My buddy

[CathrynRose]

You came to the DIS, the place where everyone has a perfect life. They have perfect homes, perfect children, never accepted assistance from anyone, have saved for every potential circumstance, they make the correct decisions all the time and never use a credit card for vacation.

Instead of spending time here having people use you as a platform to demonstrate their superiority-head to google and find actual help for your situation.

That's not fair. FOR ME this is something I'm really passionate about. If you want the honest truth, there's been nights I'm bored at work, Facebook'd and DIS'd out, so I head. To. Craigslist. Then I message all the "free to good home" ads, and tell them what a terrible idea, it is. (Like mentioned, bait dogs/cats, labratory dogs/cats) I don't do it all the time, but I have. I'm not ****ty to them, just giving them a heads up to what could happen.

That being said ~ I don't have a perfect life. I have debt, pain in the *** kids, a job that. Pays well, yet makes me wonder if I'd rather gouge my eyes out, than ever show up, again. I've mentioned previously, when. I have a bad day, I go buy expensive perfume. And purses. I try to use my Von Maur charge, that is interest free....but sometimes Bloomingdales has the purse I want. Interest!

So...through my unperfect life, and my inconsistant world, there are 2 wonderful, consistant, perfect things ~ and those are those furry beasts, in my signature.

I was lazy all day today. Sat in the sun, drank some wine, I haven't showered, and those two don't care. They've been by my side all day long. I can't fathom or understand ever leaving them behind, rehomed or not. I'm their world - even when I'm still in my pajamas, like today.

 

[BillBrasky]

Keep the dogs. It doesn't matter if you have a yard. We live in an apartment and my dog gets more exercise than 99% of dogs with yards. Today she went on a 5 mile trail hike/jog, went swimming in a pond, went to the dog park and played with friend dogs, went out for ice cream with us and another dog owner with dog, and is now contentedly passed out at my feet. And this is an average weekend day for her. I work full days (fortunately from home but I can't take my dog out during work hours) and my wife works and goes to school, but our dog still gets dog park exercise with other dogs and/or a long hike pretty much every day. You have a golden and a husky... they don't need 1/10th of the exercise my dog gets, they're lower maintenance breeds. Heck, the husky would drop dead by mile 3 during the Orlando summer. I'm sure with effort, you can give those dogs great lives in Florida whatever the circumstances are.

 

[handinpocket]

I was offered a once in a life time job offer in a prestigious vacation area. I desperately wanted to move there and took the position. I just assumed everything would work out with my animals...wrong.

My house back home had not sold with no prospects and I was left with the only choice being to rent. I could fine next to nothing that was pet friendly, the few that were, would not allow me to have my dog because she was on the "vicious dog list".

My dog was carefully chosen for her temperment and is a member of our family. I resigned from my dream job and came back home. Of course there were other factors, such as not selling my primary home.....but it came down to, I couldn't find housing there because of my dog. I chose my dog.

 

[undertheradar]

OP, sorry that some posters have judged and convicted you. I understand that you want advice and put lots of info out there for The Dis jury to decide. Learn from your mistakes and quit answering the posters who attempt to draw you into debate. The Dis is full of zero debt carrying, only honor student allowed, perfect households where nothing ever throws the daily routine out of schedule.

 

[sorcerormickey]

I'm sure the OP would gladly let you borrow her shoes for a mile if you're interested...

Actually, I was in her shoes....we moved 1000 miles from MI to FL. BUT, we had built a home and at least knew where we would live. How do you just pick up and move with no where to go?

 

[sookie]

Actually, I was in her shoes....we moved 1000 miles from MI to FL. BUT, we had built a home and at least knew where we would live. How do you just pick up and move with no where to go?

And orlando doesn't have a great real estate market and has a poor employment rate as well.

I might be wrong, but it seemed like it areas where real estate was poor (people loosing their homes) it seemed like the rental market was tighter (less rentals because people can't purchase because of the economy, and people who lost their homes were having to find cheaper living in a rental).

