Update on Kirby/Woody...

[bckrazy]

Awww, Woody. I mean... Fred. =(

I was really looking forward to watching him grow up on PT. He was like PT's baby Basset boy. I'm glad that you found him a more appropriate home, rather than neglect his needs. But, honestly, I am kind of surprised that you didn't ask for advice. (At least, as far as I know.) There are ways to manage puppyhood, even with a busy life. There are places and ways to socialize with other dogs, without owning another. But I suppose it comes down to whether it is worth the trouble, to the individual.

Puppies can be demanding. Puppies do go through rebellious stages. Puppies do need mental & physical stimulation. No matter the breed. I can't figure out how any of that could be a mystery, to anyone.

[jennielynn1970]

Awww, Woody. I mean... Fred. =(

But, honestly, I am kind of surprised that you didn't ask for advice. (At least, as far as I know.) There are ways to manage puppyhood, even with a busy life. There are places and ways to socialize with other dogs, without owning another. But I suppose it comes down to whether it is worth the trouble, to the individual.

Puppies can be demanding. Puppies do go through rebellious stages. Puppies do need mental & physical stimulation. No matter the breed. I can't figure out how any of that could be a mystery, to anyone.

It had nothing to do with whether it was worth the trouble. It had to do with working 12-14hr days and him being crated the entire time. There is no one available to take him out during the day, and doggie day care is not a financially feasible option. I tried to limit him to the kitchen, gating him in there, but that just seemed to negate the housebreaking that had been started.

Had I realized how much more he had to go with housebreaking, and that the crate training is really necessary, and if my part time job would be so erratic with it's days and times, and had it been June(when school is out and I don't have work every day) it would have been less problematic. Had I wanted to keep him crated and miserable for 12-14hrs a day, I could have sucked it up and done that. Would that have made him happy? No.

I grew up on a farm, and our dogs were NOT crate trained, so this was new to me, and I just can't justify doing it to a 3month old puppy for 12+ hrs a day without a break. If there was someone else there during the day, someone to break the monotony in the cage and let him out to run and all that, it would have been fine. I don't have that option.

So, being "worth the trouble" had nothing to do with it. Nor did the "oh, he's a puppy and challenging." I don't know how else to state what I've already stated without someone jumping to conclusions or stating a misconception.

[K9soul]

It had to do with working 12-14hr days and him being crated the entire time. There is no one available to take him out during the day, and doggie day care is not a financially feasible option.

I would personally advise you hold off on any dog, even an older one, if you regularly work such long hours and will continue to. Your kitties can keep each other company and use their litter boxes but a dog is more dependent on human companionship and interaction, and having to "hold it" for that long would be really hard on a dog of any age. If your work schedule becomes less lengthy perhaps an older dog would make a good fit. I'd personally prefer one of the medium or larger/laid back breeds or mixes for your situation. Of course puppies generally are never particularly laid back but often by 3 or 4 they have become more content to snooze away during the times you are gone.

[jennielynn1970]

I'm not rushing anything, believe me. Maybe next year? Maybe a few years? Right now, with the hours, it's just not manageable.

[bckrazy]

So, being "worth the trouble" had nothing to do with it. Nor did the "oh, he's a puppy and challenging." I don't know how else to state what I've already stated without someone jumping to conclusions or stating a misconception.

I don't think I was jumping to conclusions? I just thought it was common knowledge that a puppy needs a potty break every 3 or so hours. I wouldn't leave my adult dogs inside for 12-14 hours, without a potty break, so I agree with you on that.

I don't know, it's just puzzeling to me, why your work hours weren't considered before Woody was flown out. But I have nothing else to say, so I'll just drop it.

[jennielynn1970]

Actually my work hours were changing as the whole thing was developing. I took on a Homebound students, and the hours changed what she was getting per week, and then between her mom or her cancelling her appt., then me needed to switch somehting from the next day to another day, and just trying to be sane with it all, it ended up taking up more than the number of hours I get paid for because I have to conference with the mom and the teachers at school as well. 5 hours a week extra is fine. Add in another 8-10 with teachers adn parents, and travel time in between these places, it's a pain in the butt, especially when they don't tell you till last minute, or you get there adn the kid is still asleep at 4pm. It just got to be too much of a schedule hassle, but I need the money from that... it's a big help (like over $30/hr), and with my mortgage and the cat expenses, it's not wasted at all.

[shais_mom]

But I suppose it comes down to whether it is worth the trouble, to the individual.

Puppies can be demanding. Puppies do go through rebellious stages. Puppies do need mental & physical stimulation. No matter the breed. I can't figure out how any of that could be a mystery, to anyone.

