The Ojai Post

Why wouldn't you be able to take your dogs with you?

I had the exact same response when I got that email...why, why, why would you give up your fur children?! I encouraged her to contact DAWG, SCLRR, IndiLabRescue, CARL and Labs & Buddies. And don't get anymore pets!

It's so sad, but this situation is going to happen more and more as our economy tanks. When families face loss of jobs or their homes or both (which obviously is happening in unprecedented and alarming rates all over the country, but not always so apparent in wealthy Ojai), people are literally having to choose between their animals and - surviving. Downsizing due to a foreclosure, lack of income, etc. often means moving into an apartment - where dogs this size are not allowed. I have no idea what Sarah's situation is (or just how responsible she might be otherwise), but I have a friend who lost his job, couldn't find another after months and months of trying, had to move back to his home town and rent an apartment...and is still nearly suicidal that he had to give up his beloved dog. He had been a responsible, loving (and employed) caretaker to that dog for 8 years - until his world crashed all around him.

Assuming Sarah has done everything in her power to keep her "family" together, I have an enormous amount of compassion for her because there is no way I could ever deal with giving up my pets and maintaining my sanity. I just pray that a loving home is found for those two gorgeous creatures.

"This is by far one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make, but under the circumstances I have no choice."

I too would like to know more.

We have reached a critical situation where each person needs to search deeper and ask if they really have no choice.

Some of the rescue people I know are caring for 11 or more dogs!

That is not fair!

It is very very difficult for me to take care of the dog I adopted in December. Every day I wonder about the circumstances that caused the previous owner to take this beautiful young dog to the pound.

Ask yourself, no matter how difficult, very few people in our part of the world would give up their children. Our dogs deserve the same loyalty.

Some people do not realize that even if a home is found for their dog, that means that another dog will die. There are now so many dogs without homes that EVERYONE WITHOUT EXCEPTION NEEDS TO SPAY AND NEUTER and everyone that can do so should adopt at least one dog FOR LIFE!

Recently several of my friends have purchased dogs from breeders. The other day I passed a property with over a dozen dogs of two different small breeds that will be sold. I GET MAD WHEN I SEE THIS!!!

We need laws that make it illegal to ban dogs and cats from houses with yards!

Excellent points, Suza! I agree 100% about spaying/neutering and I get nearly apoplectic thinking about puppy mills and breeding for profit...

My point was just to convey that sometimes, people (quite literally) have no choice - as hard as it is for many of us to even comprehend being in such a dire situation where choice is simply not an option...

And PS...in no way do I want to act as an apologist for people giving up their "fur children". (Beautiful phrase!) I find it equally abhorent that many, many people in this country foolishly and selfishly take on the pleasure of having a pet and then deny their responsibility once the novelty has worn off or when faced with the slightest whiff of inconvenience....

It's just that a helluva lot of economic sh-t is hitting the fan all over this country right now - and I would hope we would all try to extend a little bit more understanding and compassion to our human friends with regard to this issue (and their individual case-by-case scenarios) then perhaps we feel might be warranted during "normal" economic times...

I really would "become suicidal" if I had to leave my pet & didn't know if she was going to be well taken care of.

Ltor is your friend better off in an apartment completely depressed or would it have been better to take his dog and take his chances?

What good is it to have a roof over your head, if you want to kill yourself?

I say take the Labs or wait until you find a good home for them before you leave...guilt has a way of making people very very unhappy even when their life seems great.

And seems to me those labs sound like an asset not a liability, especially for your children. With your moving, your kids will probably be going through a big transition, the labs will help center them keep them from getting depressed.

btw- the lab know you want to get rid of them. It's no secret to them...it's heartbreaking.

Things are getting worse indeed. I would rather a person look for a good home for their pet if they truly can't keep them than other possibilities. How many of you saw this article in the reporter?
http://vcreporter.com/cms/story/detail/equine_euthanasia_abandonment_linked_to_bad_economy/6699/

Yes, thank you DK...

I am going to bow out of this discussion for the evening, because I respect the animal-rights movement (and someone I admire very much here on the OP - Suza) too much to continue right now and risk getting heated and letting my emotions devolve into something I will regret....

