How can I get rid of my dog?

Question

I have had my dog, a black Labrador, for about nine years now, and over the years he's just grown progressively intolerable. In his early years he wouldn't stop running away, but I figured that it was normal for a puppy to do so. This continued until he was approximately three years old.

He's going on nine years of age this coming October and he has recently resumed his running-away business, and it's near impossible to catch him. On top of that he suffers from epilepsy (yes, my dog has seizures every now and then) and some type of ear fungus--not mites.

I have a limited budget and I can barely afford to take care of my dog and save enough money for school. I don't know of any close relatives or friends who would take him in, and I doubt anyone in my town would want a nine year old dog with health problems. I have thought about having him put down or sent to animal control or the humane society, but that would just be inhuman.

Any suggestions on what I could do with him?

Should I just duke it out for however long he lives? He's had heartworms in the past, but the vet got rid of them (he lived with a former friend in the woods for a year several years ago), so that probably cut his life expectancy down a bit.

I love him with all my heart, but I really don't know what I should do...

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Since you have had the dog for 9 years, I dont see how it sounds so easy for you to part with it. Ive had my dog now for 4 years and she is like my child, I love her and she love me unconditionally, and it would be painful for me to part with her, she is my responsibility, even if she had a medical problem I would find a way to pay for her expenses, maybe picking up a few more hours at a part time job, or something.. If you cant afford proper care for the dog and want to get rid of it, you should have it put to sleep, and on its running away, has he been neutered? There is not a good chance he would get adopted at the shelter because of his age and health problems..Either try to figure out a way to keep him if you love him, or have him put to rest.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Post an ad on ww.petfinders.com if you really need to find him a new home. Unfortunately, the dog probably doesn't have much longer to go. 9 years old is getting up there for a dog. It's sad that after 9 years you are just now considering getting rid of him. Good luck with whatever you plan to do. Don't allow anyone of these a** holes make you feel bad either, you need to do what is best for you and the dog. If you cannot afford to properly take care of the dog try to find him a new home where they can financially take care of all his special needs. Don't take him to the humane society, he will probably be put down because of all his illnesses. Try the petfinder.com I have found it very useful.
Good Luck

Answer 4

The right thing to do would be to let him finish hes life out with you.It would be really mean to hand a nine year old dog over to anyone.It just wouldn't work out for the dog.It sounds like your dog has had a hard life and he should be able to finish it feeling loved so I would say let him finish it with you, or put him down because finishing his life being tossed around from house to house is wrong/ I think once someone picks up a dog they shouldnt ever have the right to get rid off them after three years let alone nine .That dog looks to you as family and home.

Answer 5

The HUMANE SOCIETY is where you need to take him. For unwanted dogs/cats, this is THE best place. They don't put dogs down unless absolutely necessary. They wil work with pets to make them adoptable, find them a suitable home and give them the care and attention they need. Animals are well-kept for by the H.S.
The dog pound is where you don't want to take him - they destroy animals if they're not adopted w/i a certain time frame.
The H. S. keeps dogs/cats until they are adopted!

I'm giving you information first hand, b/c I used to work there and am a full suppporter of the H. S.

Get on the net to find a local one near you. Also, you may need to consider a Labrador Rescue, which are affiliates of the H. S., if the actual shelter doesn't have room for him. They can direct you to one of these.

I adopted my Beagle from a Beagle Rescue a few years ago. The rescues ALSO keep dogs til they're adopted.

I hope this info helps you! I beg of you, please just do NOT just dump your dog! That's what happened to mine (before me) - abused and abandoned. If your pet is in very ill health, you may need to consider putting him down - the H. S. can help you make that decision, too (for free!)

GOOD LUCK!!!!! I care!

Answer 6

Try doing an online search for Labrador rescue in your area.

You could try this site: http://www.geocities.com/kwanyee_leung/rescue.html

And next time you think about getting a dog, please remember the costs and sacrifices associated with it. Pets shouldn't be discarded when they become a nuisance or burden. It is a committment for the lifetime of your pet.

Or you could try dealing with these problems one at a time. Maybe the three as one problem seem intolerable and overwhelming. Break it down into three problems that can be dealt with individually to make it seem less worrisome. It probably will require sacrifices on your part but I imagine that if you can work this out you'll feel better than if you give up the dog you've had as your pet for 9 years.

Look into training your dog to not run away. Fix the situation so that he can't run away -- don't allow him easy access to doors without having a leash on. Then work with your vet to fix the ear fungus. Ask if you can pay for treatment using a payment plan. Explain the predicament to your vet.

