Article on givin up your dog

CNN posted this today. just wanted to know your thoughts...

http://www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/06/25/getting.rid.pet.mnn/index.html?hpt=li_mid

I think the information that it did include was ok. The lady in it was an idiot. No wonder she writes for Tween Girls. I wish they would have included more information on rescue, and HOW to screen for a good home (not on CL!). And it would have been nice if they had emphasized that pets are a life long responsibility instead of kind of brushing that away by saying things change. Uh yeah, but that doesn't mean you give up your pets.

Short article.

First - avoid the comments. They are infuriating!

The good parts: I really, really like the information provided about surrendering, such as sharing medical, behavioral information, etc. It is important that people are upfront about the dogs. And, the advice to expect a transition period is spot on. Too many people expect perfection right away.

The bad: I am pissed as heck that the premise of the article promotes the whole "Have baby, dump dog" methodology. WTF!?!?!?! Why oh why are SO many parent's today so overwhelmed with parenting that even caring for a dog is too much?! What has changed in parenting over the last 30 years to create such a movement? I have two children. Yeah, we had some stressful times, but nothing like what it is made out to be by these new parent's that "absolutely must" get rid of their pets. This woman seriously could not even remember to give her dog water? Really?

Agree with both Saira and Renee.

I have never been in a position where giving up my dog was the only option. I won't judge anyone because I can't walk in their shoes. All I will say is that if it IS the only option, if it is done in such a manner that you can wait until you know the dogs will be safe and rehomed in the best possible environment, then okay. Not wonderful, but okay. What I do have a problem with are people who do it without a second's thought - dumping them at the pound or giving them to the first moron that comes along (cases in point - the two pugs that were left in a locked car by their two new "mums" after getting them from an elderly couple and the two 11 y.o. Pug brothers dumped at the pound in L.A. because their owner no longer had the time for them ). That's when it goes bad.