Just one thought: MANY people in this country (including my friend) can't "wait" for [fill-in-the-blank] "acceptable" situations when they have been out of work for SIX MONTHS (longer in many cases). Their pitiful choices often include: 1)moving into cramped, shared living spaces with family or friends, 2) living on the streets 3) shelters, or 4) moving into somewhere smaller(anywhere) that they themselves can afford. (Which of the above options would be half-way decent for large dogs?)

Not everyone has family/friends to financially help them out, efficient savings, or a paid off mortgage / affordable home in which to live comfortably. Let's all just pray to God that we never find ourselves in a situation where we have to make heart-breaking (and morally compromising) decisions - because, however one believes they are pillars of moral integrity -there are plenty of people throughout the world (including more and more Americans these days) who are NOT so privileged.

Sorry...carry on...

Thank you, LTOR, DK, Cookie's friend and everyone else for chiming in. I agree that there are many things to consider. And if you are a renter, it usually means a HUGE increase in rent to have a place that allows dogs. Believe me, I understand the economic challenges!

Something strange just happened (and it happened the other day too.) I posted a comment and it shows up in the margin on the homepage, but it is nowhere to be found here. Maybe Tyler can fix it. Let's see if this shows up...

I’m taken back by a few of the responses that have been received by this post. I would offer to take these dogs in a heartbeat if there was any room in my ‘Inn’, but I’m currently full with rescued Danes and Labs from situations like this and worse – 5 current count. If this situation would have occurred 4 months ago I would gladly offer to take these dogs in, but it didn’t and I topped my pack off then.
Don’t people in Ojai know what’s going on – I find that hard to believe that they don’t. Our Humane Society (a wonderful no-kill shelter) is max’d out with the latest rescue of horses from Lockwood Valley and is desperately looking for donations to meet their needs. Rescue shelters are max’d out with pets that have been surrendered or abandoned by folks that have lost homes/jobs, and are desperately looking for Foster home volunteers and donations. Pounds are destroying animals in record numbers because of limited space (check out www.dogsindanger.com). Vets across the country are being swamped by requests to destroy perfectly healthy pets because their owners can no longer care for them and they can’t find suitable homes for them other than ‘kill’ shelters.
Approximately a year ago I posted a comment on the Open Thread about a town I came from that had a paper that posted ‘local’ stories about what was going on (e.g. Suzie Q was sick, Joe planted a new x-acre garden) and the folks of the community jumped into action helping Suzie out or visiting Joe’s roadside veggie stand). I thought this site was the closest I could find to a ‘community’ site in Ojai, and ceased my useless subscription to the Ojai Post. But now I see some of these responses and I’m wondering?!
This individual is doing the correct thing – she is asking the community to help her and her animals – no matter what the reason/circumstance. It appears to be a traumatic time for her (and she doesn’t have to give us an explanation – job loss, home foreclosure, divorce, no family/friends in the area, etc.). It’s not about her situation – it’s about the welfare of her animals. Has anyone heard ‘Pay it Forward’? I moved here from CO, and CO local TV stations run ‘shorts’ on ‘Paying it Forward’ about people helping people and animals – believe it or not some of those people ‘paying it forward’ come from here (CA) thanks to satellite TV.
Come on Ojai, surely there is someone who can help these animals either as a permanent home to the dogs or a temporary home until she gets in a stable situation and can be reunited with them. These appear to be young dogs with no baggage – they are just going through a traumatic situation right now.
I’m sorry for being long-winded, but I just can’t believe some of the responses I have read so far to this posting. If anyone has the room and time – ‘Pay It Forward’ and open your doors to these furry orphans.

Goodness! I am Queen of the Malaprops this week. (Efficient should obviously be sufficient) :)

Very, very sad times (that article really brings it home, doesn’t it DK?) Lots of things to think about – on both sides of the issue….

Thank goodness for people like Suza and Ginny who, as crowded and overworked as they are, still find room in their hearts and their “inns” to foster these orphans. I agree with Suza, that anyone who can should think about rescuing/adopting a homeless animal. But do your research and a lot of soul searching to make sure you are prepared to make a lifelong commitment.

Sad, sad, sad...

