Is having a baby really a good excuse to rehome 2 older dogs that you've had for years? It seems to be a very common reason, not having time for them any more etc... just wondered what other people's views were. I personally would make time!

me too................ another common excuse to rehome is  lack of time?????

I think it's a rubbish excuse :(

Getting rid of a dog because the owner is having a baby is so sad, these people manage to have more babies without rehoming the first child, so it's obvious they are capable of finding the time, they just can't be bothered to put in the effort :( :(

The only good excuse for rehoming any dog is so the dog gets a better life, but that should be after the origional owners have done everything they can to accomodate the dog. We choose to take on the dog, it's up to us to put ourselfs out to give that dog a good life and everything it needs.

>another common excuse to rehome is  lack of time?????

Seems like one of the more valid reasons to me.  Family/ individual circumstances often change during the lifetime of a dog through no fault of the owner.  A person might have to change jobs, relationships breakdown, caring responsibilities etc...lots of things can happen which could lead to not having enough to time to adequately look after a dog.  In my opinion, it is kinder to the dog to rehome in some circumstances.

That is true ShaynLola, but we are talking about having a baby and having been there and done that... I would have said I'd had more time for the dog. Being at home all the time with the baby etc... walks with the pram/buggy can easily be incorporated into exercising the dogs. Even if you have had an exhausting day, you are still there to give attention to the dogs and when your partner comes home, he can walk them! I can understand if the dog really isn't accepting of the change so that it makes him stressed out and unhappy, but not just because of 'lack of time'. I think that's a poor excuse.

When i had my son 25yrs ago...i had 2 dogs,2 horses and 2 cats and i managed just fine...it would not have entered my head to get rid of any of them. They were my life and my son came along and joined us.
Ido think its not always that easy for some people,maybe circumstances wont allow them to keep the animal for some good reason.

FAR from everyone works before having a baby, so if you have always been at home when a baby arrives you DO get a LOT less time.Not all dogs are the same either, some demand far more than others. Fair enough you can walk a dog if you have a good enough pushchair (Many you just cannot push over rough areas of grass which of course is where dogs mainly are walked) but can you TRAIN a dog outside whilst having a pushchair with you? Not easily. Not every situation is the same. I've had 3 babies and had dogs each time but I don't know if I'd have coped at all had my (ex) husband not worked from home so I was able to get out WITHOUT the baby.

I know far from everyone works before having a baby, but what difference does that make? What is it that these people do with their time if they don't work? Surely that gives them MORE time? If you have a dog and it is just as much a part of your family, you'd have considered this in the purchase of a pushchair? Likewise, like I said before, if not, then your partner can walk the dog on their return! An adult dog of 4 and 5 years old should need bare minimum of training if any.
That and this person obviously felt the dogs acceptable to be bred from on numerous occassions previously and with children already in the household, so had plenty of time then.

I can understand the relationship breakups etc... where the people shared the responsibility and those who have to return to full time work where the dog is really lacking in time spent with it so much so that it's really unfair on the dog. I understand that people's circumstances change through no fault of their own and it forces the rehoming of a much loved pet and my heart goes out to them for being unselfish and going through that heartache to give the animal a better way of life. I just can't see the reasoning behind the 'lack of time' excuse for a baby, other than for huge work commiments or a serious family illness, anything that really keeps someone away from home for extended periods. Not for someone who is now going to have more time on their hands. I had 2 dogs (one a working Springer), 3 cats and 30 odd rabbits when I had my child, I didn't rehome any of them, despite taking sole responsibility for them all. My friend's girlfriend has just given birth to a beautiful baby girl and they are managing just fine, despite having two littermate working spaniel pups that need a LOT of training and exercise. So I know it can be done. Where there's a will and all that.

Some circumstances can't be helped, so I can understand the need to rehome. However, babies should be planned, as should getting a dog, so it is just a lack of forethought and planning, IMO, to have to get rid of a dog when a baby arrives :( (Or vice versa ! :))

Daisy

I think that the worry of what it will be like coping with dogs - after the baby comes along - frightens many new mums, prompting them to part with them before the event.
The 'cleanliness' thing that new mums get can distort their feelings towards the dog to a great extent and that influences some decisions.
Reality is often much easier than they expected , the dog loves the baby, the baby doesn't get the feared diseases or fleas and all ends well.

