Seeking Good Home for Dog

Hi S.,

I am a S. too! We are looking for a great family dog. We have 2 girls 7 & 2 who want a dog badly as much as we do. Unfortunelty we just can't afford to pay the hundreds of bucks to buy a new one. If you are interested in talking or meeting with us we would be more then happy too. Please contact me if that is the case. If you don't, I wish you (and your dog) the best of luck and hope she finds a great family to lo9ve her.

Ask neighboring teens if they could get hours towards National Honor's Society for voluntarily walking your dog. Sometimes schools are pretty lax with regulations on what counts towards hours. You could also include a play session in this. Also, sometimes a high schooler seriously considering veterinary tech. school or even just looking at a college that looks strongly at community interaction would find this a perfect solution to beefing up their applications. The housrs and days could be flexible and what a fun volunteer experience. Someone ambitious could really rack up hours with a few dogs in the neighborhood.

Another option might be to trade days with a neighbor on the weekend in which you take the kids from both families for a few hours and they take the dogs. Everyone gets the interaction they're craving and the next weekend you switch.

Hi S.-
You should try petfinder.com you can place a free classified add on their website if you are trying to find any pet a new home. I actually just found a dog a new home using it but you do have to watch I got some pretty weird responses about shipping the dog using a free shipping service and stuff the family that took her came to my home and took her after getting to know her a little. Good luck.

S.,

We are very, very interested in your dog. My parents have an 8-year old yellow lab and an 11-year old black lab who will need to be put to sleep soon. My dad is devastated. I think him getting a new dog would be the best Father's Day surprise EVER. My parents are the most dedicated dog owners I have ever seen. My dad takes them swimming in the lake (if they like swimming, the black lab doesn't), for two hour walks EVERY day and pretty much anywhere he goes that he can get away with taking them. If you are interested, please let me know.

Thank you.
A.

You can post ads on bulletin boards at some pet stores, like Pet Smart, at work if there is a place to do it, let your neighbors and friends know, and tell people who have taken care of her in the past and might be interested. Petfinder.com is a huge site and is nation wide and free. Craigslist.org has a pet section, you can post pictures, it goes by locality, and is free. With craigslist.org you don't have to post your e-mail or phone number. It lists a generic address and will forward the e-mail to your regular e-mail box. Another option is to take her to a dog park and tell people you meet there. Some dog parks have a bulletin board listing dogs for adoption as well. It is hard to give up a family member. I hope you find a good home for her. Best wishes.

Too bad such a wonderful doggie isn't working out for you and your kids. My neighbors have a choc lab. She's awesome. Is she really unhappy? I have 5 cats. Somehow, we managed when the kids came, even though the furry kids got less attention. It was a huge issue for us to teach the kids animal respect and care...(and my kitties are all very interactive with wanting to play, get "touchy-feelies" and cuddles.) I totally understand about being busy! It's not easy! P.

You might want to look into a lab rescue group - I'm sure there is one or more out there that could provide temporary foster care and find a permanent new home for your dog. If I were you, and I'm not, I would avoid using the APL or some such organization. They are great places but there is no guarantee about the outcome of that situation. If you really want to make sure she gets into a good home, put the time into it by doing due diligence.

Another idea would be checking with friends and family (which I'm sure you've already done). Maybe someone you know wants your dog?

Finally, you might consider sending your dog to "doggie daycare" a day or two (or three) during the week. There are many around the area and that's a great way for your dog to get the exercise and attention they may not be able to get at home. It might only be a temporary situation - that is - once your kids get older, you may be able to give the dog more attention? Or, perhaps there is a kid in the neighborhood who could give the dog a good walk each day. I know that many people have home businesses that provide a range of services to pets.

Good luck with this difficult situation. I have two dogs and I understand that dogs are an important part of the family - I hope for the best outcome for you and your dog.