I agree with you BP and Tosca 100%. Absolutely. However, now that it has happened, my feeling is 1)... that the dog would be better served in a new, loving home with someone who can feed, train and care for him, someone who is dedicated enough. And 2)... that the dog will adjust and be OK after some initial stress from the change. Dogs are adaptable that way.
If the op keeps the dog because keeping him is ideally unconditional and indisposable, but there isn't the dedication, the funds, whatever the stuff it's made of that you and I have to keep a dog for as long as they live, how much better off will he be?
Next time, plan ahead better. I would never want to coerce someone to keep a dog that they don't want badly enough. Hopefully it has been learned that taking on a dog is a responsibility and you should always give it a huge amount of thought and planning.
While I admit I may be laying one hell of a guilt trip, I do not wish to make the OP keep the dog in any way. It is obvious he/she can not care for him and the dog deserves 100% better.
But, if any lurker out there is thinking about getting a dog and sees this thread and thinks, wow, things could go wrong, I better think twice about getting a lifetime commitment, then I pat myself on the back for being bitchy.
BTW Nikki....I am eating Ramen and other like substances so that Lyric can eat his homemade Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixins every day 3 times and keep on his $600-800 a month prescriptions and suppliments and his monthly blood work and exam. LOL. Next idea is accupuncture. I might end up in the poor house, but I have my best friend with me and he just might be with me a little longer than he would otherwise... and feel healthier and pretty energetic too.
This, Carrie, is why I adore you so much .We've had our differences for sure, but the devotion is equal between both you and Lyric. That is something to be admired for, that is someone that people need to think, "I hope I am every bit as a devoted and responsible dog owner as she is."
That said, as we all know I've had my fair share of heartbreaks and money woes with my dogs. There have been times (just a couple weeks ago, actually) when I thought that we just wouldn't make it with our dozen vet visits, caring for Adobe, Buddy's emergency surgery, Bella's specialist appointments and her bout of ringworm. But I sleep on my bed at night- with my Buddy curled up next to me (most likely his butt in my face
) and my Bella at my feet and I feel so blessed. To know the the unconditional love of a dog- there is no other. I wouldn't give any of that up-not for anything. I guess it's my wish that all dog owners feel this way and move mountains for their dogs, but wishes don't always comes true.
And before anyone accuses me of being holier than thou, I would make every attempt to help this person and their dog, but I live too far away.