I need heaps of hugs and support.
- Thread starter Domestika
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I understand what you're saying. It's not like I haven't struggled with exactly that feeling. When I picked her up as a little 8 week old baby I made the commitment to care for her and protect her.
However, by buying a purebred dog, bred from health tested dogs, I was reasonably assured I would have a mostly healthy dog. I can handle the odd little puppy issues...a sprain. A cut. An upset tummy.
This is different. This will be a lifelong issue and I never had the money or emotional strength to take on a dog that was going to be chronically ill.
It's not easy for me to return her, but there are two things that make it ever so slightly easier. One, she has been so ill in the three months that I have had her that..honestly, there were many times I was pretty sure she wasn't going to live long. I got used to the idea, particularly with her recent parvo scare, that this dog wasn't going to be with me forever. The breeder has been asking to have her back since the start of her health issues, so it's something that's always been in the back of my mind. And two, I know that the breeder isn't going to euthanize her. She'll be kept as a pet, receive medical care and possibly be resold to a new owner if her health issues resolve.
Additionally, Nova loves other people and dogs. When they're around she doesn't know I exist. As long as she can play with the dogs there I am very confident that she will actually be quite happy. She's not particularly affectionate and is quite independent. I believe it will be an easy adjustment for her. And the breeder is very loving and cares about all of her dogs. She'll be treated very well.
But yes, of course I feel sorry for her. She's gotten used to it here. And I've gotten used to her. It's going to be an adjustment for both of us. I can guarantee it will be a much easier adjustment for her than it will for me.
However, by buying a purebred dog, bred from health tested dogs, I was reasonably assured I would have a mostly healthy dog. I can handle the odd little puppy issues...a sprain. A cut. An upset tummy.
This is different. This will be a lifelong issue and I never had the money or emotional strength to take on a dog that was going to be chronically ill.
It's not easy for me to return her, but there are two things that make it ever so slightly easier. One, she has been so ill in the three months that I have had her that..honestly, there were many times I was pretty sure she wasn't going to live long. I got used to the idea, particularly with her recent parvo scare, that this dog wasn't going to be with me forever. The breeder has been asking to have her back since the start of her health issues, so it's something that's always been in the back of my mind. And two, I know that the breeder isn't going to euthanize her. She'll be kept as a pet, receive medical care and possibly be resold to a new owner if her health issues resolve.
Additionally, Nova loves other people and dogs. When they're around she doesn't know I exist. As long as she can play with the dogs there I am very confident that she will actually be quite happy. She's not particularly affectionate and is quite independent. I believe it will be an easy adjustment for her. And the breeder is very loving and cares about all of her dogs. She'll be treated very well.
But yes, of course I feel sorry for her. She's gotten used to it here. And I've gotten used to her. It's going to be an adjustment for both of us. I can guarantee it will be a much easier adjustment for her than it will for me.
I'm confident she'll be well cared for. The breeder has wanted her back from the very start. As soon as I mentioned that she was having health issues she offered me another pup. And even offered to take Nova back with her, resolve her health issues and then return her to me so that I didn't have to shoulder the expense or the pain in the butt of pinpointing her health issue.
So I'm quite sure she'll do the best for her. And I think Nova will adjust well. There are other pups from her litter there and she'll have a ball having a pack of pups to hang out with 24/7. Other dogs are really her true love. Me...she'll forget pretty quickly. Thankfully.
So I'm quite sure she'll do the best for her. And I think Nova will adjust well. There are other pups from her litter there and she'll have a ball having a pack of pups to hang out with 24/7. Other dogs are really her true love. Me...she'll forget pretty quickly. Thankfully.
I'm so sorry this has turned out like it has. But it does sound like she'll be well cared for by the breeder who created her and her health issues. I don't blame you one bit. If I hadn't had my Doberman for 4 years, I might have done the same thing if I had forseen what we went through. But by 4 years, there was no turning away from him. This is different. You've only just started with this dog. I went through close to $20,000 or so caring for him. And that's insignificant compared to the emotional trauma it all caused me....such a young dog going through all that. Struggling, managing, getting along. Then losing him to cancer in a heart beat. The love of my life......gone. So, I'll be thinking twice before ever getting another dog besides the 3 I already have. No....you definitely don't need that burden. Let the breeder deal with it. At least she's willing to take her back. That is above and beyond the regular ailments we're all expected to take care of when we have a pet, especially when you have to pay a ton of money in the first place to purchase these purebred animals.
I'm leaving tomorrow morning bright and early to drop Nova off. It's a three hour drive. Not looking forward to it.
I have to say...the breeder is being a little...cold? She's not being particularly sympathetic, which is making this a little harder. She's saying that she thinks her vet can figure it all out...as in, I'm making the wrong decision or jumping the gun or something. Or I haven't been thorough enough.
But I know what I'm doing is right. I trust my vet. And I know this dog. She's sick.
I think I'm going to look into fostering a dog in need for the few months that I'm still in Victoria. I need some doggy energy around...and I need a distraction. A dog will help me make sure I get some exercise...and I have the space and the time. Why not help out a dog temporarily in need when I can?
I have to say...the breeder is being a little...cold? She's not being particularly sympathetic, which is making this a little harder. She's saying that she thinks her vet can figure it all out...as in, I'm making the wrong decision or jumping the gun or something. Or I haven't been thorough enough.
But I know what I'm doing is right. I trust my vet. And I know this dog. She's sick.
I think I'm going to look into fostering a dog in need for the few months that I'm still in Victoria. I need some doggy energy around...and I need a distraction. A dog will help me make sure I get some exercise...and I have the space and the time. Why not help out a dog temporarily in need when I can?
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I'm so sorry your having to do this,,I know this must be one of the hardest things in your life, but your doing the right thing.
I remember reading about Nova from the moment you got her,,and I guess what woud PEEVE ME OFF, the most is ,,that puppy HAD to have been sick BEFORE you got her. I give the breeder credit for continuing to say she would take her back, BUT I think she should give you your money back or at the very least pay some of those hefty vet bills.
I don't blame you one bit for not wanting a replacement puppy from this breeder. After all this, I wouldn't want a replacement from her either.
The LEAST she could do is offer you your money back, tho I'm sure she doesn't have to.
It will be most interesting to see if the breeder's vets can come to a conclusive diagnosis and what her future holds. Personally, I tend to agree with you, that this dog has had so many weird health problems in her short life, that she is destined to have many more in her future.
don't beat yourself up, you've gone above and beyond,,frankly I would have dragged her butt into court to get my money back.
I hope Nova's problems can be resolved, and hope you get thru this difficult time
diane
I remember reading about Nova from the moment you got her,,and I guess what woud PEEVE ME OFF, the most is ,,that puppy HAD to have been sick BEFORE you got her. I give the breeder credit for continuing to say she would take her back, BUT I think she should give you your money back or at the very least pay some of those hefty vet bills.
I don't blame you one bit for not wanting a replacement puppy from this breeder. After all this, I wouldn't want a replacement from her either.
The LEAST she could do is offer you your money back, tho I'm sure she doesn't have to.
It will be most interesting to see if the breeder's vets can come to a conclusive diagnosis and what her future holds. Personally, I tend to agree with you, that this dog has had so many weird health problems in her short life, that she is destined to have many more in her future.
don't beat yourself up, you've gone above and beyond,,frankly I would have dragged her butt into court to get my money back.
I hope Nova's problems can be resolved, and hope you get thru this difficult time
diane