Dog castration advice please

foreign_correspondent

jackieglasgow wrote: »

Just read Hethmar's post, I was responding to FC. I might not read this thread again for a while as I am now sobbing.

I'm sorry jackie, I don't wish to upset anyone, but it is upsetting, and I guess as long as we are ignorant to the extent of the problem we cannot change things - I know people who have bred staffies, and in general they are well intentioned enough, and do love their dogs, but have no idea of the scale of the problem, and cannot appreciate that they are adding to it.

Many of the dogs in the pounds will undoubtedly have come from people who thought all their pups would go on to have long happy lives with the people who took them on... it would be fascinating if there was any way to trace the life stories of a litter of staffy pups and see how they fare... statistically the odds are not good for these little dogs - they are the breed most likely to end up unwanted, and the breed that it is hardest to rehome.

hethmar

No, we dont want any one distressed, but we cant turn our heads away because if we do, none of these dogs would get rescue places or homes.

When I see people with a staffie puppy my heart drops Im afraid.

jackieglasgow

I know you didn't mean to upset me, I'm a big sap when it comes to dogs.

The thing is, I would never have chosen a Staffy, ever, but she found us, and you know, I was talking about this to my husband last night, I look at dogs that I would have previously chosen, like Retrievers, Cairn Terriers, and Whippets, and think how sweet they, are, but I wouldn't change my wee dog for all of them even with her problems, she is perfect for me. I never thought that she would be so completely faithful and loving and sweet. It's just such a shame that so many of those dogs have missed the chance of a life like my girl because of irresponsible owners and breeders who have been unable or unwilling to train them.

I'll put my soapbox away now.

ETA I'll just add this. My younger DS has been a bit wary of her, and she of him because the first time they met she jumped to kiss him, and caught his cheek, which he interpreted as an attemted bite. We have left them to it, and quietly encouraged a relationship by getting DS to move her bed, or her water dish, give her a wee treat etc. This week has seen them come on in leaps and bounds, and they are relating really well to each other. So much so that this morning DS2 says to me "Mum, do you think it's possible that Staffordshires are the cutest of all dogs?" Isn't that just the nicest thing, I had a huge lump in my throat!

hethmar

Have to agree, staffs werent a breed Id have jumped at owning but over the last few years I have gotten to know/see SO many of them who have been dumped and honestly Ive never met a bad one. They have all been so sweet, smiley and waggy even though they have often been treated so badly and dumped.

foreign_correspondent

They are super dogs, and I can understand why people who have a lovely dog think breeding it might be a good idea.

My last little dog was so perfect and easy, that I would have loved to have had one of her pups - she was a little crossbreed, and very individual looking, (not a particularly pretty dog, but a real old fashioned terrier!) and I remember thinking I would never find another one like her... but I didn't breed her, because of the extent of the rescue problem. When she died, so many people said to me 'you will never find another dog like her, she was one in a million' ....

Well, I didnt find another dog like her, I found another dog with a personality all of her own, who is equally as precious to me, and who loves everyone she meets - and it is tragic that she was ever unwanted and unloved, because she is a fabulous, loyal, affectionate little dog...

We all think our dogs are something special, but I am pretty convinced that there will be plenty of dogs with the potential to be someones fabulous, special dog who end up on the 'pts' list every day. Anyway, we are possibly starting to veer away from the topic slightly...

I do applaud the OP for taking on this pup, she clearly wants the best for it, but there is a lot to think about - whatever breed the dogs were, it would be problematic, and a difficult situation to manage. I hope she finds a way to pay for neutering, and I am glad she is open to advice. Bailey, I will make further enquiries re: neutering vouchers - sometimes it can be really hard if you are on a low income but not benefits...

jackieglasgow

You're right we were steerin way off topic, sorry OP

candygirl

Omg FC I have looked at the pics of those poor babies, and want them all:(:(I love my 2 to bits and will always have staffies now, so in the future I will deffo rescue one

Katiehound

I have to agree with a lot of the OPs- why have a dog when you cannot afford the vet bills? sadly that is why many of the dogs are being handed into rescue centres at this moment- not because the owners have run up bills , but that they might!
You haven't said where you live. the following have or had subsidised vet schemes:
PDSA have affliated vets for certain postcodes.
Dogs Trust used (and may still have) assisted neuter schemes for specific areas of the country. Some were: NE & NW England & Ireland.
The Blue Cross have 3 animal hospitals in London : Victoria, Hammersmith & Merton plus a mobile clinic for the East End- people receiving benefit qualify for treatment. + an animal hospital in Grimsby.

It may be worth your while to phone around and see who can help.
Please ghet your dog neutered asap- it is only a snip for a dog rather than a major operation for a !!!!!.
Katiehound

Katiehound

just had a further thought- would your vet accept payment in installments? it would be worth asking

foreign_correspondent

Bailey, I have found a small charity that may be able to help you - I remembered seeing a collecting tin to help with low cost speying on the counter of a petrol station not far from where you live - I have just rung the petrol station and asked for the details from the tin - they clearly thought I was mad, but who cares!

I cant find anything about them on the internet, but you may want to give them a ring. I will PM you their details rather than post them online, as it looks like they are a small operation who may not be set up to deal with hundreds of new enquiries!