Confused
By Carolyn63
@Carolyn63 (1403)
United States
August 14, 2008 11:07am CST
We have a dog that we rescued from people that had he tied up and couldn't get her to eat. She was a boxer. She was skin and bones as she wouldn't touch what they offered her. We gave them a hard time and they gave us the dog. During the time we had her she fattened up and was well loved.
We were discussing pets with a customer yesterday. My husband said boxer and they jumped all over it. They wanted to see her. We have so many animals that we had been trying to find a home for the dog. A place where she would get more attention. This family has one other dog and children and a fenced yard. However, they prefer their animals to be inside most of the time.
So, I emailed them a photo. I barely got off the computer when the phone rang. They had to have her. Could they come now? They came to see the dog and fell in love. The dog loved them too. They carried her home.
Okay, she calls me this morning. Her dog won't stop barking. The boxer hasn't eaten. What do I do? I told her to put the boxer outside to allow everyone to have a break. Once again she told me she doesn't like to have animals outdoors. I told her that the dog does need to spend time outside and she loves it. I emailed her links on boxers and on introducing new animals to the home. I explained that just as people need time to adjust, so do animals. I explained that her dog needs reassurance and the new dog needs to know it's safe and loved. They also need to understand about hierachy. The links all explain this and more.
Thing is, they claim to have had other pets. How can you not know this if you have raised other pets? I understand them asking about her diet, how she acts with children, other animals, etc., but if you have dealt with animals before you should know it takes time.
I also told her that if she really got concerned we would happily take the dog back. And we would. Did I miss anything? Anyone else have advice?
Thanks,
Carolyn
1 person likes this
2 responses
@jairgirl (2877)
• United States
14 Aug 08
hello carolyn,
great post as always.
i dont have other suggestions to give coz you already provide them the information/knowledge and even more i guess no matter how hard you/us feed them the information if they dont want to listen and follow and or try it then it is not gonna work.
i have grown up with animals too and my husband too and we both know that it takes time to the other dog to get used to the other specially if they are the one who seems to be the one dominating the place.
it sure takes a while and they need to be guided and show them that you are the pack leader somehow.
i honestly dont know much about the different kind of dogs coz most of our dog is a mutt (terrier and something else) so i cannot say anything BUT i am willing to read and confide with someone who really knows about dogs.
that is the benefit of having an internet connection coz it is free to look around.
i hope the new family find a way to make the two dogs work out and like you said if everything fails then you are more willing to have her back.
i dont see anything wrong with anything you did but just something that will help the pet and the owner as well.
i hope this problem will be resolved in time if not sooner.
my cat will arrived on november and we are not sure how our dog will react coz he never have encountered a cat at home but my cat do coz my mom have my dog with her and she just love to play with monica (my dog).
if you have some information that you would like to share i will be so happy to know from an owner's perspective coz my dog is a jealous one (he dont even want us talking to our turtle and fishes LOL) and i dont want them both to suffer for a long period of time.
i will be reading some info online as well when she is about to arrive here.
anyway, wish you all the best.
keep us posted.
takecare
@Carolyn63 (1403)
• United States
18 Aug 08
Hi Sweetie,
Well, the girl called several times that day. I even know the dog had a bowel movement that day, lol. She also took Roxie to the vet and had her shots updated, nails trimmed and checked over. She has called a few times. She called today to tell me how well Roxie is doing and to thank me again. She told me she may have to call me every day from now on to thank me, lol. I am glad that Roxie has a good home and that her new family loves her. Maybe she, the new owner, will settle down soon.
I have to admit, introducing dogs and cats, well, that can be tricky. I wish you well with that venture. I had one dog that would simply ignore them. The others act like they would love to meet the cats if ya know what I mean.
Blessings,
Carolyn
@jairgirl (2877)
• United States
21 Aug 08
hahaha, sometimes i wish i am a dog so i can experience all those pampering - i need one LOL
oh well i guess that is something that dogs should have coz they provide us the love of a company haha!
anyway, i am very happy to know that roxie is having a better situation now.
hope by now they are settled and happy together.
i am hoping that our dog wont be too depress he seems to be depress if another pet is around it doesnt matter what kind it is - still he have not seen a cat up close and personal.
the first time he saw it was when we are throwing a garbage one night and there are bunch of stray black cats at the dumping area. he runs like crazy i am happy i have him on a regular leash and not the electronic one coz im sure i will be running like no tomorrow if that is the case.
hopefully he wont do that to my cat as my cat is very playful with dogs.
anyway, thanks for keeping me posted.
have a good night!
@Elkeliini (264)
• Finland
14 Aug 08
hmmm, this is a tricky one.
I have tried myself to introduce an older dog into my household of cats. that was not successful and I ended up bringing the dog back. She just couldnt handle the cats. although I only tried it for 3 days, I just couldnt see the dog suffering like she did.
Working in a traumatised dog like yours is going to be even more difficult. I lack the experience to tell you what to do, but I guess you did the right thing with sending information to her. hopefully they stay in touch with you and keep asking for advice.
@Carolyn63 (1403)
• United States
14 Aug 08
Oh my. Yes, that would be tricky. I have cats as well. They are all indoors due to the fact that many people here still believe cats carry deadly diseases and are afraid of them. We have seen people intentionally run off the road to kill one. My dogs are all outdoors, fenced in. They do also get walked. If I only had one of each I might consider trying a dog and cat together but I have several. I have no doubt it would be harder to bring a dog and cat together. It's possible and many do so but I would think it would be trickier.
No matter what, you can't just assume I love both animals so they will love one another and get along. I guess she thought they would.
Thanks for the response.
Carolyn
