I might have to give Shankly up. Please Advise - Page 2

Barb_IA · #13 14th May 2002, 12:21 PM

Does your wife like the dog? When it comes time to take the baby for stroller walks she can take the dog also. Great exercise for all. I have a day care in my home. I have many days when there are lots of children here, babies included plus there were 2 boxers (until the loss of 1, Loki). I think she can handle the dog and the baby just fine. I don't understand any reasons here. I've always been raised to treat a pet as part of the family. My dogs are here for good! I wouldn't get one if I didn't think I could keep it for the duration!
Your dog should provide as a great protecter to the baby! Maybe your wife should think about that.

WAT · #14 14th May 2002, 12:36 PM

I don't agree with your reasons, I'm sorry. We had Minx when Dalton was born and I just put Dalton in the stroller and took both of them for walks. It was actually nice, we all got some fresh air. Please rethink your decision, for Shankley's sake.

douma · #15 14th May 2002, 12:43 PM

Hi i haven't any advice ,but i found these pics and i think that are wonderful ,please look at these

http://www.boxerworld.com/cgi-bin/ph....pl?photo=3977

http://www.boxerworld.com/cgi-bin/ph....pl?photo=4107

and i would like to wish you and Shanky good luck

Barb_IA · #16 14th May 2002, 12:50 PM

Oh my gosh, those are adorable pics Sofia!

Billysmum · #17 14th May 2002, 12:51 PM

Well my adivce is the same as everyone else - think long and hard before you give Shankley up.

When we got Billy as an 8 week old puppy I had Tamsin aged 2 yrs 5 mths and Marissa aged 9 weeks.

It was really hard and looking back we realise we got a pup at the wrong time in our lives. However, I got through it. I potty trained Tamsin, breastfed Marissa and house trained Billy.

Once he had had his innoculations he soon learnt to walk to heel next to the pushchair.

5 years on and the girls adore Billy and our Rottie, Tommy, who is 2. We just wouldn't be without them and having a pet has taught the girls alot about caring for someone else.

Sometimes when they're upset they go to Billy for a cuddle instead of me or their Dad!

Your wife needs to get out of the house too. Is there a field nearby where Shankley can run free? I'm sure she will enjoy a daily walk and Shankley will walk next to the pushchair.

Don't feel we're all getting on at you - we just want you to know that there are options out there. A dog walker might be a good start for the first month or two though.

cfhtlhii · #18 14th May 2002, 01:14 PM

OK! I must say first off HORMONES!!! It hasn't been long enough for them to be back in check and your wife is I am sure very hormonal. I speak from experience, I have 3 boys! Never, never, never, make a lasting decision like this so soon after having a baby. Things always look so grim. Give your wife a chance to see clearly. Maybe find a friend or someone to watch the dog for you for a couple of days to a week and see how she feels about it. If she still doesn't think she can handle it try giving it another week. Then if she still doesn't think she can handle it start looking into your other options of what you can do. Remember to be encouraging to her, its not all about the dog, trust me!

Connie

TayandRee · #19 14th May 2002, 01:20 PM

I have a 4 year old and 2 year old....and a few extra pounds, so I always take advantage of the fact that Princess needs walking and toss the girls in the double stroller and get some excercise.

Does your wife not like the dog? Is the dog hostile to the baby? or is it just the walking that is the problem?

Whatever you decide, I wish you luck. I hope your furbaby ends up in a loving home, whether it be yours or someone elses.

2boxersrb · #20 14th May 2002, 01:21 PM

At the risk of sounding like a five year old all I can say is "that's not fair!!". But that's exactly what the situation is for Shankley. She loves you more than you could know and I guarantee she feels like she's apart of your family. How sad would you be if you got sent away because you stressed someone out?

I realize having a new baby is stressful and causes alot of things to change. You said your wife thinks that you can't spend enough time with Shankley but how do you know that she'll get any real attention when she's sitting in a cage waiting for a new family to take her. And what assurance do you have that her new family will be any better.

Things will settle down and everyone will find their place. You just have to be patient. Throwing her away is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

I hope you make the right and responsible decision.

SouthernArt · #21 14th May 2002, 01:29 PM

I don't have skin-children, but when I do, Duchess, Sam, and Beldar are staying where they are--I can't bear the thought of being without them!

I know that everyone's situation is different, so I don't want to judge you. I just wanted to say that I hope the best for everyone and that it will be that Shankly gets to stay with her family.

bonnie · #22 14th May 2002, 01:38 PM

I fully agree with what has been said, but would like to point out another variable.

You say you work long hours, sometimes gone all week?! What kind of care will the dog get from your wife? If she is adament (sp?) about getting rid of the dog, what will the quality of life be for Shankley? I guess what I'm trying to say is if she doesn't want to be bothered/stressed and hubby isn't home until weekends, what kind of emotional turmoil will this do to this poor baby?

I fully agree that if things can be worked out, keep Shankley. However, if this baby will not have the proper quality of life he deserves, maybe a new loving home should be found. Shankley didn't ask to be brought home to be later shoved out. He needs and deserves a warm, loving, caring home - not a home where he will be ignored and mentally deprived of warmth and affection.

Please think long and hard before you make a decision. I do not advocate "throwing away" animals, but I also despise neglect in any form.

exk23 · #23 14th May 2002, 05:40 PM

I am not in your shoe so I'm not going to judge you. I do however, agree that you and your wife should think this through before making any rash decision. Can you maybe get a family member to help out with the walking a couple of times a week or like it was suggested before, get a dog walker or a neighborhood kid to walk her.
I don't have any skin kids but when I first got Ruby 2 years ago, I felt I've made the biggest mistake because it was a lot of work to take care of a puppy and I was also thinking I should give him up but, I stuck it out with many many sleepless nights and constant cleaning up after him, I now cannot imagine not having him. Again we got him a playmate back in March and Lily was 9 months. I cried several days because it was way too much for me to handle 2 dogs but again I stuck it out and everything is going well for us. I think you, your family and Shankly need to get into a routine that will work for all of you. In the meantime, please have a dog walker or a family member help you out to give you the time to think about it.
For me my dogs are part of my family members. I hope things will work out for the best for all involve. Goodluck and please keep us posted on what you decided. Also please do not feel like we are ganging up on you, we are all boxers lovers and it is hard for any of us to see a boxer looses its family.

E

Scorpio · #24 14th May 2002, 06:30 PM

Well Mike, I guess you are wrong there is not only one solution if you have read all the above posts. If you love her as much as you say you do then you will find a solution.Doggy day care, student to walk her, crate, etc till your wife is able to care for her too. I know your wife must find it hard with a new baby and all but you can work it out, I know there are a lot of new moms here at BW that walk their babies and dogs at the same time. There is always a way! You must have some friends that can help out, inlaws, mom or dad, brother , sister?? Take more time to think about it and let us know. Good Luck!