Urgent help - please

[donz]

totally agree - I don't know of any shelter that has room down here on the Malaga - Estepona coast. PADs has closed its doors to new admissions also. ACE have been full for ages as are Triple AAA. The Malaga perrera I am not sure about but I have heard about the 30 day rule possibly existing there (although not confirmed)
AID are very small and rarely have room, 4 paws is full, F.A.M.A are full, even Los Barrios are full all the way down that neck of the woods.

Everybody I know that can help is full to bursting with fosters because there is no room in the shelters.

Yet people keep breeding or not havig their dogs speyed/neuteured and people keep leaving dogs behind - makes me cross

PLEASE PLEASE get the pet passport it's MUCH cheaper here and wait the 21 days to get him to the UK with you. There ARE landlords out there that will take a dog - offer references, a higher deposit and say you'll be going to training classes. I know there are landlords out there that will - I had 6 dogs and had not too many issues in renting 2 separate houses until I moved here. TRY....................PLEASE!!!!

[mrypg9]

Originally Posted by donz

totally agree - I don't know of any shelter that has room down here on the Malaga - Estepona coast. PADs has closed its doors to new admissions also. ACE have been full for ages as are Triple AAA. The Malaga perrera I am not sure about but I have heard about the 30 day rule possibly existing there (although not confirmed)
AID are very small and rarely have room, 4 paws is full, F.A.M.A are full, even Los Barrios are full all the way down that neck of the woods.

Everybody I know that can help is full to bursting with fosters because there is no room in the shelters.

Yet people keep breeding or not havig their dogs speyed/neuteured and people keep leaving dogs behind - makes me cross

PLEASE PLEASE get the pet passport it's MUCH cheaper here and wait the 21 days to get him to the UK with you. There ARE landlords out there that will take a dog - offer references, a higher deposit and say you'll be going to training classes. I know there are landlords out there that will - I had 6 dogs and had not too many issues in renting 2 separate houses until I moved here. TRY....................PLEASE!!!!

Well said.

I cannot for the life of me understand people who will take their clothes, CDs, other possessions back with them but the dog.....no, someone else can have him/her....never mind that s/he has been my companion for several years.

It's about time we stopped being mealy-mouthed about this. Dogs are not toys, objects, accessories....they are living creatures with feelings, more so than some who carelessly abandon them. If there is the slightest possibility that your circumstances may change...don't acquire a dog!! It is not a life-style accoutrement. We waited eleven years after our much-loved Ferdinand died before getting Our Little Azor. Why? Because the circumstances weren't right...OH was running two businesses, I had a full-time job and political commitments. We so badly wanted a dog...but it wouldn't have been fair on him/her.

Our shelter has had forty abandoned dogs brought in this month. We now have just under one hundred and eighty. Feeding, giving vetinerary care, paying staff wages all cost money, money we have to get from the public in one way or other. We NEVER turn a dog away because we know that if we do it will more likely than not end up wandering the streets or the campo, starved, dying of thirst.

I'm sorry if this offends -actually I'm not - but if you have a dog it is your responsibility to care for that creature which has needs and feelings like you. I could compile a book of the reasons people give for wanting to dump their dogs - to get them off their hands, because that's what they are doing, ridding themselves of an unwanted encumbrance.

I will state categorically that there is no imaginable situation or contingency wherein I would abandon my dog. I love him, he loves and depends on me and OH. It would simply break my heart to lose him and no way am I a sentimental person.

So...if offence is caused, so be it. Perhaps a visit to our shelter would help people understand in very stark terms just what it means -to a dog - to be abandoned like an old sofa.

[dunmovin]

I'm a bit confused.... I've read the op's post several times now and find no suggestion that the dog would be abandoned.

The relationship is breaking down, so why is the partner not willing to share responsiblity (partner keeps dog until suitable accomodation can be found in the UK)?

