Foster Home???

[dabroad]

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Hi there I have 2 x italian greyhound x whippets one bitch (spayed) who's 2 years old and one un-neutered dog who's 1 year old.

I am 3 months pregnant and am thinking of my options for my dogs closer to my due date.(may 2011) I think i'd really struggle with two hectic young dogs and a baby! I'm struggerling with money also and i'm panicking that i'm going to have to re-home them which i really really don't want to do! They are my life and i know i'll regret re-homing them. I want what's best for my dogs and they simply won't get the attention they need if i have a new born baby around. I have had both my babies from 7 week old pups and are my best friends. I was wondering if anyone knew if it's possible for my dogs to go into a foster home 6 months - 1 year when the baby is due to help me get on my feet? is there such people?

Many Thanks

 

[jinnyfizz]

I'm sorry to have to say this , but surely you should have "thought of your options" before you got pregnant? :blink:

Long term foster homes do exist, but it is unlikely that the cost of vet bills etc would be borne by the fosterer as it would not be their responsiblity.

The kindest way for both your dogs would be to rehome them permanently. If you would like to contact Scruples Whippet Rescue we would be pleased to help as much as possible :thumbsup:

 

[pippywhippet]

Hi, congratulations on your pregnancy and hope things go smoothly for you :thumbsup:

I had a 2 year old ridgeback and 2 whippies when I had my first child- things were difficult to begin with, but going out for a walk every day was my little bit of sanity in a mad world :teehee: I had a sling when she was tiny followed by a backpack when she could sit up... we used to go for miles over the Yorkshire moors in all weathers and she was a very healthy baby despite being critically ill at birth due to complications... never had the bugs and sniffles that all the other babies seemed to suffer with Same when my son was born 2 years later.

I made sure during my pregnancy that my dogs were used sometimes to being shut in another room, or in the garden when it was sunny with a bone for an hour or two - so that they were used to this when baby came along.

I am not sure whether fostering for the amount of time you want is fair for anyone or the dogs themselves :wacko:

I have never regretted keeping my dogs at any time- I hope that because of my dogs my children are growing up into more sensitive and caring individuals who know how to treat animals with respect.

My ridgeback adored my daughter and was a true friend and protector for her ( RIP Lentil) ... she lay behind her to support her when she was learning to sit, and there wasnt anyone outside of our immediate family who would be able to get within a few feet of her pram when she was sleeping!!! (w00t)

I really hope you get to a descision you are happy with- you have lots of time to get your dogs used to children and even crate train them if they are not already which may be useful ... good luck and hope you decide to keep all your family together :luck:

 

[~Annie~]

I understand how scary it can be when there's a baby on the way and you're not sure what the future holds - I've been there myself - but I think you will find that your only options are 1. to get a support network in place that allows you to manage both dogs and baby (and you're right to be thinking so far ahead because that gives you plenty of time in which to do that, just don't underestimate how exhausting caring for a new born/young baby can be) or 2. to rehome your dogs, however sadly.

There are very few long term foster places out there and fewer still where all costs are met, so while in foster you will almost certainly have to contribute to the cost of caring for your dogs even though money is tight. But of more concern is the fact that after six months or more your dogs will be thinking of their foster home as home and returning to you will be like being rehomed all over again. In consequence you may not get back the dogs you sent to foster, instead on their return they may be confused and less confident and even regress to toileting in the house etc., like so many rescues. Sorry to be so negtive but I really don't think fostering is an option here. I hope you can sort something out so you can keep them with you but as Jane says if you can't we'll be happy to help find them approved Scruples homes. Good luck whatever you decide :huggles:

 

[dabroad]

I understand how scary it can be when there's a baby on the way and you're not sure what the future holds - I've been there myself - but I think you will find that your only options are 1. to get a support network in place that allows you to manage both dogs and baby (and you're right to be thinking so far ahead because that gives you plenty of time in which to do that, just don't underestimate how exhausting caring for a new born/young baby can be) or 2. to rehome your dogs, however sadly.
There are very few long term foster places out there and fewer still where all costs are met, so while in foster you will almost certainly have to contribute to the cost of caring for your dogs even though money is tight. But of more concern is the fact that after six months or more your dogs will be thinking of their foster home as home and returning to you will be like being rehomed all over again. In consequence you may not get back the dogs you sent to foster, instead on their return they may be confused and less confident and even regress to toileting in the house etc., like so many rescues. Sorry to be so negtive but I really don't think fostering is an option here. I hope you can sort something out so you can keep them with you but as Jane says if you can't we'll be happy to help find them approved Scruples homes. Good luck whatever you decide :huggles:

Thanks Annie your information has been helpful. I think i know whats best but i will never forgive myself if i do it! :unsure: If i do decide to rehome them i'll do it myself to keep them as close as possible i'm even thinking family members or friends!

