Jake has found a new home. I feel bad, because he is a good dog and I think he’ll make a really good pet. I’m simply unwilling to take the chance that he could do serious damage to one of the cats, and even before the incident with Spot, I wasn’t feeling a great amount of love for Jake. When you read that a dog’s life expectancy is 10 years and after spending a few days with the dog in question you think to yourself He’s a year old, which means he’ll live for another 9 years. That’s not so long. I can handle that… right?, that might be a sign that you’re not heading in the right direction. I’m not a dog person; I’m really not. It’s possible that the dog exists out there who will change that. But it’s not Jake. I understand that many of you will be disappointed, maybe angry at me, maybe in the mood to leave angry, hateful comments. It’s okay, I completely understand how you feel. But I won’t have Spot living in fear in his own home. I just won’t. And in his new home he’ll have two dogs to play with – two dogs that are big, like him – and his new daddy is an affirmed “dog person.” I think he’s better off.
At the groomer’s, bonding with a tomcat (who looks a lot like Sugarbutt from this angle).
Hanging out in the doorway between the computer room and dining room.
Tommy, not a fan.
Still, not so much a fan.
Moonman has seriously come out of his shell. When you go into the room, he comes right to you for a hug and pat.
“Yowza!”
Oh well, you gave it a try, don’t be too hard on yourself.
Aww. Sorry it didn’t work out, but it’s good you made the decision swiftly. We had a great dane named Bo for three days back in 2001. He wasn’t going to work out, either, and we knew it. A month later, we got Diesel, and he’s been fine. Smelly, and annoying, but fine.
Sorry it didn’t work out. I can imagine it would be hard to have a “bear” in the house. Wish I could’ve taken him, but we don’t have a fenced-in yard, or even a large enough yard. Don’t sweat it, he’ll have more fun with other dogs than just the cats.
I am sorry it didn’t work out. There are ways of introducing animals to each other so that you control who has the upper hand at all times – it is a great big pain, but worth it. We have slowly introduced our dogs & cats, and it’s going pretty well. We still cannot let our older cat hang out with the other cat & dogs together – the dogs smell the older cat’s fear and his unwelcoming energy (who can blame him, king of the roost and senior pet in residence??) and they still all bristle at each other. Not expecting a love-fest, but hoping for eventual peace! Better luck next time. I’m sure Jake will be happy in his new home – at least he’s outta shelter & foster life! And had a great weekend at the And3rson Pet Resort to boot!
Robyn, no one will judge you…we understand. I am a dog person and can’t imagine life without a dog as part of it…as you and Fred feel about your cats. I, too, have come to love your cats!
Jake is a beautiful animal and will have lots of fun playing with his new canine buddies. Give Spot an extra scratch behind his ears from me!
i hope no one leaves hateful comments. that would be…hateful. you’re not a dog person, and that’s ok. i guess i would just say that it’s likely that you’re going to remain not a dog person, so maybe just keep building that furry little family of cats. 🙂
Why not an alarm system on the house instead of a dog?
As I said at Fred’s, it’s really hard to predict how animals will get along, and it’s not fair to have the pets who have been there longer to have to live in fear suddenly. I think it’s great you and Fred made the extra effort to find Jake a good home where he has other dogs to roughhouse with and have fun. Hey, with all the time you’ll save not having to vacuum up tons of Jake hair, you can spend more time with strays at the pet store. 🙂 (Kidding–you spend a ton of time there already!)
Oh darn. I figured once you got out to Smallsville with the land . . . He was reallllllly big!
Robyn, I think you were right to trust your instincts. I had to bring a dog back the day I adopted him because his reaction to my cats was far more agressive than what I felt I could handle. And I would never allow my cats to live in fear, either. I adopted another dog a few months later (bringing my total up to three dogs and four cats), and though the cats didn’t like him at first, they didn’t react with the same fear.
I’m a dog person, and I can’t imagine myself getting a new dog at the same time as a new house. It sounds like a lot on the plate for both of you. He was beautiful and I’m happy you found a good owner. You both seem like the kind of people that do things “the right way or not at all” which is super responsible. My daughter has a midsize dog and when she married my son in law who had two cats, there definitly was a pecking order (as Fred said). Her dog took over and the cats run when he comes around. SHe has decided to not have any more cats after their two are gone.
I just wish I would have been the lucky one to get Jake to keep my Danes company!!! 🙂
Don’t feel bad. You did try, and he has a good home. I’m not a dog person either, at all, and I know other people who live here would love a dog but I know it would turn out badly and I’d be resentful so I’m not going there.