Yes,I have the same disdain for people who move away and leave their pets behind (personally I believe such people should have a wire brush shoved up a place, where only the most skilled proctologist would find it)
Mary, you KNOW the story of our wee dog,but let's not scare the op off. Does the dog have a passport from the outbound journey? If so How long since it arrived?

[mrypg9]

Originally Posted by dunmovin

I'm a bit confused.... I've read the op's post several times now and find no suggestion that the dog would be abandoned.

The relationship is breaking down, so why is the partner not willing to share responsiblity (partner keeps dog until suitable accomodation can be found in the UK)?

Yes,I have the same disdain for people who move away and leave their pets behind (personally I believe such people should have a wire brush shoved up a place, where only the most skilled proctologist would find it)
Mary, you KNOW the story of our wee dog,but let's not scare the op off. Does the dog have a passport from the outbound journey? If so How long since it arrived?

I did say I was generalising and not referring to the OP....although s/he does seem to be looking for someone to take over responsibility for the dog. which is his/hers, after all.

If the dog doesn't have a passport and microchip the owner has not complied with current legislation. Whatever the circumstances that to me betokens a certain irresponsibility.

I'm very 'hard-line' on this for obvious reasons - we hear the hard-luck stories and are left to cope with a sad, bewildered dog ....plus the cost of looking after it, something that rarely occurs to these people who think they can just leave a dog at a shelter and walk away.

Sadly not everyone is like you, PW and other kind souls. How is your wee dog, btw?

[dunmovin]

Originally Posted by mrypg9

I did say I was generalising and not referring to the OP....although s/he does seem to be looking for someone to take over responsibility for the dog. which is his/hers, after all.

If the dog doesn't have a passport and microchip the owner has not complied with current legislation. Whatever the circumstances that to me betokens a certain irresponsibility.

I'm very 'hard-line' on this for obvious reasons - we hear the hard-luck stories and are left to cope with a sad, bewildered dog ....plus the cost of looking after it, something that rarely occurs to these people who think they can just leave a dog at a shelter and walk away.

Sadly not everyone is like you, PW and other kind souls. How is your wee dog, btw?

at a best guess, she is 14 years old, still won't eat dog food, only fresh cooked chicken, pork or steak,still wants cheese or raw pepper for a snack. When I take her into town, the night before, I put a bottle of water in the freezer so she has cold water when we get back to the car and I can do a 5 minute run through mercadonna so still doing great, thanks

[JJ30]

So, I am the OP and I've just come back to this after a few days away to get myself sorted out. I will make a few points (because I am HOPPING mad at some of the comments made):

1. I came on here to ask for help, NOT to be lectured from some faceless person who does not know MY situation. I thought the whole point of this forum was to help people, not lecture.

2. I LOVE my dog, just adore him and the thought of leaving him with my ex was a horrid prospect. It was tying me up in knots.

3. My situation is that I found out that I'm pregnant and my ex didn't want to know - so I had a whole host of emotions flowing though me.

4. My dog complies with all legislation, I've had him from a wee baby and he's had all his injections, rabies and he's microchipped.

5. Do not compare me to others - everybody's situation is unique, some handle the situation well and some don't when it comes to pets.

6. When I got my doggy my relationship (or so I thought) was secure and good. I thought long and hard before I got him.

So, it's totally not fair that some people judge me without knowing the full facts.

Over the last few days I've come to terms with my situation and have decided to stay here in Spain, mainly because I couldn't even contemplate leaving my son behind.

So, my future? I don't know, but I know I have a dear little boy who loves me unconditionally (so much more than some humans) and that is all I need for now.

It is very easy to sit in front of your computer and judge people - just remember what this forum is all about, helping fellow expats. Period.

I thank the folks who actually gave me some constructive help but I will no longer use this forum because of the comments of one person. I've seen your comments to others on this forum too and you criticise WAY too easily.

Just saying.

[familymove]

It is very easy to sit in front of your computer and judge people - just remember what this forum is all about, helping fellow expats. Period.

