I have a 9 year old golden/husky cross. I had a baby in June and had to move. I left him in the care of my boyfriend and though my boyfriend takes the best care of him he can, he isn't home that often. I try to get out there once a week to visit, but my car is broke down right now so I can't visit very often. Skeeter is not eating well and is becoming super depressed. I have him visiting for the week but he cannot stay. I am trying desperately to find an apartment but I have found almost none that will let me take my dog and the ones that do I wouldn't want to live in. I cannot give him to someone else he would be heartbroken. I feel so badly. There is not much I can do until I find a place that will let me keep him. Any advice?
2006-10-02 23:26:21 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
He eats fine when I am around. He eats when I am not there, but he waits until he's is so hungry. He has lost a little weight, but not enough to have me too concerned. Thank you all for your answers/advice. I will hopefully be in a new place by December or January at the latest. I just wish I could do something for him to boost his spirits until then. He is so happy with us this week. My parents have a 14 year old pit mix that he was raised with for his first 4/5 years of life and I also have a pomeranian that he loves right to death.
2006-10-02 23:44:51 · update #1
Dog lover I would but he is now living 45 minutes away. I have no car and cannot walk it would take me all day (believe me I HAVE walked home from there before)
2006-10-02 23:57:15 · update #2
I am sorry I am not going to live in some druglords slum just because it allows dogs. I will most likely be able to move into a new place by december. I am currently living with my parents and unfortunately they don't allow large dogs here (their pit mix was in the agreement when they moved in so she is ok) He is here for the week and is very happy. I do believe that he would just go on being depressed. He gets attention from the neighbors right now while he is at my boyfriends they take him for rides/walks etc, but he is still depressed. As far as food goes he has been on Nutro foods all of his life (since he was 7 weeks old)
2006-10-03 06:09:58 · update #3
He wants his "mommy". Do you blame him? Is he eating with you this week? Between a new baby and you moving, I am surprised he still claims you!!! Don't worry, you will find an apartment soon.....Keep on trying!
If he starts losing weight & sleeps 99% of the time, I suggest your vet gets a call and see what he/she recommends. GOOD LUCK !!!
2006-10-02 23:37:04 · answer #1 · answered by ambay 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think you know the answer to this. Your dog went from being a loved, cherished part of your family to having to move out of his home and into a place where he's cared for, but not paid attention to. If your boyfriend isn't home that much, your poor dog is lonely. Dogs are pack animals, and they need company, whether from another dog or from their humans, or both.
I'm not home that much during the day either, but I have two dogs, and they keep each other company.
I'm not recommending this in your situation, because you aren't able to care for the poor dog you have. You love it, but you aren't in a situation where you can take care of him.
Can your parents take him in? You say they have dogs he was raised with and he's happy around them. Even if they're not home during the day, he'd still have the other dogs for company.
Also, you've had a baby, and your poor dog, who was your baby, is feeling left out. He's probably also feeling very jealous.
You're not going to like my next suggestion, but here it is. Your car's broken down, you can't find sufficient housing for yourself and your child AND the dog, and you sound like you don't have a whole lot of money to spare. You say you don't want to give him away, but maybe that would be the best thing for everyone. Maybe he would be better off in a home where there are people and other dogs around all day, and a place for him to run and play. It would be heartbreaking for you, too, but dogs are very sensitive animals, and if this situation you're in right now keeps going, your poor dog is going to have a mental breakdown. Maybe what's best for him is to find him a good home through a rescue organization and let him have some happier days that include other people and dogs around him.
Your situation sounds very sad, but honestly, there are times when you just have to do what's right for everyone involved. All your poor dog knows right now is that nobody seems to love him anymore. He doesn't know about the apartment or the broken down car or any of the reasons you aren't around all the time anymore. All he knows is that he's lonely, and if you aren't in a situation where you can really help that, then maybe it's time to find someplace for him where he won't be lonely anymore.
2006-10-03 00:23:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get him on a routine. Consistancy is key. Make time for daily walks at the same time everyday. Try weaning him onto a better food. I recommend Royal Canin. If he enjoys water give him a nice conditioning bath, that helps the dog feel fresh and the skin to feel well conditioned and not dry and itchy that sometimes happens with stressed out depressed dogs.
Also make an additional 5-10 minutes a day to play games, train, play fetch, teach tricks. Sometimes dogs get bored and depressed with no reason to do much. SO make sure you give him or her a purpose. Most importantly do not start anything that you can not commit to, as your withdrawl may cause further depression.
Too old to consider a second dog as a playmate, it may cause more stress, but visit that possibility with your vet and get his/her advice too. Sometimes meds can help too, but use them as a last resort.
Huskies and goldens love jobs! They are eager to please. Give him ways to feel useful. Lots of praise.
He needs more attention. yo need to make time to care for him. It doesn't take much to see a difference. take a cab, bus whatever you have to do until you get settled.
good luck
2006-10-03 00:44:30 · answer #3 · answered by Nidia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't be so bloody selfish. He would NOT be heartbroken if you gave him to someone else. He would be relived and happy. At the moment the poor creature is being neglected shamefully by an owner who is too selfish to put his needs before her own wants. You COULD move into an apartment which would accept him and while you live there, look for something better. Why cannot you live with your boyfriend?
You seem to want someone to wave a magic wand to say it is ok to mistreat him and neglect him like this while you act selfishly and keep hold of him until it is CONVENIENT to have him with you. How about thinking less of whay YOU want, and more about what he NEEDS?!?
2006-10-03 00:53:20 · answer #4 · answered by fenlandfowl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dear U cant do this with ur dog, though our life is becoming more busy day by day but U have to give time daily to ur dog, if not daily then atleat 3 days in a week, take him out for a walk, play with him, hug him and give him the time until u get an apartment.I had 8 dogs with me with different breeds on different time but i had given them all my time to make them happy as thay made my life happy
2006-10-02 23:52:31 · answer #5 · answered by Doglover 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poor baby. You have to spend time with him. He is feeling abandoned and confused. His feelings are hurt. Do all that you can to find a place where you two can live together and be happy again. That's about all other than being with him. I am so sorry to hear this. It must be hard on you both. You are very caring to ask this and I am grateful that you are doing your best to be a loving owner. That speaks very well of the kind of good person that you are.
2006-10-02 23:30:34 · answer #6 · answered by Isis 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
At his age this is not good. He feels thrown away.
My advise-Find and apartment ASAP.
You don't want him to mourn hisself to death.
2006-10-02 23:29:53 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