Hi Ginny,

I think we are all on the same page but the spirit behind our words may get lost in cyberspace, especially on a first quick reading.

It is a sad fact that adoptable dogs and other animals are being killed every day. It is a betrayal of trust.

In addition to dogs and cats, many of us (including myself)have pigs from a rescue place that boards from 40 to 50 pigs, all in need of a home. Same situation with other animals, including horses.

I want to give people who give away their dogs the benefit of a doubt that they truly have "no choice." Unfortunately, people do give their loyal dogs up because it is an inconvenience to continue taking care of them.

There is a difference in meaning between the words "inconvenient," "hardship," "difficult," etc., and "no choice."

That said, I agree this dog owner is doing the right thing looking for a home for the dogs herself, and not leaving it to the hands of fate by dropping them off at a shelter.

I just reread the dog owners plea and it is my humble opinion that any thinking person who does not know the owner's situation, would have questions.

I hope someone does a follow-up story on how this all turns out. It would be tragic and unfair to seperate these dogs!

Correction: "sepArate"

I heard that these dogs had been adopted, so I sent the originator of the email a message and just got this email:

Cutting Edge K9 Rehab is located in San Diego County, California.

The 2 Labs referred to in the email message were placed in a wonderful home in San Diego County, California.

This is a response to the emails inquiring @ the 2 labs (Cookie and CoCo) looking for a home. My computer guy helped me create a compiled list/new group with these emails in attempt to get in control of the responses. THE DOGS FOUND THEIR NEW HOME! (Together)

I want to thank each of you for your interest and support. For those not able to adopt, fostering and financing were offered.

As the response has been so phenomenal, I am unfortunately not able to reply to each of you individually, however, I have compiled a list of everyone who replied and would like to use it as a medium for spreading the word about other dogs who are in desperate need of a home in future and also dog events as they come up (many of which may offer adoptions).

If you would prefer to not receive future emails, simply ‘reply to’ this message and type UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line. That’s all!

The Labs were not my own dogs, I was just trying to help get word out and we certainly accomplished that!! I did not offer to have my name as a contact. I have a dog Physical Therapy business (connected with many dog businesses, rescue groups, shelters, etc) that is a full time job.

We have a newsletter full of useful info which you may wish to subscribe too. In which case, please reply to this message and write SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER in the subject line (if you do not already receive it)

I apologize for the delay in getting back to those who have not heard from me yet...I can't tell you all the heartwarming messages I got and so many eager and anxious to open their hearts and home to these beautiful dogs

** Please help me now get word out to anyone you forwarded the message too/told @ this situation. The inquiries are still increasing daily!! I really appreciate your help ----we need to stop the circulation of this info**********

Sincerely, Trish

Trish Penick, RPT
Owner, Cutting Edge K9 Rehab
619-227-7802
www.cuttingedgek9.com

Sounds like this thing went viral when in fact the poor dogs had already found a home!

lol good news also comes in threes?

So...this wasn't Ojai-specific??

Glad to hear of the happy ending!

"In a perfect world, I hope that we could find someone local so that we can still keep in touch and visit them."

Live and learn!

When I read "local," like probably everyone else reading this desperate plea on the Ojai Post, I assumed "local" meant somewhere in the Ojai Valley.

I'm happy to hear that the dogs were adopted together! Hurrah!!

Tell me about it. I assumed it was local too... You know what they say about those who assume - it makes an ass out of u and me.

This reminds me, recently a reputable friend tried to do a good deed by circulating an email with a photo of abandoned puppies in need of a home. Turned out it was a hoax.

Ha! ha! Very funny Tyler. I never heard that one before!

I was fairly suspicious when I received the email. Those are GORGEOUS Labs, the perfect age, etc., and I've been to LOTS of shelters in this area and in touch with several Lab Rescue orgs, so that's why I sent her an email and asked. Before I got the viral email, I had just adopted a young Lab, Toby, from DAWG. Some of you may remember my Sydney, who passed last summer after giving us 14 joyful years. Toby is an unruly teen at the moment, but has a prince under all his frogginess that can't wait to come out!

Oy Vey! Such DRAMA at the OP in the last couple of days! :)

All's well that ends well...

