If your boyfriend, and two kids 17 and 11 each had a dog and they all left you to care for them. There are three dogs in the house and I love them all, none of them are mine but I am left to feed, water and clean the back yard. I am frustrated by this and I have said something to them, but I am looked at with the deer in the headlight look. Don't say get rid of the dogs, I don't dump animals anymore than a child. They may not be mine but someone has to be responsible for them, but don't I have a right in a way to be frustrated by this. Would you be?
2007-06-21 10:42:25 · 16 answers · asked by 20+ years and still in-love! 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Yours is the hand that feeds them and the dogs know this and love you for it.
BUT - having to clear up the crap in the yard is a bit much, you got to admit.
There is only one way to solve the issue of cleaning the yard and that is to make out a rota for each owner - but how to enforce it? I have always been drastic with my lessons to the kids when they take advantage of my good nature - in this situation to get everyones attention, I would gather 3 portions of mess & put them into 3 see-thro sandwich bags. Then I would write 3 large notices with the dogs names on them which I would put on their shoes in the hallway. On those, yes, I would place the bags of mess.
Then I would tell them all that unless they start clearing up the yard on a regular basis then the next time they see the mess on their shoes it will not be inside a sandwich bag.
2007-06-21 10:57:45 · answer #1 · answered by Roger R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually I would be frustrated. I would let them know that soon I would no longer be able to care for the dogs and i would have to give them to someone who could. If they didn't start to take care of their responsibility Then I would take out an ad in the newspaper or ask around the neighborhood for good homes, because with it being their dogs and them incapable or unwilling to do what it takes to care for them then it would be hard for me to trust that the dogs would have a comfortable life.
2007-06-21 17:57:14 · answer #2 · answered by Alley 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not saying DUMP the animals, but I would consider finding them a new home if they won't step-up to the situation....
I am not judgeing you - I know how hard it is.
But under what arrangement did you aquire them? If they said they would take care of them ...and they won't - then they need to be held accountable....how are you doing to do that besides punishment somehow? They should learn now that if they don't take care of things they go away or are taken away - that is the real world. Sorry, but its true.
Mom wont' always be there to clean up the poop....literally. And mom is going to burn-out if she has to take care of everyone.....they need to respect you.
2007-06-21 17:58:11 · answer #3 · answered by Lakshmilover 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you need to have a little chat. I bet you do the laundry, cook & clean don't you? So, it's all your fault. You set the precedence that you will do this for them and now you are upset that they don't get it. Are you surprised?
You need to have the talk now, just say you have a lot of responsibility and you can't handle all of it. They will either have to pick up the slack or find another home for their pups. And do not waiver.
2007-06-21 17:48:41 · answer #4 · answered by CoronaGirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I'd be frustrated. Tell them if they really want their dogs, they need to take care of them. Since none of the dogs are yours, you shouldn't be the one doing all the work. Your boyfriend and older child should especially be caring for their dogs. Tell them they need to take care of their dogs, but you can assist your younger child with caring for the dog if needed.
2007-06-21 17:46:50 · answer #5 · answered by liveyourlife 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yh deffo i no i wud but wot can u do? just talk 2 them and threaten 2 get rid of the dogs (even if you dont mean it) if they love the dogs as much as you do then they will take action and make more of an effort. or maybe you could get them 2 take it turns 2 clear the garden atleast it will be a little easier for you then
2007-06-21 17:48:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, I would be telling the bf and kids to do their part in taking care of their animals. If they don't change their ways, I would make a change in residence myself, there's more to it than just the dogs, you are being taken for granted and being shown a lack of respect. I bet there are other issues that you aren't bringing up, maybe a lack of commitment to you from the BF? In my book, that doesn't fly.
2007-06-21 19:26:30 · answer #7 · answered by fisherwoman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like they need to have it as a first thing in the morning chore....the dogs and clean up get taken care of before any thing else and if it is not done, no one can leave the house until then....or no shopping until .....or no friends till....you are not there keeper nor should they expect you to be it. make it a good strong rule and keep it enforced....sounds like the honey moon period is over and reality is to set in....keep the upper hand on this one....it is only fare ....
2007-06-22 04:56:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would THREATEN to get rid of the dogs. Obviously you don't mean it, but sometimes the threat of punishment is better than actually doing something.
I would tell your boyfriend and his kids that you are tired of taking care of their dogs, and if they don't step up you will get rid of them.
You have a complete right to be frustrated. You didn't ask to take care of their dogs, and they should be doing that anyways.
2007-06-21 17:53:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the kids get an allowance, you should give them less each week for pet care. If they don't like it, tell them they will receive the rest of the money when they start taking responsibility for their pets.
2007-06-21 17:50:30 · answer #10 · answered by HD 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