My husband recently bought me a Dobie and we both love him..the problem is I already have a dog...and now my husband wants me to get rid of him. I Love my dog and I couldn't bear to see him go. I just can't deal with "replacing" my German shepherd with a new dog. But considering my German shepherd has alot of physical problems I and thinking about letting him go. I just don't have the time to take care of a year round sick dog. I want a dog I can take jogging with me (gsd can't run hes got hip problems and hes not even a year old)..or something that can stand being outside longer than 10 minutes.
I know my gsd is going to cost me alot of money later on surgeries but that doesn't stop me from loving him.
Ever since I was a little girl i've always loved Dobermans and now I finally have one...But at what cost? No dog deserves to be left out or thrown out....But my house is too small for both of them and I don't have a yard. I Just want to know what you would do?
2006-12-04 08:28:06 · 17 answers · asked by Moe Moe 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Get rid of the husband.
Coach
2006-12-04 08:35:01 · answer #1 · answered by Thanks for the Yahoo Jacket 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest you contact a German Shepherd rescue because it sounds to me like the Doberman is the type of dog you prefer, you and your husband both love him and you are only keeping the other dog out of guilt which is not good for you all or the dog. There should be no shame involved here as long as you make sure the GSD gets into a rescue place for the breed. Oftentimes there are volunteers that are crazy about the GSD breed and will work with them even providing surgeries needed to rehabilitate the dog and then placing the dog in a home where the owners prefer a GSD and have the time and energy to dedicate to it for the health concerns you are listing.
http://www.gsdrescue1.org/
2006-12-04 08:35:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh my goodness!!!! I can't believe this one. If you didn't want or didn't have the room for two dogs WHY in the world did your husband bring the second dog home? Your first obligation should be to the German Shepherd!!! Physical problems or not, when you first got this dog did you think it would be healthy all his life? I have Dobermans and have had Dobies that has passed on and I have put thousands of $$$$ out in medical vet bills. I'd never once think, oh my they are getting to expensive to take care of so I'd better get rid of them!!! NEVER EVER!!!! What are you going to do with this Dobie when he can't jog any more? Dobies are known for bad hearts, hip displascia, and cancer. I feel so sorry for your German Shepherd that you or your husband even thought of getting rid of your devoted pet. Where did his loving you get him?? If you had a sick child would you get rid of it?PLEASE, PLEASE think this through and let your dog finish out his life with whom he loves. I bet if he knew what you were thinking and he could talk he'd warn the Doberman.. get out of here before you become a burden to these people!!!! THINK ABOUT IT and look into you German Shepherds eyes as you do.!!!! Call you vet and get the German Shepherd some aniti-inflammitoy / pain medicine. There are two good ones that I know of, Deramax and Rimidyl. If you can afford to get another dog you should be able to get this medication. It is great and will help your dog out alot. Please do!!!
2006-12-04 10:27:37 · answer #3 · answered by ® 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Being an animal lover myself, it is heart-breaking to read your question. Your German Sheppard is your first dog, and in my opinion you should not even consider giving him away. He is your dog for a reason, and you will deeply regret shipping him off else-where, because you can't take care of him. If this was really the case you should of considered giving him away a long time ago, and not when a new puppy comes in the picture. If you love doberman's so much then keep the one that you recently got. Being a vet tech yourself, you should already know that it is not about the space that you have in your household nor the space in your backyard, it all about the excersize your dog(s) will be receiving. I know that your german sheppard might be costly, but there are such things as pet insurance that you should look into, that will cover surgery's, and other inquiries. Please make the right decision...it should be in your heart.
2006-12-04 08:53:47 · answer #4 · answered by Laureen 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm appalled that you have either a german sheparad or a doberman in a tiny home without a yard. Poor doggies.
Being a responsible pet owner includes taking care of your dog, not just throwing it away when it gets sick. Why does your german shepard have such problems if its only a year old?
I suggest finding a new home for your german shepard...and your doberman, too. You don't sound ready to commit the time, energy, and responsiblity it takes to be a dog owner.