I just googled it, unbelievable:

http://www.google.com/search?q=cookie+and+coco+lab&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7HPND

THANKS, LS, I CHECKED THE LINKS!

UNBELIEVABLE IS RIGHT!

I will NEVER doubt my intuition again!

As soon as I read this it raised so many questions. Like, how could the dogs be only 3 years old if raised along with her young kids. And if the kids are still at home, won't their wee hearts be broken if you leave their doggies behind?

"Both are loyal and love to walk. They have been raised with my three kids running around all over the place and have survived Sammy's constant hugging and love of "dress-up," so they are fantastic family dogs. This is by far one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make, but under the circumstances I have no hope ... They are just adorable and it's heartbreaking to let them go. In a perfect world, I hope that we could find someone local so that we can still keep in touch and visit them. I pray that someone, somewhere can help us keep Cookie and Coco together and love them just as much as we do."

GRRRRRRRRRRRR...

With all due respect to those who encourage people to open their hearts to animals in need (my dog is a rescue thank you very much), why is it that we let people off the hook so easily on giving their pets up? I would rather see more energy directed at making landlords more amenable to accepting tenants with pets so this doesn't happen but people, you have to be accountable for your animals and figure it out. Homeless people have pets, and take relatively good care of them all things considered, why can't the rest of us work it out? I don't buy the "choice between having your animals and surviving" line. To a certain extent, it boils down to being inconvenienced. Living in a less attractive place perhaps one with a bigger deposit if you have pets, maybe it's just easier to hand them off to someone else. With the rental market being what it is, landlords are happy to find someone, anyone. I'm sure there are exceptional hardships, but if we truly love our pets as family, we don't kick them to the curb under any but the direst of circumstances.

This would be an awesome story to turn an investigative reporter on and find out how long it's gone on, who it's effected and how. what a bizarre event! I keep seeing people say they looked on snopes but cookie and coco aren't on it yet.

I agree with some of what dog lover says, mainly the part about landlords loosening up and allowing for pets. It's this weird vicious cycle isn't it? Landlords don't allow for pets because owners aren't responsible, owners can't be responsible for pets because landlords won't allow for them.

Which came first? the cookie or the coco?

snope, I dunno.

I'm toying with a story on the business of non-profit shelters...maybe I'll chip away at Coco and Cookie, too...

While you're there doing that can you also look into those laws that made it illegal for landlords in San Francisco was it? to deny a tenant a rental because of a pet? I remember something about this...

chip on mcduff

I never had a dog before, so when my kids left home, they left the dog with me. I assumed Sadie was my kid's dog not mine, so I decided to find a good home for Sadie and then I would be free to roam, no kids, no dog.

I dropped Sadie off at her new home and easily walked away. I looked back and saw Sadie at the screen door looking at me. I didn't think much of it, cause she had a good home, and besides, she was just a dog.

Well a day or two went by and I couldn't forget Sadie's face at the door looking at me. I went back and begged them to give her back. I told them I'd even pay them.

Well I took Sadie home and we've been together since; and now she's 12 years old. I certainly learned my lesson..you can't just dump your children and you certainly can't just get rid of your dog, cause they really are part of the family, and honestly you have no recourse but to take care of them, you actually have no choice. If you buy a dog, it's like adopting a baby...you'd never give them away unless you were in a mental hospital or in the morgue.

Your dog would rather be on the street with you, then in a mansion, eating steaks. Just like children would rather be in a hut, as long as their mother is there. So getting rid of your dog because you lost your house is even more nuts. (unless of course there really is no choice) and then you do what you have to.

Dear Comment #33, a dog is not a dog,
Your story brought tears to my eyes. Thank you!

The whole issue of landlords discriminating against people with pets is a huge, hot topic that needs to be investigated here in Ojai.

Just now I read that "recent court rulings have made it illegal for landlords to deny renting to people with comfort dogs," defined as "animals that provide comfort to people with depression or acute anxiety."

