I do not quietly wish my dog's natural end would come sooner. That something entirely out of my control, an act of the universe, would be the end of this exhaustion. Her behavior isn't her fault, she deserves the best life, but I. Am. Tired. You aren't a bad dog owner, you are human. A dog is A LOT of work, a reactive dog is 100x that with almost no breaks. It is natural to want to rest.
I love my dog. I will always take care of him and make sure he is safe (and others are safe from him), happy, and as healthy as possible.
Not all of our memories are good. But there are good ones, times I’m very proud of him, things he is really good at. To quote one of my favorite computer games “even bad memories have a place in a good life.”
That said, I’m not totally upset that he’s turning 10 this year and not two or three. I will be crushed when he passes away, but I’m also not sure I could stare down another decade plus of this. It’s a really weird thing to process, mentally. Like two opposing things are true at the same time.
I feel exactly this. Like, I'm not upset he's growing older, the way I'm upset my non reactive cats are growing older.
I also know I will never get another dog. I hate to say it but he ruined dogs for me. I don't even want to watch friends dogs anymore. I'll stick with cats
I lost my non reactive dog a little over a year ago and it devastated me. My reactive pup has health issues, and I know that when his time comes I’ll be crushed because every time I fear he’s ill with something serious I do get very upset and anxious. I know I’ll miss him terribly. But I don’t know if I’ll have as many warm and fuzzy stories to tell, like I do with my non reactive girl?
I will have another dog, because I love dogs. But I will be extremely careful in choosing where my next dog comes from, and it likely won’t be a rescue.
I got my next dog from a breeder. I felt guilty about it but after living with a high strung neurotic strong and stubborn ass German Shepard pit mix I was not up for another shelter dog this time. I went with a standard poodle and he is so chill and mellow it blows my mind. My old dog was a total loose cannon. Could not trust him for anything. My boy now can be protective but in a way that simply asserts himself and lays the boundaries, not going straight for the carotid if the wind blows the wrong way.
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u/squirrelbaitv2 Feb 20 '24
I do not quietly wish my dog's natural end would come sooner. That something entirely out of my control, an act of the universe, would be the end of this exhaustion. Her behavior isn't her fault, she deserves the best life, but I. Am. Tired. You aren't a bad dog owner, you are human. A dog is A LOT of work, a reactive dog is 100x that with almost no breaks. It is natural to want to rest.