Puppies Should NOT be Gifts

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I understand that under certain circumstances it's perfectly okay. For instance you want to get your husband or child a puppy, because you know that you'll be responsible for its welfare too.

But FTLOG, do NOT get one for someone else if you aren't going to be there to make sure that it gets taken care of!

I just left the house of an elderly man. He was as sweet as could be, but he was 85, if he was a day old. This poor man couldn't even walk, or hear very well.

I'm showing his house to some clients of mine and he tells us to be careful when we go in the backyard, because there was a puppy back there. Well, me being the animal lover that I am, I go take a peek. Outside, was the cutest Yellow Lab puppy that I've ever seen.

I went in the backyard with my clients, who are dog lovers as well, and this dog went absolutely WILD. I mean WILD - as in, out of control!!! She was jumping almost up to my waist, pulling on my pants, zipping in and out in between my legs and being a general PITA, puppy-style. It was obvious that this puppy wasn't getting any attention.

It was almost impossible to get back inside without the puppy sneaking past us. As a matter of fact, my client's fiance accidentally shut her tail in the door.

I walked in and made the comment that she sure did have some energy and the poor man tells me that he knows, that's why she's always either outside or in the garage.

He told us that she was a Valentine's gift. I suspect this man has recently lost his wife and that someone meaning well gave him the puppy to keep him company. There is no way on Earth that man will be able to handle that puppy. And who will suffer? The puppy.

As we left, she was on her hind legs watching us through the french doors, and we could hear her barking from the front yard as we left. It made me so sad to leave that poor thing behind.

 

[NMAmy]

That's so sad. Hopefully, he will find a good home for it and not keep it himself.

When my dad passed away, tons of people told me I should get my mom a dog. My mom is just not an animal person--she tolerated us having dogs as kids but she never really enjoyed having a pet. She wasn't mean to them but she didn't voluntarily hang out with them either. I can't think of anyone less suited to have a dog.

Some people are just not pet people. And as people age or if someone has a busy lifestyle, it's harder to care for a puppy. Hopefully, someone will see your post and remember it.

 

[Tracey1974]

My sister decided that my parents would like a pitbull puppy one day so she brought her home and she was fine for about 4 months then just started terrorizing everyone. We couldn't sit in the living room, eat in the kitchen or be in our own bedrooms if she was in there growling and barking. It was very very scary. She almost attacked me one day as I was trying to hug my mom and we had to put her to sleep. She bit my brother and broke the skin and I spent 2 days trying to find a shelter for her and no one would take her. It still kills me that I did that but we just couldn't live in peace in our own home with that dog.


Never buy a pet for someone who isn't expecting it or if you are not sure they would want it.

 

[RadioNate]

I agree with you. Several years ago my DH's extended family got his grandmother a dog because she was lonely. We weren't part of the decision at all. The dog is now about 10 years old and is being put to sleep next week because his grandmother is moving into a retirement home that doesn't allow dogs. She lives in a small town and it is the only facility for her.

Of course none of the people responsible for getting her the dog are willing to take it. She has a daughter, 2 grandson's and 2 adult great grandchildren in town and they won't take the dog.

We would take it but we live 17 hours away. The closest airport to her house is 4 hours away and no low cost airlines like SW go there so we are stuck. Had we known earlier we would have made plans to get the dog but we got such short notice we just can't do it.

 

[mommaU4]

Poor puppy. And that poor guy. I'm sure he feels bad about not being able to care for it properly.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

In this case, it's just an age issue. This man is in no shape to take care of a puppy. Maybe an older, smaller, and much calmer rescue would have been a better choice.

I don't know - I just can't quit thinking about it.

Reading both of your responses makes me see that this is a much bigger problem than I realized.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I agree with you. Several years ago my DH's extended family got his grandmother a dog because she was lonely. We weren't part of the decision at all. The dog is now about 10 years old and is being put to sleep next week because his grandmother is moving into a retirement home that doesn't allow dogs. She lives in a small town and it is the only facility for her.

Of course none of the people responsible for getting her the dog are willing to take it. She has a daughter, 2 grandson's and 2 adult great grandchildren in town and they won't take the dog.

We would take it but we live 17 hours away. The closest airport to her house is 4 hours away and no low cost airlines like SW go there so we are stuck. Had we known earlier we would have made plans to get the dog but we got such short notice we just can't do it.

OMG - that makes me incredibly sad. Is it a full-breed? Has rescue been contacted? What about no-kill shelters?

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Poor puppy. And that poor guy. I'm sure he feels bad about not being able to care for it properly.

Oh, he was such a sweet man. You could tell he was lonely.

It's rare for sellers to be present when I'm there with buyers and he walked up and introduced himself and was showing off his prized, hand-carved cuckoo clock to all of us. Bless his heart, he wanted someone to talk to him.

This is going to be one of those things that's going to be on my mind for a long time.