LS – Thanks for the link.
UNBELIEVABLE – this story has been posted on animal/rescue sites from PA to CA – what are people thinking starting scams like this in these times! Animals of all sizes, species and breeds need help right now (as well as us 2-legged folks). All scams like this do is close potentially ‘open doors' that could help. All I can wish for is that karma kicks in on whoever started this scam.
The good news is – the support that was received on this site for these animals. My faith in Ojai is renewed – this is truly a great community to live in that is willing to help family, friends, and neighbors (2 or 4 legged variety).
So Ojai – Pat yourself on the back for your compassion. Maybe this thread should be redirected to our local ‘animal crisis’ – like all the horses at the Humane Society. I know Ojai and Ventura’s generosity has poured into the shelter, but we still need to keep the Society’s needs (financial, etc.) from slipping from our sight.
Way to go Ojai – we’re all ‘paying it forward’ (smile).
Now I’m off to write apology notes to all the groups/contacts I asked to help with ‘Coco and Cookie; - GRRRR! Talk about burning bridges and ‘crying wolf’ (sigh).

At the risk of beating a dead…er…topic to death:

As I stated above, I agree wholeheartedly with the concept of “You adopt a pet, you adopt it for life”. Obviously! But, as with most issues that evoke such passion, life isn’t always so black-and-white. I have tried to point out the shades of gray, slim as I agree they are.

I wish, wish, wish I could just let it go, but after re-reading the following comments, I feel compelled to play the contrarian on this thread: “Living in a less attractive place perhaps one with a bigger deposit if you have pets”, “Homeless people have pets, and take relatively good care of them all things considered”, “Your dog would rather be on the street with you, then in a mansion…So getting rid of your dog because you lost your house is even more nuts”…

I’m terribly sorry, and I hate having heated debates with people with whom I have come to respect and admire on this forum, but the logic in my head and the Christian values in my heart just can’t wrap themselves around these sentiments.

As the example I gave above about my friend (I thought) illustrated, it has absolutely NOTHING to do with giving up a nice place for a “less attractive” one, or the slight economic hardship of having to come up with a “bigger deposit”. It has to do with at one point in your life being able to afford a single-family home with a yard (where large dogs are allowed) and suddenly finding yourself royally F-d in this crashing economy. Your job is gone, you’ve burned through what was left of your pitiful 401K trying for MONTHS to find work, you can no longer afford your home of 15 years, your credit that took so long to built up tanks in a few months (so most landlords will not rent to you, with or without animals), and (with all of your money GONE) you find yourself in the horrifying situation where, the only place that you can afford is a crappy one-bedroom apartment where dogs are not allowed. (Each and every one of us should pray to God that we never find ourselves in such a terrifying, OPTION-LESS situation!) Are you actually saying that my friend (or the THOUSANDS of people like him) should choose keep the dog(s) (rather than find them a safe haven with another family) and to live “on the street” and do without putting a roof over their head??? What about if my friend had children? (Carrying the “pets are your children” theme to its logical end – if you were homeless, your children would be taken from you and placed in a safe environment. THAT is black and white!) May I be so bold as to suggest that to make a comment like that must mean you have never worked with the homeless, never heard tales of the realities of being beaten, raped or worse. It must mean that you haven’t seen the homeless dogs that I have – the ones who look as cold, tired, hungry and utterly demoralized as their master. As DK stated above, I would much rather have an animal transfer homes and be safe than to stay in an unsafe environment just for the sake of staying with the same owner. Does Ojai provide such an ivory tower lifestyle that this concept isn’t immediately obvious?

Now I have cats. With cats, you can go on vacation for a week and come back and your cats will give you that bored “whatever” stare – as if to say “Oh..you’ve been gone. Hadn’t noticed. Now feed me”. As the saying goes “Dogs have Masters, Cats have Staff”. So I’m no Cesar Millan. I can’t really speak to the psychological impact of dogs being transferred from one loving owner to another. But as the many people who have rescued dogs and given them a loving, safe home can attest – it’s not the end of the world. Certainly not on the scale of putting a family of human beings “on the street”. So, please let’s have some compassion for the thousands upon thousands of people who through no fault of their own are tragic VICTIMS of this perfect storm of the housing crisis. To cavalierly talk of homelessness and the making assumptions that everyone who is forced to give up a beloved pet is only doing so due to the “inconvenience” of living in a “less attractive” home make a mockery of the ideas of Good Samaritan-ism, being a good neighbor and having compassion for (and being stewards of) ALL of God’s creatures.