I *am* a dog person, and I’ve had the same thing happen (having to take a dog back because she wasn’t the right fit). It happens. It made me feel terribly guilty, because my heart breaks for those furry babies, but it was the right thing. And anyone who has read even one entry from you or Fred knows that you would never make a decision like that lightly.
How wonderful you didn’t even have to send him back to the shelter, but he gets to go to the farm. Lucky boy!
A year old dog is still a puppy in many ways, despite whatever size they might be. It’s better to find out soon that a new dog won’t work with your established family.
It seems like a smart decision. Seriously. I’m glad you guys were able to arrive at it without acrimony.
I’m sorry, hope you can find your dog. Maybe after you move out to the stix and fence in the yard. A 90 pound dog inside a house full of cats can be a problem. Jake really does need a farm to roam. I suggest a Jack Russell Terrier-kidding! 🙂
Can I suggest reads of The Dog Whisperer and Brian Kilcommons Good People Great Dogs? (He also has a book on cats, Good Owners, Great Cats). Dogs are just too needy 🙂
I’ve been lucky that most all of the animals I’ve adopted have fit well with each other. We did have the issues with 2 female cats, but that was remedied when I moved. However, my ex and his new girlfriend had two horrible accidents regarding older cats and a moody old dog. The cats were killed when they crossed the path of the dog during some chaos. They finally seperated the dogs and cats, but I can’t even imagine the guilt and saddness with not one accident, but two.
All of my dogs, with the exception of one, have grown from puppies to adulthood with cats. The cats regularly kicked the pups asses into submission, and as adults, they remember well how much the cats hurt them, so they pretty much leave them alone. I wouldn’t dream of introducing an adult dog with cats. The stress would really be too much.
I’m happy that Jake has gone to live with someone with other big dogs. That will make a big difference for him, I’m sure.
If you’re not a dog person, you’re not. Even your own husband can’t force you to bond with a dog if you just plain don’t want one. [I know Fred’s intentions were very good, I’m just saying.]
I agree w/Tina. An alarm system would probably be a better option for you.
You made a good choice, Robyn. Adopting a pet is a gut-level decision. If it feels wrong, it is.
Hey Robyn, you know… it’s the RIGHT decision. Plain and simple. A dog that big is NEVER good inside. A smaller dog would let the cats feel less intimidated truly. But you have to think of you, the family, and the kitties first.
You made the right choice. I am sorry you had to come to this. 🙂
Only assholes would flame you for this decision. It sounds like you did the right thing. Jake will be happy in his new home. *hug*
Robyn! I can’t believe you!!!! How could you do that!?!?
kidding. Okay, not funny, but still. You can’t have a dog eating/scaring/agitating your existing pets, right? That’s not fair. Jake wouldn’t have been happy if everyone was always screaming “NO!” at him, either. He’ll be just fine – you did the responsible thing. xo
Hi Robyn…
Same thing I told Fred. Don’t worry about it. Sometimes things work out and sometimes they don’t.
I still love ya!!!
As always, thank you for being open and honest and continuing to share your experiences with us crazies on the innernets. It really helps sometimes to read somethign I’m thinking (especially when I’m thinking I must be kee-razy for thinking it…). You did the best thing by getting a great dog out of the shelter. Bottom line. He’s a beaut and I hope he loves his new home.
Good decision. We got our kittens and puppy at the same time. I don’t know how we survived. Jake sounds like he’ll be a happy dog out there on the farm. I remember when you had Sadie. I was shocked that was in 2001! I’ve been reading for six years. Amazing.
Don’t feel bad. I don’t know why anybody would send you a nasty comment. I’m just thankful you were able to find what will hopefully be a great home for him!
Oh, no, Spot! Poor little guy. Is his leg okay, did you take him to the vet?
I think you did the right thing. I also think that Jake will have a lot more fun when he has other dogs to play with.. The place he went to had a couple other dogs right?
Is spot alright now? Or is he still limping?
Sorry it didn’t work out. Of course we are not upset with you! Don’t even think such a thing. I did think it was great that you got a dog though, simply because it just seems if you live in the country, you need a dog. But, if you’re not a dog person, than it’s probably not a good idea. I was wondering though, does the shelter you volunteer for have dogs for adoption as well? Maybe you could foster some dogs and get to know them a little better and at the same time, find one that might work better for you guys.
