STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Hermes

bad news and I don't know how to process it

KaffeeKlatsch · Marc Jacobs

D...I think it's perfectly ok for you to be experiencing a myriad of feelings here. I'm so sorry to read this though...and I know you must be all over the place with worries and confusion. It's totally appropriate that you should be both heartbroken for the puppy and detached from the idea of raising an injured dog.
Am hoping for a positive outcome.

jacL · Coach

I don't think you should beat yourself up if you choose not to adopt an injured puppy--that is not what you were looking for. That said, as long as a full recovery is expected, even if the leg is amputated, he will grow up happy and normal. My fiance's mother has a cat who lost a leg and he gets around just fine--albeit, no jumping!

Collette · Chanel

Oh honey that's so sad, that poor puppy. I understand looking for the perfect dog and having such expectations when you adopt them and wanting them to be the right dog. I searched forever looking for a dog when I adopted Kimber. When I got her I knew she was older and was going to have health problems being such a large dog. But boy does this big girl love with all her heart. Imperfections and all.

My #1 hope is that the dog has a full recovery. But also consider when you do adopt a dog you have no clue if they'll have health problems in the future. Every dog is a gamble. If the puppy does need to have it's leg amputated know that it can live a perfectly normal life, it can run, it can play and best of all it can love and be loved. Perfect looking or not.

It's 100% ok to feel conflicted and scared and I'm sure even angry that they let this pup get into this situation. If your heart is really attached to these two dogs then research it and you'll see. A three legged dog may be unique and even flawed. But aren't we all?

Hermes

I know - I've seen 3 legged dogs. Am I a completely awful person to not want to pay $325 for a handicapped dog? I don't want a 3 legged dog. And a part of me is like, how awful to refuse him for being less than perfect. My heart is just torn in two right now.

I'm just in tears. I guess I shouldn't worry about this until I know for sure what's going on. It's difficult to not think about it and prepare myself in advance though.

Boots · Gucci

I completely understand. Life just threw you a major curve ball.

I think there's no point beating yourself up for a decision you haven't full made yet. Wait and see how it all pans out. There's a good chance the little guy will pull through just fine.

Hermes

Thanks, Boots. I'm going to focus on sending him good vibes and we'll take it from there.

Collette · Chanel

Just remember what ever decision you make you know it'll be the right decision for you. Don't beat yourself up. Sending love and good thoughts to you and the puppy!

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

What a conundrum! I understand completely - you'd have never looked to adopt him in the first place if he was handicapped. I know it's not about the money but maybe the adoption fee can be negotiated. I imagine they will have a harder time geting him adopted if they do have to amputate and the fact that you'd take him and his sis is a huge perk for them as well.

I will say that there is a network for handicapped dogs, even 14 years old, blind, tons of health problems, etc so he will go to a good home, no matter what the outcome.

This site has a ton of great resources:
http://tripawds.com/

Hermes

thanks for your support Collette and Xtina. Thanks for that site, too Xtina.

Suasoria · Chanel

Since he's young and healthy it would surprise me if he didn't recover fully. Like you probably, I'm also upset that he was left in a situation where that happened. But please don't let him be rejected again because he isn't "perfect." He's already been through that once. Even if he's missing a leg, or has a limp, he could still be your perfect cuddleboy.

Hey, my husband has a limp (he has CP) and he's great...

alb · Marc Jacobs

Don't beat yourself up if you do not want to adopt a three-legged dog! It does not mean you are a horrible person! There are plenty of other dogs out there who need good homes - the worst thing you can do is adopt the dog out of guilt. Even healthy dogs/puppies require a lot of time and energy and it's not unreasonable for you to change your mind if the situation is not right for you. On the other hand, if you are so in love with the little guy that it doesn't matter to you, then I'd go through with it. But it doesn't seem like you are there yet and that's okay.

Hoping for a full recovery!

kenzie · Chanel

I would think you could probably get the adoption fee for him lowered and it doesn't make you a bad person for feeling unsure now.

But really, a three-legged dog will have just as full a life as a four-legged one. I understand that you're feeling torn, but you did fall in love with this puppy already, right? If it were me (I'm such a softy for dogs, injured ones and all!), I'd still take him if I already fell in love with him. I know I fell in love with my Lucy bear the minute I saw her and I would have taken her in any condition!

And just remember with any dog, there is no guarantee. We just had a huge surgery ordeal with our lab-mix (torn ACL), which can happen to any dog at any time. You just never know, you know? That little puppy will have so much love to give no matter how many legs he does or doesn't have. I feel bad this little guy is having such a rough start to life and I hope he makes a full recovery.

Kelly · Hermes

alb wrote:

Don't beat yourself up if you do not want to adopt a three-legged dog! It does not mean you are a horrible person! There are plenty of other dogs out there who need good homes - the worst thing you can do is adopt the dog out of guilt.

ITA.