Re-homing advice wanted

bertrum · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 1:50 pm Post subject: Re-homing advice wanted

Hello I am looking for some advice.

Some friends of ours are moving to Australia, they currently own two 4 year old labradors but are not able to take them with them.
So far they have had no luck finding new owners for the dogs and are considering taking the to a rehoming center. The dogs are brothers and may have to be split up if a home cannot be found for both of them together.
My girlfriend and I are considering re-homing the dogs because we don't want them to be split up, but we have a couple of reservations, which are 1: that our house may be too small for the dogs to live in, we own a 'smallish' two bedroom semi-detached bungalow with a 50 foot garden. 2: We own two 4 year old cats who can be quite feisty.

We would not want to take the dogs on if the living environment was not suitable for them, your comments please.

Kind regards

maxenergy · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 2:12 pm Post subject:

We live in a 3 bedroomed smallish detached house and our garden is not as big as yours. We have a 13 year old cat who tolerates the dog. It doesn't sound to me like your environment is unsuitable for them but the love and attention you are prepared to give the dogs is as much an important factor and if you are prepared to care, walk and lavish time and attention then go for it.

Good luck.

bertrum · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 2:23 pm Post subject:

Thankyou for your reply

My girlfriend and I have been thinking about getting a dog for a year or so.
My girlfriends father had a very bad stoke 4 years ago and he sadly died last November, we thought getting a dog would help her get over the loss of her father and also encourage us to get out and do some exercise, as we have been leading a relatively sedatory lifestyle for the last couple of years.

Did it take long for your cat to get used to living with your dog?

Kind Regards

Keren · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 2:32 pm Post subject:

Why not have the dogs over for a day at the weekend and see how you all get along and whilst you have the chance build up the time spent together with the dogs and cats and then have the dogs over to sleep...
just have a go, what have you to loose apart from sleep....

good luck
keren and alfie...

Topseyt · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 2:45 pm Post subject:

I too own a cat and a dog. The cat was already three years old when I got Charlie, and whilst he certainly was not best pleased with me, in time he learned to tolerate him (took a few months really, but open hostilities have now ceased Laughing

)

Once cats have got used to having a dog around they are generally quite good at teaching them respect, and it is something I found I really had to leave mine to get on with. It is a time thing, but cats can normally come out on top. Mine has certainly whacked Charlie around the chops occasionally when he has pushed his luck too far. Shocked

Just make sure they have their own area to escape to which is out of bounds to the dogs (use child safety gates etc.).

If you are already near neighbours with your friends it may be that your cats have already encountered these dogs, which may help you a bit.

Good luck.

Helen.

_Mary_ · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 2:53 pm Post subject:

I used to live in a 2 bed semi with a garden no where near the size of yours, I had 4 dogs!, 2 small 2 large ish Very Happy

.

As the others say if your prepared to take the dogs for walks where they can have a good run, they`ll not be bothered about space in the house, CJ sleeps after he gets back, nice comfy sofa and he`s happy Very Happy

My Westie taught CJ to chase the cats sadly, think she thought I might get rid of him Shocked

, didn`t work, but the cats are ok cos they can get away when CJ get over excited with them, the smallest one spits at him which helps to stop in his tracks Very Happy

littlelab · Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 9:03 pm Post subject:

I also have a 2 bedroom house a 30 ft garden and 3 cats all who hate the dogs with a passion as they lived here first (CATS RULE is their moto Laughing

). My 2 dogs have learnt to respect the feline members of the family and they all live in relaitve harmony, albeit cats live upstairs and the dogs down Smile

.

Things to consider when takin on 2 dogs (also 1)

Labs need company, so they should only be left on their own a maximum of 4-5 hrs at a time, can you arrange for this?
They need a fair amount of exercise, rain, snow, ice, sunshine whatever the weather, are you prepared for this.
Holidays tend to be dog related or you have the cost of kenneling,

Just a few things to consider when taking on these beautiful creatures.

OH and you become totally obsessed with Labradors and everything about them Laughing

Beware they will steal your heart Very Happy