Am I making a selfish decision if I give my dog to the animal shelter? I feel guilty just thinking of it......

Question

I adopted my dog from a shelter nearby about 4 years ago.
I was not informed he gets seizures, so I have put up with that and have lessened the occurences by watching what he eats.
I also believe that anxiety brings them on, such as if I leave him for a day or two.
I found I cannot leave him at home anymore because he would be alone and I am a prisoner to my own home because of this.
He is a large husky/collie of about 150 pounds. I made a kennel where he can also go into the garage but he now goes over the top of the kennel and gets loose. If he is locked into the garage, he literally uses his claws to claw his way into the house through a wood-paneled door. He is a house dog and feels he needs to be in the house, I guess. But, I live on a highway and it's very dangerous for him and others when he darts across the highway.
I'm now 59 and I want to be able to start some traveling next year. I don't have anyone to leave him with and don't want him by himself.
What do you think?

Answer 1

The best thing for him would probably be the shelter if you can't care for him anymore. They would be able to find someone who is willing and able to care for a special needs dog.

If you feel guilty about it, then try looking for someone yourself that might be willing to take him in. Maybe try posting ads on chat boards online, or in the newspaper. Or talk to the shelter and tell them that you will look after him as long as you can, but that you need them to look for someone that would be willing to take him. They will do that too, it would be almost like you where fostering one from the shelter.

There may be medications that would help with his anxiety and seizures though, you might want to talk to your vet about that. I would hate to think that he might eventually have to be put to sleep because of his special needs if he goes to the shelter, but if you can't care for him, then the best thing for him would be to give him a chance to find a home with someone who can.

Good luck in this. I know it is difficult.

Answer 2

http://www.ambcr.com/can't_keep_dog.htm

You are 59 and want to travel. This seems to be making your dog companion of 4+ years inconvenient to your chosen lifestyle.

The seizure issue should be evaluated more thoroughly by your veterinarian or a DVM that specializes in seizure disorders. If the change in diet has resulted in less seizures, there may be something more that can be done to control them.

Boldly assuming that leaving the dog alone for a day or two means you are boarding him somewhere. Are the people caring for your dog feeding a specific diet that you know is reducing the seizures or are you going with their brand of food? If it is environmental, many things could factor in on the frequency.

Have you considered having someone come to your home to care for the dog when you are going away? If stress is a factor, staying in a familiar environment with a regulated diet may be beneficial for the dog.

The kennel in the garage may or may not be a good idea. If your dog is able to get out of confinement and into chemicals that are usually present in the garage, that could be far worse than a seizure disorder. Also, how is your dog getting onto the highway? Don't you have a fenced area for the dog to be outside and safe?

You said this is a house dog, and if so, keep him in the house. You can purchase a crate and train him to be comfortable in his own den or "canine condo" so that he has a safe zone.

Are you and your dog walking everyday? That will benefit both of you. If you are unable to do that, hire a dog walker to come and take him out. Mental and physical stimulation is critical to his well-being.

If you decide to put this dog in a shelter, please make a sizeable donation for his care too.

Answer 3

have you thought about talking with your vet to make sure there isn't another medical issue causing the seizures? i am not aware of any food that would cause repeated seizures in a dog. next call a trainer and work with the dog. you cannot adopt a dog from a shelter and expect a maintenance free pet. you are prisoner of your home because you have allowed this to happen. it's not your dog's fault. why do you leave him for days? if you're going to be gone more than a day you need to have someone come watch him or find a boarding kennel. if you are unwilling to do what a repsonsible pet owner needs to do to get a shelter dog accustomed to a new home, and often it's not that much, then you should find a new home where the dog can get the medical attention and training it needs. you should feel bad.

Answer 4

I am sorry for this but you are fooling yourself if you think a rescue or shelter willl have "no problem" finding him a home. Adult large male dogs are extremely difficult to adopt out. Especially at 150 lbs.

You said:
"He is a house dog and feels he needs to be in the house, I guess"

Maybe I don't understand but why can't you leave him in the house? From what I get you leave him in a kennel where he can go into the garage but he wants to be in the house? So why can't you leave him in the house? Done any crate training with him? Leave him in a crate with a nice p. butter filled Kong to occupy him? As an adult, does he even need a crate?

Unfortunately I think you have already made up your mind (not trying to say that meanly - just experience from seeing people coming on forums asking questions when their minds are made up and they are really seeking approval - you may not even realize it). It would be best if you can find someone who would take him b/c he will prob be very difficult to place but in the end this will probably be another statistic. Sorry for your dog. He deserved better.