Support from family, friends and the breeder of their dog can help ease them into human motherhood :-) I find.

I think that's right Toolz.  Most often all people need is that extra support during the early days, and all will be well.

Sometimes it's just an excuse.  My old rescue dog was rehomed after an incident with a toddler - the dog had an untreated, infected cyst and the child pulled himself up on the dog and unfortunately got hold of the cyst, causing the dog to snap at him.  The owners panicked and gave him back to the breeder.  Several years after I had him, I had my own first baby.  There was no question that I would rehome him, but I did wonder how he would be with the baby.  He was absolutely fine, and appointed himself chief guardian and caretaker.  When he came to me, he was vastly overweight, and the owner said he had not had a proper walk in two years - I would think predating their child.  I think in their own way they did love him, but I think the problem was that they couldn't be bothered/didn't have time to look after him properly (hence the untreated cyst), and the child just provided them with a handy excuse.

>I think that the worry of what it will be like coping with dogs - after the baby comes along - frightens many new mums, prompting them to part with them before the event.

I think you've hit the nail on the head. It's worry, that's exacerbated by meddlers saying "Ooh, you mustn't let the dog anywhere near the baby. He'll give him worms/rabies/dysentery or kill him."

The brave ones ignore this and find out that baby survives perfectly well!

That's absolutely right Jeangenie, my little girl has just had her first birthday, I had three dogs when she was born and many people said to me that I would have to keep the dogs away from her, that she would either become ill or they would kill or attack her!!!  Some people assumed I would be looking to rehome them!  Needless to say they have all stayed with me, yes I am careful with a baby and the dogs but they all get on well, only my old girl has a little grumble.  As for time yes it can be difficult but I love my walks with the dogs I make time for everyone and it just means you have to reorganise your life.  We have also added another dog to our family, my bitch had a litter of puppies in April and we kept a girl.  Now my new pup and my little girl are becoming best friends, I worm my dogs regularly but allow my little girl to mix with the dogs under supervision.  Is it time consuming having both - Yes, is it tiring - Yes, would I have it any other way - absolutely not!!!  A bit of common sense, the ability and willingness to reorganise your life and a great OH is essential!

I know far from everyone works before having a baby, but what difference does that make? What is it that these people do with their time if they don't work?

I need that rolling eyes icon! Speechless! So I won't even comment other than to say, has it not occured to you that somebody who had time enough to spend a LOT of time on their dog would then find themselves with so much less time that the dog may suffer? Not all babies sleep all the time.

I personally would make time!

And that is exactly what needs to be done. :-)

When a pup or dog is brought into the home, it becomes family, it should be thought of as family, unfortunately today a dog is often not thought of in that way but like the 'new sofa' with the option to change it or get rid of it if it no longer fits in with the decore or to get away from the sofa theme, the change of lifestyle.

Totally wrong to view a dog in this way. I have never brought anything into my life that I am not going to commit to for it's lifespan, all scenarios are put into place of changes that could possibly come into my life, including if I were too ill or busy at work, there is always a back up plan and someone to care for my animals, just as there was for my children when young, if I no longer could and that is the way it should be, dogs are living breathing creatures not a piece of furniture, it makes me so mad when I look at pages of adds saying No time! New baby! Why did they not make arrangements for a dog walker, a family member or friend to give the time if they can't? Why did they not Think of these scenarios first......do these people believe their lives will be forever perfect, no-ones life is perfect without change, but a dog is family so must (or should) be worked around too.

No animal should ever be purchased without thinking of the years to come and changes that may happen to us.

Sometimes bad things can happen to people that may well make them unable to care for their animals with no money for walkers, carers or friends/family to help, but having a baby is definitely not one of them.

>I know far from everyone works before having a baby, but what difference does that make? What is it that these people do with their time if they don't work?

>I need that rolling eyes icon! Speechless! So I won't even comment other than to say, has it not occured to you that somebody who had time enough to spend a LOT of time on their dog would then find themselves with so much less time that the dog may suffer? Not all babies sleep all the time.

You are speechless? I was rather speechless at you saying how someone could sit at home all day with no job and not have time for a dog. LOL Guess that makes two of us, but instead of putting your response the way you have, you only need explain your point. Thanks.

I had my first dog with a baby of 14 months and my second with a 14 months old and a pre schooler.

Found it easy to train the BSD to walk nicely with pushchair, with halti, and first Elkhound without.

