Oh god...I cannot believe this is happening...

[Foam]

It's Ozzy.
He's such a handful. Nobody in my family, including me, can give him the time and attention he needs. I'm too busy with sports, music, school, and other problems to find time to play with him like he needs to be played with.
My parents were out of town last weekend, and we boarded Ozzy at the vet's. Darlin had time to relax, and we all had so much work off of our hands. It was nice. Of course I missed him, but I didn't miss having to spend my relaxation time dealing with him.

So I think the time has come to find him a new home...
As hard as it is for me to say, I just want what is best for Ozzy. He needs a home where he can run around, play and not be bored all the time. Here, we can't give that to him, and it breaks my heart..

I was crying thinking about it, I was crying talking about it, I was crying when I made my decision, and I'm crying as I type this. I can't belive it's happening...I never thought it would happen. I used to have all the time in the world, and now I don't. I can't deal with a puppy right now..

I still want to do agility, so my next dog (way way way long time away) will be an adult from the pound.

I don't know how I'm going to tell Ozzy's breeder. She is going to be as heartbroken as I am. I swore I would take care of him...and I feel like I'm letting her down by doing this. Is it really the right thing to do? Or am I just being selfish?
I'm so mad at myself! Ozzy and I had such a close relationship, and now it's never going to exell like I had dreamed about. He needs that dream, but I can't give it to him.....

I dont know how to conclude this...I just thought I would tell you all.

[Kfamr]

Sorry to hear this.

But I agree, if you guys are too buisy lately, then it's best that he finds a family that can give him his attention.

What about Darlin?


Do you have any relatives in the area that Oz knows and who would like to have him?

[Foam]

No but we do know some people who have two of his brothers who live on a ranch somewhere in Arizona. I still don't know though, I need to talk to his breeder...

[guster girl]

wow. I'm sorry you're having to make that decision.

[aly]

Please don't give him to a ranch. He has grown up as a family dog in your household. I hope you guys can find a responsible, LOVING home for him. I'm sure tons of people would love to have him. Your best bet at finding a great home would be through a rescue group, especially if there is one for his breed in your area.

[stacwase]

How old is Ozzy?

You know - dogs go through this stage. It doesn't last forever, I promise! Just when they get to the point where their people don't think they can handle them anymore, they're almost to that stage where they become easily-trainable and extremely likeable.

Just an example - we got Max when he was 2.5 years old. His owners just could't take the bolting anymore! They couldn't control him, though they loved him sincerely. He was a big German Shepherd/Rottweiler pup - all muscles and energy. So we got him from the pound and within 6 months he was through that stage. Now he is just the kind of dog we've always wanted.

When you think you can't handle them another moment, they're almost there.

Kind of like teenagers - they become unbearable shortly before they move out of the house, and they're not gone 6 months before they become decent people who are easier to get along with (just kidding all you teenyboppers out there).

[Pam]

I am wondering too how old Ozzy is. We had a smooth coated collie in obedience school and he was a real handful, but by the end of 10 weeks of classes the improvement was amazing! The instructor stressed that it only takes 15 min. a day of working with your dog until they start to "get it." It sounds like you pretty much have your mind made up so I'm not going to ask you to reconsider. You know your own situation. Many times a breeder will want the dog returned to them. This is a good place to start in your efforts to re-home Ozzy and it sounds like you have already considered that. (((Hugs))) to you as you go through this. I have never had to do this and I know if I ever had to give up one of my dogs it would just kill me!

[Amber]

Im sorry, but Foam, please think very hard about this.

I don't want you to regret giving up your ozzy boy. k?

I had to give up a cat I used to have, and to this day I'm still upset over it.

Im just afraid Ozzy is already attached to you and your family. If you did re-home him, could he get depressed about you not being with him? (((HUGS))) I hope the best for Ozzy.

What about Darlin? How is she?

[chocolatepuppy]

foam - I agree with some of the others, think about this. I don't know how old you are but you mentioned school ,sports, music. Could one of these be given up?(not school) No matter what age you are you will have problems. And if you have several animals you will not know what relaxation is most of the time and if you truly want animals you won't care. Good luck in wantever you decide.

[Logan]

I don't know what to say, Foam. I wish you could just make a schedule and carve out some time, each day, as was suggested, for Ozzy and keep him with you. I can't imagine letting one go.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Oh gosh. I'm sorry, Cayter.

Good Luck talking to Kristen...I'm sure she'll take him in for you. Doesn't her contract say she would take the dog back, that if for some reason you had to give him up? You're not being selfish at all. What would be being selfish, is having him, when you know you can't properly give him everything he needs.

Good Luck.

[DogLover9501]

Ohhh Im so sorry to hear this, but like others said, REALLY think about this, as when things calm down and you don't have as much to do, you might be really sorry.

I hope everything works out for the best

[Rio and Me]

It must be hard to think that is the only answer, i couldnt i would make time.
To me my animals are more inportant than any other activity, swimming/music/after school activities verses my dog, its not a hard choice for me.
Think about it because once he's gone hes gone, i've learned that the hard way with my horses.
Good luck and keep us posted
Ky

[guster girl]

Could you get him into one of those dog spa/daycare places? I agree if you don't have the time right now, he needs to have someone to give him attention while you're all busy. But, Ozzy seemed to be everything to you from your past posts. I agree, I don't think you're being selfish. But, just wanted to throw that idea out there for you, in case you hadn't thought about it. I wouldn't ask you to give up music or sports or anything, I think that's awesome that you're involved. But, the thing that struck me about you was your devotion to Ozzy and his agility and obedience. I'm really sorry to see you have to go through this, but, I'd hate to see you regret it......especially with a herding dog, they really are one person animals......they always seem to pick one person to give their heart to. Anyway, just wanted to say I'm sorry again and to voice that idea about the dog day care.

[K9soul]

Cayter, I'm extremely saddened to see this and pretty much at a loss for words. I don't want anything I say to seem judgemental in any way.. I am sure this is hard enough for you at the moment. I know you are thinking of Ozzy and his needs.

Some part of me hopes that you have not made a definite decision yet.. it sounds like Ozzy's being away for awhile gave you such a feeling of relief as far as his demands that it was strong enough to cause you to reach this decision. Believe it or not, I can relate to that somewhat. I remember how distressed I got to feeling when Cody was so old and couldn't get up and down steps, couldn't hold his bladder much, became deaf, and had some bit of senility in his behavior. The daily care of it not to mention the sadness of seeing his decline got very hard to deal with at times. It was mentally and physically taxing.

If you truly feel Ozzy's future will be one of being cooped up without the attention and time he needs, I'd suggest first and foremost contacting his breeder.

I truly wish you both the best.