Answer 5

this is my opinion - and keep in mind, it is my opinion.

I realize and sympathize with you that you got a tough case here. Maybe they didn't tell you about the seizures because they didn't know. Maybe they didn't tell you because they knew that if they did, no one would adopt the dog and it would be put down.

That being said: Dogs are not disposable items. When you make a commitment to care for an animal, it should be for the life of that animal. If your human child were suffering from seizures or had a birth defect would you be asking such a question?

It concerns me a bit that you used the words: so I have put up with that. Put up with sounds very resentful. Why didn't you say "I have come to manage that, or we have dealt with it?"

I would be anxious too if my mom left me alone for two days. How is it that you have no one to watch him? Isn't there a vet? A bording facility? that you could leave him at where he would get attention, love, exercise and therefore be less anxious about you leaving? Have you discussed his medical conditions (anxiety and seizures) with your vet and gotten meds for him? Have you trained him/gotten the help of a trainer or a behaviourist to deal with his anxiety?

Honestly, it sounds to me like you have made up your mind. It sounds to me like you would simply like all of us to say, sure, go ahead, drop him off at the shelter, someone will adopt him (with all his issues of separation anxiety, in spite of the fact that you claim that he has damaged personal property, and in spite of the fact that he has seizures).
I unfortunately, cannot be one of those people. I apologize that I can't simply say - sure - take him and drop him off. Not a problem, have a great time on your trip!

You obviously have a computer - have you thought of posting on craigslist.org?

Have you talked with your vet? Have you contacted any rescue organizations - instead of simply returning him to the shelter?

Have you asked around? Is there anyone in your neighborhood or a friend of a friend that is looking for a dog and willing to work with him?

I think - that this is a pretty raw deal for this dog. But I hope, one way or another, his home life improves.

Answer 6

It is really up to how you feel and if you think that you could cope with him any longer.But remember bare in mind it's not his fault that he takes seizures. It would probably really stress him out if you take him to a shelter, maybe you should put an ad in your local newspaper and see if anyone would be willing to take him on because having a dog that takes seizures is a big responsibility.If you do not want to give him up maybe ask a close friend if they could watch him went your away and if your maybe wanting to travel next year and a friend would watch him for you then take him to visit your friend and get them use to each other first and you have a year for them to bond a relationship, and it won't be as stressful for him leaving him with someone that's he knows and trusts. Good luck and i hope you make th right choice.

Answer 7

You are going to do what you want to do. If you really don't want the dog, you are not going to keep it. So, the question is how do you get rid of it?
Let's see, it's very large, middle aged, has a seizure disorder and seperation anxiety. Flocks of folks will be lining up for him. I think the most humane thing to do is have the dog euthanized. He will suffer needlessly in a shelter and most likely would not get adopted. So, he sits in a noisey, crowded shelter for a period of time, suffering, and then gets euthanized by strangers. Much more humane for you to take him to your vet and be with him and euthanize him. It may not be the popular choice, but I believe it's the most humane choice and the most practical choice.

Answer 8

A rescue org. is probably a better choice. At the shelter, they will try to adopt him for a while...then he'll probably euthanize him. Shelters have only x-amount of dollars to work with from the local gov. Humane Societies are privately funded as well as Rescue Orgs. He'll be fostered with a compitent gaurdian until he's permenantly placed or passes on. Consider he was your "friend" for the past 4 years. When you orginally adopted him, the shelter probably didn't know of his medical condition. The people who work there aren't emotionally attached to pets at the shelter. Your dog was prepared to trust you for the rest of his life...Choose wisely.

Answer 9

It's not selfish of you to be honest with yourself about whether your dog has a good quality of life with you. If you don't think you can keep your dog happy, then be responsible about it. Don't jump into bringing him to the shelter. Try to place him a home yourself by advertising on Craigslist.com or in your local papers. You could also put up signs in pet stores and vet offices.

You should ensure that the person who adopts him is completely aware of every concern you have and is responsible enough to care for your dog. Good luck.

Answer 10

That is so mean... Why would you give up a dog you had for 4 yrs... I don't understand why people do that.. My dog is the same way I had her since I was 18 and I'm 31.. Last weekend we were taking a trip and she doesn't like to be let alone or with family so it was my job to find a motel that is pet friendly and I did Motel 6... I think you should keep your dog would you do the same to your kid?? How would you like it once you got too old if your family locked you away somewhere because your difficult to handle???....