Some of these answers are real disturbing. I hope those who are whole-heartedly advising her to put the dog down aren't pet owners. Other than having epilepsy -- which is not uncommon in dogs and manageable -- and a ear fungus -- also treatable -- there's nothing to indicate that the dog has lived his full life.

Just because a pet starts to cost money for health reasons and needs some time devoted to training doesn't mean it's time to drop if off at the nearest farm or euthanize it.

Answer 7

There's probably a Labrador Rescue organization in your area. Check out http://www.lrr.org/wiki/index.php.

I've had labs -- male and female. Some have been roamers and some not. Like your experience most of them stopped roaming at about 3 years of age. However, it sounds like maybe you're suggesting that he's not roaming now, rather he's just becoming obstinate with age. My labs have also done that. They come out walking and want to go where they want and when they want -- frustrating because at younger ages the particular dog was thrilled to be obedient.

Stinky ears with black fungus are also not unusual in dogs -- especially water dogs. If he swims, which most labs live for, he's likely to get some water in his ears. His ears probably don't dry thoroughly and the fungus grows. Use a cotton swap to clean them out periodically to prevent the smell and also to prevent the problem from escalating.

Epilepsy I can't speak to. I've never had a dog that had epilepsy but have had labs that get "old dog disease." It looks a lot like what I imagine epilepsy looks like -- falls down and becomes spatially confused. It too is not uncommon as dogs get older and each episode carries a risk of some lasting effect, yet it's just part of getting old. My dogs did not get it at that relatively young age of 9, but rather after the age of about 11 or 12.

Regardless, labs are great dogs -- even as they age. He'll probably live for several more years. If treated well, he'll continue to be a loving dog. He's potty trained and not hyper. He already went through his chewing years. He likes to get out on walks, but treasures his time snoozing at your feet. In many ways he's the perfect dog for somebody looking for a good companion for the next few years.

Check out the labrador rescue facilitiy nearest you. They might now just the person who is looking to care for your good 'ol boy.

Answer 8

Animals were meant to be free right? Let him go, obviously it like that anyways. Wish my Wife's dog would do the same. Just kidding, sort of. We had to let a dog go at the local shelter because he was biting at children... Eventually he found a home with some older folks and is doing really well. Should probably go that route.

Answer 9

I have had this dog for 15 years, and he was 2 when I got him. he's well over 100. he's part shepard, part hound. we brought him to the vet because he had seizures and kept falling down, then peeing. we thought he was dying. $400.00 later, he had worms and fleas, some loss of blood, no heart worms, organs are all working, but he got an upper respiratory infection 5 days later, so now he had worms and fleas taking care of, seizure meds, antihistamine, antibiotic, anti inflammatory meds. he has been an outside dog all his life. he is on a 30 ft cable, by his nice doghouse, with carpet, and blankets. we bring him in the back porch during hurricanes, or weather below 60. we live in Florida. The doctor said he still has a lot of life. well, this dog is stubborn, fights to get pills down, lays out in the dirt . doesn't eat breakfast when giving it . every time he over exerts himself, falls, and seizures. I initially brought him to the vet to have him euthanized. she keeps making me appointments that are well over $50,00 + , every time for meds, ect .ect, ect.. I really do love my dog, and hate seeing him suffer and just lay around outside all day. but if I notice no improvements, and he keeps looking un happy, sad and sick,, I will take him elsewhere, and hopefully they will euthanize him. I think that is more humane for him, then watching him going through all this old dog stuff. and yes, he's a lot of work too. so the guy with the lab, 9 years is too soon to get rid of him, he's used to you. all I can say is your basically stuck with him like I am with my dog. all my kids grew up and moved out, so my husband and I take care of the dog now. no one thinks about the later years when bringing a dog into the family. after this , I will never own a dog again. I like cats better anyways.

Answer 10

A well-trained dog makes everyone happy, including his owner. Take a little time training him, and you'll never regret it; you'll always have an obedient dog by your side. Find more https://tinyurl.im/ppTha

By their nature, dogs are pack animals with a well-defined social order. Through basic training, you need to consistently make sure your puppy understands that you are the leader, not him. So in teaching him the basic rules, you take on the role of pack leader.

To fit into the family circle, your dog must be taught to recognize his name and such commands as come, heel, lie down and sit.

Answer 11

You could put him on an ad in the Internet such as www.petfinder.com It would seem inhumane to put him in a shelter as chances are that he may be euthanized. I wouldn't put him down at the vet if he still has life in him. I know some vets or vet technicians can put ads up in their offices for people to see. If possible, try to let your dog live out his life with you as he may only have two or so years left and would probably be happier with you rather than a complete stranger.