Ok, so now I feel like a long-winded gas-bag. I will ban MYSELF for a while…

And since this thread is being read by many other animal lovers other than myself, when I say that I can leave my cat for a week while on vacation - OF COURSE I mean I leave them with family or a cat-sitter. JUST to be clear...LOL

LTOR, I appreciat all your points and in essence, I believe that when we feel the spirit behind the words of everyone who has expresed their opinion here, we are all on the same page. Just reading quickly, I see your point and agree. In extreme hardship cases, there is a thin line between "inconvenience," and "no choice." I think everyone realizes that.

We are all rambling off the top of our head with good intentions!

I am deep into several books on dog psychology.There probably is a more humane way of giving a dog to a new owner than suddenly abandoning him without explanation...animals understand much more than we think!

you said it yourself, LTOR, you're a cat person, dogs are different! dogs are not dogs. dog people are different. true dog people don't give up their dogs.

I give up...

Please don't give up; you're voice is needed.

And we are not all on the same page.

I am duty bound at the risk of incurring your ire to restate the principle (don't make it personal) that the long range solution is to abolish pethood. In the meantime take care of the pets you have but don't take on any more and if there is no other honorable solution give the unfortunate ones a peaceful and kind transition; and thereby transition to a peaceful and truth-ordered world.

Your move, Tyler.

It has nothing at all to do with an ivory tower mentality. Once you begin to scale human value vs. animal value, you get into a ball of wax I don't even want to touch; in my opinion, once you agree to become a pet's custodian, those distinctions should not exist. If they do for you, pet ownership is probably not a step you should take. No one said "everyone" who gives up their dog is doing so because they don't wish to be inconvenienced, but how many times have you heard of couples giving their pets away because of a new baby? We have to have a firmer committment to animals when we take them on, and I'm afraid the hand me down mentality leaves animals vulnerable because we are lead to believe it's ok, that they will be better-off with someone else which really isn't true. It's interesting you bring up Cesar, because he's the one who noted surprisingly that homeless dogs are the happiest dogs in the world. Again, I think we should keep the homeless in mind when considering whether to give up our pets. Both the owner and dog find companionship in what can only be the worst of all worlds, I just think we need to work harder to find a way to avoid abandoning our pets. Even if it is to a good home, it's abandonment plain and simple.

Dennis, I just had a great idea. It is very stressful for the people at the shelter to have to kill the dogs that don't get adopted. Since you have put forth this "solution" at least a dozen times on this blog why don't you go fill out a job application at the shelter in Camarillo and put your money where your mouth is. YOU be the one to "give the unfortunate ones a peaceful and kind transition." If they won't hire you, please go volunteer at the shelter and get some firsthand experience with what you recommend ad nauseam.

That was truly brilliant!

#44 -- I'm not strong enough to take on that kind of karma. Besides, I don't have a car to get to Camarillo. Thanks for the thought though.

#44 to #45, Thanks for the compliment!

#44 to #46, Nice to get a short answer.

I do hope you will ponder what it would actually be like to be the person who administers the lethal injection day after day after day after day...

Killing a vibrant, healthy dog, who loves his life as much as you do, a dog who has never done any human any harm, whose loyalty and unconditional love for human beings is unsurpassed, is among the ultimate betrayals of trust!

Killing life is a violent act and that is why it must be mitigated and balanced. The only power large enough is love (call it any other name if you wish). Pethood is unbalanced and must be reoriented to a free nation of animals who then will be our true coinhabitants of planet earth. Ironically, pet lovers are the only ones karmically strong enough to assist in this transition with regard to individual animals and our culture at large. The change begins with them.

OK, I don't feel like such a fool the story wasn't a scam after all....
http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2009/02/paws_effect_finding_cookie_and_coco_a_ho.php

Thanks Ginny, I was so curious, I just had to read the link you posted. That story better be true!

That Lab story is going around again. Same dogs. Same story. Just got an email from a Ventura County animal organization. I alerted them but how do you stop something like this?

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2009/03/21/lemon.daffys.pet.soup.cnn one solution someone started to help people keep their pets!