Aww, Scarlet, I am so sorry you are at this place. I am very thankful I have a back yard for Maggie because I don't take her anymore either. I feel really bad about it too. Would your dog and you be happier being together and not getting to walk. Could you let her go out to go to the bathroom or are there to many steps involved etc.? Is there a youngster nearby that would walk her? There has to be another way! Let's think about this.

Is it only the walking issue or is she too much for you to handle in other ways. My dogs don't get walked as often as I wish I could walk them but they are getting older and deal w/ it well. Your girl is 7 yrs. old and may be ok w/ less walks.. On days I'm able, I try to make up for the "out to potty and straight back in" days. I also play fetch w/ them in the house w/ a soft toy. It at least gives them exersize and I can sit in my chair to throw their toy.
I hope that you can find a way to keep her if that's what's best for them and for you as well. My babies are a great comfort to me even though my pushy little Yorkie can be a pain!! My big lab/boxer/St. Bernard mix is the epitomy of patience (good thing for my Yorkie or she wouldn't have a head)! LOL

ozzie, your post made me cry. Dogs are so wonderful...

no, but I had to stop fostering bunnies for awhile. (I have a bad habit of adopting all the ones I foster). Do you have a family member who can help or take her?

There are rescues for all types of animals. We have been overrun since the economy crash (Michigan was hit very hard) with people having to give up their pets, either because they lost their home and the apartment would not take them or they could not afford them anymore.

It is so sad and my heart breaks for you
Hugs
Kallie

Kallie, This happened here after Hurricane Katrina. Everyone suffers when natural disaters and economic distasters strike. I am glad you mentioned this.

While walking is good for the dog, staying with a loving owner of 7 years is more important for both of you. Limit the walking/going out to just doing their business and see if you can proceed like that ...my 2 cents.

I had to give away a cat 2 yrs ago because I was completely bedridden and living alone and couldn't give him the love and care he demanded.

I know a lot of people would say that a cat is self sufficient, but they can also be demanding if they don't get the attention they desire.

I put an ad on Craigslist and a loving couple came an adopted him from me and sent me regular updates on how he was adapting.

It was terribly hard to give him up but it was better for him.

scarlet, this is a long shot, but can you get access to a treadmill your dog can run/walk on? I have to agree with ccbatson. Losing you would do far more harm to her than walks with strangers would help. And for me, just having the love of my puppydogs helps distract me from my pain.

dear scarlett,

first of all, i love your name. if it's your real name, you are so lucky - it's beautiful! even as a screen name, however, i love it.

second, i'm sorry that you're in this predicament. i definitely agree with the others, however - you need your little buddy, and SHE needs YOU! imagine if you could ask her: 'listen bud, i know i can't walk you anymore, and i'm sorry about that - but you have to make a choice: deal with the no walking thing, or go to a new home?' HANDS DOWN
your pup would want to stay with you. hands down. she loves you more than you realize, and being with her person is more important than meeting strangers on the street.

i don't know exactly what your health situation is, but having her with you might be an incentive to walk ... *when* you can. even if you wake up one day and feel that you can do one block ... that's better than nothing! and with your girl with you, you'll want to do it.

dogs sense so much more than we realize, i truly believe that. mine can tell when i'm not feeling well, and come cuddle up to me ... i find that they definitely help me to feel better in the way that they help relieve my stress when i'm in pain. you could probably use that, too!

another thing is beling alone ... you SHOULDN'T BE! having a dog, nomatter *what* size, is a safety issue - when my husband is out of town, i feel SO much safer having my dogs with me.

i *love* the idea of finding a nearby youth group, or even some neighbors with younger kids, who would walk her for you. i can't tell you how many kids i know who would KILL for a pet, but who's parents won't get one. 'i don't want to deal with the hair, and who will watch them while i'm on vacation, lalala ...' and the kids suffer for it. i was in a youth group at my church, and all of my younger siblings were, too - we definitely would have done that! if it would be helpful, message me and i would be HAPPY to help you look into that. i will find people for you! i just don't want you to lose your dog.

all of that being said, i'm sure you love her more than words, and i must say that i think it's amazing of you, especially while going through so much yourself, that you would be thinking of her needs first. i know, however, that there is a way that you can stay together and both be happy as clams. please let me help if i can!

xoxo,
misa

@kallie:

i'm a bunny lover, too! i don't have one right now, but i've had a few in my day. i think it's awesome that you foster/rescue them - aren't they just the greatest little things? do you have any right now?

xo, misa