Ummm...what do you say to an animal collector? (kind of long) About This Page:

[RobinKay6573]

My friend called me last night to find out if I wanted to come over so we could take the dogs for a swim in the pond near her house. I loaded Belle in the car and called her on my way over the house. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. She just got a new dog a Shih Tzu so that makes 5 pets in one smaller house. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] I think she is becoming sort of an animal collector. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] But I digress…I get to the house and she brings all three dogs out (keep in mind I had Belle with me and she has never met the new dog). Belle and the Shih Tzu get alittle growled and their leashed get tangled up (me with one dog her with three!) Finally we get them untangled and give the dogs a proper introduction off the property. I said to my friend that Belle probably should have met the new dog with out the others around (so what happened wouldn’t have happened). I look down at the dog and said, “wow that dog is alittle round.” Then I said, “he nipples look alittle big too…what are the chances she could be pregnant.” My friend gasp and said, “I was going to ask you about that…I thought she looked alittle big. Do you really think she is going to have puppies?” To be honest I am not 100% sure but the dog has all the signs of being “in puppy”. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/foreheadslap.gif[/img] Oh geezzz here we go…now the house of animals is going to be house of 3 dogs, 2 cats and a litter of puppies…oh and all the time she talks about getting a horse (they have ONE acre of icky grass and would turn into mud with in a week of a horse living there). She can’t (and won’t give the dog back) and she has talked to a couple of friends who would take a puppy. I don’t think she has ANY idea what she is getting herself into emotionally or financially. This is someone who picks up half dead animals (birds, chipmunks, squirrels) and tries to save them.

Should I bite my tongue like I have done for 2 years? I know she knows that too many pets in a house can cause problems. The thing is she has very little control over he oldest dog. She said he is fine but he does get dog aggressive and she walks him on extendable lead when we go for walks. With three dogs to walk it is difficult for her to “reel him in” when another dog approaches.

[jimmymac]

Subtly point out what she is letting herself in for. If she doesn't seem interested, let it go

[Teresa]

I agree not much you can do at this point. As long as she's not allowing her dogs to breed indescriminately and can feed and care for all of them, without sending herself to the poorhouse, she should be okay. If it gets too bad (like she won't give up the puppies, if there are some) - then you could call the authorities and report a person with too many animals (most towns have laws against more than 5)
Do you think the horse thing might be a dream that she likes to talk about and deep down she knows it just isn't possible with only an acre?

[Huntermom]

Some people can't so no to puppy dog eyes. I must admit, there's nothing quite like a greeting from a loving animal.

Has she done obedience class with any of her dogs? It might be a good Christmas/birthday present to give her a gift certificate to take one of her dogs. Even a book on dog behavior and hierachies.

I think you need to have a talk with her. And think about finding another dog walking partner if she insits on taking all three dogs.

Diane

[Luvsun]

Wow! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] All I can say is when I had three dogs in my house that was three too many! (not really) I hope that she realizes that too many pets in one home can be unhealthy - not just for her, but for them!
I hope it all works out! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img]

[graygables]

Would you say anything to someone with 5 *kids* who was planning on having more? If she wants a house full of kids or pets, it's her business and she has to live with the consequences.

[boosmom96]

I have to agree with Dawn, as long as the animals are not being abused or neglected it's really a personal choice.

[Eeyore Tattoo]

I will keep my mouth shut, But Robin I think you know my thoughts about animals and theit care....
Deb

[mom23k9s]

To be honest, unless the animals are mistreated, malnourished, or otherwise abused, or the house presents a health hazard, it's really no one else's business how many pets your friend has. True, some municipalities have laws about how many animals can live in a house, but they won't enforce it unless somebody complains.

As for the dog aggressive dog, that can be a problem. She could get in a lot of trouble if he attacks another dog. My schnauzer mix used to pull on the lead so hard during our walks that she'd make herself sick until I bought a product called the Gentle Leader. It's a head harness and (used correctly) works great. You may want to suggest it to your friend. She'd have to scrap the extendable lead and go with a regular one, but walks would be much more enjoyable.

[rescuesk]

As far as the horse goes, check the laws in your township or municipality. In our township, you must have more than 2 acres to have a horse, maybe there is something like that in your town, too. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img]

[DrDolphin]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img]

[masonsmousermom]

Being that I work at an animal shelter and was the cruelty officer for my humane society for 8 years, I would have to say that unless there is more that you aren't telling, the situation sounds o.k. Not perfect, by any means.

I don't find it one bit odd to have that many pets in your home. I currently have three dogs, one cat and two birds and we live in a duplex. One is about 110 lb. Shepherd!

When we lived out "in the country" (we still do, but we were even more isolated before our recent move), we had 8 dogs and three birds. They all lived inside with us. And we had a routine that worked well... not "perfect", but they were all well cared for and all were loved.

I've seen animal hoarding. Your friend's situation doesn't sound like that...yet. But if you are concerned, you can help her best (and the animals) by assisting in the placement of the new puppies....to responsible homes. Or better yet, see what it would cost for a vet to do prepubescent spaying and neutering of the pups before they leave into their new homes. Maybe you could help incur some of those fees as a gift. That way, you could help your friend and the future of those little puppies.

[RobinKay6573]

I think her mom is "hinting" to her that 3 dogs is too many to handle. It isn't that the dogs are unsafe or treated bad AT ALL! I KNOW she knows the problems with having too many pets but she sees a cute little face and is lost if you know what I mean.

One of her dogs has been to obedience and she did well in class but not at home. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] Her terrier can do NO wrong...when he get barky and growls at other dogs she says to the other dog parents "He is fine he won't hurt them." Honestly I don't believe her and I KNOW the other people don't. She cursing people who let their dogs off leash in the park (I do to seeing it is illegal and not real safe) however her terrier might as well be unleashed on that extendable lead. She has very little control of him.

So I will continue to bite my tongue and see what happens. Next time we go for a walk I am going to suggest she leave the new dog home. She doesn't really seem like she enjoys the long walks (we are usually walking for an 1-2 hours). I also suggested she get a doggy backpack to carry the little dog.

All I can say is I tried. I know a heck of alot about dogs and so does she...I think she is trying to prove to me that she knows what she doing. Last year about this time she got a beagle puppy that she was in love with...well the beagle ended up at the humane society because he was too hard to handle and was peeing on everything in the house. Again I tried to tell her getting another dog was not a good idea. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] I HOPE this new dog calms down a bit...she was growling at Belle when she and my friend's other dog were playing in the living room. My friend had to hold her collar so she didn't attack Belle, her comment was "For some reason she doesn't like it when dogs play." [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thanx.gif[/img] for the advice guys!