It never ends, decisions decisions :-(

Linsay2231 · #1 01/01/12, 03:24 PM

Dude will without a doubt be getting his surgery, and I thank my lucky stars (and you guys!) for that.

We have had to make another tough decision. We have an English Mastiff and since moving to Michigan about a year and a half ago he is such a troublemaker the second we turn our heads or walk out the door. He pees, poops, and tears up any garbage he can get a hold of. He is a good dog, he just needs a home where someone is home more often and a fenced yard!

We do not have a fenced in yard, so he has to go in his kennel when no one is here...that is about 20 hours a day most days!!! We have decided to search for a new home for him...only if we can find a better situation for him where someone can be home most of the time because he doesn't deserve to be locked up like this...I will just ask for a donation if I find the right home, not looking to make money and if I find the perfect home for him I would even give him away...I just dont want to advertise that and have a whole bunch of people who arent good for him trying to take him.

Here is the ad I posted...any advice of anything I left out?? Thanks!

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/pet/2778159126.html

kalmara · #2 01/01/12, 04:16 PM

Why don't you have the dog desexed before you rehome him ? then you don't have to worry that he's going to fall into the wrong hands and add to the increased unwanted dog population.

Linsay2231 · #3 01/01/12, 04:28 PM

I would, but I am having a heck of a time with paying for my other dogs surgery so I cant afford it right now. I am going to require the new owner get the neuter done on him at my vets office before Tank goes home with them though. He will not be used for breeding.

beaglebiz · #4 01/01/12, 04:37 PM

I wish you good luck finding him a home...I dont mean anything ill toward you for saying this, but I admit I am suprised to find there is a second dog you are unable to care for.

oregon woodsmok · #5 01/01/12, 04:45 PM

If he is purebred call the American (AKC related) English Mastiff Club Rescue and let them take him.

He will receive all vet care, be neutered, trained, evaluated in a foster home, and placed into a very carefully vetted home that is perfectly suited to his needs.

Those are the people who really know what to do for a Mastiff that needs to be re-homed.

Alice In TX/MO · #6 01/01/12, 04:56 PM

http://www.mastiffrescue.org/

Cashs Cowgirl · #7 01/01/12, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaglebiz

I wish you good luck finding him a home...I dont mean anything ill toward you for saying this, but I admit I am suprised to find there is a second dog you are unable to care for.

To me she seems to be saying that he needs a different home environment more suited to his behavior and needs. I feel it very unfair to have a dog kenneled for that many hours a day. Granted supervision, lots of exercise and training would go a long way towards a better behaved dog, but I think she is saying that she is not home enough to provide him with that. Of course I think before any dog is brought home, a fence is a first and then spay/neuter. That goes a long way towards their behavior. Of course waiting until the dog is quite large makes it more expensive.

Linsay2231 · #8 01/01/12, 05:25 PM

I could keep Tank and care for him with no problem...but he has to stay in his kennel all the time when we are not home because he gets into things and uses the bathroom in the house if he is not being watched.

He belonged to our neighbors when we were in the military. They were getting a divorce and came to us and told us if we didnt take him he was going to the pound, that was a couple of years ago. We had a fenced yard then in our military housing. We just paid almost $2,000 a few months ago for an ear surgery he needed, that is why we are so tight on money now.

As much as I want to keep Tank, he deserves better than to be stuck in a kennel all day. If we can not find him a better home, he WILL be staying with us. He is in no dire situation to leave, I just think if I could find him a home where someone is around all the time he would have a better life.

It has been a rough transition from Military life to Civilian life. We are doing everything we can but Tank is not adjusting and he deserves better.

Hope that better explains the situation.

Maura · #9 01/01/12, 05:30 PM

The second dog has suddenly become expensive.

Try posting somewhere farmers/ranchers hang out. I'd rewrite the ad to something short and sweet: AKC Eng Mastiff housedog, 160 pounds, 3 years old, male. Needs space to run. Child, horse, cat and dog friendly. Vet references required. $$$ phone number.

