I might have to give Shankly up. Please Advise

[vasha]

Originally posted by mrsdp2
I know that everyone on here really lovers there boxers and so do I. But I have to say that you guys are making it very hard for people to come to the board and ask for advice. I just read the all the post and I really think you are being very hard on the guy for just asking for HELP. There are many other ways to word your concerns than to make him and his wife feel bad. This board is not for people to be mean and nasty to other people. I am sure I will get plenty of replies to what I have said. But I thought that I would voice my opinion.

It's not that I am TRYING to be nasty. I just think that there are other solutions than just giving Shankly away. If you read back through these posts, you will find people who love their dogs and would do anything for them.

And yes, there were some harsh statements made, but when an topic that is THIS emotional comes up, feelings may get hurt because we are ALL so emotional about it.

a snuggles n kisses lovicon
kaiser hugs n slobbers
VaSHa

 

[buddy'smom]

Personally I think I pointed out two sides to the coin. One on how this situation can create a Kailee's life, and two if I were faced with it, how I would work through it. The ultimate final decision is theirs, not ours, but he asked for advice, was given multiple options, and people who advocated for Shankly's feelings. If you don't want to hear the negative and positive side to opinions, then one should not ask. How does one make a sound decision if they do not hear all sides of opinions?

Jean

 

[munchichi2550987]

I agree with Bosco's Mom

When I first read the post I was so upset and angry because I just can't comprehend how anyone could consider giving up their dog. I had to take a step back though because I am not in your situation nor do I know anything about yours except for a paragraph.

I'm sure you love your dog very much and that is why you posted the question. You are concerned that you are no longer giving your dog the love and attention you feel he deserves.

However, I think you may need to put yourself in the dog position or try to think as a dog would. Yes you may not be able to take him for walks and play with him everyday, but do you think that's all the dog really wants. All he wants is your love and affection. That is what is most important. He may find another home with wonderful parents that take him for walks every day, but the bottom line is he will miss you and he will always be waiting for you to walk thru that door. I know you don't want to even think about what could happen if he doesn't find a home...

Right now it's going to be really hard for you and your wife, but you will do just fine. Give it some time. Eventually you will have more time for your dog and like others said even the baby will be able to play/help out with him.

I know when I was born my parents' first dog hated me. He would sit by my crib and growl. Can you imagine how frightened my parents were that he would harm me?? They stuck thru it and by the time I turned one I was riding on the dogs back and we were buds. I'm just saying that things will change in time. YOur situation could be so much worse. I think you're environment will be just fine for him

Best of luck with your decision

 

[cfhtlhii]

Mike,

I was wondering if you guys had made any further decisions. You have not posted to let us know. As you can see from the number of posts in this thread, there are a lot of us here who care, about you and your family and no matter what you decide we would like for you to post and let us all know.
Thanks!

Connie

 

[Sube Ru's mom]

Originally posted by mrsdp2
I know that everyone on here really loves there boxers and so do I. But I have to say that you guys are making it very hard for people to come to the board and ask for advice. I just read the all the post and I really think you are being very hard on the guy for just asking for HELP. There are many other ways to word your concerns than to make him and his wife feel bad. This board is not for people to be mean and nasty to other people. I am sure I will get plenty of replies to what I have said. But I thought that I would voice my opinion.

I understand that you think we are being harsh, that is not a lot of ours intention. We are all just trying to stress the point that Mike signed on for a LIFETIME commitment when he got the dog. And i am sorry but my primary concern is the dog not the person. Unfortunantly, animals do not get to pick where they live, we make that decision for them.
That being said, when you buy, rescue or find a dog- you are making a commitment to the DOG, CAT, Fish etc. that you will care for them, feed them, love them and keep them until they pass on.
It makes me and i am sure others mad that when all of a sudden things start getting rough the first thing to go is the dog.
We are not here to critize but when you bring up a topic such as this, options are offered, and you make it sound like you are not going to try any of the advice given and instead just give the dog away, quite frankly it pisses me off.
as i have preached SEVERAL times, and that is why i made the last comment about people who know me know i voice my opinion on this subject, I work in rescue, i see the dogs that come in, and one of the number one reasons is "we just had a child, and we dont have time for the dog" so guess what, the dog goes to rescue and WE the rescue people and the people that adopt the dog have to deal with the emotional issues that the dog has, believe me dogs have emotions to, just because we dont see them pout, cry, get mad or whatever does not mean they have no emotions. animals can feel just as deep emotions as we (humans) do, and think about it, when someone we love sooo much passes away we grieve and sometimes that grief can be so overwelming that we cease to function, why should a dog be any different. do you not think losing a master, someone you worship to the depths of your paw, will cause such an intense grief???
This is why we get upset and say how we feel, because we care about animals and boxers especially.

