Help! I got a dog

Skeezie said:

Hi Lighthouse,
I am on the Board of Dir for our local Humane Society and your story is one we hear all of the time. Unfortunately, the person who sold you the dog/puppy was more interested in getting the $$$ than making a good fit. We would have counceled you that while you were sick and in treatment that was probably not a good time to bring a pet into the house for all of the reasons you have stated. But it's done and now you feel terrible and the dog/puppy has to make a change.

Here's is some advice on finding a good home for him. First of all, your idea of a good home and someone else's can be two different things. You want to make sure your dog is going into a really good, loving home. Before we make any adoptions we reference the prospective adoptors and call their veterinarians to find out what kind of pet owners they have been and it's surprising how many people lie about taking care of their pets. If they didn't get the necessary vacinations or medications for their previous pets, they certainly won't for the new one. Do they have a fenced yard? Where is the dog going to sleep? Who will be caring for it. Does anyone have allergies. If they rent, you need permission from the landlord that it's ok to have pets. How will they handle discipline problems. If they move, what will happen to the dog. If they have children, what are the ages. Children under 6 can have a difficult time distinquishing a live dog/puppy from a stuffed toy and can mistreat the dog and if it's a small dog can't always get away and then will bite. Not all breeds of dogs are good with children. PLEASE DON'T ADVERTISE ON CRAIG'S LIST! You have no idea what kind of home your dog is going into. You wouldn't belive how many animals we get because people got it on Craig's List and it isn't what they want etc. You don't want your wonderful dog to be passed from home to home to home to home. You want your dog's next home to be his forever home. Free to good home ad's can bring out the "bunchers" who get free animals and sell them to labs for animal testing or to train pit bull fighting dogs. Yes, it really does happen.

I know you want what's best for your dog as well as yourself, if you would like, I will be happy to email you a copy of our Adoption Questionnaire and it will give you an idea of what kind of questions to ask potential adoptors. I have no idea of where you live or if you have a good, caring humane society (not animal control) in your area. Our's is a no-time limit society and we find good homes for many, many animals. Don't rule out your local humane society but check it out first.

I will be happy to give you any help I can in finding a new home for your dog/puupy. Don't feel guilty, I'm just sorry you didn't get good advice to begin with and would have not had this heartbreak now.

Hugs, Judy :-)

Balentine said:

Wow I thought I was the only one to do this
I did the exact same thing about 3 or 4 weeks ago....and for the same reasons you did. I was sad and depressed and wanted something cuddly to make me feel better. Did not think about the fact that the dog needs alot more attention than I can give it going through chemo and not having any energy. I was able to sell the dog to a co-worker who loves dogs and already had a dog. So the dog I sold her has a buddy also. She has two high school boys who care for the dog so it all worked out. I did not get what I paid for it but I was glad to get some of the money back and that I know he is being loved and cared for. We do these things sometimes when we have a weak moment and it is understandable. So don't beat yourself up over it. Try to sell it or give it away to a good home. You have to take care of yourself right now...not have another thing you have to take care of. God bless.
Lorrie Balentine