I thank the folks who actually gave me some constructive help but I will no longer use this forum because of the comments of one person. I've seen your comments to others on this forum too and you criticise WAY too easily.

Just saying.[/QUOTE]

Well said, I hope everything works out for you x

[zilly]

I hope that everything works out for you--you asked for help and you got a lecture.Good luck for the future. x

[donz]

The problem is that some us really DO know the situation here and have been dumped on time and time again. Yes there are different situations but you know what, I run a pet lodge (not a rescue centre) and I am sick to death of people dumping their 'problem' on me. I have had people leave their dogs here on holiday and never returning - making it then MY problem to find a fabulous new home for their dog/s.

One of these so called caring people called himself a dog trainer and prior to leaving, had told his customers that he had actually put one of the animals he abandoned with us to sleep. We obviously were able to prove that person a liar. The other he fraudulently obtained from a rescue centre! Having had this issue a few times, we now have to really screen new clients sadly

So you may or may not forgive me for telling it like it is The rescues ARE full, and the kind souls out there ARE snowed under with fosters. I will be over the moon with delight if you are able to keep your furbaby it's the most fab thing if you can, but it's a certainty that you need to also be in the know about the situ you face in trying to find a new home for your furry pal should you decide you can't keep him.

I know it's a hard thing to face and when life just seems to be slapping you around for a while the last thing you need is more negative news but for those of us working in the industry it just breaks our hearts to see these poor souls being left. The things I could tell you about what people have done because they upped and left I could scream!!

People on here DO want to help, but many of us hear/see this story often and often the dog is abandoned rather than found a perfect new home and it's frustrating for us. Hope your pal can keep you going through your tough time - a dogs love is great for clearing away your tears

[Solwriter]

Originally Posted by JJ30

So, I am the OP and I've just come back to this after a few days away to get myself sorted out. I will make a few points (because I am HOPPING mad at some of the comments made):

1. I came on here to ask for help, NOT to be lectured from some faceless person who does not know MY situation. I thought the whole point of this forum was to help people, not lecture.

2. I LOVE my dog, just adore him and the thought of leaving him with my ex was a horrid prospect. It was tying me up in knots.

3. My situation is that I found out that I'm pregnant and my ex didn't want to know - so I had a whole host of emotions flowing though me.

4. My dog complies with all legislation, I've had him from a wee baby and he's had all his injections, rabies and he's microchipped.

5. Do not compare me to others - everybody's situation is unique, some handle the situation well and some don't when it comes to pets.

6. When I got my doggy my relationship (or so I thought) was secure and good. I thought long and hard before I got him.

So, it's totally not fair that some people judge me without knowing the full facts.

Over the last few days I've come to terms with my situation and have decided to stay here in Spain, mainly because I couldn't even contemplate leaving my son behind.

So, my future? I don't know, but I know I have a dear little boy who loves me unconditionally (so much more than some humans) and that is all I need for now.

It is very easy to sit in front of your computer and judge people - just remember what this forum is all about, helping fellow expats. Period.

I thank the folks who actually gave me some constructive help but I will no longer use this forum because of the comments of one person. I've seen your comments to others on this forum too and you criticise WAY too easily.

Just saying.

I'm sorry that you feel angry with some replies on this thread, especially as you are going through a very stressful time right now.

I hope that my answer was one of the more helpful ones, and, even though you have now decided to stay in Spain, I hope it is helpful for someone else reading this who might be going through a similar situation.

It's a shame that you feel you cannot come back to this forum, but I think there is an 'ignore' option for any poster you would rather not read. .
Having said that, I do think it was made clear, even in the harsher posts, that no one was saying that you personally were an irresponsible dog owner. However, I can see how you may have felt that it did.

I think the problem is that you opened a debate that is dear to the hearts of quite a few posters on here.

So, I hope you change your mind and come back to post now and again.

And I do wish you lots of luck for the future, for you, for your dog and over the months of your pregnancy and beyond.

Take care

Sol