The week that we placed my mother-in-law into hospice we also inherited the puppy we'd gotten for her 6 months before. He's a Rat Terrier named Dobby (yeah, after the Harry Potter character). This puppy was a bone of contention for a large part of the family even prior to her cancer diagnosis but I made every effort to train him to her lifestyle so he'd be as easy for her to handle as possible. What we didn't anticipate was her deadly diagnosis or the fact that he'd be coming to live with us so soon after we'd gotten him for her. I thought she'd have him for at least a couple of years before we would have to face the time when she'd no longer be able to care for him. Obviously things haven't gone as I'd hoped. If I'd known then what I know now we wouldn't have gotten him for her.
Dobby's a sweet and smart pup but he's still a Terrier and he's still a puppy. He's extremely hyper and ornery. He has a lot of bad habits that my MiL tolerated but that I have no patience for (like chewing). I had 3 weeks to train him before we took him to her and in that time I worried more about potty training, sit command, and making certain he would not chew on her oxygen hose. If I'd had more time or had known he would be back here so soon I would have spent more time training him and focused on those things he does that drive me nuts.
What this little guy really needs is a little boy to play with. He needs someone that will wear him out daily with all sorts of activity. I'm not that person and my dog and cat already knew that. They are happy to rest all day long until Mini Me and my husband get home and will play with them. Dobby is less patient and he drives our animals and me crazy! Unfortunately he doesn't even get the play time he needs once Mini Me and hubby get home. For his sake I'm thinking we need to find him another home. He deserves to be in a home that suits his breed better than this one and the sooner the better so he can finally be settled after all of the stress he's had the past several months.
He's also begun howling. Calgon - take me away!
The Trash Heap has spoken.
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3 comments:
A howling... rat terrier?! *cackles*
That breed is really high strung. Better with an active adult (and some pampering, compared to a bigger breed) than very young kids.
It's good that you are so mindful of the pup's needs. Perhaps the bulletin boards at your local pet supply stores would be a help. Surely if you post a photo of the little guy, someone suitable will give a call. I hope you get some quiet tonight and that this is resolved soon.
I was thinking 10-12 year old kids would be ideal for him. Active adults that I know around here are more disciplined in their activity (running, hiking, biking etc) and he needs to be a spaz for extended periods of time! lol
The howling didn't last too long fortunately!
We have a sheltie pup who HOWLLS in the mornings too. It's quite the sound.
Hopefully, as Chell mentioned, you'll find a good loving home for Dobby. Our farm can't handle another pet, unfortuantely, but I'll wish him (and you) a safe and speedy home-finding.
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