We just learned our furnace and heat pump are going to need to be replaced before this winter, to the tune of about more than a grand than we have in savings for this sort of thing.
My DH's car needs repairs that we've been putting off because I've been expecting my salary to double, but I just learned about two days ago it's actually going to be cut in half.
We both sat down and worked out our finances. We don't have any way to borrow the money for the furnace, but we have about a month before we absolutely have to have one put in, but that only puts us maybe a hundred to two hundred ahead of where we are now. We really have nothing of value to sell off, both of our computers are worth less than about 40 dollars, since they're so old, we don't own cameras, our gaming system came out in like 2000.
Anyway, this is a hard question to ask oneself, but at what point do you weigh the financial burden aside and just do the best you can for your animals, or do you try to find them a home more suited to their needs, who can care for them more adequately, and most importantly, afford everything their welfare requires?
I've been searching for a second job, but every time I show up for an interview with Indy, I get a polite, "we'll let you know" and I've gotten to the point that I can't NOT show up with her for an interview and then show up to work with a Service Dog. Even jobs working with animals, I just get refused or a "we'll call you back" and when I call back to inquire "the position has been filled"
It was at the point that before we knew about the furnace, I'd already decided to go back to school, to a trade school, and I have a job lined up once I graduate where they know and love Indy and have no problem with her coming to work there, I just have to get this diploma. It takes about two years of being a full time student.
Anyway. Looking at our finances, we can't afford to feed and house four dogs, especially if I'm in school full time, continuing to hold down the job I do have, for half the money I had before, and make bills, and take care of all of our dogs properly. We both feel that Jones would be better off in another home where he's not the fourth dog, where he's two or three (because he loves other dogs) and where he'll get the time and the care he deserves.
Jones is good with every dog he's ever met, including dogs that are jerks. He's unneutered, but I feel like it would be beneficial for him to finish growing before being neutered. He's had a limited puppy vaccination schedule, and I've put off his rabies shot until he's nearly a year old. He's fine with cats, overbearing pushy bitchy female dogs, overbearing pushy male dogs, he absolutely adores people, and seems to take more after the collie part of him than the Lab part of him. Though he is a huge goofball, and will do anything for a laugh. He's skilled in the art of reading other dogs body language, and is usually neutral upon meeting new dogs.
He's a dog park dog without a problem, though sometimes other dogs take offense to his balls, he never takes offense back. He's never started a fight, nor has he ever been in a fight. He doesn't like his nails clipped, but will stand for the dremel as long as you have treats or peanut butter. (I smear it on the door and get a foot done each time)
He doesn't have any bad habits except he's slightly anxious in the car, but he likes soothing music and modest mouse and will settle down. He rides in a crate or in a harness. He's crate trained, and will crate up at night without an issue. He did whine the first few nights he spent with my mom while we were out of town, but he adapts quickly to new situations. He will go and knock on the door, or bump the doorknob if he needs to go out, and he doesn't chew anything that isn't a dog toy.
He has a fantastic off switch and will settle down in the house with ease. He also has a magic coat where he never stinks. He never smells like a dog, and he never seems to need a bath. He walks on a easy walk harness just fine, and he's about 75 to 80 percent reliable off leash in an unfenced area.
I have plenty of pictures of him, many of which can be searched here on Chaz. I'm sure transport can be arranged, or I will beg or do something to get flight money for a flight to wherever he's going. I know that most people on Chaz are the kind of home that I want him to have. He's been started in nosework, and absolutely loves it. He's fantastic at it as well. He's at the point where he's finding hides at about head level in sealed containers. No odors have been introduced other than food. He's okay with water, but we've never gone to a lake with him, just a local creek, so I don't know if he'd dock dive. His front end is a little bit upright for agility, but that can be compensated for by correct training. And that may change, as his birthday is November 11th. He's not yet a year old, so I expect some changes to his structure, but nothing too incredibly drastic as to make him unable to do any sort of work. He's a sound dog and has never had an injury.
If anyone is interested, or may know someone who is, please pass him around. There are also plenty of pictures of him on my flickr account that can be passed around. If someone on Chaz is interested, please either post here, or PM me directly.