I would just recommend trying to find a job and then housing before even picking another area. A relocation is fine - but when you have a reason to relocate (new or better job). This does just seem like poor overall planning (house sold "too quickly", no jobs, no housing lined up, a teenage DD who has to live with the fallout of a move as well... and THEN you have to consider the dogs.)

 

[Mysteria]

I keep deleting what I want to say here because I just can't find a way to express it without being point worthy.

When you make your dream move to Orlando DON't get any animals.

 

[goofyintoronto]

And orlando doesn't have a great real estate market and has a poor employment rate as well.

I might be wrong, but it seemed like it areas where real estate was poor (people loosing their homes) it seemed like the rental market was tighter (less rentals because people can't purchase because of the economy, and people who lost their homes were having to find cheaper living in a rental).

I would just recommend trying to find a job and then housing before even picking another area. A relocation is fine - but when you have a reason to relocate (new or better job). This does just seem like poor overall planning (house sold "too quickly", no jobs, no housing lined up, a teenage DD who has to live with the fallout of a move as well... and THEN you have to consider the dogs.)

Yup, I totally agree. Very poor planning. Im sure there are plenty of affordable short term rental apartments you can find that are pet friendly. You can stay there until you find a job and a permanent home. Your pets dont care where they live, as long as youre all together. Good luck with the job & home hunt OP.

 

[luvsJack]

Good grief, people. She didn't ask any of you if she SHOULD move or what she should do before she moves. She asked for tips on moving large dogs.

To say that your pets will be happy anywhere you move is not fair to the person nor to the animals.

Some dogs need space to move and run and play. They are not happy stuck in an apartment all day. And I think its unfair to the animal to do that to them just so that a person feels superior in that "I KEPT my pets, they are a part of my family".

Our pets mean a lot to us too, but if we felt that we couldn't provide what they needed, we would rehome them.

Someone mentioned the breed of her dog and would it be too hot for the dog in Florida. That is something to consider. My aunt had a Saint Bernard that she loved dearly. Its hot in Mississippi and the dog was miserable most of the time. He couldn't even go outside for much of the year, he stayed inside with the a/c running. And so he didn't get the exercise that he needed and wanted.

OP, you have to do what you feel is best for you and your animals. A lot of people have moved with big dogs and it was fine. If you think you can't make it work, do not be guilted into it. That's not fair to you nor to the dogs. They will need time to adjust and learn the ins and outs of their new homes and you will have to adjust to what will be different and what you need to do differently to take care of them.

Pets are a commitment but that commitment means doing what is best for the animal and for you.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Good grief, people. She didn't ask any of you if she SHOULD move or what she should do before she moves. She asked for tips on moving large dogs.

To say that your pets will be happy anywhere you move is not fair to the person nor to the animals.

Some dogs need space to move and run and play. They are not happy stuck in an apartment all day. And I think its unfair to the animal to do that to them just so that a person feels superior in that "I KEPT my pets, they are a part of my family". >>> my dog is in our house all day long while im at work. Would there be a difference if he was kept in an apartment all day vs a house? All he's doing is sleeping/lying there. So it doesnt matter where he is. When i get home, we go for a walk. We do the same first thing in the morning. He gets the same amount of exercise in a house vs an apartment. I know many ppl with large dogs that live in an apartment/condo, and theyre all very happy. As long as you provide the dog with the right amount of exercise, s/he will be fine no matter how big or small your place may be.

Our pets mean a lot to us too, but if we felt that we couldn't provide what they needed, we would rehome them.

Someone mentioned the breed of her dog and would it be too hot for the dog in Florida. That is something to consider. My aunt had a Saint Bernard that she loved dearly. Its hot in Mississippi and the dog was miserable most of the time. He couldn't even go outside for much of the year, he stayed inside with the a/c running. And so he didn't get the exercise that he needed and wanted.

