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Aligord
Dogsey Senior
Aligord is offline  
Location: Basingstoke, UK
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 351
Female 
 
16-12-2009, 08:09 PM

Probably Losing My Dog...

I don't really know where to put this thread or even to describe what is happening and how but I need to talk to some doggy folk about it so I'll just give it a go...

We left Oscar at home today while we popped out to the supermarket. We have done this numerous times before, he is normally fine. He will wander around and if you've been daft enough to leave food around then he'll probably have a snack (although he has been known to ignore dog food in favour of taking apples from the fruit bowl!). However, he is not destructive and doesn't normally wreak havoc.

My husband and I are both on medication and knowing Oscar can open door handles and our wardrobe doors we keep it in the bathroom in a cupboard with a knob handle to twist rather than a 'normal' lever handle. There has been the odd occasion one of us has forgotten to put it away and Oscar has ignored it.

Today I know I put it away so you can imagine my horror when on return from shopping I was greeted by the remains of a number of pill boxes, packets, bottles, and bits of strips, foil and pills. We tried to work out what we were missing and phoned the vet. We rushed him down to them and they made him sick, gave him fluids, gave him the antidote to paracetamol and treated other symptoms as and when.

The vet said if he had ingested all of the stuff we are missing (or think we are) then his chances of making it are quite small. Tonight he has gone home with one of the vet nurses in case of problems.

However, this has made us really think about our situation and how well we are not coping with having a dog with major health issues and a number of behavioural issues too. We talked to the vet about whether putting him to sleep would be a kinder thing to do all round but she thinks it is worth hanging on and seeing how things go after this. However, even if he survives the drug poisoning I think we are going to have to rehome him because neither of us feel he is getting the best life he could with us. The vet has said she thinks one of the nurses would probably rehome him because she agrees that he needs a highly specialised home to deal with his issues.

So either way it looks like I will lose my baby. I feel like a total failure. I feel like I am throwing him away but I'm not. I would so love to keep him here but if it is not helping him (or making him worse) then it's not really fair. I feel like a complete bitch for doing it to him and a total disaster as a doggy parent. I wish there was a solution to this.

Why is life so crap sometimes?
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Vicki
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Location: In a land far, far away
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16-12-2009, 08:13 PM
Oh hon...... I feel for you, I really do.

I had to rehome some 20-odd years ago, and it still reduces me to tears now....

I really hope there is a solution for you that will not mean you have to lose your beloved dog.

Thinking of you x
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Nippy
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Location: South Devon
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16-12-2009, 08:18 PM
Oh Ali, don't beat yourself up, s*** happens sometimes.
I was in a very similar position several years ago and had to give up a dog I couldn't handle. So I know how you are feeling.
If there is someone who could give Oscar a better life then that is good for him and one day a dog will come along that is just right for you. Just look at me and Mo!
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Shona
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16-12-2009, 08:21 PM
just wanted to say Im sorry your going through this,

your not a bad person, your just finding things hard,

big hug.
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ClaireandDaisy
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16-12-2009, 08:27 PM
I`m sorry your dog is ill. Hopefully when he`s recovered you can take stock of what has happened and fee more positive. It was only an accident, after all.
Locking bathroom cabinets are available, or even turning one room into a safe zone, or using a crate might also be an option.
I can`t help feeling it is the shock talking ATM - I hope you feel more able to cope tomorrow
x
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mishflynn
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Location: Cardiff, UK
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16-12-2009, 08:29 PM
Oh God

Firstly it was a accident, its not your fault.

What sort of issues does he have that you cant cope with?

Hope he gets through the next 24hrs
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Aligord
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Location: Basingstoke, UK
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 351
Female 
 
16-12-2009, 08:40 PM
Thanks for the replies. I appreciate it.

We've tried a crate (and all the usual getting them used to it stuff) - he injured himself the first time he was alone in it.

In terms of issues, health wise he is atopic, has inflammatory bowel disease and other gastric problems. Behaviour wise it is mainly a fear problem. He won't walk past strangers (he dances on the end of the lead and has dislocated my shoulders/elbows several times), he won't go near anyone he doesn't know (this past week we've been with a friend cos my mum-in-law died and we had to go sort things out and he jumped their garden fence (about 5ft tall) and ran away because a neighbour walked past and the fence isn't solid so he saw them. He was running along a main road). It is nearly impossible to get him in a car or on a bus or in anything that moves. He gets so stressed. We can only leave him for really short periods as he gets stressed and whines.

Despite all that he is a really lovely dog with people he knows and very loving and gentle.

Just not sure what to think at the moment...
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esmed
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16-12-2009, 08:52 PM
Was really sorry to read your post and can't begin to imagine how you must be feeling right now.

Don't beat yourself up over the pills thing, dogs can be pretty determined when they want to be. It wasn't your fault.

I hope it all works out for you and sending you best wishes and hugs.
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Tupacs2legs
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Location: london.uk
Joined: May 2009
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16-12-2009, 08:58 PM
{{hugs}}
i hope he makes it through
things may look very different tommorow,im sure you are feeling low and blaming yourself too,(its not your fault)i wouldnt rush into anything,sometimes we all feel we cant cope
but if you decide to rehome him,dont feel bad,ever thought this nurse was meant to be?(issues and medical probs? ) fate has a funny way sometimes,either way {{vibes}} from Team Asbo and me and i wish you all the best.xx
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aliwin
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Location: Birmingham, england
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Female 
 
16-12-2009, 09:15 PM
This was an accident not your fault! My Molly managed to get a salbutamol inhaler off the work top many years ago and when I got home her eyes were spinning in her head! These things happen!

You are not a bad owner at all, good in fact because you want what is best for your dog. I really hope things work out well for you all. Thinking of you at this difficult time.

Ali xx
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