Robyn,
Everyone has said what I was thinking. I’ve had to return a dog before too and had to find a new home for another large dog because my husband was traveling a lot and the dog weighed more than me. I felt terribly irresponsible. It makes me feel better to read your experiences because I can’t think of two more responsible animal lovers. You go above and beyond, not just for your own pets but volunteer and even spay neighborhood cats at your own expense. Sometimes it just doesn’t work, even when we give it our best. It’s good to know that because it frees us to move on and try to find a better situation for all concerned.
I did have one other thought that only occured to me in retrospect…I’ve heard it said that fear and love are the only emotions that motivate humans to act and that we should beware of decisions that have a basis in fear. It warmed my heart to think of Fred worrying about his family out in Smallville and I hoped mightily that a dog could add a sense of security and contribute in a “more the merrier” way to your brood. I’m sure after you get settled into your new digs, you’ll be in a better position to figure out whether you’re ready to try again.
Oh no, no hateful notes from me!!! Your heart was not in it at all and that would not be good for the dog. Besides you already have your hands full taking care of your furbabies AND foster babies and you were so not in the mood to try to adapt the household around a new dog.
Our dogs do not ever mingle with our cats at all. When we were moving to PA, we looked at around 50 houses before finding this house…it’s set in a way that our dogs and cats will never ever get in contact with each other, accidentally or not.
Also, we’ve decided not to adopt until all our remaining pets pass away. We’ll then adopt a pair of puppies and a pair of kittens at the same time. That way, they will get along with each other. I think it’s the best situation if you want both dogs and cats in your life.
At least Jake found a good home. I hope Spot gets better quickly. *hugs*
I moved back in with my parents three years ago so that I could go back to school and finish my bachelor’s degree. They own a dog; I own three cats. Three years later and you’d think they would have learned how to get along, right? They can coexist in the same room, as long as it’s a big room. 🙂 The dog is constantly trying to play (head down, butt up in the air, tail wagging for all it’s worth), and the cats are constantly stalking and pouncing on the dog. It gets frustrating having to constantly mediate their “arguments”. It’s as bad as having a house full of small children! Anyway, I can completely sympathize with your reasons for finding Jake better digs. You did good by finding him an even better new home.
I’m glad you found him a home & that Spot isn’t hurt too badly (I read Fred’s blog first) – also, I enjoy reading both of your blogs and it amazes me how great you two are together. You communicate and share and it gives me a lot of hope that I too can one day find that kind of love and maintain it the way you and Fred have.
No one blames either of you! You gave it a chance and it wasn’t a good fit. Jake is probably LOVING his new home and new dog buddies. Sorry it didn’t work out for you, but don’t feel guilty!
Not to worry, I am sure he is happy there!
hugs
Don’t feel bad about it. If you’re not a dog person, you’re not. And older cats find it very hard to adjust to dogs (young cats and kittens are way easier). Just think, if you had kept him, you probably would want to keep him away from the older cats, just to be sure, so he would have probably ended up outside most of the time, away from everyone and bored and lonely. That’s when they get destructive and dig and bark, causing more problems. That’s no life for a dog… or for you! You did absolutely the right thing.
I also think you guys did the right thing. It sounds like Jake wasn’t even aware of his own strength, which could be dangerous for all of the cats. You gave it a good try and then found him a new home. I’m sure that will be better for everyone. You do have to trust your instincts. I hope you guys don’t feel too bad about it, I’m sure it’s for the best.
I, too, think you made the right decision.
Y’all made the right decision. And you made it quickly which was much better for the dog. Yes, some people will flame, but they don’t live in your house! If y’all do decide to get a dog for protection, maybe an outside dog (with a place in the warmth away from the kitties for those colder nights) would be a better fit.
Well, after reading Fred’s post its understandable that you couldn’t have him stay with you. I’m glad he has a new home and doesn’t have to go to the shelter. Sounds like it was an accident (the spot thing), but one of the cat babies could get hurt.
Cheer up. Its ok. We still lurv you. 🙂
Think of it this way. If you hadn’t adopted Jake, he wouldn’t have found the home he is in now, with the two other doggies. Sometimes, its the secondary Karma that’s better than the first.
I’m so evil. I read this post Monday and didn’t read comments just so I could come back a few days later and flame the bad trolls. Damn you all for being so nice and taking away my fun!
But really, I should have known all of us who read Bitchypoo are suckers at heart. I mean, Robyn did make me a cat person!