Add (the cost of neutering) + (what you want) = $$$

You could post such an add in Tractor Supply, Feed stores, whatever there is around there. When people call and ask if he's neutered you can explain that he'll be fixed as part of the price. Don't call your price an "adoption fee". Ask about other pets, then you can explain that mastiffs tend to be domineering and that he will want to be top dog. They don't need to know about Dude unless the conversation heads in that direction.

Linsay2231 · #10 01/01/12, 07:03 PM

Maura...what do you mean the second dog has suddenly become expensive? I am not understanding. Thank you for the advice about making it shorter and advertising places where people are most likely to have to have room for him to run. I will gladly give him away for free if I can find the perfect home for him, but I wouldn't advertise that for fear of the people who may want the "free dog".

I will not turn him over to a rescue, he has been better to me than that and doesn't deserve to have to be passed me me to foster homes then to a new home. I want a single smooth transition. Like I said before, if we don't find an ideal situation, he will stay here.

**Tiempo** · #11 01/01/12, 07:10 PM

I understand, sometimes situations change.

I have a good friend in Dawaigiac (sp?) that has EMs I'll ask her if she knows anyone.

Linsay2231 · #12 01/01/12, 07:16 PM

Tiempo, Please do!!! You have really been a great help to me through this. You got me started on the hope that Dude could get his surgery, and that means the world to me! Perhaps when all is said and done we can meet for lunch sometime and my daughter can give you her hand made thank you card in person and Dude and I can meet you? Thanks again, I have been so stressed out and this website has been my sanity :-)

**Tiempo** · #13 01/01/12, 07:23 PM

I'd love to get together!

We've been though a lot the last few months with out little JRT, Nigel getting sick. I was happy to be able to help...I understand the feeling of worrying so much about our 4 legged babies.

6e · #14 01/01/12, 07:24 PM

I'm kind of curious.....why do you think someone would want him to breed to their Pit Bull?

Minelson · #15 01/01/12, 07:35 PM

(((hugs))) I re-homed a cat this fall. I NEVER would have thought I would do that. She was dumped at our place about 4 years ago. I had her spayed and vaccinated.
She wanted to be an inside kitty so bad and I just couldn't bring her in. She would have to be declawed and I don't like declawing adult cats. Hubby saying we already have too many cats in the house (3) She had it good outside with their own house (4 other outdoor cats)kept warm with heat lamps and lots of cuddle spots and blankies. But she had long hair and didn't hunt at all. Just gazed at the house. So I put an ad on CL before winter set in and found a WONDERFUL home for her. An older lady that lost her dog of 17 years...living alone, didn't want another dog because she didn't have a fence. She has kept in touch and the kitty is doing fantastic. Stays in the house and gets all the attention. I miss her but I feel so happy for her!
My critters are my kids but this one time I knew in my heart we were not a good fit. I'm glad you are putting your dogs quality of life first

mamita · #16 01/01/12, 07:46 PM

wait..did I read you'll ask for another donation? oh. my. word. I am speechless.

**Tiempo** · #17 01/01/12, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamita

wait..did I read you'll ask for another donation? oh. my. word. I am speechless.

Only from the adopter of the dog. Fair enough.

siberian · #18 01/01/12, 08:26 PM

Folks in all fairness please read the craigslist before replying. Seems like they are going out of their way to find a good home. On top of that , the rehoming fee will also be applied tworads surgery. This has to be hard to do.

Linsay2231 · #19 01/01/12, 08:33 PM

"not looking to make money and if I find the perfect home for him I would even give him away" <-----Quoted from my OP. I can't even stand the thought of putting a price on Tank, that's why there isn't one posted in the CL ad.

Linsay2231 · #20 01/01/12, 08:34 PM

6e- The first 2 calls I had were people looking to breed to their pit bulls...that's when I edited.