In fact with the second I was on my own and had to walk everywhere, shopping etc.

OK so I couldn't train outside the house, had to make do with what they learnt at home, but in fact the dogs were better off lead than the present lot by and large as there was only one or two, rather than five.

> Support from family, friends and the breeder of their dog can help ease them into human motherhood :-) I find.

Also many new Mums are pressured by family, and health proffesionals (I certainly had negative comments from my health visitors re the resident BSD when my secodn child was born) to get rid of pets.

>I was rather speechless at you saying how someone could sit at home all day with no job

my baby is 3 months old and its surprising how much of my time she takes, sometimes I wonder what happened to the day.  My dogs are 4 and 5 I usually go running with them first thing before my OH goes to work, or I take them up the woods and run with my little one in her push chair (we have a 3 wheeler all terrain one!!).  Afternoons we go for long walks with the pushchair or go to the lake so the boys can swim.  If the weather is particularly bad I can wait until my OH gets home from work and take the boys out then. 

I was surprised when I was pregnant the amount of people who asked what I was going to do with the dogs / was I going to keep the dogs.  At the moment little one is on her play mat and Alfie is lying with his paws on it watching her occasionally knocking one of her hanging toys with his paw !!

I sometimes think that often the dog is a baby substitute for some people, so when the real thing comes along, out goes the dog. I've seen it happen so often.

I also agree that 'hygiene' issues can distort the new parents view of animals, especially when you see these adverts on TV about the most innocuous things housing more germs than your toilet seat etc etc. What on earth must people think a dog harbours ??? I think that is why so many kids are allergic to so many things today. I won't even begin to tell you the food I shared with my dog as a child - todays parents would go green. However, I have no allergies, asthma etc so it didn't do me any harm, and I think, built up a good immune system.

You are speechless? I was rather speechless at you saying how someone could sit at home all day with no job and not have time for a dog.

Who said anything about not having time for just a dog? We're talking about dog AND BABY. I take it you've never had a newborn colicky baby not sleeping and only screaming for weeks on end? In that situation new mums are lucky to be able to get dressed by sometime in the late afternoon, never mind caring for a dog. You can't expect all situations to be the same. Also staying at home doesn't mean there's nothing to do -and with a baby it's a fulltime job in itself.

I can honestly say that ive gone the whole hog and managed id got 2 kids one of which has ASD and 3 dogs 3 cats and no way would i of gave them up for anything! sure its hard work but thats what you accept when you take them from mommy dog and promise to take the best care of them that you can.

> I was surprised when I was pregnant the amount of people who asked what I was going to do with the dogs / was I going to keep the dogs

I think that this often has more to do with it than anything else. As a pregnant/new mum hormones are generally all over the place and a guilt trip over your animals may just be one straw too many for some, poor dad is probably doing anything for a quiet life and out goes the dog. I do think this is more likely to be the case where there are no pets in the grandparents home either, so no reasonable grandparents voice to quiet the doubts or worse the grandparents are the ones telling you to get rid of the dog! As a first time mum life can seem overwhelming but I have to say my dog and cat were more of a comfort for me than anything else - nothing like a dog for company when you need a good sob :-) . Most folk made more of a fuss over my cat than the dog TBH but a net over the pram solved that non-issue ;-)

>We're talking about dog AND BABY. I take it you've never had a newborn colicky baby not sleeping and only screaming for weeks on end? In that situation new mums are lucky to be able to get dressed by sometime in the late afternoon, never mind caring for a dog.

I take it they'd adopt out their other children if they had them too, because they only have time for the new baby? Or that they don't have a partner to feed and walk the dog in the morning? Sorry MarrianneB, I still think it is a poor excuse, when you have taken this animal on KNOWING that in the future you may want children. Sure you may get it rough, a baby that cries more, even a baby that needs frequent hospital visits etc... but there are lots of ways to manage a situation until it improves. The father should be pulling his finger out too.

> I take it they'd adopt out their other children if they had them too, because they only have time for the new baby?

It really comes down to how valuable a part of their 'family' the dog is in the end.  As if they are family then no way would you consider letting them go.

I had no partner and two children and coped with the dogs fine, in fact when my first died young and my kids were a toddler and Nursery school age I got a puppy rather than opt for being dog-less, the dogs have always given me something that people cannot.

>It really comes down to how valuable a part of their 'family' the dog is in the end.  As if they are family then no way would you consider letting them go.

