redux on lookin' for dog help in SoCal...

[villager]

I'm posting once again in the matter of my swell, sweet pooch Django. During a recent divorce, my Ex -- the one who brought him home in the first place -- inexplicably gave him the boot. I had him with me during the past year I spent living with a couple pals in their L.A. home.

When it came time to move, I looked for dog-friendly digs, but then an apartment, close to my kids, with insansely cheap rent, kind of fell into my lap.

It's worked out from the fathering standpoint, but the hitch -- not small -- is that Django can't come. The manager says no large dogs, and worse, the Ex won't take him back, when I thought she might. So I'm looking for a "foster home" for him: Which is to say, a place with a yard where he can stay, while I continue to take care of his vet visits (and bills!), buy his kibble, and, I'm hoping, swing by to see him/brush him/walk him, etc.

And if I move to dog-friendlier digs down the road, I'd love to have him with me.

He's about 11-12 years old, a Shepherd/Golden/Collie kind of mix (we
think),very sweet, a tad stiff and a little deaf, and gets along famously with
children and cats.

If you have such a yard in the L.A. area - or know of one -- kindly drop a line.

thanks very much...

--Villager

[Madrone]

1. Wish I could help you -

But I live in WA.

Could you talk the landlord into a "trial basis"? Sometimes it's possible to do that. Offer to put down a couple hundred dollars extra for the security deposit, and tell the landlord that if there's a problem after a couple of months trial, you'll find somewhere else for him. Go armed with letters of reference from the people you are staying with currently that state the good behavior of the dog and your care of him. Try to find out what it is that makes him reluctant to have "large" dogs - and make sure you hit those points. Tell him you pick up poop every day, etc. Also tell him that this is an old, quiet dog - he may be thinking "large, and rambunctious".

Let him know that you've been trying to find other arrangements, but you're not finding anything, and ask if he please won't take pity on you if you agree to the things I have listed above.

I understand your dilemma, but honestly I think your poor dog would be very sad and confused going somewhere else. Sounds like you've had him for a long time, and he's an old boy. He deserves his family.

I wouldn't give up on the landlord angle. Throw yourself on his mercy - it may work.

[LWolf]

2. I've read your thread a couple of times, and

been tempted. My place just isn't right. I have hens freeranging my tiny little plot, which is fenced around the perimeter but not divided into "front" and "back" yards. My dog knows not to chase the hens, but most dogs don't deal with that well!

I'm also about an hour's drive, making it more difficult for you to visit.

I hope you find someone soon.

[villager]

3. thanks for the good thoughts...

knockin' you a PM on the "hen issue!"

cheers,
villager

[welshTerrier2]

4. meaning you no ill will but ...

it is way beyond my capacity to understand how anyone could just give away a family member ... while i understand that pet owners frequently have problems with housing, i am truly saddened to hear that your choice to give up your dog is influenced by things like cheap rent and living closer to your kids ... both of these are to be valued but not at the cost of kicking your dog out of your family ...

and though i appreciate your responsible actions taking care of vet bills etc., i'm not really sure where you're coming from with your statement about "if i move to dog-friendler digs down the road" ... 11-12 year old shepherds may not have much road left ...

i guess everyone has to make their own call but to me, dogs are family and should always be treated that way ...

anyway, i hope you're able to find a good home for Django ... in that effort, having made the decision you've made, i wish you and your pup the very best of luck ...

[villager]

5. first off,

it was the ex who kicked him out of the yard where he lived -- I happened to have a place he could be with me that first year after the marriage...

second off, unless you have kids and have gone through this particular kind of divorce, you might not understand the kinds of emotional triage that go on, financially and ever other wise...

third off, I'm not sure having my inventory taken is particularly helpful right now...

[Shananigans]

6. Villager...I support you...

although I don't live in LA or know anyone who does, I wish you the best of luck. I understand that, just like a mother sometimes realizes that her child might be better off with a more stable, financially independant family, sometimes our canine children need the same.

Best of luck to you in your decision and please know that despite other posters remarks that may be hurtful to you...there are those of us who support you.