OP, you have to do what you feel is best for you and your animals. A lot of people have moved with big dogs and it was fine. If you think you can't make it work, do not be guilted into it. That's not fair to you nor to the dogs. They will need time to adjust and learn the ins and outs of their new homes and you will have to adjust to what will be different and what you need to do differently to take care of them.

Pets are a commitment but that commitment means doing what is best for the animal and for you.

There are ways around the heat and walking your dog. If you walk your dog early in the morning or late at night, it wont be as hot out. Sure your dog will suffer if you walk him/her in the midday heat.

Some ppl feel that the dog is better off with another family, I just think thats selfish and irresponsible. To each their own.

 

[HelenePA]

There are ways around the heat and walking your dog. If you walk your dog early in the morning or late at night, it wont be as hot out. Sure your dog will suffer if you walk him/her in the midday heat.

Some ppl feel that the dog is better off with another family, I just think thats selfish and irresponsible. To each their own.

Okay I'm going to the the odd ball here What is so wrong with re homing a dog? That's how I ended up with mine. He suffers no ill affect from it, aside from being a pita but I believe he was born that way... I know I'm going to get slammed for this but they are animals not people... I give it 3 posts until I'm told to ever get a animal because of this... but dont worry I plan on always having a dog... so those comments will not affect me at all... sometimes it is the responsible thing to do in pet ownership. Mine was crated for 18-20hrs a day before we got him... should they have still kept him lets all agree of course not... the responsible thing to do was find a good home for him... so that's what they did...

 

[goofyintoronto]

Okay I'm going to the the odd ball here What is so wrong with re homing a dog? That's how I ended up with mine. He suffers no ill affect from it, aside from being a pita but I believe he was born that way... I know I'm going to get slammed for this but they are animals not people... I give it 3 posts until I'm told to ever get a animal because of this... but dont worry I plan on always having a dog... so those comments will not affect me at all... sometimes it is the responsible thing to do in pet ownership. Mine was crated for 18-20hrs a day before we got him... should they have still kept him lets all agree of course not... the responsible thing to do was find a good home for him... so that's what they did...

Crating the dog 18-20 hours a day? Are you kidding? OMG I cannot imagine! Why bother having a dog if your gonna keep the poor thing in a cage for 20 hours a day!? Thats awful. Poor doggy. Anyway, you bring up a good point. In a case like yours, (and im sure there are many others), it worked out for the best. I never really thought of it that way.

 

[HelenePA]

Crating the dog 18-20 hours a day? Are you kidding? OMG I cannot imagine! Why bother having a dog if your gonna keep the poor thing in a cage for 20 hours a day!? Thats awful. Poor doggy. Anyway, you bring up a good point. In a case like yours, (and im sure there are many others), it worked out for the best. I never really thought of it that way.

My friend has 4 dogs that she got from "re homing" she also had to re home one dog because she was not a good fit for her family and was snapping at her little boys... she went to live on a big farm.. she is much much happier there! Should she have never gotten another dog because of it? if you say yes then the 4 dogs she has now would have probably went to a shelter and would be dead...

 

[CandleontheWater]

I could never imagine moving and not taking my cats with me. We move constantly being military, and it is not rocket science to move with pets. In fact, we're doing it in the next three weeks, Virginia to Connecticut.

Step one: Get all your vet records and make sure that your pet is up to date with its shots.

Step two: put pet in car and drive to new location- if you need to stop along the way find a pet friendly hotel at the halfway point BEFORE you leave home.

Step three- either stay in a pet friendly hotel until you find permanent lodging, or find a place to board your pets while you search for a place to live- DO THIS BEFORE YOU LEAVE!

Step four- find a pet friendly rental property or buy a home that would be good for your pets. You can start this before you leave- go start researching NOW!

Since you are going to move without finding a job or place to live first, this might take some time and be expensive, but surely you thought of that and have backup funds- right?

I personally think that its not the smartest plan to move to a place with no employment or place to live lined up before hand, but if you follow the above steps, at least you don't have to leave your pets with someone else.

