Where to start? I don't want to be one of those "bad" pet owners who has to rehome an animal, because of something they could have fixed.
I've gotten myself into a mess and need to get out. I've been up since 4am, and I think I'm thinking pretty clearly. I don't know.
Here is goes: My ex-bf and I took in and fostered cats. Hence the two cats that I posted about yesterday. My landlord found out that I had them and that, along with some mess that my bank caused (all happening at once), has driven me to go ahead and move. Things are still in the air though, b/c the person I was going to move in with is having his own issues.
I currently have two dogs-Sadie and Riley-and three cats of my own-Turbo, Thomas, and Bevo. My mom was supposed to take two of the cats originally (several years ago), but my dad wouldn't agree then.
I am now looking at a complicated situation. I may need to move into an apartment that only allows two pets. That said, I could probably cover 2 cats or even 3 for a while. I think between my parents and my sister, I can have one or two of the cats stay with them (or they may even take them in now... my dad has softened, hehe).
My financial situation since last fall has also become a mess. I was trying to buy a place, was told that dogs (even big dogs) were okay, and then was left to scramble for a place in 3 days time when I found out they weren't (I was due to close that week). I told Riley's breeder that I would likely be in a place without a yard but near a dog park that I had found. I explained my situation, and even cancelled taking Riley. When I did, she mailed part of my money back to me. I think it was a little over half after the cancelled plane ticket, but I'd moved and my mail wasn't being forwarded yet (a whole other issue). She received the check back and emailed me. She said that Riley was still available and that she had been hoping I would take him. She wasn't having trouble moving the puppies, so I didn't take it as a plea or something. We started talking again (we had talked for several months prior to this), and I agreed to adopt him. I paid for his flight again, and she sent him. I think part of me knew it wasn't the best decision, financially or considering my living situation (renting).
On top of all of this, I have met with several trainers recently trying to stop Sadie and Riley from wrestling around. I know they are playing, but Riley is starting to be able to really hurt Sadie. Sadie's a tough little cookie, but it's gotten to the point where he has her crying. I do time-outs, long sits, crate time... They still want to go at it often, though. Riley doesn't do this with any other dog (Sadie provokes it normally), and Sadie does it to a much lesser to degree with a few other dogs (to the point where it's safe wrestling... does that make sense?). I've been concerned and talking to my vet, who says with their size difference it could be an issue in the future. This is something that I think training can solve, but it does play a part in what I need to decide.
I have been rescuing animals since I was 19. I'll be 25 next week, so it's not that I'm all that seasoned, I guess, but I hate it when people give up their pets for "dumb" reasons (left it in the backyard and decided they didn't want to make time for it, it got too big, they didn't train it, etc.). I don't want to be one of those people, but I also know that I can't move around with 5 pets. People are pet-friendly here, but that's pushing it. I also adopted Riley last, and as much as I love him, I have a commitment to Sadie and the cats first. This is killing me to say this, but financially and with my living situation, I don't know if I can keep him. I'm a wreck. I don't know what to do, but I have found myself in a situation where I do not know how well I can take care of him (and the fosters that I am now placing). I feel like such a failure. I want to do what is best for my pets first and foremost, though, and moving around ahead of landlords who are going to eventually find out isn't the right thing, neither is not being able to afford things like more extensive training or doggy daycare (I know it's not a must, but both of my dogs get a bit anxious when I leave and it would be good for them) or "extras".
Have any of you had to go through this kind of thing-rehoming a pet? I feel like one the people that bug me with their crazy reasons and stuff. I know there are legitimate reasons that some people have, but I don't know if I feel like mine are. I feel like I should get out of this myself, but I don't really see how.
Okay, thank you for letting me ramble, and if anyone has been through this and has any words of wisdom, please let me know. Or if there is something I'm not seeing, please tell me. I feel like my mind is moving at 180 miles per hour.