Yes, I guess it does. It distingushes the 'family' dogs from just THE dog. I guess it's the same with breeders, those that keep all of their oldies and those that see them as 'stock'. It's what is disposable and what is not. I'm so glad I was blessed with the privilage of being brought up with all manner of animals from a very young age and have the respect for them that I do.

I'm not sure it is that appropriate or helpful for everyone to say "I did it so why can't everyone else" - I realise these are positive examples of the fact that it CAN be done, but then again not everyone is the same and not everyone's circumstances are the same.

I had two dogs (6yr old and 1yr old) when I got pregnant (planned) and then found out I was having twins.  I thought I would have time and energy to cope but as a first time mum I really had no idea how exhausted I was even during the pregnancy, never mind after the kids were born.  I was also fairly new to owning large breed dogs at the time (my oldest dog was big but we rescued him at 4yrs old, well past his most energetic stage) and I admit I underestimated the lack of maturity my 1yr old dog would still exhibit and the amount of exercise she still needed to be calm in the house, we definitely got the timing a bit wrong.  Very fortunately my mum was able to look after my youngest dog and she supported me on and off with the dog for two years because of health problems I had after my children were born.  I don't like to think that I would have had to rehome my dog without my mums help, but realistically that may have been the end result.  Fortunately I have been able to keep both my dogs but not everyone has the same support I was able to get.  

It came down to a lot of different factors, my personal health and energy levels, the nature of my dogs, my limited experience with dogs and experience of what was involved in raising twins, where I could exercise my dogs, my partners enthusiasm or lack thereof for dogs after many sleepless nights and long days at work - all of these factors are different for each individual.  At no time did I stop loving both my dogs very much, they are not just an accessory to me in any way, they are a huge part of my life and I love them both BUT if it ever comes to a choice between the welfare of my children or my husband or my own sanity then the humans in my family do come first before the dogs and I am not ashamed to admit that. 

Sincerely, Well Done to everyone who managed dogs and babies together, you did great but not everyone is you and that doesn't make them bad or uncaring about their pets.
 

> It really comes down to how valuable a part of their 'family' the dog is in the end.  As if they are family then no way would you consider letting them go.

I agree. My pets are part of the family so that means I simply HAVE to find time for them, in just the same way one HAS to find find time for the toddler when a new baby has arrived (there is only 14 mnts between my 2 kids).
My first child was very demanding, he never slept for more than 2 hrs durng the night for the first 18 months I did have a partner, but he was a zombie while at home, due to working 90-100hrs per week (bakery work on start-to-finish is tough work :( ). My dog was never neglected. I managed to take him for daily walks through the woods (not easy while pregnant & pushing a buggy up steep rocky tracks).

>the dogs have always given me something that people cannot.

I did have postnatal depression, but the dog really helped me, he never judged me, never looked at me like I was an idiot. For dogs things are simple - eat, excericise & be merry - it really helped keep me grounded when I felt my life was too much to bare.
It boils down to wheather one classes getting rid of a pet (family member) as an option, or wheather they mean enough to go that extra mile.

Its a crap excuse, invariably by lazy people whom just do things on a whim.

I know, i was on the receiving end of this one in my career about one hundred times.

Many of these people even bought puppies whilst they were pregnant

I cannot ever remember one person who did any planning, training, or socializing, they simply let the dog and baby mix freely without any supervision.
then blamed the dog.

"we dont understand, he always loved the baby".

Not realizing that a relatively inanimate babe in arms or pram is not the same as one that crawls along the carpet toward the dog.

> Its a crap excuse, invariably by lazy people whom just do things on a whim.
>

It's also very easy to make sweeping generalisations. Have to say I applaud the rational post Scoobysmum made. Of course some may not care enough about their responsibility to their pets, but not everyone has the same circumstances and till you have walked in their shoes I feel it is arrogant to be so critical. Not everyone does plan their pregnancy to perfection because unfortunately life is not like that. Some people may be very ill during preganancy or have an ill baby, others find they have to work more hours to make ends meet and there are no funds for dog sitters and dog walkers. Personally I think there may well be cases when a dog is happier to be in a baby free home and it's needs are much better met. Sometimes we can love our dogs so much we think of them too much in human terms, they have the needs of dogs not of humans and may well prefer to move to a family with more time and money for them!   