 

[penn19]

I will tell you what my parents did teach me, and that is responsibility. You are an irresponsible pet owner and do not deserve the love & loyalty these dogs give you since you seem to think of them as disposable. If you have pets and you move, you take them with you. If the place you go does not accept pets YOU CANT GO THERE because you have pets. See where I am going with this?

How selfish to dump your dogs with someone else. They will be sad have to adjust and never know why they got left behind. They are not going to understand.

Not a single one of your reasons for getting rid of them make a shred of sense. You might have to commute? Do you think no one else has ever done that in the history of time?

You are what is wrong with society. 6 months from now you'll be heading back


to Ohio blaming the economy for your poor planning.

Wow. Just wow. I hope to God I never meet some of you in "real" life. I think the OP was trying to be responsible. It didn't work out. Now the OP is trying to look for help. Not judgement.

 

[luvsJack]

There are ways around the heat and walking your dog. If you walk your dog early in the morning or late at night, it wont be as hot out. Sure your dog will suffer if you walk him/her in the midday heat.

Some ppl feel that the dog is better off with another family, I just think thats selfish and irresponsible. To each their own.

Some dogs thrive on being able to run and play most of the time. Its just their breed. And walking once or twice a day isn't the best solution for that particular dog.

I don't know if you have been in MS in July/August/September--but its HOT regardless of whether you walk early in the morning or not and late at night isn't always an option depending on where you live or how you work. So, for my aunt's dog, he was miserable during the summer/fall/spring and there were only a few times that it was really cool enough for him to be outside in the winter. I would imagine that Orlando would have the same issue on heat.

Not rehoming a dog when you cannot provide what he needs is selfish and irresponsible.

 

[HelenePA]

Some dogs thrive on being able to run and play most of the time. Its just their breed. And walking once or twice a day isn't the best solution for that particular dog.

I don't know if you have been in MS in July/August/September--but its HOT regardless of whether you walk early in the morning or not and late at night isn't always an option depending on where you live or how you work. So, for my aunt's dog, he was miserable during the summer/fall/spring and there were only a few times that it was really cool enough for him to be outside in the winter. I would imagine that Orlando would have the same issue on heat.

Not rehoming a dog when you cannot provide what he needs is selfish and irresponsible.

My dog is a springer spaniel... i swear to you he NEVER sleep... this is why they crated him for up to 20hrs a day... all he wants to do is play run go nuts chase the cats this is why they had to rehome him... they had/have other dogs but Charlie is so insanely hyper they just couldn't deal with him (he's not a puppy btw he's 7).. I have 4 kids to wear him out still isn't enough some days though! he would NOT do good in an apt having only 2 walks a day... it would cause havoc!! it would be awful for everyone involved.. the responsible thing for me to do (if this was happening to me) would be to re home him... would I miss his hyper little butt? sure but he'd be happier and that's more important than me missing him!

 

[luvsJack]

My dog is a springer spaniel... i swear to you he NEVER sleep... this is why they crated him for up to 20hrs a day... all he wants to do is play run go nuts chase the cats this is why they had to rehome him... they had/have other dogs but Charlie is so insanely hyper they just couldn't deal with him (he's not a puppy btw he's 7).. I have 4 kids to wear him out still isn't enough some days though! he would NOT do good in an apt having only 2 walks a day... it would cause havoc!! it would be awful for everyone involved.. the responsible thing for me to do (if this was happening to me) would be to re home him... would I miss his hyper little butt? sure but he'd be happier and that's more important than me missing him!

My mom has one of those dogs! She's a loving dog and we all like to take up time with her but she is very hyper! She stays inside with mom at night but during the day she is outside in the fence running and playing with her multitude of toys! Some of the grandkids are always coming and getting her to take her to play. and she was just the kind of dog I was thinking about, no way would she be happy cooped up in an apartment all day with just a couple of walks.