 

[buddy&wooz]

My husband's step-brother bought his grandmother (actually his step-grandma who he barely knew) a puppy when she was about 75, living in a small apartment, with a full-time aide, and had early signs of dementia! He knew all this- he just thought she'd like the company of a puppy! He mentioned it to a few people who said it was a bad idea, but he did it anyway. Fortunately my inlaws were smart enough to keep the puppy for themselves and she was a much loved pet for 11 years before she died.

 

[VSL]

This is going to be one of those things that's going to be on my mind for a long time.

I totally agree about not giving someone a pet as a gift (unless, like you said, you live with them and are the adult/one of the adults in the house).

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

The sad thing about all of this, is people are doing it out of the goodness of their hearts, but with a great deal of ignorance.

So sad.

 

[Maleficent13]

This whole thread made me Maybe the person who bought him the puppy should come and spend some time with the two of them helping to train it and giving the man some companionship.

Little old men are my weak spot...I want to adopt them all and take care of them...I know I'm weird. If I see an elderly man buying groceries for one in the store, I have to leave and cry in the car. yes, for all I know he could be a psychopath...it doesn't matter...in my head he's the guy who lost his wife after 50 years and can't figure out what brand of ketchup she used to buy him.

Totally OT...sorry.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

This whole thread made me Maybe the person who bought him the puppy should come and spend some time with the two of them helping to train it and giving the man some companionship.

Little old men are my weak spot...I want to adopt them all and take care of them...I know I'm weird. If I see an elderly man buying groceries for one in the store, I have to leave and cry in the car. yes, for all I know he could be a psychopath...it doesn't matter...in my head he's the guy who lost his wife after 50 years and can't figure out what brand of ketchup she used to buy him.

Totally OT...sorry.

No! I totally understand! I'm the same way!

I think I might send an email to the listing agent. Just mention to her if he ever has to get rid of the puppy, that she can call me. Even if I can't take her, I can make sure she's rescued.

 

[mommaU4]

Oh, he was such a sweet man. You could tell he was lonely.

It's rare for sellers to be present when I'm there with buyers and he walked up and introduced himself and was showing off his prized, hand-carved cuckoo clock to all of us. Bless his heart, he wanted someone to talk to him.

This is going to be one of those things that's going to be on my mind for a long time.

You are sweet to care so much. Just the sort this world needs more of.

 

[VSL]

Little old men are my weak spot...I want to adopt them all and take care of them...I know I'm weird. If I see an elderly man buying groceries for one in the store, I have to leave and cry in the car. yes, for all I know he could be a psychopath...it doesn't matter...in my head he's the guy who lost his wife after 50 years and can't figure out what brand of ketchup she used to buy him.

Yeah - I think that I don't feel the same about old ladies because they seem to have more social support (generally) than men - I often see little old ladies and their friends/sisters shopping together and having a good old natter

The sad thing about all of this, is people are doing it out of the goodness of their hearts, but with a great deal of ignorance.

So sad.

Yeah

 

[mommaU4]

Little old men are my weak spot...I want to adopt them all and take care of them...I know I'm weird. If I see an elderly man buying groceries for one in the store, I have to leave and cry in the car. yes, for all I know he could be a psychopath...it doesn't matter...in my head he's the guy who lost his wife after 50 years and can't figure out what brand of ketchup she used to buy him.

Totally OT...sorry.

I know what you mean! It's so sad. And yes we may be making assumptions that couldn't be farther from the truth, but I think the same things.

I remember once in the grocery store parking lot their was this older couple and the wife was walking alot slower than her husband so he went back and took her arm and walked with her across the parking lot to the store. It was so sweet.

Then this car of young punks pulls up and stops so dang close to them and sits there making all sorts of faces waiting for this couple to finish crossing.
Ugh! I was so disgusted!!

I wanted to go up and knock on the window and say what the heck is wrong with you guys!!! Show a little respect for crying out loud. We will all be that age someday, God willing. Some of these kids today have no consideration for the elderly and they act like they will never age.

When ever we see someone who is older, I tell my kids just imagine what an amzing life that person must have had, all the changes they have seen and the stories they could share. They should be honored and respected for their age, not ridiculed.

Sorry, rant over. Back to the puppy.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Sorry, rant over. Back to the puppy.

No, Beth, that wasn't a rant at all! I think this is just as much an issue of the elderly being lonely, as it is an issue of giving live pets as gifts.

Like you, I would have like to have given those kids some serious brain-dusters.

 

[janette]

too bad they didn't at least do some research to get a more appropriate pet. Some rescue groups have special adoption fees and try to match older people with older dogs. It works well because the older dogs are less likely to get adopted but are often the best pet for someone that just doesn't have the energy for a puppy.

 

[Hillbeans]

We would take that dog in a heartbeat...think we can get him/her to NJ?

We're going to be in a new home shortly and would have lots of room and love for a Puppy. My husband would die and go to heaven to have a yellow lab.

 

[Horseshoes]

Is there an animal control agency you could call and notify them that this puppy is not getting the care it needs?

Maybe the man would be happy if someone came and took the puppy away, knowing that it would go to a better home.

I feel so sad for that poor puppy