I don't think I was jumping to conclusions? I just thought it was common knowledge that a puppy needs a potty break every 3 or so hours. I wouldn't leave my adult dogs inside for 12-14 hours, without a potty break, so I agree with you on that.

I don't know, it's just puzzeling to me, why your work hours weren't considered before Woody was flown out. But I have nothing else to say, so I'll just drop it.

to bckrazy
actually I thought you were jumping to conclusions and actually rather rude when you said 'worth the trouble.'
to others (b/c I don't want bckrazy to think it is her I have in mind b/c it definately isn't)
Why is it ok on this board for some people to re-home their animals and go out and get others and its fine but ONE person finds a Frigging fabulous home for a puppy b/c she found out was going to be too much for her and its like she hung him out by his toenails???
There's other people on this flippin board that are heavy into rescue that keep finding homes for their animals (dogs or cats) and oh its ok b/c its all in the name of rescue. Or oh Its ok b/c they rescue cats or mice or birds or elephants? What's good for one person should be good for the other but it isn't on here.
I have had it with it this mentality on this board. But its ok for someone to rehome their pets b/c they can't afford them and within a year while still complaining about lack of funds - getting more animals?
I've said it before and I'll say it again -
until you walk a mile in someone's shoes you don't know what their life is like.

[Grace]

to bckrazy
actually I thought you were jumping to conclusions and actually rather rude when you said 'worth the trouble.'
to others (b/c I don't want bckrazy to think it is her I have in mind b/c it definately isn't)
Why is it ok on this board for some people to re-home their animals and go out and get others and its fine but ONE person finds a Frigging fabulous home for a puppy b/c she found out was going to be too much for her and its like she hung him out by his toenails???
There's other people on this flippin board that are heavy into rescue that keep finding homes for their animals (dogs or cats) and oh its ok b/c its all in the name of rescue. Or oh Its ok b/c they rescue cats or mice or birds or elephants? What's good for one person should be good for the other but it isn't on here.
I have had it with it this mentality on this board. But its ok for someone to rehome their pets b/c they can't afford them and within a year while still complaining about lack of funds - getting more animals?
I've said it before and I'll say it again -
until you walk a mile in someone's shoes you don't know what their life is like.

BRAVO !!

[shais_mom]

BRAVO !!

thank you!

[k9krazee]

I haven't said ANYTHING about the entire Kirby/Woody/Fred thing and I don't even know why I'm bothering now. But I thought it was a horrible idea from the start, and still think it was wrong to fly the pup halfway across the US only to re home him. I agree with everything Erica (bckrazy) had to say. I guess the bottom line is that he did get a good home and I do believe Jenn learned something from the whole ordeal, which makes me happy. But this whole thing could have been prevented from the start (jostling a helpless pup around, spending $, not to mention stress of getting him there, etc) if the situation would have been better analyzed and thought out before hand. Just my 2 cents. *shrugs*

[Karen]

We all learn, every day. It was a learning experience for Jenn, and probably for K9Karen as well!, and we should all be grateful that sweet Fred now has his forever home, a far cry from being found on the streets of Texas, alone and afraid.

And, being a hound pup, it doesn't seem to have bothered him one bit!

[3muttsandaboston]

I guess this is why if I bred/rescued I wouldn't fly pups out to someone I never met. No puppy should really be left for more than 5 hours alone and you should have known that if you did your research. I feel bad for the little guy that he was bounced around so much. It also seems like you should have asked K9karen if she wanted him before you gave him to someone else since she had such a big part in his transport and fell in love with him. If you did ask her i'm sorry for mentioning this.

[cyber-sibes]

We all learn, every day. It was a learning experience for Jenn, and probably for K9Karen as well!, and we should all be grateful that sweet Fred now has his forever home, a far cry from being found on the streets of Texas, alone and afraid.

And, being a hound pup, it doesn't seem to have bothered him one bit!

Well said!

[shais_mom]

I haven't said ANYTHING about the entire Kirby/Woody/Fred thing and I don't even know why I'm bothering now. But I thought it was a horrible idea from the start, and still think it was wrong to fly the pup halfway across the US only to re home him. I agree with everything Erica (bckrazy) had to say. I guess the bottom line is that he did get a good home and I do believe Jenn learned something from the whole ordeal, which makes me happy. But this whole thing could have been prevented from the start (jostling a helpless pup around, spending $, not to mention stress of getting him there, etc) if the situation would have been better analyzed and thought out before hand. Just my 2 cents. *shrugs*

if its wrong to fly him across the country then flying any puppy should be banned from the airlines.

[Catty1]

All PTrs care about animals.

Just a reminder - people are animals too.

hugs
Catty1