Ayoka]

Originally Posted by chivas

If this may be a temporary financial hardship, you may want to see what your local FOOD BANK can do for you. My friend works at the Food Bank here and over the years, they had seen how people who come for food ask for food for their pets too and started asking for pet food donations. Even though I dont agree with many of their practices, PETA has been known to help financially strapped owners get over the hump with their pets. Worth looking into perhaps.

I had a few weeks of uncertainty last year right around the time I should have bought a new bag of food (a bag usually lasts me 2 months) I am on pretty good terms with the pet food store here and they were able to give me some samples to hold me over for a few days. I realise this si not a permanent solution but it may buy some time so that you can really find your pets a good home, maybe a home where you and the kids can visit once in a while. I took in 2 cats a few years ago for a single mom in the same situation and she and her kids visit one in a while to see how the kitties are doing.

[Lola B Marie]

Please, please don't doubt your self and feeling like a failure is not an option. You are intelligent enough to put your needs in order of importance.Going through a difficult financial time now, does not mean this will last forever. Your husband sounds ambitious and like a good and caring provider. If you can find loving homes for the dogs, your emotional burden will be lighter, along with the finances. Only a smart and loving person would care enough to make the changes for the family. You are unselfish and wonderful things will be in your future because you have such a caring soul. I treat many young couples in my practice as a therapist and can only say that I wish they could all think as clearly and have a plan in mind before it reaches the panic level. Good luck for now, you already know the right decision for the dogs.
Jane