I really wish I could NOT worry about other people's pets

A girl I work with brought in her sister's new puppy. It was part lab, part border collie and the little thing was FOUR WEEKS OLD. The person whose dog had the puppies was already sending them to their homes. (and according to my sister, the dog's had puppies before and her friend got one and it was really sick. I told the girl I work with that brought her in that puppy was way too young to be away from mama. She said, "Well, I know, but my sister's home all day..."

UGH! I'm so sad. I get so worried and stressed about other people animals.

...But her sister isn't the mother dog that can nurse and teach the puppy to be a dog. I have the same problem, and I really don't care if I've made people mad at me before for telling them a 4-5 week old puppy needed to be with it's mother. People don't get it ...they wouldn't take a 5 week old infant away from it's mother.


As for worry about other people's pets - my neighbors cats are usually fine outside but I wish they'd keep them in when it's storming. One of them got stuck on my deck (yard flooded) and the rain on the metal roof over it scared him. So I ended up letting him in my utility room till it stopped raining them carried him over the water and around the front.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

...But her sister isn't the mother dog that can nurse and teach the puppy to be a dog.

I have the same problem, and I really don't care if I've made people mad at me before for telling them a 4-5 week old puppy needed to be with it's mother. People don't get it ...they wouldn't take a 5 week old infant away from it's mother.

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Yep.

I just know that poor puppy is gonna end up in a shelter. The combo of not being able to learn from mama, plus being part border collie (super smart, I know they can't provide the proper stimulation they need) and part lab. Poor, poor puppy. She was so cute though. A little black furball.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

...But her sister isn't the mother dog that can nurse and teach the puppy to be a dog.

I have the same problem, and I really don't care if I've made people mad at me before for telling them a 4-5 week old puppy needed to be with it's mother. People don't get it ...they wouldn't take a 5 week old infant away from it's mother.


As for worry about other people's pets - my neighbors cats are usually fine outside but I wish they'd keep them in when it's storming. One of them got stuck on my deck (yard flooded) and the rain on the metal roof over it scared him. So I ended up letting him in my utility room till it stopped raining them carried him over the water and around the front.

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I just have to say that comparing a puppy to a child in this case is not the same. Many babies are given to their adoptive parents the day that they are born. It's a totally different situation. I agree that a puppy that age is too young to leave it's mother. It needs the nutrition from mothers milk and the bonding and teaching that only a mother can give it. That said...it's not a death sentence for the puppy, the puppy can survive and thrive given the right care. I'm not saying that I condone separating the baby from it's mother, the best for that puppy is to be with Mama as long as possible...definately not before it's weaned.

That is like turning a 13 year old(maybe younger) out of the house and telling them to go and live on their own.

Same thing.

Taryn

We all do it dont we, worry about how other people look after thier pets, we all think that we are the only ones that do it right saying that 4 weeks is very young to leave mum thats for sure, I do know that my last litter of pups were eating well at 4 weeks but still drinking from mum, by 6 and a half weeks old she had had enough of them (8 pups all border collie x) but I still didnt let any go to thier new homes untill they were about 9/10 weeks old.

My first dog, Teddy, came to me at the age of 5 weeks and at that age even though he was eating I did give him supliments in his food that I got from the vet (he was a lab/ german sheephearded x) and he lived to the ripe old age of 15, he was a wonderful dog so it can be done, it just needs more care.

How do you teach out ignorance and stupidity? And self absorption? And self indulgence? And rationalization? Oh, the pup will be ok, the lady is home all day..... But they are so cute at this age..... The kittens/pups are weaned and eating pet food, so they are ready to go..........



I know the feeling. Sometimes I feel like I am trying to bail out the ocean with a tea cup. And yes- I worry about other people's animals.

One of the most frustrating things is giving good solid advice .... and then people don't do it for any number of lame reasons. ....

My mom's nearly 80 year old neighbor got a puppy. A puppy!!! A little mini poodle. She lives alone in a big house on a big piece of land, which she works to maintain HERSELF. She already had a cat. Not only did she not need a rambunctious pup to raise and look after, this pup is not going to get any training. I can see if already that it will be wild and ill mannered, though she is sweet.

Many people think they know better and oh well who cares and give excuses why it is "ok" - but it is even against the law in many states to sell puppies before 8 weeks of age. Keeping them with the litter is for more reasons that just feeding. Many people fail to understand, or really care. It upsets me too because I care so much!