Issue with the care of our puppy.

GBNI

True, but the chances of them surviving it are much higher.

Besides, no kennel will take in a dog unless it has full vaccination history including kennel cough.

princesspinky

Agree with GBNI ^^

No kennel will take a dog unless vaccination card can be shown.

And also the few puppies that contract Parvo are treated from the start and recover fine!

It is also more unusual for a dog of 5 months old to contract Parvo, they are usually a lot younger.

skintandscared_2

To be fair to the OP, from reading the initial post it is pretty obvious they have some mental health issues. I'm not reading a "petulant child" who doesn't WANT to take care of this puppy, but clearly someone who is terrified they won't be ABLE to take care of the puppy on their own. If I have got that wrong, OP, I apologise but that is how I am interpreting what you have written. Do you have a close friend or neighbour who may be willing for the puppy to stay with them while your parents are away, but you visit every day to take the dog for a walk/feed it?

pops5588

While I kiiiind of agree with skintandscared, I would say that others are correct in pointing out that there is a much bigger long term issue here. Megan has already said that if she ever moves out (in a couple of years I believe was the time frame given in the OP) that the parents will just get rid.

This is unfair on the puppy, surely it would be much more beneficial for the dog to find a new home for it now and get it settled in a new environment with a new family than to wait 2 years and do it then.

Pollycat

I too can see where skintandscared is coming from, and whilst I sympathise with the OP about her health issues and also those of her Dad, the fact remains that 2 adults (or 3 if you include the Mum) made a decision to take on a puppy and that the long-term implications of that decision was not thought out and discussed with the seriousness that it should have been.

The puppy is not to blame here but it is the puppy who will suffer in the long run - either by being given away before the OP's parents go on their planned holiday or when the OP leaves home.
To talk of 'getting rid' of a 5 month old puppy because of the situation the OP describes is appalling.

Pixiechic

skintandscared wrote: »

To be fair to the OP, from reading the initial post it is pretty obvious they have some mental health issues. I'm not reading a "petulant child" who doesn't WANT to take care of this puppy, but clearly someone who is terrified they won't be ABLE to take care of the puppy on their own. If I have got that wrong, OP, I apologise but that is how I am interpreting what you have written. Do you have a close friend or neighbour who may be willing for the puppy to stay with them while your parents are away, but you visit every day to take the dog for a walk/feed it?

All the more reason not to get a puppy.

'Issues' are not an excuse to be irresponsible, especially when another life is involved.

PollyOnAMission

megan01 wrote: »

Thank you so so much for this response. It's the most helpful one I have seen here and I've spent the past hour crying at the responses on here. I never knew this existed and this might be a really good option, thank you.

You are welcome, Megan. I hope you manage to find a solution tthat works for this occasion.

However, I do agree with some other posters that you and your family perhaps need to make some plans/changes longer term. The homeboarding could be a quick fix in this instance, but what about other times in the future?

I'm sure with the right support and gradual "practice" you could become a lot more confident in your ability to care for the puppy. You have some responsibility for looking after it along with your parents, as it was you who also wanted a puppy in the first place. Looking after an animal can seem very daunting if you don't feel confident in what you need to do, but there is a lot of advice out there to help you. Perhaps you could start taking the puppy to training classes if you don't already; not only will this give you more knowledge and ideas for coping with different situations, it will also really help you to bond with the dog. The stronger the bond you have, the more likely it is that the dog could actually help you with your anxiety issues rather than worry you more.

A dog really does need 100% commitment from its owners in order to lead a happy, healthy and fulfilled life. It's very concerning that your parents would want to rehome the dog should you move out; I think this is an issue you perhaps need to discuss with them further. I'm sure you understand that this intended attitude towards dog ownership is really not fair on the dog.

There is a lot to work on but if you are all committed things could be really great and the dog could be a fantastic focal point for your whole family. Unfortunately, if the commitment isn't there, it can sometimes be kinder all round for the dog to be in a different home.

I think this is what other people have been trying to say; their concern is well-meaning and is for the wellbeing of the dog. I agree some people could have replied with a bit more sensitivity, but emotions do tend to run high with these issues.

Try not to get too sidetracked by feeling like you are under personal attack; instead, try to focus on the facts and suggestions for practical solutions that could help you all in both the short and long terms.

Calien27

I have MH issues (anxiety/panic related) have also had to call 999 because of particularly bad attacks.

When I was 13 my parents got me a dog to "help" me, yes the prospect of looking after him was scary and took some adjusting, there were times when I thought it would be easier to re-home him but he's almost 15 years old now and I couldn't imagine not having him around.

OP, before getting the puppy you and your family really should have discussed everything. If your family have no intention of giving him a "forever home" and will want to get rid in a few years, the kindest thing to do is to re-home him now, it's a little life that needs looking after and to be loved. In future if you or your family want a pet, I suggest getting a goldfish.

devildog

princesspinky wrote: »

Agree with GBNI ^^

No kennel will take a dog unless vaccination card can be shown.

And also the few puppies that contract Parvo are treated from the start and recover fine!

It is also more unusual for a dog of 5 months old to contract Parvo, they are usually a lot younger.

I'm not disagreeing that kennels will not accept dogs unless vaccinated (and quite rightly so) but what I am saying is even when vaccinated some (but not many) will still be hit with Parvo.
The dog in question that I referred to was 2 1/2 years old and fully vaccinated (show dog) She did survive but it was along haul and she was not expected to make it.

cte1111

Can you analyse what it is about looking after the puppy that is worrying you? Perhaps you could draw up a timetable of what needs to be done on a daily basis, then follow this for the next couple of days to get confidence. Put down when he is fed and what amount, when he is walked, what to take with you (poo bags) etc.

Making preparations, e.g. having appropriate number of tins of food / biscuits ready could also help you feel more ready and less panicky.

If I were you, I would write down a list of specific worries and work through them, perhaps with the help of a friend or your Mum. Set up a folder with all the information you need, so you have it ready to hand.

For example, worry that the puppy was sick: solution - wait and see if he recovers, if he is still ill after x hours, then take to the vets (have the vet's number / opening hours ready in your puppy survival pack, along with money for the taxi fare).

Hope that helps. I've suffered from anxiety in the past and it doesn't help if people criticise without attempting to understand. If you can get through this difficult time, then think of how great you will feel, plus you will have the reward of being able to keep your lovely dog.