What do I do with my dogs?

[porksoda]

One is youngish and I guess kinda "valuable" as a show/sport dog. He'd have somewhere to go when I'm gone I guess. My oldest is geriatric with on and off health problems (i.e. bad enough I've had multiple euthanasia appointments I've made for her and canceled when she bounces back suddenly). It'd destroy her without me around, but I can't fucking take it any more.

 

[locked*n*loaded]

Any way you can place some ads up and see if you can find good homes? There are no-kill shelters around, too, if that is an option you'd consider. I know you wouldn't consider "taking them with you", but that's another option, although not a good one. Can you leave them with a friend for a while, under the pretense of going on a vacation or something, except you just wouldn't return? Can't think of much else you could do, really. Hope you find a solution acceptable to you.

 

[MyLifeisHell]

You'll have to rehome them or surrender them to a rescue/shelter. I doubt you'd be able to rehome the senior dog, though.

 

[Wannagonow]

This has been a huge concern of mine as well. It's a big brick wall that has prevented me to ctb thus far. I asked a couple close friends if they would take her in if something ever happened to me. Of course they're on to me and the answer is always no. Leaves the option of a shelter and I can't do it (so far). Like me, I think your only options are those listed by others here- Shelter or having to rehome.

 

[Suicidebydeath]

I signed my cats off to the RSPCA, but I tried to get them into a shelter first. They say you can't know they're going to a good home if you give them to a stranger, I don't know about that how factual that is and what the best option for your pets is.

 

[porksoda]

Thanks everyone. It's a rough day. I'm ready to go. She's having a rough day herself and doesn't want to take the medications that keep her comfortable. It feels sick to think of but I do wonder about "taking her with me". I know it's fucked up. My younger boy, I love him dearly, but I know he'd be taken care of one way or another and would be alright...

 

[rationaltake]

I signed my cats off to the RSPCA, but I tried to get them into a shelter first. They say you can't know they're going to a good home if you give them to a stranger, I don't know about that how factual that is and what the best option for your pets is.

I know the RSPCA vet prospective adopters and homes very thoroughly so I think you've done the very best you can for your cats. I know how hard it must have been.

 

[Mofreeko]

If you take them to a shelter they'll get adopted right away as long as they're not pitbulls.

 

[locked*n*loaded]

If you take them to a shelter they'll get adopted right away as long as they're not pitbulls.

The stigma on pitbulls has lessened a great deal from what it once was. I go buy a paper very occasionally, like once a month, and they have a section in thre for dogs up for adoption from the local humane society shelter, and, by and large, all of the dogs they have are pitbulls. They even have a spot on local TV morning shows where they bring dogs into the studio to show them off and get them adopted. They're getting adopted because they go over their "results" from the previous week. I watch the shows, so I hear the adoption results. I have no idea who all these people are who are adopting them. It does seem like a never ending supply of them, though. Of course they have other breeds, too, mostly mutts. They usually sweeten the deal with free food for however long, maybe a free checkup or something like that, sometimes even gift cards like to Kroger or Amazon. I'd never have a pitbull, but apparently, lots of people would and do. Where I live they used to have a local law, whereby anyone with a pitbull was required to have insurance on it in case it bit someone. Somehow that law was deemed illegal or something and the law was removed from the books.

 

[Mofreeko]

The stigma on pitbulls has lessened a great deal from what it once was. I go buy a paper very occasionally, like once a month, and they have a section in thre for dogs up for adoption from the local humane society shelter, and, by and large, all of the dogs they have are pitbulls. They even have a spot on local TV morning shows where they bring dogs into the studio to show them off and get them adopted. They're getting adopted because they go over their "results" from the previous week. I watch the shows, so I hear the adoption results. I have no idea who all these people are who are adopting them. It does seem like a never ending supply of them, though. Of course they have other breeds, too, mostly mutts. They usually sweeten the deal with free food for however long, maybe a free checkup or something like that, sometimes even gift cards like to Kroger or Amazon. I'd never have a pitbull, but apparently, lots of people would and do. Where I live they used to have a local law, whereby anyone with a pitbull was required to have insurance on it in case it bit someone. Somehow that law was deemed illegal or something and the law was removed from the books.

I just meant that most shelters have an overabundance of pitbulls so the other breeds are scooped up faster.

 

[locked*n*loaded]

I just meant that most shelters have an overabundance of pitbulls so the other breeds are scooped up faster.

I hear you and don't disagree, but whatever my local humane society is doing is working, because they are adopting out a lot of pitbulls. It's like a revolving door. They have adopted a no-kill policy unless the dogs are mean and can't be rehabilitated or they are sick. In the town I live in, I'm not even sure if we have any other breeds anymore. It doesn't seem like it. All you ever see people walking are pitbulls.

 

[porksoda]

They are pit bulls, alas

 

[wait.what]

From the sound of things, your senior dog is barely making it as it is. I don't think it would be unethical to seek euthanasia for her as well as for yourself, especially if her life would be unbearable without you. Or you could stick around a while for her. It sounds as if you'd be waiting months rather than years. That would give you time to rehome your younger dog as well.

I'm sorry things have come to this for you. At times, my pets have been the only bright spot in my life. I can only imagine how painful it would be to give them up, even if that's the most loving thing to do.

 

[UpsideDownFace]

It'd probably be best to euthanize the older dog at the vet before you go, it'd be better for her to go peacefully at your side rather than pass from heartbreak and the sudden shock of being with strangers in a new home. If the younger dog came from a good reputable breeder you can return him to them no questions asked and they'll rehome him for you. Otherwise there are Facebook groups especially made for rehoming show/sport dogs so you can screen potential owners and choose a good home for him.

 

[porksoda]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply, it's appreciated. I suppose waiting for her to be ready to pass herself probably the best option. She's been through a lot with me. It doesn't look like it'll be much longer. She's still off her food today.

My younger dog has multiple people I'm sure would take him in, ultimately. It's such a dumb thing to worry about as I'm planning my exit I guess, but the dogs mean a lot to me. He'll probably end up with someone less picky and hung up about breeding dogs than I and enjoy his life getting laid, haha