We had to return Ivy to the rescue league today.
Believe me, it wasn't an easy decision.
Over the course of the weekend we learned that she was housebroken, knew how to "sit" and "lie down," she loves cheddar cheese and she learned how to walk beautifully on a leash.
Unfortunately, we also learned that she viewed our cats as prey.
I spent what seemed like hours on the phone yesterday and today trying to find someone to come to our house to help us with Ivy and her cat attraction. Finally this afternoon the dog behaviorist from the rescue league called us back. She told us it would likely take 6 months or more of intense training, with Ivy never being loose in the house, i.e. on a leash either held by one of us or hooked to a reinforced bolt drilled into the wall studs, to determine whether she could be trained to leave the cats alone. Even then, it would be questionable whether we could ever truly trust her.
She gently, but bluntly, let us know that it was highly likely, because of her age (3) and unknown background, that we would never be able to train her not to hunt them.
Ivy was absolutely the perfect dog for us in every respect but this one. She was sweet as sweet could be and couldn't get enough love. She even gladly ignored our rather cantankerous older dog.
It was a difficult decision to return her, especially for the girls. Sarah sat, sobbing, on the floor next to Ivy. Ivy reached her paw over and placed it on Sarah's lap. As Sarah's tears continued to flow, Ivy gently placed her head on Sarah's lap, offering comfort.
Fortunately, both girls understand, but that doesn't make the parting any easier.
Believe me, it wasn't an easy decision.
Over the course of the weekend we learned that she was housebroken, knew how to "sit" and "lie down," she loves cheddar cheese and she learned how to walk beautifully on a leash.
Unfortunately, we also learned that she viewed our cats as prey.
I spent what seemed like hours on the phone yesterday and today trying to find someone to come to our house to help us with Ivy and her cat attraction. Finally this afternoon the dog behaviorist from the rescue league called us back. She told us it would likely take 6 months or more of intense training, with Ivy never being loose in the house, i.e. on a leash either held by one of us or hooked to a reinforced bolt drilled into the wall studs, to determine whether she could be trained to leave the cats alone. Even then, it would be questionable whether we could ever truly trust her.
She gently, but bluntly, let us know that it was highly likely, because of her age (3) and unknown background, that we would never be able to train her not to hunt them.
Ivy was absolutely the perfect dog for us in every respect but this one. She was sweet as sweet could be and couldn't get enough love. She even gladly ignored our rather cantankerous older dog.
It was a difficult decision to return her, especially for the girls. Sarah sat, sobbing, on the floor next to Ivy. Ivy reached her paw over and placed it on Sarah's lap. As Sarah's tears continued to flow, Ivy gently placed her head on Sarah's lap, offering comfort.
Fortunately, both girls understand, but that doesn't make the parting any easier.
We have decided a St. Bernard will come into our lives, but we will have to adopt a puppy. We'll be able to train a puppy to ignore the cats, as we did our older dog.
The people at the rescue league were kind and gracious when we returned her. They even apologized, but they had no way of knowing she wasn't good with cats as she had been abandoned by her previous owners. They even thought she had been to a groomer, though all we had done was bathe her and brush her daily.
At least now, her new family will know she's great with kids and dogs, but not cats or small animals. I hope she finds a good and loving home.
One like what we would have given her.
6 comments:
Oh, I am so sorry to hear this. What a painful decision to have to make.
That would be a terrible thing to have to go through. My thoughts are with you and Ivy. I hope he gets a good home soon.
I'm sorry about Ivy and I'm sorry I didn't get over to meet her before she was gone. (((Karen & Family)))
Thanks, everyone.
She was just so incredibly sweet...
Anyone know a reputable breeder? I'm finding the process to be quite involved and a bit intimidating...
Karen,
We found our puppy through this website http://desmoines.kijiji.com/f-Pets-W0QQCatIdZ100112
We posted a wanted and we waited until we got a reply that was what we were looking for. We got her from a breeder about an hour out of DM. Just be picky until you find the right one.
Much peace to you!
~Heather
Ivy was a terrific girl. I bet she found a terrific home where she doesn't have to be distracted by cats. I loved that dog and would have wanted her as my own if she wouldn't have been interested in eating my cats.
mathe
Post a Comment