 

[Kodie Rae]

I tried to stay away from this thread

But I agree with everyone else on the board here.

When Cooper was 5 months old I had met a guy and fell in love, we wanted to get married and have kids- we were soul mates.

Then he started becoming annoyed with my boy, he said I spent to much time with the dog (going to training classes) and playing with him and I refused to crate him 24 hrs a day while he wanted to go do things with me and he felt he had to compete with my boy. I explained to him that I made a commitment to myself and my boy when I bought him that I would train, love and provide to the best of my ability and that I could love and take care of my boy as well as love and be with him. He suggested that because my boy was still young it would be easier to give him up now instead of later on. WELL.........I felt forced to make a decision between the two of them and HE HAD TO GO. I REFUSED TO GIVE UP MY DOG FOR HIM BECAUSE HE DIDN"T HAVE THE PATIENCE FOR A PUPPY, I LOVE MY BOY AND I WILL NEVER GIVE UP ON HIM NOR WILL I EVER LET ANYONE STAND IN MY WAY OF MY LOVE FOR MY DOG!!!! MY DOG WILL WIN EVERY TIME IF I HAVE TO MAKE THOSE TYPE OF DECISIONS AND THAT IS JUST HOW I FEEL ABOUT MY DOG. He is the love of my life and we have been through trying times and he is always by my side telling me it is ok, he has never given up on me either and he has adjusted very well to a lot of different situations and routines over the past 4 years of his life but he knows no matter what I will always be there for him.
Didn't you make the same commitment when you got Shankly??
So why not now?? Too hard?? You as a new father have a lot on your plate as well because you feel the need to PROVIDE the best for your family and I am sure you are overwhelmed as well with all the weight of so many people relying on you to provide but trust me......if you give it some time IT WILL GET BETTER and then you will be able to sit back and enjoy THE WHOLE FAMILY....TOGETHER like the fairy tale story you imagined when you got Shankly. DONT GIVE UP ON YOUSELVES OR SHANKLY !!!!!
I wish you luck in your decision but please re-think every option

Congrats on the new baby!!! truly a gift of god!

 

[KC]

Don't I know it, Kodie Rae. I had to hunt high and low to find a man who would support my boxer addiction. I would not have married any man who was not as dog crazy as me - or at least supportive of my own craziness even if he didn't go as totally mad as me. My hubby married me with the understanding that my boxers are SO important to me and that he was on his own to try to find room in the bed for himself - because they are staying put! He loves boxers now as much as I and would just as soon give away a fur baby as a skin kid.

We can't wait to add skin kids to our furry family and watch all the "kids" grow up together! What better gift can we give our children than the boxer experience? I can think of none greater.
The benefits far outweigh the challenges.

 

[Bosco'sMom]

i just noticed something. Looks like yesterday was Shankley's birthday! Happy belated Birthday Shankley!!

 

[BRIDGIT]

I have to agree with everyone's opinions. Obviously you asked for advice and like of course you cannot expect everyone to agree with your thoughts or decisions. I have a rescue that to this day I will not understand why they gave her up. I am glad they did because there is no one in this world that loves her more than us. I have one of my customer's at work who is asking for my help to place their year old boxer because they "didn't have time" for her anymore or room in their new house so they gave her away and now the family they thought was good turns out to be bad, they are not feeding the dog. This is the sweetest dog ever and deserves a loving home. My point is that a dog is a LIFELONG commitment that shouldn't be taken lightly. I do not mean to be rude and I am not sitting in your shoes but it still upsets me. I really hope you guys make a decision that is right for your family and Shankly is loved and well taken care of no matter what family he is with.

 

[mysticalblues]

Mike,

I read through all of the posts, and read yours twice. To me, it does not seem that you were looking for help in the situation, but support in giving up Shankley. If you were truely looking for help, you would have considered some of the suggestions given and had more imput in this thread.

I do understand you and your wife are going through a tough time, but really think about what you are doing. Think about what it will be like to come home and not have her there to great you at the door. Think about not having here there for the bumps in the night.

I know some of the posts may seem harsh, but I just think people want you to think about what you are planning on doing.

Pam