 

[goofy!]

Some dogs thrive on being able to run and play most of the time. Its just their breed. And walking once or twice a day isn't the best solution for that particular dog.

I don't know if you have been in MS in July/August/September--but its HOT regardless of whether you walk early in the morning or not and late at night isn't always an option depending on where you live or how you work. So, for my aunt's dog, he was miserable during the summer/fall/spring and there were only a few times that it was really cool enough for him to be outside in the winter. I would imagine that Orlando would have the same issue on heat.

Not rehoming a dog when you cannot provide what he needs is selfish and irresponsible.

See, that is the thing. You can ALWAYS provide what the dog needs, even in an apartment.

Have a high energy dog? Take him to flyball or agility classes to exercise mind and body.

Too hot? Provide a cooling bed. We have a very heavy coated breed (komondor). Our breeder lives in Houston, talk about hot and humid.

Living without a yard is never an excuse. There are plenty of options out there to exercise both the mind and body for dogs.

There are legitimate reasons to rehome a dog. For instance, neglect and/or abuse. The dog that was crated for 18 hours a day - that is neglect and abusive. But I don't think the OP is abusive like that. She wouldn't crate her dogs 18 hours a day.

Another legitimate reason to rehome is if you are having medical issues and creates issues taking care of the dog. I have a 2 year old right now that came from some very experienced dog people. But she just had surgery and is unsteady on her feet. The doctor said it would be about 2 years for a full recovery. Our new dog is very, very rambunctious. After almost falling down the stairs a couple of times, they needed to rehome the dog. This was a medical issue that was causing a dangerous situation.

And the dog has settled in very well. Dogs can be rehomed sucessfully. But, this dog is from our breeder and if we didn't take her, the contract says she has to be returned to the breeder. So, we know she will never end up in a shelter. She is here for life, so barring anything major medically, we will never have to give her back to our mutual breeder. The former owners would never have just rehomed her to friends or anybody like that because there would not be any guarantee that they would follow the contract and return her to the breeder. They wouldn't take any chances that she would end up in a shelter in a few years.

However...rehoming a dog due to poor planning and sheer convenience should never be an option. If you are planning a move, part of your plan is how to include your pets.

We had good friends that was transferred to the UK for 3 years. Even though they had to go through a quarantine, they moved their Golden with them. They just visited her in quarantine every day. Was it inconvenient - you bet. But that is responsible pet ownership.

The first and foremost responsibility is to make sure your pet never ends up in a shelter to be euthanized.

 

[goofyintoronto]

My dog is a springer spaniel... i swear to you he NEVER sleep... this is why they crated him for up to 20hrs a day... all he wants to do is play run go nuts chase the cats this is why they had to rehome him... they had/have other dogs but Charlie is so insanely hyper they just couldn't deal with him (he's not a puppy btw he's 7).. I have 4 kids to wear him out still isn't enough some days though! he would NOT do good in an apt having only 2 walks a day... it would cause havoc!! it would be awful for everyone involved.. the responsible thing for me to do (if this was happening to me) would be to re home him... would I miss his hyper little butt? sure but he'd be happier and that's more important than me missing him!

My mom has one of those dogs! She's a loving dog and we all like to take up time with her but she is very hyper! She stays inside with mom at night but during the day she is outside in the fence running and playing with her multitude of toys! Some of the grandkids are always coming and getting her to take her to play. and she was just the kind of dog I was thinking about, no way would she be happy cooped up in an apartment all day with just a couple of walks.

Before you (general you) get a dog, do your research/homework and pick the type of dog that suits your familys needs. My dog is a golden retriever, and is far from hyper. He'd do just fine in an apartment as he just lies on his comfy doggy mattress and chills all day long. It would be pure hell if I left him in the yard all day alone. Hell I tell ya! He'd flip out. He hates being in the yard alone for some reason. I personally wouldnt feel comfortable leaving him alone in the yard all day anyway. So each case/dog is different.