[ss94]

Hey, first post here.

I'm leaving home to go to university in a few months, hopefully (if I get the grades). I have had a labrador for the last 6 years or so, and hes been a huge part of my day to day life for that entire time.

I've had a deal with my brother (hes 16, so is not too young to care for the dog) for a while now, that when I left home for university he would look after the dog, and I would return home whenever possible to do so (the university is only an hour away.)

A couple of days ago my brother changed his mind, and said that he only agreed to do it for me and didnt want to actually look after the dog (walking, feeding, waking up early etc.) This is fair enough, but fairly sudden.

My parents have started talking to me about rehoming. My mum has been ill recently, so even though she enjoys the dogs company, she will be unable to care for the dog for the foreseeable future. My dad has a strong dislike of the dog, and has made it clear since day 1 that he wants nothing to do with it to the point of avoiding the dog altogether when possible.

This means that there is noone in the house who is able or willing to look after the dog in the way I have been for years. Now the focus has turned on rehoming the dog. My mum talked to me about it (at this point I didn't know about my brothers decision), and gave me the choice of whether or not we should rehome it. I was against it, but the next day she asked again. I realised that no matter what I said, she would just ask again until I said yes. I regret it now, but I agreed to it.

I don't really know what to do. Obviously, I do not want to rehome the dog. I want him to be here when I come home from university as he is, to me, a huge part of the family. I'm just wondering if anyone can think of any alternatives? Its a long shot, but oh well.

Whilst writing this my mum spoke to me about it, and when I voiced these concerns she took it badly. I'm pretty annoyed that although I was given a choice, its obvious that regardless of what I had said it would only end one way, which is rehoming. I feel like I'm being forced into it, but being given a "choice" for the sake of them appearing diplomatic, and everyone seems suprised that I'm annoyed with the whole thing.

TL;DR, may have to rehome the dog before uni, any alternatives?

[ClaireeRoisin]

Look into fostering. Is there a friend of yours who has the ability to look after the dog when you're not around?
Also some animal rehoming centres have a fostering programme where for example, if someone is going away on business or holiday and can't take care of the dog, a registered animal carer will take care of it until you get back. They foster animals from shelters too. Or you can pay to put the dog in kennels during the week and take him home on weekends, so long as you're coming home on weekends. There are quite a few alternatives to rehoming him completely. Talk to your local animal kennels or vets to see what options they can suggest.

[SmileAway]

Can't you commute to uni everyday? Or do you have to live at uni for some reason? It's just that I know people who stay at home when their uni is only an hour away.

[Greenlaner]

You could always pay your brother to look after the dog. I dont know what he is bitching about to be honest. Its really not that hard or time consuming to feed a dog twice and day and let it outside every now and then.

[elldeegee]

(Original post by Greenlaner)
You could always pay your brother to look after the dog. I dont know what he is bitching about to be honest. Its really not that hard or time consuming to feed a dog twice and day and let it outside every now and then.

but it's more than that.
Every pet needs attention, and it's not just a case of "letting it out every now and then", it's more a case of taking it on an hour long walk or 2 half hour walks etc.

[Kim-x]

Keep the dog and commute to uni.


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