 

[Hula]

I would strongly urge you to consider at least trying to cope with your dogs and your new baby .

When it is your first baby you will worry about how you are going to cope but most people get into a routine to suit everyone fairly quickly .

The fact that your dogs are young means they should adapt quite well . Also the fact that there are two of them means if you are not able to give them as much attention in the beginning at least they have each other to play with .

Don't make a hasty decision you may live to regret .

When my children were babies I had always at least two dogs , cats and a part time job . If I can manage anyone can :thumbsup:

 

[dabroad]

I would strongly urge you to consider at least trying to cope with your dogs and your new baby . When it is your first baby you will worry about how you are going to cope but most people get into a routine to suit everyone fairly quickly .

The fact that your dogs are young means they should adapt quite well . Also the fact that there are two of them means if you are not able to give them as much attention in the beginning at least they have each other to play with .

Don't make a hasty decision you may live to regret .

When my children were babies I had always at least two dogs , cats and a part time job . If I can manage anyone can :thumbsup:

Thanks hula!

 

[cyfrin]

Many years ago I was asked to foster a golden retreiver, as my friends were off to work in Dubai for 2 years. After much thought I said NO as I didn't think I would be able to give her back after 2 years. Honey was only 13 months old. So, they thought about it and they decided to give her to me! I think that was the best option all round and Annie & Hula have such good advice

Good luck with your pregnancy & decision

 

[~Sarah~]

Hi there I have 2 x italian greyhound x whippets one bitch (spayed) who's 2 years old and one un-neutered dog who's 1 year old.I am 3 months pregnant and am thinking of my options for my dogs closer to my due date.(may 2011) I think i'd really struggle with two hectic young dogs and a baby! I'm struggerling with money also and i'm panicking that i'm going to have to re-home them which i really really don't want to do! They are my life and i know i'll regret re-homing them. I want what's best for my dogs and they simply won't get the attention they need if i have a new born baby around. I have had both my babies from 7 week old pups and are my best friends. I was wondering if anyone knew if it's possible for my dogs to go into a foster home 6 months - 1 year when the baby is due to help me get on my feet? is there such people?

Many Thanks

Hi and congratulations.

I feel you would really live to regret parting with your gorgeous dogs, and as others have said, I wouldn't think long-term fostering is a very suitable option.

I would try to get them into a routine before your baby arrives, where they are left for periods of time on their own and/or crated.

When your baby arrives it will be Spring time which is a lovely time of year to be out walking the dogs with the baby. Try to get family members to help where possible.

I speak from experience and feel I was too worried about being houseproud when my two children were little ( I would do it very differently now :- ), so try to be laid back and relaxed and spend as much time as you can enjoying your new baby (and hopefully your dogs as well). :wub: :wub: :wub:

Good luck with whatever you decide. :luck:

 

[teachtrinity]

well done for thinking ahead but I'm sure you are worrying needlessly, bear in mind you still have another 6 months before your baby is born and young dogs can calm down enormously in 6 months. I had a dog and 3 cats when my kids were born and never for a moment considered rehoming my animals (my kids on the other hand...... LOL) as others have said, get your support system in place, get your dogs used to being on their own for short periods and maybe even get them used to being walked by other family members although as Pippywhippet says going for a walk with baby and dogs is excellent for all involved. Growing up with animals is so good for children the benefits far outweigh any negatives :thumbsup: best of luck :luck:

 

[olismum]

Hi, we got maisie off of here when we already had a 17 day old baby! We also had oliver (a crazy rescue lurcher) and another child. Don't rehome your dogs just yet, wait until the baby is here and then if you really cant cope then rehome them.

Get your dogs prepared- they can't have your attention 100% of the time, no dog should whether you have a child or not. Get them used to being shut out of the room away from you.

Also pick up a cheap buggy argos do them for £10 and train your dogs to walk beside it before the baby is here, beleive me it is possible and makes life so much easier. My two dogs walk perfectly with the pram, and will act like saints getting on the bus with a double buggy, people ask me how do you cope - simple i have to my husband has the car in the week.

Walking your dogs with a baby is easy - ipromise, teach your dogs to be coupled its even easier with just one lead.

When baby arrives, as much as it is important to have dog free time with baby it is important to have baby free time with the dogs! Also let the dogs be around the baby as much as possible, keeping a close eye on them.

