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People Suck
November 8th, 2007
When I casually mentioned that my dogs were available for adoption, I wasn’t being casual at all. They are, in fact, available. I’ve been actively trying to find them a new home for over a week now. Let me explain why. Not that I feel the need to justify it to you or anything. I just want to you know my motivation.
We got them as puppies from one of my best friends. (Hi Angela!) I had never had a puppy in my whole life and they were so cute that I wanted two. One for me and one for my husband. <insert foreboding music here> I don’t know if any of you have ever had a Lab puppy, but let me tell you they are the worst puppies in the world. The chew, they dig… in short, they are destructive and evil. We went through a very rough first two years with them and I regretted my decision to get them more times that I can even count.
However, when they reached the ripe old age of two, things settled down. There was hardly any destruction anymore and they turned into pretty good dogs. I liked having them around. However, when Maddie was born, I instantly hated them. I hate the sounds they make, the fur they shed, the way they always want my attention. When I’m on the floor playing with her, they have to be shut outside or they try to get in the middle of everything. I know they just want to play, but they can really hurt Maddie without meaning to.
When Sam got underfoot (a normal, every-second-of-the-day-occurrence) and I fell with Maddie, that was the last straw. They had to go. They are too big and too high-maintenance for me. I’m not giving them the love, attention and exercise that they need. It’s not their fault. They deserve someone who wants to throw the ball for them. Someone who wants to snuggle them and shower them with affection. That person is not me.
So, I wrote up some ads and placed them on a couple of websites. I got a lot of email responses, which surprised me. What surprised me even more, was how much people suck. People said they wanted to meet the dogs. They’d call to schedule, they said. They’d email, they said. Did they? No. They totally blew me off over and over. What’s so hard about saying “You know, these dogs aren’t for me. Thanks, though.” Why blow me off? We even had a lady bring her eight year old son to see Sam. She said they loved him and wanted him and she’d be in touch. I actually believed her. I even told people who emailed that he was spoken for. Two days later, I still hadn’t heard from her, so I email. Guess what? They don’t want Sam. So sorry about that.
So, here I am. Stuck with two dogs that really need another home and no faith left in the human race.
test Filed under daily | Comments (8)8 Responses to “People Suck”
That poor kid. I’m sure he thought he was getting a dog. People DO suck.
Hang in there. I have plenty of experience with labs and getting 2 lab puppies would definitely be a trial! Wow!
You WILL find a wonderful home for them, but it might take some time. I totally understand how dogs go waaaay down the list when kids come along. Our poor dog spends a lot more time outside than she did before d was born. Luckily, she doesn’t seem to mind and she’s not as high energy (anymore…) as a lab.
Good Luck finding them good homes! Maybe you could call your vet and have them keep an ear open for anyone looking for a lab?
People do suck. The whole idea of calling people to say “I’m not interested” or “I changed my mind” is so rare these days. Even showing up on time is a lost art.
Oh, that’s too bad. I hope that you are able to find a great home for them.
We had to do that same thing a few years ago. We adopted a 1/2 lab puppy and he was the biggest handful. Like you, I regretted it more than I enjoyed him. ANyway, when I found out I was pregnant, we instantly decided the puppy must go. And we already had an older dog (who didn’t like the puppy anyway). It was hard to let him go, but it was the best choice we make. Even the dog we have now is such a pain with him and a kid.
And you know, we had a few people flake on us after seeing the dog too. We actually had to call THEM and ask what they were planning after a few days. Stupid people.
I do not understand how our society has completed spiraled into a bunch of inconsiderate assholes. Whatever happened to common fucking courtesy???
And I now look at my comment and realize that I managed to drop the F-BOMB in a comment about society spiraling downward. Ponder…
Erica, have you looked on the net for Lab rescue societies. There will be some, they are the best people to help you.
Yes some people do suck, but hopefully not all.
Warm hugs,
Paul.
Yeah, a friend of mine just went through this with her latest dog too. She kept getting HUGE dogs, then having to find homes for them because of: poop, chewing, vomit, hair, dirt, barking, chasing the cats, knocking over the kids, etc., etc.
Well, yeah. That’s what big dogs *do*; they are dogs.
Even when they had the 10 acres, it was a problem because she wanted the german shepherd as protection so it was in the house all the time.
Even smaller dogs can be a hassle; our next door neighbors got a puppy, a medium sized breed and that thing was *never* calm. It barked, it ran about all frenzied, it got out, they’d chase it, it leaped up on people, it was untrainable. Finally she had to give it away after a year of trying to adjust to it. It made their whole family dynamics change, just having that dog to deal with all the time. They couldn’t enjoy their backyard because the dog would run and bark bark bark and they’d yell “stop barking STOP BARKING!” and then it jumped up on people, “stop jumping, stop jumping” and the kids would get it all wound up and MAN! Coming back from their house was like leaving bedlam behind.
After they found a home for him, life went back to normal and the kids were calmer, the household aura was calmer, it was a good decision to find a new home.
And I’ve known so many people over the years who get outdoor dogs and then can’t use their backyard anymore. Ever. The entire backyard is a home for their big dogs. Looks like a war zone. And no one goes back there except to feed them; crazy. You go out there to say “hi” and there is a frenzy of jumping and slobbering and frantic bids for attention until you have to flee back into the house all covered with foam and mud feeling like you escaped a dire situation.
Don’t get me wrong; I love dogs and I’ve had several in my life but dogs are very social and they need a LOT of attention. Socialization. Training training training. A ton. It’s like having a two year old that never grows up.
If you have the time to spend with them, it can work out well. But how many people want to do that or even can?
So don’t feel bad; I completely understand and you are making the right decision. As for the dickwads out there, I sympathize greatly. But my friend found homes on Craigslist; I know it can be done! Hang in there!
And the play yard thing for Maddie is great; I had one for my kids too and it was wonderful! Kudos!