Unwanted Older, Injured Family Dog

I don't mean to jump in with this but I've been lurking here for a while and would like to get your opinions. Many of you seem kind-hearted and intelligent, plus this forum is open to alternative lifestyles which is something I am pursuing. It just seems best to ask here.

I have an eight year old chow chow / collie mix, named Chloe Bella, whom is very bonded to me. She's a very sweet and loving dog who adores cats. I am at a point in my life where I am about to make some life-changing decisions and she cannot come with me unfortunately. I will be travelling around quite a bit and it's something that dogs usually have to grow up in to be comfortable with the lifestyle.

Bella is not 100% healthy. She has a busted paw. It's swollen and I've taken her to the vet so many times but he couldn't figure it out. Just a hard, swollen lump right below where she bends her wrist. She limps slightly but if it's a day that involves more walking than usual, you can see just how much pain she is in from the severity of her limp. I put hot cloth wraps around it daily and try to keep her rested as much as possible.

Legally, she is my mom's dog, who adopted her when I was ten. She bonded to me very quickly and we grew up together. She was considered as one of the family dogs. Now that I'm about to take off and my family is splitting up, she suddenly became my responsibility. I tried convincing myself for a few weeks that I could bring her along but I know she will suffer. My mom refuses to take her back since she already has 'two other dogs in a small house' (her words). It's frustrating because I didn't sign the papers to be responsible for this dog's life when I was a decade old.

I've started looking for a new home for her. The problem is that she has a case of dog aggression. She has run across the street to attack our neighbor's dog two times. She has never bitten a person but got in plenty of fights with other dogs. She is very skittish around strangers and I always have to keep a close eye on her to make she she doesn't get too uncomfortable. I've been working with her lately and she's made wonderful improvements. I'm still nervous about handing her over to someone else, unless they are experienced dog owners / trainers. I wouldn't trust her around children either.

I've been doing some reading on getting her adopted and things don't look very good for her. Dropping her off at a shelter with her (lack of) health, age and dog aggression is only sentencing her to death. As horrible as it may seem, I'd rather put her down myself so she's more comfortable and happy being with me than being locked up in a cage, terrified, for god knows how long. I may be able to find someone else suitable for her but it breaks my heart knowing how much she will miss me. She is very attached to me. I went to boarding school for two years and every day / night she sat by the back door, waiting for me. The chances of finding an experienced dog owner with no other dogs, children who wants to take an older, injured dog in is slim to none.

She is my best friend and all I want is the best for her. Ideally, I'd like her to stay with my mom because that way, I know she will be okay and have the company of her two dog-friends whom she grew up with. I will have to talk to my mom about this again but she's really putting her foot down and saying no.

The other part is that I am deaf and do plan to get a younger dog that I can train to be my legal service dog. I would feel much safer having a dog at my side at all times that is trained to notify me of approaching folks, certain sounds and the direction they come from. It feels like I am replacing Chloe which makes me feel like crud. Especially if I am going to have to put her down. I feel like I've exhausted every possibility and am starting to feel more + more hopeless.

Does anyone have any thoughts / ideas / options that I may have overlooked on what I can do for her? Do you know of anyone who would want to work with her and take her in? Sorry I am rambling so much, I've just been thinking myself into a rut and need a fresh breath on this. Thank you. Love and light to you.

 

put an ad in the paper or online ad site in your area and offer to pay all or partial the upkeep of the dog to a kind hearted soul

ideally in a farm community general store

often people would gladly take in a dog like bella but cant because of income or povertous situations

people that have a farm and no kids[ideal] also already have animals and many many farmers are already struggling....but many become farmers because they lkove animals....such as myself


i need a dog...but i cant fit that into my already too big monthly feed bill

good luck...hope this helps some

 

That is a tough situation. Where do you live? You may be able to find someone who works for a dog rescue of sorts who could successfully rehome her for you.

There are breed specific rescues...I bet if you did a google search for a chow or collie rescue you could pull up something. Even if they can't take your dog in they should be able to point you in the right direction. There are all kinds of organizations for fostering dogs. You may be able to get her to a foster who could keep her until they find a good home.

I asked where you live because I have a friend that moved to Fl, I forget the name of the town but its mid Florida somewhere...she runs a kennel but I know she also does a lot of rescue work and has fostered numerous dogs. If by some crazy fluke you're in the Florida area I could send you a link to her website.

 

ROLLINGALONG - I actually have ten 20-lb bags of dog food that would go to whomever takes her to help cover her feed for a bit. Thank you for the ideas, will definitely try the farming community out.

Meliai - I am currently in NY but was actually supposed to head down to FL this week. If you could still send me the link, I'd really appreciate it! I'd take her to FL if it meant giving her a chance. I just e-mailed the local no-kill shelter for advice and direction on what to do with her. I will start looking for others to e-mail too.

Thank you so much for all of your help and insight!

 

Craigslist ad?

 

posted a week ago!

 

if you can get her across the ny border to kingston i live 1 kilometer from the usa border crossing at cape vincent new york...he/she can live her days out here but i gotta tell ya...i dont take pets to the vet...bring a supply of pain meds if you have any

its a farm...animals come and go...i dont let myself get to attached to them because here are too many free ones to replace the old ones that deserve a chance to live here...such as bella

we also have coyotes on the island but usually they stay away

 

can you PM me with more information? I'm really interested in what you have to offer and would love to try and work out something with you!

 

actually no...you dont have that privilege yet...takes more posts...i'm too known here to post my email

but you arent

put it on my profile and i promise to email you

 

hey I don't think I can PM you yet since you're considered a guest. Here is the link to my friend's website http://www.amysbedbathandbiscuit.com/amysbedbathandbiscuit.com/Home.html

It doesn't mention anything about her rescue work but I know she has fostered and rehomed numerous dogs. Just give her a call or email her and explain the situation. I heard she is looking to sell her business but even if she can't take your dog in, she'll probably have numerous resources to point you in the right direction. She's really helpful when it comes to anything having to do with animals

 

I couldn't figure out how to post on yr profile so I'll just post it here for now: deleted.

I just e-mailed your friend Meliai!

I don't think I can ever thank you both for helping me out enough. I appreciate it.

 

got it..mod please delete it for her..she cant edit

 

Actually I can!