The worse thing i find with the dogs and a baby is nappies! Nothing more appealing to a lurcher than a fresh steaming nappy :x

Oliver doesnt particualry like the kids but he just walks away, it is important that the dogs know that they are allowd to walk away. Maisie on the other hand loves them. Toby our 2 year old son would sleep in her bed every night if i let him they play together so nicely, but he respects the dogs and they respect him.

It seems a long way off but never let the baby toddle up to the dog and look into its eyes, they want to do it and have a strange fascination for eyes at that age and obviously the dog will feel threatened.

Good luck and i hope this helps :luck:

 

[meddling]

I urge you to either keep them both throughout or re home them permanently, to return back to you just as your baby becomes a toddler would be very hard for them to cope with...

I had 4 dogs when i had my son, two rescue min pins and two boxers, they all got used to my son, and adored him from about 10 days into his life, I've never regretted it!

Good Luck with your pregnancy and your dogs.

 

[storm1]

I'm sorry to have to say this , but surely you should have "thought of your options" before you got pregnant? :blink:
Long term foster homes do exist, but it is unlikely that the cost of vet bills etc would be borne by the fosterer as it would not be their responsiblity.

The kindest way for both your dogs would be to rehome them permanently. If you would like to contact Scruples Whippet Rescue we would be pleased to help as much as possible :thumbsup:

spot on there the dogs were the first thing in ya lives till you decided to have a child get them a permanet home were someone wants them forever not till summat better comes along :angry:

 

[FeeFee]

It's hard enough to find foster homes for rescue dogs who really need them because they have nobody to take responsibility for them. These dogs are your responsibility, and it would be totally unfair to expect someone else to look after them for a year then hand them back - not to mention unfair on the dogs.

I had two rescue dogs when I became pregnant, one of them was quite a handful at the time, but one of the good things about pregnancy is that you have plenty of time to prepare! I put loads of time into training, so the dogs walked well on a lead (essential for walking along with a pushchair), had good recall so I could let them off for a decent run in the park, learned not to jump up and learned to go onto their beds for short periods when asked. There were no crates around then, but nowadays I would probably also crate-train a dog so he would happily settle with a chew or a kong for short times when you can't supervise.

A new baby in the house is very tough, but things settle after the first months and dogs and babies are manageable if you plan and organise and put the effort now into making your dogs as well behaved and biddable.

If you really feel you can't manage, then I'd agree with others that you should rehome them permanently - but please think about it carefully and don't panic and do something you will regret.

Good luck with the pregnancy :luck:

 

[meeka123]

reading back through your posts i see its not long since you had an accidental brother/sister mating with these dogs so id say phone up italian greyhound rescue and ask them to help,if you had accidents like that happening before when youve got a baby to look after it might happen again and i dont think you can cope.better to let the dogs go now and get rescue to get them settled in a good home :thumbsup: all the best

 

[Jan Doherty]

have you asked the breeder(s) of your dogs for help? They should be your first port of call.

 

[dabroad]

thankyou all for your comments. Meeka123 i didn't have a mating with my dogs i got worried that my dog even though 4 months could have caught my bitch! He didn't and i had her spayed so in regards to that i'm not sure what your on about. I wouldn't contact my breeder as she's the type of person to sell them on! Money grabber! I'm going to try my hardest to train my dogs again as i have let there training go having two and my boyfriends old dog. My dogs are crate trained already and they stay in there crate over night and when i leave the house as they chew and soil my house. Since they have been crated they are much better. And i leave the crate open when i'm home and they use it as there bed and choose to go in it to sleep while open

 

[meeka123]

yes i read that your bitch might have been accidentally mated

http://www.k9community.co.uk/forums/index....showtopic=67062

,i didnt mean you had mated her deliberately but that you thought there might have been an accidental mating so thought if youve a new baby on your hands as well then you wouldnt be able to cope with a bitch in season again and it might have happened again.i see you did get your dogs spayed which was a very sensible thing to do. :thumbsup:

hope everything works out for you and you manage to cope with everything,good luck for the future )

 

[sarah2]

OMG! no one knows the circumstances around the pregnancy, sometimes these things happen. I don't think suggesting that pets are fine until something better comes along is either helpful or very nice, I'm sure that wasn't the case and I wish you all the best with your new addition. You can do it, I did!

 

[Little Brown Dog]

I had three terriers and a nine month old lurcher when my daughter was borne. I managed to walk all four with the pushchair - everyone just got on with it. I used couples to reduce the number of leads, but at times it was a little like chariot racing. Don't tie the leads to the pushchair!!

When the midwife came for her first home visit my older terrier was in her usual place, in her basket by my bed, with baby in a cot by the bed and she said 'now nice to see some normality'.

Everyone is different and so are their circumstances - so good luck with whatever decision you make.