Ginger has gone on to a new home.

[AdoreMyDogs]

Not to sound harsh but I can't say this really suprises me, even though I'm not active from the threads I've read I didn't think it would last. It would have been pretty easy to fix this if you were just constant with her on your part.
I can't stress enough that people need to RESEARCH the breed before getting them.

Anyways I'm glad she's in a home that will understand her and her needs.

I've met the dog several times, Missy has taken her to her training since she was a small pup. The dog is not only non-stop energy (sorry to step on any feet, Missy) but she also wanted to kill Missy's cat, Boomer. The prey drive was very serious and with two small children, that's not a risk she should have to take. I've seen lots of goldens in my time. I've seen some extremely active ones, I've done lots of training with my dogs, SAR/tracking/obedience/agility, and I've not run across a pup with this much energy in a long time. I also know that the extreme prey drive towards her cat is uncharactic of a golden. Every dog is different, but that is not a typical golden trait. Regardless of how much research goes into any breed, there are always "odd apples" out there that develop traits uncharacteristic of their breed. I've never seen a dog quite like Ginger, and never seen such a desire to kill a family housecat who was introduced immediately to Ginger as a small pup.

I would have done the same thing if I had a dog who went after my cats like Ginger did. It is not surprising Missy rehomed Ginger, it was responsible. What is surprising is that Ginger was so driven to kill Boomer.

[Alysser]

I would have done the same thing if I had a dog who went after my cats like Ginger did. It is not surprising Missy rehomed Ginger, it was responsible. What is surprising is that Ginger was so driven to kill Boomer.

Exactly what I was thinking. Not to offend you Alicia, but I think this was a responsible move on her part. Boomer was the first pet therefore he stays. What if something happened when they weren't home? What if Gingers crate was not locked all the way on accident? It's just to risky. No, I've never met the dog but if I were in that situation I would have done the same thing. I'd MUCH rather see a dog re-homed into a good loving home then dumped at a shelter.

[Sirrahsim]

Thank you everyone I know in my heart that we did the right thing but I was nervous about telling all of you We will be able to visit Ginger regularly, she is only a couple of hours away.



House is pretty quiet without my puppy girl

[sasvermont]

You did the right thing. She is probably asleep right now, having played with her furry friend all day long. She will be fine. Really. You couldn't ask for a better solution.

If I have learned anything about pet ownership it is that it must work for the pet and the family.

Maybe, just maybe, you can try her again, if things change....after you return from Germany. She should be out of her puppy stage by then. You just never know.

Sleep tightly, knowing that you did the right thing.

[kt_luvs_kitties]

When I started reading the original post, I was going ... I dont think energy is a reason to rehome a pup. BUT- After hearing high prey drive, then I understood completely.

I would NEVER< EVER put my kitties in danger. They were here first, and they wont be rehomed.

If Joey or Dora had any desire to hurt my kitties, I would do the SAME THING! I love them both, and would try my best to rehab them, BUT if I truly felt they were going to cause serious injury to the other pets, I would rehome them. I would not dump them, I would give them to my parents (which IS pretty much what Missy did). She can visit and make sure that Ginger would not end up in a shelter or with a less than caring home.

It is being responsible. I pat her on the back for protecting her kitty, and making sure Ginger in loved, and not around smaller pets. Win Win in my eyes.