I need a hug so bad...

[BitsyNaceyDog]

As for how you feel about her, I think most people who post on boards like this love their dogs like kids, but your life has meaning beyond them too. There's no way to guarentee that any dog will live a long life and die a natural death in old age. I had a healthy, happy, well-adjusted dog go from that to gone in a matter of hours. Stuff happens, lousy, rotten stuff along with all the great stuff. Enjoy her while she's here, regardless of how long that may be. Don't focus on loosing her someday, that just takes away from your enjoyment of her while she's here.

I agree, and I think Audrey understands that. The way I see it is that she hopes that Josie will live a long life and pass away when she is an old dog. Audrey wants to have all the years she can with Josie. I'm sure she understands that unfortunate things can happen. She just can't imagine having her baby PTS over a behavioral problem.

Audrey, How is Josie with Zeke? Have they ever met each other? (If I remember Zeke lives with your mom, and Josie with your dad. Is that right?) I don't really have any advise, just don't give up on your girl. You are a great owner to Josie. You're doing what you can to help understand her needs. It's not the end of the world if you have to keep her away from other dogs. Has she ever shown agression towards a person? If not I wouldn't worry about that.
I know this might sound silly, but what about trying a pet psychic? My friend has a pet monkey (yes a monkey!). She's had the monkey, Abby, now for 20 years. Abby went blind a couple years ago and refused to eat on her own. My friend was having to force feed her. She went to see a pet psychic and within minutes the psychic had Abby eating on her own again. Honestly this is something I am totally skeptical about, but it did work for my friend. If I'm not mistaken others here on PT have had good experiences with them too. I think Kimmy used one with Kia?

Good Luck, Audrey ((hugs))

[cyber-sibes]

((((((((((( hugs )))))))))))
It's hard not to react when people are telling you that you are a failure and your going to loose someone you love very much. Of course you're upset, anyone would be. But people here have given you good advice. I especially like what Glacier had to say. If anyone knows about handling dog issues, it's her! I agree that Josie is very lucky to have you, and it should be possible for you to arrange her contact so everyone stays safe. Every trainer has their own way of working with dogs, maybe there's someone else who can be more helpful out there. Josie needs your love as much as you need hers.
I think I know what you mean by loving a dog more than is natural, I felt like that about my Rosie. I just couldn't get enough of her, I wanted her with me every minute, and I thought of how nice it was gonna be to grow old together. I have two sons, and I called her "my girl" and thought of her as the girl I never had. But we never know what's going to happen. Two days before she had been with me only 3 years, she was hit by a truck and died right in front of me. All I had time for was to pet her, and say goodbye, I love you. My heart still mourns for her, I just can't believe she's gone, but I do my best every day to celebrate our fun times together, and pray I'll see her again some day. Sometimes life sucks. But you have to go on, there will be many wonderful things down the road, too. For me, it was finding Sherman that helped my heart to heal. This is Rosie is at graduation from obedience class:

[poofy]

Glacier is very right, and keep on doing what your doing..dont be discouraged.
Loveing your dog like you do is OK, we all do..so nothing wrong there..Just hang in there and it will work out..as long as your trying it can be wroked out..

[K9soul]

Audrey, I can't really add much to what Glacier said. I feel her post is excellent and I fully agree with her. You are most definitely NOT a bad dog mom. I feel that lady was too hard on you, but perhaps she was just trying to really make an impression so that you wouldn't go back to that guy too. It's a shame she had to say such things to make you feel so low .

I mostly wanted to send {{hugs}} to you. You haven't failed. You may have taken a step back, but you haven't lost and failed. Read my siggy quote, and get back on your feet, and try again ok?