2006-12-04 08:48:20 · answer #5 · answered by Pink Denial 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Where did you buy your Sheperd? Did you get him from a breeder? Because many will guarantee against hip issues . . .
Your dog is not "sick" - he is disabled and there is a big difference. You might look into surgeries now before his bones are fully settled. Think about buying some pet insurance, and waiting whatever the required period is. That will help you a lot with the price of the surgery.
I think your spouse was thoughtless to bring home another dog without consulting you. He didn't buy the dog for you, he bought it for himself. I would tell him to return the doberman. After all, for the price of this dog and his shots, etc., you would have a great downpayment on the $2000 it costs for your first love.
2006-12-04 09:30:27 · answer #6 · answered by kramerdnewf 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it is very unfair of your husband to put you in this position and he is extremely selfish for going out and buying another dog when quite obviously you have your hands full with one that is already sick!.
Having a dog means looking after it through good and bad and now that your Gsd can no longer run with you due to illness, is it ok to just replace it with a dog that can??
If you dont have the time to look after your dog now due to his illness then you didnt have time before either. Larger dogs suffer with joint/hip problems because their legs cant hold the body weight, the same could happen with your doberman eventually.
Did you not consider costly vet bills, illnesses etc before you purchased your pooch?
If it was me, i'd have told my husband from the very start that under no circumstances could we house two dogs especially whilst one is ill. I'd have thought my husband was very inconsiderate to even suggest another dog, never mind asking me to 'get rid' of my Gsd.
I guess you have made up your own mind..why bother asking for anybody elses opinion??
Linda
2006-12-04 08:50:45 · answer #7 · answered by vintage-topper 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seems a little late to start wondering...
Who takes that sort of step without considering the consequences!?
I'd say ditch the husband for his obvious lack of brains, even if he gave in to you over this, he should have more sense...
Your old dog has never needed your love more than now that he is getting health troubles; and what do you do? Find yourself too busy to care!? Get a new toy, regardless of the inconvenience...
A dog IS for life; you should have thought about his old age and how you'd cope with it when you picked him up as a puppy.
I hate to think what fate awaits the poor doberman in a decade or so...
Oh, and please don't have children; they're quite an inconvenience too, as you would find out eventually!
2006-12-04 08:47:41 · answer #8 · answered by Nini 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i would give up the doberman if i couldn't keep both. the gs was there first and its not his fault he is sick. i would never"dispose" of an animal because he was sick. all living beings deserve respect and a good quality of life and your husband should have realized that before he brought home a new dog. its sad to hear that you are even considering getting rid of him. i wish you the best, but mostly for that poor dog.
2006-12-04 08:36:47 · answer #9 · answered by lola7737 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think your husband was *trying* to do a good thing... he just doesn't seem to understand the value of the bond between pet and owner. Doesn't understand that yougerman Shepherd *is* family.
Though I hate to say it, you shouldn't cause marital strife over this. Agree to give away yourGSD, but *only* to someone you know and trust... someone who's roots have grown in so deep they're never going anywhere (hey, I've known people like that!) and then visit and help out with the medical bills whenever you can. Make certain that the person you give him to knows what they're getting into... but don't just dump him at a shelter!
2006-12-04 08:39:59 · answer #10 · answered by MotherBear1975 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I wont scold you for saying I need to get rid of him because of vet costs and everything there is a time in your life that god gives you that road of choosing what has to stay and what has to go, try to fin da rescue place to take him and fix him up with a loving home or try and send him to a doggie heaven, where they keep all dogs sick or not sick, there are so many options for your friend but dont give up on loving him if you cant find him a place and dont turn to putting him to sleep because of how god made him but love him and let him know you love him and just let time choose for you and your best friend and believe me having another dog doesnt make you a cruel person makes you a loving person who cares about your whole family including the dogs.
2006-12-04 08:34:27 · answer #11 · answered by ~*Twilight Star*~ 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