My DIL is active in Pit Bull rescue and was at the vets a few weeks ago with some PB pups that she was caring for. A couple came in with this Gordon Setter and wanted to have it put down. They were moving and it wasn’t convenient to keep him.
DIL went ballistic (as I would have) as there are so many options for an unwanted dog short of killing him. She told the vet she would take the dog and find it a home. Barnaby had been neglected and possibly abused. He was wormy and dirty and 25% under weight, but his physical symptoms were just the tip of the iceberg of his troubles.
Well, two foster homes later he arrived at my house. He was shy and wouldn’t eat at first by my two dogs, my fiancée, and I gave him all the love and attention he could want. Long story short, I couldn’t do it. The more comfortable he became here the more evident his emotional problems became and this morning I turned him back over the DIL, who is going to adopt him herself. I feel sad and guilty and I’m still not sure it was the best thing. I could probably have saved this dog myself but it would be at the expense of my dogs and my home. I feel like crap.
Barny got stuck in a bedroom for 5 minutes and tried to dig his way out.