I agree with most written when I had Ben I had two dogs had Sam still with our two and one got out and we had 9 dogs all of a sudden.
Sold all pups bar one as we lost one of ouyr old dogs (PTS) and Peter lasted until Ben was about 12/13. Then work and circumstances change and we were dog less for 12 years getting our two "posh" pedigrees (in other words ones we knew what they were going to look like!). My kids did not get fleas, salmonella or anything they were fit healthy and very much dog people.
I think a dog and a baby is an ideal situation all around. My niece has three children and a staffie and all get along and are devoted to each other - really great, mind you at the age I am now I do wonder how she does it!

It's also very easy to make sweeping generalisations.

did you not see the bit where i said it was based on on the job evidence over about hundred cases?

> did you not see the bit where i said it was based on on the job evidence over about hundred cases?

And did you not see the bit where I said you need to walk in someone's shoes before you understand what their life is truly like?

of course.

bit when one makes a general statement, it goes without saying you get exceptions to the rule.
still doesnt deny social trends though.
and ive worked the social trend when it comes to pregnancy and the easy commodity attitude to dogs

also, i asked enought questions to find out the inns and outs of the individual issues re dog and baby and alwasy gave quite easily workable solutions that just involved a little bit of commitment.
however, these were always responded to with weak non-reasons, which revealed they werent that interested in the dog anyway.

not to mention the peeps that bought a dog/pup during pregnancy

I take it they'd adopt out their other children if they had them too, because they only have time for the new baby? Or that they don't have a partner to feed and walk the dog in the morning? Sorry MarrianneB, I still think it is a poor excuse, when you have taken this animal on KNOWING that in the future you may want children.

Apart from the fact that not all pregnancies are planned, NOBODY knows how things will be when a new baby is born or even during the pregnancy. What about if the new mother suffers from symphis pubis for instance? It's common. I had it in my second pregnancy -last few months of it I was in a wheelchair and it took 3 months after the baby was born until I was normal again so that was 6 months gone without any possibility of walking dogs. Third pregnancy it was so bad I was given the choice of staying in hospital for the last 8 weeks of the pregnancy or stay in bed 100 % at home. A friend of mine had exactly the same and she never recovered fully, had to stop competing in agility with her dogs as she no longer can walk without crutches years after the last baby. How is a mother like that going to cope if their partner is out at work? My point is not every situation is the same and we CANNOT condemn everyone point blank for rehoming a dog due to a new baby -how do we know whether the reason is genuine or not?

These posts are bringing back all kinds of memories, some sad, some not. My children asked for a puppy for years and I always refused because as a single working parent I couldn't see how I could manage--never mind deal with children who were too young to really help much. I waited till 2 years ago when the youngest turned 16. I'm sad I spent all that time without a dog, and I will always have a sense of regret about this, but so happy that I am around now to give two dogs a good life by being around for them (actually more than I was able to be for my children, is the truth)...and I really hope we can share our house with more dogs as our two lads get a little older.

> Scoobysmum

What a sensible piece of writing!

It's all very well sitting at a keyboard and saying how holier than thou we are for being able to bring up a family and care correctly for our animals.
I managed it, many others did for sure but please peeps remember that not everyone is in the same boat.
To some a dog is a pet - not the be all and end all - to us it may be a hobby, a sport, an income, a surrogate child - call it what you will, but most folk with dogs dont talk about them on forums - just the small few who have taken dog ownership to a 'higher' level.
Many a time I was in tears because I needed to completely wet weather dress my baby and trudge out in the cold to walk the dogs -but it had to be done. I even had a litter of pups when my son was 12months but I'm not your run of the mill dog owner - so when it came to my border collie trying to bite my crawling baby I did let her go to my ML for a year but I had her back with coping strategies - foolhardy or good dog owner? I'm not so sure I would have taken that risk these days - if it were my grandchild I may take a dim view

> I guess it's the same with breeders, those that keep all of their oldies and those that see them as 'stock'. It's what is disposable and what is not. I'm so glad I was blessed with the privilage of being brought up with all manner of animals from a very young age and have the respect for them that I do.

I was brought up in a family where dad was an old fashioned country boy, and mother was a city gal who thought that animals were 'dirty.'

If she could see my houseful, she would have a seizure!  I have spayed bitches, that are my pals.  They didn't get advertised as "ex breeding bitch for sale" - and I wouldn't have it any other way.

