Forced to live in car with dogs

I would do it too in a heartbeat rather than give my dogs up.  Almost "been there" once or twice.

fitzfids

I would do it too in a heartbeat rather than give my dogs up.  Almost "been there" once or twice.

I wouldn't. It isn't fair to the dogs. Most people here preach about exercise, mental and physical stimulation, not getting a dog if you can't afford one, etc... These situations contradict everything about giving a dog a proper home. It's admirable that people try to keep their animals, but honestly, it's no life for the dogs. Those dogs stay in the car all day - and the weather is getting hot!

In some cases I think people need to get themselves back on their feet so they and their pets can be comfortable instead of subjecting their pets to that kind of life.

And I have been there. Fortunately I was able to give the pets to family who either still have them, or gave them back to me when I was stable again. It's sad because in some cases those pets may be all that person has... but the pets shouldn't have to suffer for it.

Gizmo83036

fitzfids

I would do it too in a heartbeat rather than give my dogs up.  Almost "been there" once or twice.

 

I wouldn't. It isn't fair to the dogs. Most people here preach about exercise, mental and physical stimulation, not getting a dog if you can't afford one, etc... These situations contradict everything about giving a dog a proper home. It's admirable that people try to keep their animals, but honestly, it's no life for the dogs. Those dogs stay in the car all day - and the weather is getting hot!

In some cases I think people need to get themselves back on their feet so they and their pets can be comfortable instead of subjecting their pets to that kind of life.

And I have been there. Fortunately I was able to give the pets to family who either still have them, or gave them back to me when I was stable again. It's sad because in some cases those pets may be all that person has... but the pets shouldn't have to suffer for it.

I agree, as much as I love my dogs, i love them enough to make sure they have the living conditions they deserve.......... 

What I hoped for when I saw that article was that a Golden Resuce might step up and offer to foster her dogs for a bit.

Both dogs look elderly, so I can understand why she is sleeping in the car with them. But that is not the best life for her, or her dogs.

I wouldn't. It isn't fair to the dogs. Most people here preach about exercise, mental and physical stimulation, not getting a dog if you can't afford one, etc... These situations contradict everything about giving a dog a proper home. It's admirable that people try to keep their animals, but honestly, it's no life for the dogs.

not so sure- how many people keep their dogs in crates all day and all night, spend about an hour a day with them if that, and firmly believe they are offering their dogs an excellent home? at least these dogs get to sleep with mom, and depending on what else she does with them during the day they may be happy as clams.

Truley

What I hoped for when I saw that article was that a Golden Resuce might step up and offer to foster her dogs for a bit.

I'm hoping the same. It's getting into Summer and those dogs wont be safe in the car all day.

What is sad to me is that she has 3 adult children. They explained why 1 isn't helping, but what about the others. I sure wouldn't stand by and watch my senior mother sleep in a car.

There is a statement about the other children.

They live overseas.

Gizmo83036

Fortunately I was able to give the pets to family who either still have them, or gave them back to me when I was stable again. It's sad because in some cases those pets may be all that person has... but the pets shouldn't have to suffer for it.

I guess that's where I make the greatest distinction. If I had someone who would take my animals and care for them, then I certainly wouldn't make them live in a car with me. I honestly don't know of anyone who would take either of my dogs though. One is 12 1/2 and the other requires expensive meds each month. I don't know many people who would volunteer to take them in, so my only hope would be a rescue group. If they wouldn't help, then giving them up would probably mean the end of life for them, and I'd rather they lived that out with me, even if it meant sleeping in my car.

Gizmo83036

Those dogs stay in the car all day - and the weather is getting hot!

hmm... i'm sorry... maybe cause i'm a republican?

million dollar condo in santa barbara devoted 3/4 of her income to housing?

and her car sounds and looks like its worth a few Gs....

why is she insisting on living there and making 8$ an hour when obviously it's freaking santa barbara!!!

i'm upper middle class, and i would never even splurge on a meal there let alone trying to live there full time!

am i heartless i dont feel sympathy?

SalemsMom

They explained why 1 isn't helping, but what about the others. I sure wouldn't stand by and watch my senior mother sleep in a car.

The article said that the others live overseas, that she hasn't told them, and that she wouldn't accept their help anyway.  This is a very proud and independent woman!

Gizmo83036

It's admirable that people try to keep their animals, but honestly, it's no life for the dogs.

I sort of agree, but, for example, if I had to live in a car, Cherokee's options would either be live in the car with me, or be PTS. Why? Because..if I was living in a car, it would mean none of my family were in a position to take me in or help me out, which means they couldn't take Cherokee either, which means she would have to go to non-family...which isn't possible. She's an aggressive dog who has bitten a person. I wouldn't leave her willingly with anyone besides myself (unless one of a few specific I-doggers wanted to take her. ). If I happen to get hit by a bus tomorrow, then I know my Mom would take her, but even that's not ideal.

Anywho..yeah, Cherokee would be living in the car with me, because I do not for a second believe that death is better.

When I worked at the breed rescue, we got a call on a Saturday from a mom who was going to be evicted on Monday.  Her dog had given birth to 9 puppies on Friday.  The local shelters had a litter of puppies with parvo, so they turned her away for her puppies' safety.  Her plan was to live out of her car w/her sons if she had to, but knew this was bad for the dogs.  (Didn't know it was bad for 2-day old puppies to be OUTSIDE in JANUARY in NEW YORK!  So, sadly, two died.)  The dog and puppies were rescued by a coordinated effort, and in the end, 6 of the 9 were adopted and never lived out of a car.

Horrible choices. 

Gizmo83036

fitzfids

I would do it too in a heartbeat rather than give my dogs up.  Almost "been there" once or twice.

 

I wouldn't. It isn't fair to the dogs. Most people here preach about exercise, mental and physical stimulation, not getting a dog if you can't afford one, etc... These situations contradict everything about giving a dog a proper home. It's admirable that people try to keep their animals, but honestly, it's no life for the dogs. Those dogs stay in the car all day - and the weather is getting hot!

In some cases I think people need to get themselves back on their feet so they and their pets can be comfortable instead of subjecting their pets to that kind of life.

And I have been there. Fortunately I was able to give the pets to family who either still have them, or gave them back to me when I was stable again. It's sad because in some cases those pets may be all that person has... but the pets shouldn't have to suffer for it.

While I do agree with the fact that getting a dog when you can barely afford yourself, this is why shelters are seeing such an influx of companion animals recently.  So I would rather sleep in the car with my dog then have her go to a shelter and possibly be put down because there are just too many companion animals needing homes.