Let me start out by saying I know I opened the door by asking what people thought about my last post. Now let me tell you what I think of you.
First, it must be nice to hide behind a shield of anonymity. If you really want to say something, why don't you create a profile so people can find out who you are? At least I have the guts to put my feelings out there with an identity.
To answer your multiple comments, perhaps I need to describe Kobe in a little more detail.
From the time he was a puppy, he has been difficult. And by difficult I mean, destructive and unbalanced.
And before you start going down the road of training and patience, we've been there and we've done that. I'm guessing you are probably one of those "We Must Save All The Animals" people and that's fine. It's your right and your opinion.
But, how dare you accuse me of being an unloving pet owner. We cared for both Kobe and Kaly for the last 11 years. And, we cared for them equally.
Over the last 11 years, Kobe has managed to destroy furniture, carpet, doors, windows and walls.
We fixed it all without saying a word.
3 years ago, he got bloat. Who do you think identified it and insisted we take him to the vet? Yes, that's right. It was me.
Who paid $7,000 and visited him in the ICU every day for a week? Yes, that's right. It was me.
Who feeds him every morning and takes him for walks? Yes, that's right. It's me.
He is my husband's dog and I do feel differently about him than I did Kaly. That is true. My feelings didn't happen overnight. It has been slowly over time and as a result of constant destruction.
These recent incidents of peeing and pooping started over a year ago. I'm not an idiot - I understand babies pee and poop. If you are going to leave comments, at least make a comment that isn't condescending.
I'm tired of coming home every day to my house smelling like a toilet.
I'm tired of waking up in the middle of the night 2-3 times/week to the smell of poop in the house.
I'm tired of watching him not be able to hold or completely empty his bladder.
I'm tired of watching him struggle to climb the front steps because he can barely walk due to arthritis.
It's not that I don't love Kobe. I do. We've had him for 11 years. But, I am at the point that something has got to give.
We're expecting twins. My priority will be my children. Over anything else.
We can't afford to spend $6,500 on new carpet again. He caused us to do that 4 years ago.
So, before you start making judgments about people based on one posting, perhaps you should sit back and realize that you don't know the person who is writing. You know absolutely nothing about me.
Since you seem to have so much to say, why don't you start your own blog? I'd love to leave some comments of my own.
11 comments:
Wow! I just read some of the comments people left you... Not nice!!
I know where you are coming from. In a perfect world when a dog gets old and quality of life is affected it would be awesome if they slipped away on their own, but this doesn't always happen.
When the babies come, Kobe is not going to get as much attention as an aging dog requires. That's the reality of it. He will probably go down hill faster, due to the anxiety of a change in the house. (I've seen it happen to my 12 yr old hound!)
It is the kind thing to do when your pet is at the point where they sleep in their own poop, can't walk, can't hold their pee. Or course they still love their family, but I truly, believe they will be in a better place when they pass on.
Ignore those who do not speak from experiance. I am a huge dog lover, but yet I've watched 4 of my beloved animals be put to sleep. Keeping them alive would have been selfish, they needed peace!
I'm sorry, I don't know you I just happened on your blog today and I just want to say I can't believe how rude people are. I read about your dog and I'm right there with you. Before our daughter came along (we adopted) I LOVED my dogs. That's not to say I don't anymore, but my priorities have changed. My dogs are starting to act out, pooping and peeing in my house, because we can't give them as much attention as we used to. We just got new carpet too, and it's way too expensive to have to keep doing it. Those people who were rude to you on your last post are probably the same people who believe in abortion. They are the assholes. You are right!!
Tell her!!! :) Like I said, do NOT feel bad if you have to get rid of the dog. Your children our YOUR PRIORITY NOW and not the dog. Don't let her get to you. Just ignore her. SHe obviously, well... Anyways, do what you do and keep on moving! :)
I just read what the anonmynous people said and they are crazy! Don't listen to them. You konw what is best for you and your family including Your hubby! You are the mom and when Mama ain't happy, NO BODY IS HAPPY!! :)
I too just read the comments left by anonymous. As is the case with everything, it is quite easy to judge a situation when you yourself are not in the midst of it. That is exactly what is happening here. This is such a personal decision and it is not meant for anyone but your family to decide. I suggest, if it works for you, to approve all comments before they go up so in the very least anonymous and hurtful comments don't get airplay unless you wish them to.
You put up with it about 5 years longer than I would for sure. I used to have standard poodle pups, and I would advise people about training, etc. BUT, any dog needs to be an easy member of the family, that dog clearly has issues that probably make HIM as unhappy as you. People need to realize that while it nice to "take good care of your dog", it is a DOG, not a human. I put my dog to sleep 2 years ago for these same reasons. I guarantee that dog is no happier than you are.
Hey! I've been following your journey for a while--I found your blog from Erin Robertson's blog, which I found from the McNulty Quad's blog.
ANYWAY.
Those are some pretty awful comments and I know they probably didn't do anything but feed your guild about the Kobe situation. The fact is, dogs don't live forever and our society has blessed us with a peaceful way out for them. I have a co-worker who adopts Greyhounds and she puts them down whenever they are unable to make it up the stairs. Not for her, but for them. I would argue against "Anonymous" and say that once an animal's quality of live has deteriorated to the point where Kobe's has, you are doing more for him as an owner to give him a peaceful way out than you would keeping him with you. I would tell her that I think it's selfish of her to keep her suffering animals alive. Yes, putting him down will be emotional. Yes, you will miss him, but it is a chapter closing just as another one opens, and maybe that's the best thing for Kobe and for you.
But it's not my decision, it's yours and your husband's.
God has blessed you with this amazing pregnancy just has God blessed you with 11 years with Kobe. Unsolicited advice--you and your husband should turn to God on this one--he'll lead you where you need to go.
Suzanne,
The cowardly "Anonymous" is a wacko. Don't feel guilty for even one single second. You have been a great dog owner and Kobe has had a fantastic life. You are giving the situation a great deal of careful thought, which shows that you are far more intelligent than Anonymous, who, by the way, cannot even spell. Why is it that the rude, breathless people can never string together a coherent post with correct grammar and spelling?
Anonymous: You suck.
-Katie
Suzanne,
Like everyone else I have to believe that all of the "Anonymous" comments were made by the same person. Seems he/she wants it to appear that there are more than one person who thinks the same thing.
I'm probably not the best person to weigh in on this topic because I for one would have put the dog down long ago - babies or no babies on the way. I like animals just fine but my kids and any potential animals that we would choose to bring into our home are not even close in comparison - that's why we have fish!
I am so excited for you and your babies on the way - don't listen to negative - you have to do what's best for you and the HUMANS in your home! I do feel bad for your husband though and hope that he make peace with the fact that Kobe will be going on the doggy heaven in the sky before too long, no matter what decision you make.
Good luck!
Jen
Good for you! The comments were not nice.
you know you can block anonymous comments?
I'm a lurker on your blog- and yeah, this is a tough situation. We have a cat that has caused all of the problems you have listed with your dog. We do animal rescue, and we are the "save all the animals" type, as long as it's not selfish to keep the animal alive for our benefit and not theirs.
I can honestly say, that being in your situation myself, I would suck it up and keep the dog. I have no plans to get rid of my cat, babies or no babies, because I made a committment to her for the rest of her life. This also sounds like its something for your husband to decide, and not you. If you push him to put this dog down, you're in for some resentment later on from him I think. In a society of "if it's broken, throw it away" I would encourage you to reconsider this and let your husband decide what is in the dog's best interest.
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