>My point is not every situation is the same and we CANNOT condemn everyone point blank for rehoming a dog due to a new baby -how do we know whether the reason is genuine or not?

And mine was that the dogs were being rehomed due to 'lack of time' after having a baby... not health reasons after having a baby.

My children asked for a puppy for years and I always refused because as a single working parent I couldn't see how I could manage

I will always have a sense of regret about this

Oh please don't JAY15 you are one of those people who fill me with joy and make me want to shout YES! Your sensible, and thoughtful and put the dog first. As you have now found out you have so much time for 2 dogs. I wish more people were like you and thought longterm for the dogs sake, insead of 'I want!'

And mine was that the dogs were being rehomed due to 'lack of time' after having a baby... not health reasons after having a baby.

Still the same thing. There aren't two babies and two dogs the same. Nobody can know in advance what a baby is going to be like, and not all pregnancies are expected. Maybe in your perfect world everyone is as fantastic at coping as you are, but in the real world, it isn't as simple as that. Some dogs demand a lot more than others, as do some babies.

>Maybe in your perfect world everyone is as fantastic at coping as you are, but in the real world, it isn't as simple as that. Some dogs demand a lot more than others, as do some babies.

Maybe you would like to think I live in a perfect world to keep picking an arguement with me, when there isn't one. Did I hit a nerve, because I'm pretty sure if you reread my posts you'll see that I DID say I CAN understand certain circumstances and do believe I mentioned health as one of those. Like I said, my point was raised against people that use a baby as an EXCUSE and say they don't have time for the dog with NO real reason. You can keep picking apart my posts if you wish though.

YOU started the subject without having any way of knowing if people that advertise use it as an excuse or not. YOU asked for opinions and got them. For your info, I've always had dogs when I've had babies. Doesn't mean I think everyone has to be the same.

>I can understand the relationship breakups etc... where the people shared the responsibility and those who have to return to full time work where the dog is really lacking in time spent with it so much so that it's really unfair on the dog. I understand that people's circumstances change through no fault of their own and it forces the rehoming of a much loved pet and my heart goes out to them for being unselfish and going through that heartache to give the animal a better way of life. I just can't see the reasoning behind the 'lack of time' excuse for a baby, other than for huge work commiments or a serious family illness, anything that really keeps someone away from home for extended periods.

Quoted from one of my previous posts at the beginning of the discussion, just in case you missed it!

>YOU started the subject without having any way of knowing if people that advertise use it as an excuse or not. YOU asked for opinions and got them. For your info, I've always had dogs when I've had babies. Doesn't mean I think everyone has to be the same.

How do you know I don't know if this person's excuse is genuine or not? I might know them, have you ever thought of that? And yes, I asked for opinions... not attitude! But thanks anyway.

It seems to be a very common reason, not having time for them any more etc...

That's a general statement, not referring to one particular case.

Notice I said 'seems' not it 'is' and there was no malicious intent in that sentance. It was not a statement, more an observation asking for other people's opinions. Seriously, why are you trying to pick when there is nothing to pick? lol I'm not going bite. :) Maybe you should just agree to disagree. If I didn't want to understand it from someone else's point of view or experience, then I wouldn't have even started the thread, I would have just condemned them in my head if I was and moved on! There aren't really any lines to read between and I'm not the judge or jury of anyone.

Having volunteered at an animal shelter and helped with rehoming we did see this alot although we also heard of new allergies etc....
I think that it is a hard to say that everyone who says this is just using it as an excuse as there will always be genuine people who don't want to re-home their animals. I have to say that although I loved our dogs as pups I actually prefer them as adults :-0
Although my dogs are still quite young :-)

I guess the real truth is every single second I can spend with my dogs now is like Christmas--actually the same feeling I have/had about my children since they've been around. I was never in any doubt that we couldn't and shouldn't get a dog at the time, but now it feels like heaven--my only regret is that I couldn't prioritise my life differently and needed to be out there earning a wage.

I had to rehome our 2 JRT's due to severe pregancy immobilty. I could not walk for nearly 18 mths plus had appendicitis. The 2 boys were going spare so I found excellent homes for them.
I then waited til we had completed our family and our youngest was 2 before getting another dog and this time it has worked out really well.
Sometimes you have to decide - it was too long a rehab for me and the boys were really not happy. They both went to fab homes, from whom I receive good regular updates