My DH's car needs repairs that we've been putting off because I've been expecting my salary to double, but I just learned about two days ago it's actually going to be cut in half.
We both sat down and worked out our finances. We don't have any way to borrow the money for the furnace, but we have about a month before we absolutely have to have one put in, but that only puts us maybe a hundred to two hundred ahead of where we are now. We really have nothing of value to sell off, both of our computers are worth less than about 40 dollars, since they're so old, we don't own cameras, our gaming system came out in like 2000.
Anyway, this is a hard question to ask oneself, but at what point do you weigh the financial burden aside and just do the best you can for your animals, or do you try to find them a home more suited to their needs, who can care for them more adequately, and most importantly, afford everything their welfare requires?
I've been searching for a second job, but every time I show up for an interview with Indy, I get a polite, "we'll let you know" and I've gotten to the point that I can't NOT show up with her for an interview and then show up to work with a Service Dog. Even jobs working with animals, I just get refused or a "we'll call you back" and when I call back to inquire "the position has been filled"
It was at the point that before we knew about the furnace, I'd already decided to go back to school, to a trade school, and I have a job lined up once I graduate where they know and love Indy and have no problem with her coming to work there, I just have to get this diploma. It takes about two years of being a full time student.
Anyway. Looking at our finances, we can't afford to feed and house four dogs, especially if I'm in school full time, continuing to hold down the job I do have, for half the money I had before, and make bills, and take care of all of our dogs properly. We both feel that Jones would be better off in another home where he's not the fourth dog, where he's two or three (because he loves other dogs) and where he'll get the time and the care he deserves.
Jones is good with every dog he's ever met, including dogs that are jerks. He's unneutered, but I feel like it would be beneficial for him to finish growing before being neutered. He's had a limited puppy vaccination schedule, and I've put off his rabies shot until he's nearly a year old. He's fine with cats, overbearing pushy bitchy female dogs, overbearing pushy male dogs, he absolutely adores people, and seems to take more after the collie part of him than the Lab part of him. Though he is a huge goofball, and will do anything for a laugh. He's skilled in the art of reading other dogs body language, and is usually neutral upon meeting new dogs.
He's a dog park dog without a problem, though sometimes other dogs take offense to his balls, he never takes offense back. He's never started a fight, nor has he ever been in a fight. He doesn't like his nails clipped, but will stand for the dremel as long as you have treats or peanut butter. (I smear it on the door and get a foot done each time)
He doesn't have any bad habits except he's slightly anxious in the car, but he likes soothing music and modest mouse and will settle down. He rides in a crate or in a harness. He's crate trained, and will crate up at night without an issue. He did whine the first few nights he spent with my mom while we were out of town, but he adapts quickly to new situations. He will go and knock on the door, or bump the doorknob if he needs to go out, and he doesn't chew anything that isn't a dog toy.
He has a fantastic off switch and will settle down in the house with ease. He also has a magic coat where he never stinks. He never smells like a dog, and he never seems to need a bath. He walks on a easy walk harness just fine, and he's about 75 to 80 percent reliable off leash in an unfenced area.
I have plenty of pictures of him, many of which can be searched here on Chaz. I'm sure transport can be arranged, or I will beg or do something to get flight money for a flight to wherever he's going. I know that most people on Chaz are the kind of home that I want him to have. He's been started in nosework, and absolutely loves it. He's fantastic at it as well. He's at the point where he's finding hides at about head level in sealed containers. No odors have been introduced other than food. He's okay with water, but we've never gone to a lake with him, just a local creek, so I don't know if he'd dock dive. His front end is a little bit upright for agility, but that can be compensated for by correct training. And that may change, as his birthday is November 11th. He's not yet a year old, so I expect some changes to his structure, but nothing too incredibly drastic as to make him unable to do any sort of work. He's a sound dog and has never had an injury.
If anyone is interested, or may know someone who is, please pass him around. There are also plenty of pictures of him on my flickr account that can be passed around. If someone on Chaz is interested, please either post here, or PM me directly.
{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}
