Thanks for the replys!

The breeder did ask me many questions when I bought him and as like I said I have had the same breed before (he was rescued) so I know what I was letting myself in for. I think I relyed to much on my neighbour and found out that at times (due to her working shifts) that he would be alone for up to 7 hrs. I have left him more and more at my mothers house (she is at home all day) due to this and he is more stable. She loves him...we all love him!
But I am thinking of the future when he is fully grown and able to go for walks and whether she would cope plus I would miss him during the week!
Like you say I don't want him to go to a bad home as he is so stable at the moment plus I couldn't take him to work!

I work in IT by the way.

Then you need to contact Breed Rescue, you will not get any money for him but it is the best thing for him. I'm very sorry about the traumas you have gone though yourself recently but this pup would benefit from no further false starts to his life.

I wish I knew someone who is responsible and able to give him a good home like myself but with the time (not working/working from home/able to get home in the day) who would take him even though it would upset me.

Do Breed Rescue check out new owners?

The breeder is obviously not interested they often arent but if you contact me I will help with your enquiry and if necessary help you find him a suitable home.
Click on my name and email me if you like,

Labrador rescue

Yes any decent breed rescue will check out the homes we operate an adoption scheme

Where are you from Sheldon?

I live in Congleton, Cheshire.

Hi Sheldon

So sorry to hear of your predicament. I work full time too but when I bought my dog (she was 5 months old when I got her) I had 2 weeks off work to settle her in and also had put in place already a dog walker to take her for a walk every day.

Have you thought of paying a professional dog walker to take your dog for a walk midday and maybe feed him too? Or maybe there are doggy daycare facilities for your dog in your area. Its just a suggestion but have you looked into this at all since you obviously love your dog a lot and want it to be happy? I walk my dog in the morning before I go to work and in the evening when I get back from work. I also have a dog walker that provides day care facilities (if required) for dogs and especially for owners who work full time. I employ her to come and take my dog for a walk not the daycare and she seems happy enough being at home for a few hours either end of the day. She comes every day and takes my dog for a walk. She walks dogs for a living and by the time she picks up my dog and brings her back (in the car of course) it takes up 2 hours and breaks up her day. She takes my dog to different places every day and also has another dog with her. I pay her £35 a week (£7 a day) for the walks and bearing in mind that my dog is out of the house for two hours each day (that works out to £3.75 per hour) I would say that was value for money! I would not have got a dog and indeed the breeder would not have sold her to me if I could not provide this service as I feel it would be detrimental for the dog as it would be lonely all day long. As it is my dog appears to quite content even though I work full time, she has NEVER chewed anything in my house (and she has free use of all of it apart from the living room) and I love her to pieces. I do feel for you Sheldon, please look into what I have suggested its just another option other than giving the dog away, and I do hope you can find a way to resolve this dilemma and do whats best. Dogs are like children ..... a huge responsibility.

Good luck with it all

Sheldon, sorry you are having such a rough time at present. At times, life stinks.

I'd go along with Cassie n Ollie, try to find a walker first. There maybe an older person near you who'd relish the chance of a short walk a couple of times a day without the responsibility of ownership, or even to take him into their home for part of the day for company.

Good Luck

Julia & Hooligans

look, if your mum is happy to have him, and he is happy to be with your mum, let him be there during the week. that way you know he is being well cared for. it is not a matter of whether YOU will miss him in the week. he will be happier, your mum will be happier, and you will see him at weekends.

Hi Sheldon,

I'm sorry about your difficulties both recently and now with your pup, a lot of the suggestions you have received are very good and I hope you can find a suitable answer to your predicament - your pup needs to be settled into a routine asap so please do it for him.

If you dont find a way and you still want to re-home him I am prepared to give him a very good home with 5 other labs, 2 chocolate and 3 black as well as a cocker spaniel. They all live in a suitable environment in a small working gundog kennels where I live. 3 of the dogs are pups 10 weeks, 5 months and 11 months.

My dogs are my life and I value them as companions and best friends they come first in everything.

If you want to find out more or contact me search for Edinglassie Kennels in the breeder category - all the best and please sort something out for your boy.

COULD YOU NOT ADVERTISE WANTING A PET SITTER SAY TO COME IN TWICE A DAY AND LET THE PUP OUT AND SPEND SOME TIME WITH HIM ALSO TRY LEAVING LOTS OF FUN TOYS. WHEN MY mum and dad used to go to work we had a pet sitter who responded to an ad just put must have experience and be police checked etc if you can't find anyone i think it will be best to re-home him but this doesn't mean you can't still know how he is
sorry about 1st half in caps

I can vouch that he would have a very good experienced country home with davidlana - have you contacted him or mattie yet? It must be very distressing for you to have to let him go, but I feel it would be best for him. The only solution maybe is to go self employed and change to an IT job you can do from home?

hi sheldon, I am sorry to here you are having problems. I know it must be heartbreaking for you deciding what to do for the best, but you do sound like a caring owner. You could visit www.helpalabrador.co.uk they will be able to help and advise you, and they are in the north west.
best of luck
carol

Sheldon,

I don't own a dog yet but I have been reading loads of articles. You may want to check out:

http://www.houstonpettalk.com/Column%20all_about_pets.htm
http://www.cappdt.ca/homealone.html

Some good tips include getting a kitten and leaving the radio on in addition to getting a dog sitter. The 2nd article was written by a professional dog trainer who is very anti-guilt! She does stress spending quality time with your pet when you around which is fair enough and helps both you and your puppy.

Melanie